TIME TO CHANGE

BY Vincent Lyn

You can accept the culture you have, or you can make a conscious decision to forge, develop and nurture a new one.

This time, last year, everything was so different. I was on my way to Havana, Cuba and what an adventure it was. I don’t think many of us could ever have dreamed that a pandemic would take hold of the entire world and threaten our way of life. But before we are ready to quickly jump back on the bandwagon remember life is about change. Sometimes it’s painful and yes sometimes its beautiful but most of the time it’s both. We must therefore heed the warnings.

On March 1st South Korea had 2 deaths and the United States had 20 deaths related to COVID-19. Yet here we are May 17th and while South Korea has 262 deaths the United States have over 90,000 deaths and counting. South Korea a country of 52 million appears to have greatly slowed down its epidemic. It has done it without locking down its entire cities or taking some of the draconian and radical measures that helped China bring its epidemic under control. South Korea’s success may hold lessons for other countries and also a warning. Even after driving case numbers down the country is braced for resurgence.

Behind its success so far has been the most expansive and well-organized testing program in the world, combined with extensive efforts to isolate infected people and trace and quarantine their contacts. So as the U.S. is now slowly gearing up for business as usual the virus now has everything it needs to fuel its transmission — human beings. It’s obvious our present administration didn’t learn a thing from South Korea, Taiwan, China or New Zealand. Many say Trump’s not entirely to blame and that we can blame Democrats or Republicans red or blue states, right or left. But the truth of the matter is countries look to great leaders to lead them through the fire instead we have a leader leading us into the fire. But the sheeple will blindly follow along so they can feel a sense of empowerment and so-called normalcy and control of their own lives. Sadly though if there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us is that we are not in control and never really have been. But I am not here to question people’s motives or directives. We can all make our own decisions moving forward but the only thing I will ask is to be respectful of your neighbor and your fellow human beings health and that goes for anything we do moving forward in a post COVID-19 world. I don’t think that is asking too much. I do believe for many, myself included that it’s time for change. To consciously develop, forge and nurture a new future.

Andy Warhol said it best, “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change things yourself”. The future can always be changed. However, this does not depend on an individual’s awareness of the possible outcome of a situation. If a person is able to work out the most likely outcome that depends on the current situation, then they will be able to influence the factors of that situation to change its outcome.

I’m sure everyone will agree that our life is not as great as it should be right now? But we can turn things around and get everything back on track by using a few practical steps as follows:

Make a plan. Write down all the things you would like to be doing right now. Now examine the list, what’s stopping you? Can you adapt things to achieve your goals? For me the inability to get on a plane and travel to a far away country is obviously not in the mix right now. Having to adapt to that is tough but more frustrating than anything else but it does allow me more time to construct a plan of action when restrictions are uplifted.

Make a second list of things that are not going right for you at this time. Now read through this list again. Can you take action to make changes for the better?

Write down goals and things you would like to do on a daily basis. Note things that make you happy and things you are grateful for. Take small steps in the right direction (small steps lead to great journeys) tick your achievements to prove that you are moving forward.

Look after yourself. Taking care of your physical and mental health is a priority. This includes, diet, exercise and rest. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and support you. Stay positive. Just by keeping your mind in a positive frame, you will be surprised how things look different.

Check how you spend your time. Social media can be great if you are friends with or follow people that motivate you or make you smile. Those who spread doom and gloom need to be got rid of.

Challenge yourself. Things will never change if you do nothing to change them. Take action, face challenges and move forward. Face your fears to overcome them.

Let go of the past or any regrets. Nothing can be done to alter what’s happened already. But today is the first day of the rest of your life. Move forward a wiser person. Learn from past mistakes but don’t continue to punish yourself because of times gone by.

Change is never comfortable even change for the better. It’s why many people stay in jobs they loathe, in relationships that leave them lonely and in situations that drain them of life rather than embrace the uneasiness, uncertainty and vulnerability that change creates. It’s why at the heart of any meaningful change is the courageous decision to risk failing, falling short and making mistakes as we move along. Change is not comfortable work, but then again what worthwhile endeavor ever is?

P.S

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” — C.S. Lewis

Vincent Lyn

CEO/Founder of We Can Save Children

Director of Creative Development at African Views Organization

Economic & Social Council at United Nations

Rescue & Recovery Security Specialist at International Confederation of Police & Security Experts