In a time where we need to reduce our energy consumption, we need to turn up the energy towards each other even more. Reach out instead of being a low energy light bulb that removes the humane.
What is this time of all kinds of crises doing to you?
1) Are you reducing your power and thinking ‘every man for himself’?
This may be a good strategy for you in the short term, but not for others. In the medium and long term, this strategy will not be great for you either. Because, you risk becoming a so-called energy thief, who steals energy from others and causes division in their surroundings through their selfish outlook.
2) Are you taking care of others and embracing other people?
This is a good strategy for you in the short, medium and long term. Because, caring for others increases chemistry in your brain that prevents fear from taking over. This means that you and the people around you keep each other in positive well-being, because your actions unite people.
3) Are you standing still and staying in a neutral, wait-and-see hibernation mode?
This can be a good strategy in the short term, but in the medium and long term, you may lose touch with your freedom of action, because fear gets the upper hand and paralyses your common sense.
In some way, we can all contribute and add value. We all have something to offer that can generate energy in an energy crisis. Whatever is in short supply from the outside should not be allowed to dilute the strength from within. Because, strength from within is what we need to resolve our challenges.
The global drama should not be permitted to take away our humanity and awareness of our fellow people.
On the contrary, now is the time to turn the energy towards each other way up. The reason for this is that connectedness is the medicine in a time where fear might otherwise easily get the better of us, if we close our eyes.
The concept ‘energy thief’ covers one and the same profile in the shape of a person who invites trust, but ends up betraying others, draining their energy, and this applies to all genders.
This person wears down his or her surroundings, creates psychological insecurity, and thus creates a need for withdrawal and self-protection.
Solidarity and a sense of belonging, which I have for some years referred to as ‘belongingness’, is described by Wikipedia as the human emotional need to be an accepted member of a group.
This desire is so universal that the need to belong exists across all cultures.
Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary claim that belongingness is such a basic desire and human motivation that we feel serious consequences from not belonging.
Therefore, these times can presumably teach us even more about the value of being connected.
For now is the time to step up fully and share from the talents we possess. All talents are useful, because we are all good at something, and therefore, it might be a good idea to reinvent tradesmanship in everyday life.
I might be able to help you with IT, and you can roast a duck for me. Maybe you can sell a service or product at a lower price while I lend out my home for a weekend.
Maybe I will make you a painting while you fix my plumbing. Maybe you will bake me a bread while I make you a lasagne etc., and maybe, new friendships arise during this trade, when we experience the value of what we represent in a community spirit.
In one of my podcasts, the Ukrainian leadership talent Olga Pernerovska talks about her experiences during the war in Kyiv, including what a life at war has taught her. Her view of humanity has changed, as the value of feeling a sense of belonging with others has increased. She also talks about the fact that you can only feel a sense of belonging towards others if you feel it towards yourself.
Perhaps we can learn during this energy crisis what generates energy and what doesn’t? Perhaps the energy crisis will force us to reinvent the value of connectedness and identify what detaches us from ourselves and each other? Maybe now, we will get the change to create entirely new affiliations?
That is exactly what happened in my family. We learned to reach out to others, which is when a miracle was born. Because, out of the blue, a beautiful friendship was created.
We had seen a lovely, Syrian family many times, and we had too many possessions that we had no use for. Therefore, we approached the family and asked them whether they wanted our things. There were a lot of things, and they happily accepted.
In return, they have given us wonderful food and visited for afternoon tea, and we get help, for example for repairing a hole in the roof late in the evening. But, the very best thing is the smiles, waves and love resulting from our friendship.
’All of us are happy to help you! Do not forget that you are a part of us!’, our new friends have written.
A miracle has been born out of an energy crisis. That is what we experienced in my family. And it taught all five of us how we can generate even more energy by connecting to others.
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