My arms are aching and I'm not getting anywhere
When faced with a crisis like COVID-19 you need to be able to see it from different perspectives. I like to put what I’m feeling into a different context, to give me a kind of metaphor to help my thinking. So here’s a little piece about surfing. For those who surf or at least tried it, you'll resonate.
For those who haven't surfed, imagine, you're in the ocean, which provides epic waves for you to catch on your surfboard, a feeling like no other.
A sense you are at one with the water, you're being propelled by this magical wave that surged out of nowhere. Time stands still, and you feel the euphoria soak your body.
After what feels like minutes which is actually 3 seconds, the wave dumps you, and you now have to turn back around and paddle out. That's right you have to go through the walls of water, get it wrong you get pushed back, keeping going with no progress will get you tired. Sometimes you have to wait, and sometimes you have to take a new line out, find a channel that will assist you.
Eventually, you get out, your in the line-up, waiting for the next wave to catch.
During this time of COVID-19, we are in that turbulent white water trying to paddle out, beyond where the waves are breaking.
We have options:
Go back to the beach and surf another day
Keep going, your strength and perseverance may get you back out, ready to catch the next wave.
Take a new line, find a new channel that will assist you. Shout to those watching from the beach to see what they see. Shout to the surfers who are already there waiting to take there next wave. Ask them how did they get there, what are they seeing, is there an easy way to get out.
Watch and learn what's happening with the waves, how are they changing shape, do you need a different board?
Happy riding, there will always be waves!
Aaron
Here’s an example of paddling out:
Image: Photo by Sebastián León Prado on Unsplash
