These days fear, anger and depression or loss of self-confidence often come from how we view and think about human situations and events that are recurring within us and in the world around us. Mostly there are no easy solutions to such events like natural disaster, war, pandemics, the loss of peace, and the failure to find reconciliation between people.
Yet, we also know that people faced with situations of great danger and personal suffering have maintained their courage, even in the face of death, while others are crushed when faced with similar circumstances from which they never properly recover and cannot fulfill their potential as human beings.
On a more personal level, if a person can be helped to view their own situation, by thinking differently as to what this might mean, thus bringing less emotional factors into play, so as to view their situation more objectively, to enable them to approach things from a new perspective which may lead to a more positive effect on the outcome for them.
We now also know that some very deep feelings from unconscious and semi-conscious traumatic events, such as arise from early childhood, which require greater professional therapy within better and more accessible mental health systems.
As we recall our own values and practices within Rotary we give thanks for good fun, food fellowship and the opportunity for service here and through the world.
Thank you to Peter Hollingworth for providing this reflection on 1 November 2023.
