Be A Part Of The Solution

For years I have believed and taught, that unless we are prepared to be a part of the solution, then we forfeit our right to complain – and I still believe that.

But over the past eighteen months trying to live and survive in a COVID world, the boundaries have become more blurred than ever.

People are angry, lashing out at things that they would normally not lash out at. Politicians have become a target of hate and abuse while in most cases, they are just trying to do the best they can in a very new and uncertain environment. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t agree with everything that is being done and said, but then I ask myself the question – what would I do if I had that same weight of responsibility on me, with no previous experience in a situation like we are in?

Currently I am stuck in a different state of the country than my partner and most of my family and none of us can get into our respective states. This has been the case for 2 months now and it looks like this could be the case for several more months. This is difficult and personally painful, but it is no-one’s fault, it is just the way it is, and so we need to make the most of this difficult situation – because it will end!

My strategy at the moment is not to block everything out, but to acknowledge the situation and learn as much as I can during this time. Easier said than done, I know, but what is the alternative – become bitter and twisted and angry at life – that helps no-one.

One thing I do know is that every time I fire an arrow of hate or blame at someone, I diminish my ability to bring about positive change both for myself and for others.

I saw a quote this week by the great Australian author Hugh Mackay, and it said this:

“If we dare to dream of a more loving country - kinder, more compassionate, more cooperative, more respectful, more inclusive, more egalitarian, more harmonious, less cynical - there's only one way to start turning that dream into a reality: each of us must live as if this is already that country.”

- Hugh Mackay – The Kindness Revolution.

So, I make a pledge today to become a part of the solution, to learn as much as I can and to take responsibility for my part of this challenging situation and not immediately look for blame. This includes doing what our leaders ask me to do.

We will come out of this, and I want to come out a better and more loving person than when I went in.

I hope you will join me and take up Hugh Mackay’s message in making this a better and more tolerant society.

Have a great week.

Des Penny
Co-CEO
Proteus Leadership