Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed
Inspiring Prompts~8
As soon as Diana C. released the theme for this week, this one caught my eye. I was desperate to write something on the topic.
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is a term used for squirrels in a literal sense. Have you seen squirrels climbing trees or running around for food? I was reading about their behavior and found out that they have the potential to refashion themselves in a given situation.
If we say that this term is metaphorically used for human beings, I would definitely be the one to possess it. I most certainly do not have a tail like a squirrel in the picture. I am also not sure if my eyes are bright. But one thing I do carry is the urge to do something exciting. To reach the skies within my limited capacity.
The urge to adapt to the situation. Whether it’s moving home twice a year during a pandemic or losing both parents one after another within few months. I always look at the brighter side in the darkest of situations.
I am always aware of my personal strengths and passions. It’s important to know when to avoid a particular situation, adjust to the situation, or adapt to the situation without compromising the strengths.
This quote has been a source of inspiration for me always;
“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” — Stephen Hawking
Self-awareness assists in discovering the hidden qualities
Capacities vary from individual to individual. Awareness of one’s strength is important. We can have a plethora of abilities in us but what's the point if we don’t know about them or how to leverage them in a given situation.
We should take a closer look at ourselves and become self-aware of how we react to a certain situation or behave in a certain way.
“Self-awareness keeps us grounded, attuned and focused,” said Campbell, author of Loving Yourself: The Mastery of Being Your Own Person.
When I got to know about our sudden move, it sounded pretty much impossible. When the world was fighting the Covid-19 with the social distancing in action, packing and unpacking involved the interaction and high chances of getting infected.
However, I never wanted to ruin my days taking the stress of the unknown.
I chalked out the plan of when and how much I can do on my own and when to extend my hands for help for a smooth move. We packed all the small objects on our own, labeled the boxes, and placed them in one corner of the room. We hired the movers to carry the stuff to the new house. They were not allowed to roam around in the house and were asked to strictly adhere to the CDC guidelines.
The move went well and the disciplined approach saved us from fatigue as well. It worked because I was eager to do it and played with my strengths and weaknesses.
Changes are from God and we should trust His plan
When I say I adapt quickly to the changes, it’s not always my choice, sometimes it’s forced upon me. It’s not always easy to maneuver the shift. One thing that I always keep in mind while undergoing a sudden or forced change is to accept the change and have faith.
When I lost both my parents within nine months' time, it was challenging to accept the reality. I started saying to myself that they are in a better place and free from all worldly troubles. I am not alone and my creator is always with me 24/7.
Don’t get stuck in the good old days, hope for the best during bad situations
When we experience a turn of the tide, we should try to swim with it, turning as it goes. If we remain stuck in the past it will make it harder to accept the new reality.
The victim mentality does more harm than good. I don’t keep myself preoccupied with the thoughts that are a source of bitterness and hopelessness.
Instead, I practice gratitude and look for reasons to move forward. I shift my focus to acquire happiness and inner strength. I started writing, interacting with people out of social media more, and being grateful for the blessings in life. I have new goals and this was all possible due to my ability to adapt to unfavorable situations.
Concluding thoughts
A bright-eyed and bushy-tailed outlook is the winner in my case. This quality keeps me away from all the lingering negative thoughts.
I try to look at all aspects of the outcome in a given situation. I train my mind to go deeper and face challenges. The eagerness to take over the challenges and the eagerness to adapt to the circumstances makes me more motivated to accomplish my goals.
Thank you 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘊. for prompting us every week with soul-searching topics and publish our musings in your publications.
Some of my articles in Know thyself, heal thyself.
©️Shaista Malik, All rights reserved.
