Defining my own “Normal”

 

We all are living on very fine tender hooks of crises and difficult times. Each one is struggling to define a location and a position for himself and say this is what I shall do or this is what I shall not.

There is so much information overdose, differing viewpoints and minute by minute change in statements, rules, policies and perspective that I get caught in a web wherein I am seeking a normal location for myself.

However the context that I am living in has absolutely differing ideas, differing viewpoints, differing choices, differing decisions and differing pulls.

One day I believe I belong here but the next minute I am made to believe I belong somewhere else. Each situation evokes sense of reassurance or diffidence. I am tossed like a basketball bouncing from one end to the other not knowing where I really belong.

How do I define what is normal for me and not normal for the other. There are huge arguments, debates, fights and conflicts amongst people to impose each ones belief on to the other.

I can become insane if I do not use my own logic, rational and perspective to anchor myself in location of balance and proactive choice.

There are people who have locked themselves up in their houses with the fear of Corona. Not even a walk down for fresh air. Some of this is imposed by the government but lot of it is also self-created.

How real is this fear and how much this is hype by media and politicians? Is it the fear of Corona or is it the fear of death that each one is encountering. This fear has become a greater pandemic than Corona itself.

Hence it is important that each one of us create a map of what is normal and what is a hyped fear that is imposed on us due to uncertainties, irregularities, and warped information sources.

The responses are not based on how intelligent you are but it is based on how scared you are to deal with uncertainties, trauma and difficulties in life.

I would not disregard or demean the trauma the sufferers have gone through. However if we prepare ourselves a little more a little stronger and a little braver in life, then the situation will not be so terrible or so horrible.

Corona is just one more difficulty that has come in our lives. Do we break down or fight the situation with greater resilience, greater knowledge of the situation and a broader mind set.

Instead of aping what each one is doing and checking notes with each one can we create an internal resources base which is our own and has a larger perspective of the situation. Families are breaking down, children are being depressed and adults are completely dislocated.

Let us get together or in isolation find a location wherein I am able to define my own normal.

  Author:-Dr. Nayana Shah (Ph.D)

             Director, Manthan

             Ahmedabad