


Kerri Evangelides • February 5, 2021
Reflecting upon our choices during the Pandemic
The renowned book, The Choice written by Edith Eger comes to mind when reflecting on the global pandemic. Her story set in Auschwitz teaches us about survival and suffering which may resonate with our own personal stories during this time. Whilst we are dealing with an unprecedented humanitarian and economic tragedy let us take a moment to pause and ponder about our current situation and what the pandemic has taught us. It is important to note that our painful experiences are not always a liability but rather a gift. These experiences give us perspective and meaning on life, an opportunity to find our unique purpose, our inner strength and teach us valuable lessons about ourselves, others and the world in which we live.
· Suffering is universal… victimhood is optional. We cannot choose a life free of suffering but we can focus on what has to come. Hope is instilled in each one of us. Hope is an investment to be curious. A recognition that if we give up now, we will never get to see what happens next.
· Stress is an important element although often perceived as negative; stress requires us to face challenges, to find creative solutions, to trust ourselves in the process and in our own personal journeys ahead.
· Even in the dullest moments of life there are endless opportunities to experience hope.
· Compassion, optimism, intuition, curiosity and self-expression are words which are derived from Choice Theory and may assist us as a compass in our upside down world. We have the choice to practise these words in our daily life and with some reflection; we may come to the realization that as people even in difficult times we will continue to be strong and resilient.
· During this time, tell your story with expression, reflection and with meaning. We have learnt through the Covid pandemic to listen more to each other and have often taken more time to hear people.
· Loving yourself is the only foundation for wholeness, health, and joy. Once you begin to heal, what you discover will not be the new you but the real you. The you that was there all along, beautiful, born with love and joy.”
· Everything around us, our relationships, our job, our circumstances can change in an instant. That’s why it is important that we embrace the present moment and embrace who we are and live!
· Humans are social creatures first and foremost. Social learning is a powerful tool for lasting change which involves people learning from each other and adapting their behaviour. We have come to realize how important people and gestures are in our lives no matter how small any act of kindness may be.
· Each moment is a choice. No matter how frustrating or constraining or painful or oppressive our experience, we can always choose how we respond to our experiences.
· Healing is possible when we choose to take responsibility for our lives and our choices. Healing happens when we open up, talk to others, and make space for the pain that has been locked inside ourselves.
Although we are faced with a second variant of Covid and are still finding 2021 uncertain and difficult we can still can preserve our mental and spiritual freedoms and find our own inner light. We are all heroes of the pandemic; heroes of life. Some daily circumstances that may invite us to practice heroism:
° to radiate compassion
° start with self-compassion and bring out the best in ourselves and in others
° to commit to daily acts of kindness
° to sustain love even in the most challenging of times and
° to celebrate and exercise our power of mental freedom
By Kerri Lee Evangelides, School Counsellor, Psychometrist and Reading Therapist.