In Times of Crisis
The English word crisis is borrowed from Latin and derives from the original Greek word krisis, which means, “act of separating, discrimination, decision”. The noun krisis is derived from the verb krinō, meaning “distinguish, choose, decide, judgement.” The English word crisis was first used in a medical context.
Merriam Webster defines crisis as: i) the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever; ii) paroxysmal attack of pain, disorder, or disordered function; iii) an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life; iv) the decisive moment (as in a literary plot); v) an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; and vi) a situation that has reached a critical phase.
Put in my own words, I understand a crisis to be the coming apart of what was once held together, either through entropy or conscious choice. The degree to which a crisis occurs will depend on its state of unrest, which involves multiple and myriad influences. Getting to the desired outcome cannot be achieved with the same thinking or behavior that created the crisis (Einsten). To remedy a crisis, you must move through it. On the other side is transformation.
Below are a few things I’ve learned about navigating crises in my own personal life.
Try not to label the crisis. Crises are dynamic. They are constantly changing. Labeling creates attachment, blurring vision. See the impermanence of life in the crisis. Allow it to teach you what is needed.
That which can be taken away was never yours. Tightly grasping or holding on to what we think is ours creates groundlessness. It is your offering to the world that is truly yours.
Move into your body. Calisthenics, yoga, running, and walking are excellent ways to move into your body, regulate emotion, and in turn, to be present. By moving into your body, you quiet your mind and invite alacrity through stillness.
Be disciplined. It will be hard to stay motivated in times of crisis; but you can remain disciplined. Control the controllables with discipline.
Remain goal-oriented. Pick one or two goals each day to focus on. They don’t have to be lofty goals. They can be something as small as making your bed first thing in the morning, or putting everything back in its place. Completing goals provides the satisfaction of progress, which leads to more progress.
Don’t lose sight of quality. Keep quality in everything you do. Quality in work. Quality in relationships. Quality in connection. Quality in life. Don’t sweat the imperfections, but be persistent about quality. There is intelligence in quality and quality as intelligence.
Be vulnerable without fear. Thinking you have all of the answers during a crisis will lead to more crisis. Stay focused on authentic action. The solutions will reveal themselves when you act with purpose and intention to do what is necessary, without fear.
