With the bushfires burning in Australia, we have experienced great tragedy - it has destroyed lives, wildlife, buildings, vegetation, livelihoods and homes.
Amidst the devastation, the wider community are pulling together to offer support and help rebuild lives. These horrific fires have brought the best out of many parts of our community. As said in the song The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood ‘when the chips are down, I’ll be around…’.
People have donated money, they have brought tonnes of food, they have provided clothing and blankets and kids hand wrote cards thanking the fire fighters for their bravery and help.
The human spirit of giving, doing and helping to support people in need is strong.
It’s what makes us a great community. It makes me feel proud to be Australian. It’s that ingrained Aussie principle that you do what you can to help a mate in need.
Resilience and the art of bouncing back is born out of action. It comes from doing what you can with what you have. It comes from doing your bit.
Last week I popped into the No Stress Cafe in Caulfield.
The name says it all. They are a non-pretentious, uncluttered cafe that prides itself on great coffee, peaceful surroundings, and remembering who you are.
They had a hand written sign at the counter this week that read ’This month we will be donating our tips to the VIC bushfire appeal….total raised so far $123.50’.
Maddie (one of the owners) explained to me that they just wanted to do something that could help those who were doing it tough.
It's just how we do things in Australia - we all do our bit to help a mate in need.
So whatever life has chosen to throw at you this week and however many obstacles are put in your way, just do your bit to fix it; sort it out; get over it; and bounce back.
Take action.
A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step - Lao Tzu
When you are faced with difficult situations or pressures in your personal or professional life, find a way to take action and bring out the best version of you.
Here are three principles that drive action:
A. Decide:
Decide if you are going to act or just talk about a problem. Decide if you are going to exchange fence sitting for getting involved and doing something. The process of committing to taking action is liberating and ignites momentum.
B. Deduce:
Deduce what particular action you will take. Work out if you need to start doing something or stop doing something. Maybe you need to change how you take action or improve what you are currently doing
C. Define:
Define when this action will be taken, how it will be done, and within what time frame. Get clear on the specifics so that there is clarity on where your energy will go.
An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied - Arnold Glasow