Crisis—An Opportunity for Life and Change

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

We all know that we hit moments of crisis in our lives. 

Today, we all know that we are in one. We are in a crisis—a global crisis.

When you first hear the word, “crisis,” what comes to your mind?

Some may think of chaos, mess, frenzy, turmoil, challenge, trauma, suffering, or loss of control. There may be other things you think of when you hear this word.

When I think of “crisis,” one word that doesn’t come to my mind is “opportunity.” 

Opportunity? Really?

Perhaps you have heard that the word “crisis“ in Chinese is made up of two different, written characters meaning “danger” and “opportunity.”

There is some controversy about the exact translations of these characters. In further linguistic study, it seems that the first character actually means “possibility of danger” or “chance of danger.” The second character has more of a meaning of “incipient moment,” “crucial point (when something begins or changes),” “occasion,” “organic,” or “substances of life.” 

“Danger” fits my mind when I think of “crisis.” However, “opportunity” or “occasion” or “substances of life” don’t really fit for me.

What if I could try to look at our current crisis in a new way? What if I could have a paradigm shift, a new mindset, a change in my perspective?

Yes, our current global crisis definitely represents a possibility of danger—for ourselves, for our families, for our friends, for our nation, for the world.

But what if it could also represent an opportunity, an occasion for life and change?

Think About It

I started thinking about my own life, and I invite you to think about yours.

As a result of this crisis, I have had the opportunity to . . . 

1. Strengthen my family relationships. Spending time together under one roof 24/7 for the past month has, at times, been tense. However, it has given us more time to linger at the dinner table and chat, play board games, watch family movies . . . 

2. Learn new things. I have signed up for a number of online trainings and webinars that I typically wouldn’t have had the time to do. Time has allowed me to read books that have been sitting half-read on my bedside table for months.

3. Pick up some old hobbies and learn a few new ones. I pulled my guitar out of its dusty case and strummed a few chords. I signed up for a free month of CuriosityStream and learned new weaving techniques.  

4. Connect with friends and family on the other side of the ocean. Regular zoom calls and conversations through a screen have allowed me to stay more connected with my family, as well as reconnect with old friends and colleagues with whom I had lost touch.

Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

5. Focus on my self-care. I have had more space and time in my schedule to exercise with walking videos at home. I have also enjoyed practicing mindfulness and learning to refocus my thoughts.

6. Serve and love others. My blank agenda has freed me from the tyranny of busyness, allowing me the time and margin in my schedule to be able to connect on the phone with those who are isolated and lonely during this time. I have also been able to serve my family by trying new, creative recipes and making delicious desserts.

7. Rest. As a mother with four children, our family life is often spent running—running back and forth to school, to soccer practice, to social events, to work. I have found myself sleeping better, sleeping more, and even giving myself the freedom to take naps during the day when I feel like it. 

8. Reflect and search inward. My quiet mornings have allowed me more time and space to read, to journal, to consider my faith, and to search deep into my soul to discover the greater purpose and meaning of my life. I’ve also had the time to contemplate what’s most important to me in life.

9. Move toward my future dreams. Even though there are many uncertainties and unknowns right now, I have continued to take baby steps in projects and plans that I have. This crisis has given me more time to focus and commit to those dreams. Dreaming and setting goals have helped me to hope again and to imagine what life might be like beyond this current crisis.

10. Get my life in order. Being at home 24/7 for the past month has given me a desire to get my house and home life organized. I have gone through every closet and every drawer. I have cleaned out my kitchen cupboards and freezer, using up all the bits and pieces of food that remained. 

11. Create a more simple life and not waste. I have learned to use half the amount of toilet paper—only what I need. :) I have learned to make creative meals with the few ingredients and food items that we have on hand or can manage to find in the grocery stories with the new “ration” rules. I have learned to be grateful and thankful for what I have and not complain.

12. Sit and learn to “be.” As the world around me has come to a sudden halt, I have had to stop much of my “doing” and “working.” I am learning to just be present in the moment and to live life to the fullest. Practicing mindfulness has helped me learn to stay in the present moment.

What about you? What new opportunities have you had in this crisis? Perhaps you could list them out in an exercise of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Remember, “crisis” doesn’t just mean “danger,” it also means “opportunity” and “occasion for life!” It’s okay and normal to acknowledge the fear and  “danger” side of a crisis, but let’s not stop there. Let’s look on the other side of crisis, too, and see the opportunity. We may be surprised at what we discover.

Let’s not waste this crisis!