YOU are not alone WE will prevail

I’ve never been through such unprecedented, unimaginable and scary times.

Searching for comfort I was reminded of the Stockdale Paradox.

So named after Admiral Jim Stockdale who was the highest ranking officer incarcerated in the infamous Hanoi Hilton for 7 years during the Vietnam War. He endured endless torture and yet made it out, by his own admission, a stronger person.

He was never given a finish line he could aim for which he credits for saving his life.

When asked by Jim Collins in his book Good to Great which prisoners didn’t make it out he said,

“The optimists. Yes. They were the ones who always said, ‘We’re going to be out by Christmas.’ Christmas would come and it would go. And there would be another Christmas. And they died of a broken heart.”

His biggest lesson?

 “you have to have faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, must confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be”

I’ve found over the last few days that having the ear of someone I trust has helped me gain perspective and ideas about how best to handle the increasing uncertainty and ambiguity.

I’m better when I’m helping others.

So, if you’re hurting, you’re not alone;

If you’re stuck, you’re not alone;

If you’ve caught yourself catastrophising, you’re not alone;

If you’ve held a momentary olive branch for faith in humanity and community, you’re not alone;

If you’ve come crashing back down on the reality of what’s happening and how it impacts you and your loved ones, you’re not alone;

If you’ve felt shame through the weight of responsibility and feeling helpless to take it, you’re not alone;

If you’ve said to yourself ‘I should know better’ but don’t do better, you’re not alone;

If you’re trying to appear calm on the outside but have a gut-wrenching uncertainty on the inside, you’re not alone.

I could go on but the reason I know you’re not alone is because I’ve felt all of those over the last few days and more.

The reason WE will prevail is that I’ll walk with you…through a no-strings-attached, complimentary and confidential 1 hour conversation…over Zoom of course 😊

Whilst the link for times has expired if you are still in need of a chat, please email me at [email protected] and we can set up a time.

Bounce forward with a free toolkit here.

#wednesdaywhispers #powerofhabits #lifelessons #bestpossibleme #21whispers