The world is changing faster than we can absorb the nature of the whirlwind.
The nation is rocked by political, economic, and social turmoil, with anger and pain playing out in the streets.
Our social systems can’t keep up with the pace of economic and technological change, and our long-standing racial and social divisions seem near a boiling point.
The global system we live in is experiencing the most profound change since the Industrial Revolution some 350 years ago. That revolution played out over about 100 year period.
Today the pace of change dwarfs previous systemic revolutions, especially in technology. Social media, the internet, PCs, smart phones, tablets, laptops, MP3 players, game consoles – for most Americans, none of it existed just 20 years ago.
Paul Simon sang to us 30 years ago about the sadness and fear that often accompany the “days of miracle and wonder.”
Days of miracle and wonder often come with a price tag. Stress, anxiety, and suicide rates rates have risen significantly in the U.S.
Very few of us can completely unplug from these larger forces. And that’s not even an option for those whose work directly connects them to these larger events: teachers, police officers, social workers, professors, doctors, caregivers, activists, business and n
on-profit and city leaders … the list is long.
Are you experiencing a kind of free-floating anxiety about the state of our world?
If so, you are not alone. Make a plan to care for yourself.
If you are not grounded, the whirlwind might carry you away. If you’re grounded, you’ll be able to hold the center while still serving the world in whatever ways you choose.
Taking care of yourself today is more crucial than ever. “Put on your own air mask before attempting to assist others around you.”
- Establish a self-care routine: meditation, spirituality, exercise, team sports, gardening, journaling, art, family time. The important thing is to make it a daily and weekly practice.
- Know the symptoms of clinical anxiety and depression. If you see signs in yourself, seek treatment.
- Know yourself deeply, and write a life mission plan. This is an effective and practical way of defining your values and how you want to live them on a daily, weekly, and annual basis. It’s a grounding stone against the whirlwind.
On this last point, professional coaching using the ICF model is perfectly designed to help. As always, you are welcome to contact me for a free initial conversation to see if coaching is the right tool for you.
