Much of it depends on what happened before the lockdown. Where were you at - in your personal life and relationships, in your career, the state of your body, and where were you spiritually and emotionally?
In South Africa, the lockdown came suddenly, but at least with some days to sort out a little bit of life, obtain food and other resources. Following the restrictions, a person had to either adapt to confinement or live in survival mode.
However, some were metaphorically already confined and trying to survive, within their circumstances. If you were in the position to retain your job and live a fairly normal life, you were the exception, since between 29% (Dec 2019*) and 35.313% (forecast Dec 2020*) of people in South Africa are unemployed and many live in poverty. Many SA companies and people were already experiencing pressure from the dilapidated economy. It was still early in the year which presented no prospects of raises or new employment appointments as yet, as the new financial year barely began.
Globally everyone is recognising the ruin the Covid-19 lockdown has caused by now. In SA companies and restaurants are closing down and facing liquidation, since the toll on the economy has been devastating. Small vendors and informal road stalls were forced to pack-up and the elimination of daily income has now turned to the plight of begging and survival. A considerable number of homes have become dysfunctional and are living in dire circumstances; some resulted from bad relationships, and some because of unemployment and poverty. Many people are distressed; their responsibilities are mounting up be it financially or emotionally since the lack of financial resources is real.
The escalating costs of food and demand therefor have caused much tension and anxiety, the increase of people in one household which resulted from the lockdown has had its toll. As a result of this you could find yourself wandering off to negative thinking habits, the one negative thought runs after the other like a train on a railway. The nauseating feelings have forced you into a rut of despair and hopelessness locked in your fear.
Although the devastation Covid-19 has caused is greater than the advantages, life is best perceived when we turn the negative into positive – and reminisce on that which we are grateful for! It is similar to physical fitness training and training your muscles to become firm and fit. Training your brain from negative to positive is going to take effort!
In the movie Dr Dolittle (2019) the gorilla Chee-chee is fighting with the tiger Barry when she tries to save Dr Dolittle, she is trying to overcome her fears (see clip link below). She screams “I am not a prisoner of fear,” then she asks “I am not a prisoner of fear?” and then declares repeatedly “It’s okay to be scared,” “It’s okay to be scared,” and apprehends Barry. Her fear (clearly seen in her eyes) was at first overwhelming, but then the more she said it is okay to be scared, and her subsequent verification of she is not a prisoner of fear, she eventually came to believe her declarations – and she overcame her fear!
You too can overcome your fear, by training your brain to be an overcomer!
Your positive declarations and anticipations - negating fear and focussing on the goodness in your life could change the direction of your thoughts. We might not have control over our circumstances, but we have control over what we decide to think, and HOW we react to these experiences. The secret to sustainability is how good we do the same good thing over and over again.
Sometimes fear is our imaginations; sometimes fear is real; sometimes fear is relentless circumstances, such as people that don’t have an income anymore and therefore can’t buy food, can’t buy airtime or can’t pay for rent. Sometimes fear is our thoughts increasing and escalating as negativity adds more and more anxiety. But the thing is - we have control!
Each one of these fears can be dealt with.
Physically the real fears can be assisted with support systems in place for people who are experiencing anxiety, loneliness, or those who do not have an income, are unemployed and require food assistance.
Mentally you can control your thinking habits, with one exercise that could assist your negative thoughts - by making a list of the things that you are grateful for; and those things that you appreciate. Declaring these positive things repeatedly, could adjust your brain structures, stop the negative train of thoughts and calm your mind.
The whole country is fighting the same battles - you are not alone in this situation;
people are standing together helping others in need – someone is there to help you;
people are aware of others – an outward reflection is creating care and unselfishness;
the similarities that we are experiencing – is developing empathy for each other and a deep appreciation for what we have!
People are helping each other in so many creative ways - I see South African’s practising Ubuntu!
Should you desire talking to someone please book a session with a JustLive coach.
Elvira
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clip from the movie Dr. Dolittle (2019) - Chee-chee fighting her fears:
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