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TODAY'S CHILD

THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES BUT WE CAN

EMERGE STRONGER THAN BEFORE

By Dr Ilse Ruane

he current situation in which we
find ourselves, with Covid-19, can be
Ttaxing on us. These are tough times,
but we can emerge stronger than before
should we work actively towards achieving
that. I have been asked by several clients
over the lockdown weeks... what are some
of the things I have observed from this
challenging time?
1. Mindset: stay positive
As clichéd as it sounds, a positive mindset
is a small but important part of getting
through these difficult times. When life
takes a turn for the worse, we can do one
of two things. We can remain positive
and remind ourselves that this will pass
and that we will make it through... or
we can curl up and become a victim of
circumstance and context. When we
stay positive, we are putting ourselves
in the best possible position to make it
through the challenging times, as well as
to become a better person in the process.
It is okay to have down days. Life is not
perfect... but it definitely is good. Our goal
should not be to create a perfect life but to solution is not in plain sight, because if it ourselves up for frustration when we
live the best imperfect life we can. To get were, we would have found it. But if we can focus our time and energy on things we
up every morning and take a good look take a step back and see the bigger picture, cannot control. We are also making the
around in a way that takes nothing for we may discover something that can help. situation seem worse perhaps than it
granted. Practice positivity and gratitude. By stepping back, we gain perspective actually is, because we are focusing on
and can look at our experiences and the negatives. We should instead focus
2. Gratitude memorable moments, despite these on the things that are within our control...
Gratitude means showing appreciation for difficult times. By staying grounded in our because that is where the power lies. Make
all the good in life, instead of focusing on beliefs and value systems which provide a list of everything you can control about
the negative. Become clear about what the backbone to our life stories, we enable the situation and divert all of your focus
you appreciate. What are all the things ourselves to seek out evidence that towards those things. Anything that is
for which you are grateful? We tend to promotes the stories we want to live. not on the list, does not get any focused
be focusing on all that we have lost at attention.
the moment. Let us turn that idea on its It is pointless to learn from the difficult
times if what we have learned does not 5. Growth through experience
head and start focusing on what we have
gained through this experience. When we directly affect our actions. We need to take People develop slowly over the course
focus on being grateful for what is going action. Do not stay stuck. Immobility is a of time. Sometimes we get so focused
well and what is good, the problematic breeding ground for all sorts of additional on the road ahead, that we never look
context does not go away but it becomes issues and problems. So, make a list, make back to see what we have already
some phone calls, research something travelled. Let us pause for a moment and
less significant and recedes into the
background. that interests you. Taking action is think back to the 27 March 2020, day 1
empowering. Take action... any form of of lockdown…. What has happened in
3. Change and action action, whether big or small. your life between then and now? Again,
Currently, there is not much we can focus on the positive things that have
change practically about the situation 4. Focus on what you can control, not on occurred. Perhaps it is more family meals
with lockdowns and levels of confusion. what you cannot together, perhaps you have learned that
Choices are limited but we do have the Some situations are beyond our control, your child is really good at technology or
choice of how we want to respond. There like the infection rate and the political perhaps you have done some research
are days when we can work actively to confusion... and no matter what we do, into the behaviour of the new Fish Eagle
make the situation better. Often the we cannot change those. We are setting in Phase 3.

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