I participated in a women’s mastermind group discussion recently and the topic was thriving during an uncertain time.
Several members questioned if we should even discuss how to thrive now.
Doesn’t that seem selfish when the world has been turned upside down and years later we’re still not right side up?
Many folks are still struggling with basic needs and trying to survive, forget thrive. To focus on thriving seems well, insensitive perhaps? Or disrespectful?
The legendary civil rights leader and US Representative John Lewis asked “if not now, when?”.
If we consider that now is the only time we have to thrive (who knows what tomorrow will bring?) then we might ask what would thriving look like?
The facilitator of our group mentioned we all are different human beings with different lives and different experiences.
Therefore we all define words & concepts differently.
What’s thriving to one member might not be thriving to another.
Some definitions mentioned were doing well, flourishing, happy, joyous, healthy, realizing a goal.
I don’t know about you but flourishing and feeling joyous have not been on my radar in the last 18 months.
For me defining how I might flourish and feel more joy could be my starting point.
Would my thriving create positive energy in the world? That depends.
Seeing someone else doing well can be inspiring and give hope to those not yet in a similar place. Or not.
As the facilitator of our group said, everyone comes from different places.
I say, if I’m fortunate enough to even consider how to thrive more in my life, than I have enough to offer something to someone else.
If hope isn’t enough, how could we extend a hand to those are just barely hanging on? A kind word? Listening without judgement? Volunteering to help in our communities?
Help comes in many forms. What can we each offer that would acknowledge or lessen someone else’s pain?
