When facing a crisis we often have the awkward and unsettling tendency to first consider the worst possible outcome. The bad takes precedence over the good…the dark over the light. In short, we abandon logic.
Correct reasoning gets thrown to the wind. Fear leads to panic, panic to confusion and confusion to error. There is always the very real possibility that damage can be done to our mental wellbeing because of the process of getting from one sense of self to another.
But just as we can harm ourselves because of the way we think we can also heal ourselves. Between harm and heal is a concept often difficult to turn into action. And that action is halt.
Often it can be difficult to identify the source of the crisis we are facing. It can be happening because of exterior influences or because of internal turmoil. The common factor is the pain being generated. The hurt can manifest itself in our head, our heart or our body.
The best time to tackle a crisis is when it is in its formative stages. If we can see it or feel it then we owe it to ourselves to do something about it before it reaches a critical level. But it’s not always that clear.
It’s advisable, therefore, to choose a point to draw a line in the sand. Identify how far we are into a crisis situation and then work on strategies to call a halt to it.
Such action comes back to self-awareness. We need to get to know ourselves and use that knowledge to befriend the person we are. Only then can we effectively practice the kindness and self-care that we need to cope with the world around us and the world inside us.
There will always be another crisis, another threat, another fear.
We need to consider our reaction in advance so we are better equipped to deal with inevitabilities when they occur.
Such preparation is an individual responsibility.
Gary Bentley Counselling 