Muddy Jukebox - November 2020
Enough to believe – Eagles and Butterflies Remix
Bob Moses – Battle Lines (Remixed)
Bob Moses - "Enough to Believe (Eagles & Butterflies Remix)", taken from 'Battle Lines [Remixed]'
We all struggle at some time regardless of whether you have a chronic condition(s) or not. I think anyone who says they have never struggled at some stage in their life is a liar…that or challenge has not arrived in their life yet. And this is why I have chosen this song.
Not only do I hope that this blend of electronic dance music and moody rock lift you out of your seat and has you dancing around the house (as it does to me) but I hope you also listen to the lyrics. It is a narrative of reflection.
I think COVID is asking us all on a personal level to reflect on our lives and on a global scale to consider the future of the world in some way or another much more thoughtfully and seriously. We are personally and globally going through a transformation. People feel anxious, vulnerable and uncertain about their lives at the moment. What I believe ‘we’ (the chronic condition community) can offer as a community who deal with extremely difficult challenges repeatedly, I hope, is some perspective and tools in relation to dealing well with extreme challenges.
This song and the album Battle Lines is about the battles and struggles we all live through; battles with and within our society, battles between each other, with our loved ones, battles between ideologies and battles within ourselves. What I like about songs are that they are a musical form of poetry and you can interpret them how you want. To me this song is about a significant struggle that is really challenging to this person and the person feels alone in the battle. They are searching for faith, for hope, for a good place to help them believe it is going to be okay, for that person to walk united by their side, looking for certainty, for answers but feel lost. They want a guarantee but they cannot find that.
I think a lot of people are searching for a guarantee from politicians, from scientists, to when life will return to the old normal. All I can offer as a piece of sage is that life is a continuum of change…what was, was, what is, is. The normal pre COVID has now become a new normal, a very different normal to how life was in January 2020. The only thing we can do with certainty is adapt proactively and positively to the change. And that does require things being challenging for a period of time but how challenging depends on many dynamics, including politicians, science but also ourselves and the actions we take. We are significantly personally responsible for the management of COVID 19.
I have lived with UNCERTAINTY in capital letters since 2011 like many others with serious chronic conditions. I have had several lockdowns since 2011 and have had to wear a mask for the last four years or so. I’m a veteran of lockdowns. And I fall into the shielding category. So I know what it is like to have your lifestyle and life significantly altered on several occasions. However, because I am a veteran of lockdowns and experienced in dealing with an auto immune disease, I am also very well-rehearsed and experienced in infection protocols and in facing adversity. I manage myself very safely and effectively but I also rely on those within my circle doing exactly the same in order for my wellbeing to be safeguarded. It is a collective management plan. As long as we as a society respond to this situation with intelligence, consideration of others and ourselves, the sooner our freedoms will be experienced safely and more frequently. 100% it does require proactive adaptation on an individual and community level though.
In reference to any challenge we have to face, we need to learn to adapt and accept that this is how it is, at least for now. We then search to find a solution to deal effectively with the challenge so we can move forwards proactively and positively. The answer maybe in a very different way than we are used to and that is okay. The only way we will get through this personally and as a collective society is by a combination of being responsible for ourselves, for one another, by having a realistic and effective plan and acting on that plan. The politicians and scientists are in control of the collective societal plans but we as individuals play a fundamental role in the control of this virus. We can do so much to reduce the impact of this virus and we can also do so much to help ourselves and those closest to us through this challenging period.
So here is what I want you to do. I want you to make a plan for the next six months and accept the realisation that life is different now and will be for many more months. We are in a battle, whether that is with ourselves, as a country or as the world. It is what it is and we have to find a way through this. And the best way we can do this, is by each of us taking the best care of ourselves and of those closest to us.
I want you to think of three things that will help you get through the next six months with the challenges that we face. The three things should all be related to your personal health and wellbeing. The term is called ‘self care’ and this is fundamental now. For example, every week going for a walk in a woodland or park. And then pick three or so people who can be ‘your tribe.’ Your tribe are people who you can be completely vulnerable with, who are always there for you, the rough and the smooth. Get yourself a noticeboard and put your self-care plan on the board. And action it. Talk to your tribe regularly and if you can find a way to see one another regularly, via zoom or outside. We may not be able to touch one another at the moment but hold on to the hope that at some time next year you will be able to have a hug. I’ve only had one hug since February this year but this is how it is for me at the moment.
And two final points…
1. Every Friday night, have a dance. And start with this song and if you can, not alone. And if you are bedbound at the moment, hooked up to all sort of machines, move those arms and wiggle those toes. Close your eyes and visualise yourself dancing to this somewhere and with someone(s) that puts a smile on your face. And if you are on wheels, move that wheelchair or dance in your chair. There is always a way to dance.
2. Believe that it will get better. We will get through this battle. The journey is just going to take a while. Have faith, be strong and think of the final goal. Find positives in this new way of life. There are positives.
Take care. Be safe. And dance x