Message of hope in challenging times

How we are living the changes we thought were impossible to make

Flowers and chocolate brownies received from neighbours during the lockdown

What impact does the global crisis of the coronavirus have on our lives? And which changes would you like to keep in your life even when this crisis is over?

We discussed these questions with a wide range of people during a meaningful conversation online. We reflected upon the meaning of “crisis”. In Japanese, the word crisis (危機=kiki) has the kanjis 危=”danger” and 機=”opportunity”. We live in dangerous times, but what opportunities does this bring?

Here are some insights and reflections from people about the impact of the coronavirus on themselves and on society:

• We had to make drastic adjustments that we could not imagine were possible just a few months ago. Take for example the notion of working from home or not visiting family members. We also see that young people can make this change much easier.
• We are facing difficult times. People are dying, people are losing their jobs, businesses are falling, an economic crisis is anticipated. There is a greater awareness of our vulnerability. Conversations with others change as a result. They become less superficial and more meaningful.
• We have more time to reflect on what is most important in life. Life has always been so busy, but now the world has slowed down.
• We are reminded about the importance of certain professions that we normally took for granted. For example, people working as doctors and nurses, supermarket personnel, transport, police officers, etc. We also see that nature is immediately responding: there is less pollution.
• We come to realise that we are not just individuals, we need to connect with others. We have more time at home with the family. We are reaching out to our neighbours or people we haven’t seen for a long time. We are even connecting with people with whom we had a long standing argument.
• We see different reactions in people. Yes, we do see self-centredness, but mostly we see people arising to help others, we see kindness and solidarity, There is a greater recognition that we need each other and are called upon to collaborate with each other.

But when the corona crisis is over, will we go back to “business as usual”? How do we ensure that these insights and experiences during the crisis don’t disappear when it is finished? We asked the participants: what change would you like to keep in your life because of this crisis? This is what was shared:

• I come to realise the importance of human relationship and how we are all connected. I would like to foster stronger bonds of friendship and trust with other people.
• I appreciate the change in conversations with friend and stranger alike and I would like to continue having such meaningful conversations with others.
• I see how people are helping each other, being kind to each other. I wish to work towards such an environment in my neighbourhood and at work.
• I developed a greater sense of humility and have an appreciation for people’s professions. I would like to keep this insight that everyone’s contribution to society is important.
• I am amazed how we have made changes in such a short period of time, changes that I thought were possible to make, yet it is happening. I wish to keep this insight that change is possible.
• I see the importance of collaboration, solidarity, kindness and building communities, and I wish to work towards this actively in my environment and at work.

The Soul online learning community has been working on exactly these points for many years. Now than ever do we need people who wish to become community builders and agents of change! We invite everyone who sees hope in this global crisis to join the online learning community. It is here that you learn:

• How you can build relationships of trust with others
• How you can foster solidarity and care at the workplace
• How you can promote a sense of hope among people
• How you can direct your energies to bring positive change at work
• How you can engage in meaningful conversations with others
• How you can better collaborate and learn with others
• How you can build communities where there is universal participation

How can you join?

There are different ways how you can participate:

• Join one of our online introduction sessions about Soul-driven leadership that is held every Thursday at 8.00 pm CET. Click here more for information.
• Join one of our upcoming Soul-driven leadership online courses. Click here more for information.
• Join our online Agents of Change groups. Click here more for information.