
We have been hearing news about the mutant strains of the novel corona virus… things like: “As the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has swept across the world, killing more than 1.5 million people over the past year, it has mutated into different major groups, or strains, as it adapted to its human hosts.” – From the Economic Times, Dec 10, 20201
This one is just an example, but there have been many such reports since the last several months, in medical journals, our regular newspapers and also across social media.
So I have a question…CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS VIRUS???
The virus is ADAPTING… so why can’t we???
It is teaching us that Mutating and Adapting is what makes it survive longer… so let’s use that very analogy in this New Normal, to not just survive, but thrive!!!
According to science, “If a mutation has a positive effect on the fitness of the offspring, it is called an adaptation. Thus, all mutations that affect the fitness of future generations are agents of evolution.” 2
We have been evolving as human beings from time immemorial, so this pandemic isn’t going to stop us from evolving further.
Let’s remember a stark truth: “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger!”
This quote is attributed to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who in 1888, first stated, âOut of life’s school of warâwhat doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.â This accurately portrays the picture of resilience and affirmation for overcoming adversity.3
So, in simple words, we HAVE to keep adapting and adjusting to the situations around us.
A few questions we may have to answer are DO I WANT TO? HOW? WHEN? Keep readingâŚ
Figuring out WHETHER YOU WANT TO is the first step:
Adapting is not easy, it takes tremendous effort. But what gives strength to that effort is WILL. Where thereâs a will, thereâs a way; however narrow that way, but itâs still a way. So youâll have to decide whether you WANT to adjust. There are people who complain and crib about the difficulties in their life, but sometimes when offered help to get better, they come up with dozens of excuses. In such cases, itâs evident that they donât really want to change, but the complaining and cribbing possibly fulfils their need for attention.
So if you truly WANT to move ahead, adapt, change and make things better, that brings us to the next questionâŚHowâŚ
Understanding the HOW:
This is the next main question that can actually solve all our problems.
One way to begin, is by connecting with people who have been through what youâre going through. Support groups are a major assistance with HOW to adapt, step by step. But this is only possible if you actually communicate your issues, not stay silent. Talk to people you trust, or read about the success stories of others, if you are not sure who to trust. There are scores of written material, songs, prayers, videos and therapists too who can help you in your specific situation.
But remember, one personâs formula may not work for you. Youâll have to do a bit of trial till you come to a solution that suits you perfectly. No one can really tell you HOW to adjust and adapt in YOUR situation. Each person has to decide for himself or herself, HOW to do so, as each one’s reality is personal and unique… It takes persistence, so DONâT give up easily, try another way⌠and another⌠and another, till you succeed.
Figuring out the WHEN:
Whether you choose to change or adjust right at the beginning when things just begin to become noticeably tougher, or whether you wait till later when things have worsened, all again depend on your unique situation. But itâs better not to put off till TOMORROW something that can be done TODAY. Remember, if we keep postponing tasks, tomorrow never comes⌠and suddenly you realize itâs too late. Then regret brings itâs own set of problems.
During this last year, ever since the pandemic began, there have been those of us who have experienced horrifying illnesses, lost jobs, lost family members and friends, been reduced to poverty, been abused, and this dismal list goes on…
But there are also those of us who have thrived, built new businesses or linkages, developed new relationships, flourished using their new found talents, made time to do things they loved, and that list of achievements goes on too.
And I have personal examples of close friends, family… and myself too, who have been through BOTH the above lists… meaning, those of us who have had dismal experiences, but CHOSE NOT to let that bring us down. These persons chose to overcome whatever difficulties, by taking some path or the other, to overcome those issues…and tried their best to COPE.
They have ADAPTED. You can too…
Sometimes, it may mean starting out on a whole new career, connecting with new people, shifting residence, maybe even a shift to a simpler lifestyle, or moving on after a period of grief.
But however hard some things may feel currently, it’s important to remember that they’re just a phase of life… tough times never last, tough people do.
So choose to change, in whatever way possible to help yourself… it could be eat better, think positively, follow safety protocols, try a new career or whatever it takes to get you on the road to success.
And remember what I said at the beginning… If the virus can adapt, so can WE
Do leave your comments in the box below, especially if you’ve found this helpful and have identified ways of coping that have helped you, and that others could benefit from.
Also read my other related articles…
STAYING POSITIVE DURING A LOCKDOWN https://rhondachologist.wordpress.com/2020/04/30/staying-positive-during-a-lockdown/
O2: OVERCOMING OBSTACLES https://rhondachologist.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/o2-overcoming-obstacles/
DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND YOUâLL LOVE WHAT YOU DO https://rhondachologist.wordpress.com/2017/10/29/do-what-you-love-and-youll-love-what-you-do/
References:
- https://m.economictimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/how-the-novel-coronavirus-has-evolved-and-adapted-to-human-hosts/articleshow/79659731.cms
- https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/mutations-are-the-raw-materials-of-evolution-17395346/
- https://thejns.org/focus/view/journals/neurosurg-focus/49/5/article-pE4.xml
- Image Courtesy: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/health/1_-conditions/coronavirus/superhero-punching-germ.ashx?h=300&la=en&mh=300&mw=500&w=436&hash=D826FAFF5E5CDD59012E97737E4DE578A84927D0