Digital artworks by Shaikha Al Subaey
We are living in an inherently unpredictable world, where change has become quite pervasive in our lives. As a result, it has become more important than ever to learn how to cope with change.
Currently, this means minimising our suffering caused by the drastic changes that accompany the rapidly spreading coronavirus, which seems to have just appeared out of the blue. Our ability to cope at this time will have a powerful impact on our social and psychological lives.
However, being able to cope with change is no small thing, and people vary widely in their attitudes and responses, especially in the case of radical change – for example, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or a catastrophic event. While some individuals can successfully adapt to change and perhaps even embrace it, turning it into a learning experience and an opportunity for growth, others may resist it fiercely and wholeheartedly. They become increasingly preoccupied with exploring its root cause, or investigating those accountable for it and their motivation. This is where the experiences of others can perhaps offer some guidance.
Mohammad Hosam Alnahas, Lecturer, Qatar University.
In this article, two books, written centuries apart, become sources of advice on coping with the coronavirus pandemic: Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese (1998), and Boccaccio’s Decameron (mid-14th century).
Be Proactive: Who Moved My Cheese gives us deep insights into facing change with an open mind. Johnson presents us with four characters: two mice and two miniature humans, all running around in a maze, looking for some cheese to eat and enjoy. Here, the maze is a metaphor for our lives, while the cheese represents anything we need to achieve happiness, such as a fulfilling job or a relationship.
The process of looking for cheese therefore symbolizes our pursuit of happiness in this life.
Every day, all four characters visit the ‘Cheese Station’, eat some cheese and then go home. One day, however, these mice and humans discover that the cheese has gone. It is finished. This is where the real story begins: while the two little mice “put on their running shoes” and immediately start looking for cheese elsewhere, the little humans spend long days ‘reacting’ to the new ‘cheeseless’ situation.
They start shouting, demanding to know ‘why’ the cheese has finished, ‘who’ is responsible, and ‘why’ it has happened. In short, one cries, “Who moved my cheese?”, while the other complains, “It’s not fair!”. Grumbling with indignation, they use up all their time and energy analysing the situation, with no clear vision or any willingness to take action. From this, it is evident that they have chosen to dwell on the status quo, rather than trying to find a solution.
For the mice, however, the answer is clear: since they have run out of cheese, it is time to look for another Cheese Station. They respond to the change promptly and positively. No sooner have they embarked on their journey, when they find what they are looking for: Cheese Station D. The little humans, on the other hand, are still sitting at the scene, ‘analysing’ the situation, and bemoaning their lack of cheese, until they finally realise that they need to ‘act’!
What then, can be learnt from this story? Having read the book, I have drawn eight lessons: ‘There is no use crying over spilt milk’.
Constant complaining does not produce any positive results; instead, it affects our psychological and physical wellbeing, and maybe even our future.
Move on! There is no point wasting your time and energy overanalysing the situation; rather, take steps to deal with it and continue living your life.
Develop a positive mindset! When change occurs, try and perceive it as an opportunity for development and growth, rather than sinking into despair or feeling miserable.
Have a Plan B and even a Plan C! Always be ready for change, so that when it occurs, you are prepared for it, and can act and adapt accordingly. Preparedness will help lessen any adverse impact of change.
Make this your motto: “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”! Never be afraid to take some risks in this life. When the two mice set off on their quest for cheese, they were taking a risk, as there was always the possibility that there were no other cheese stations.
Be resilient: Change is inevitable.
Nothing is permanent. Have patience: Strive not to lose heart or give up too soon.
Where there is hope, there is life! Hope can be a powerful force that motivates us to carry on.
Some advice from the 14th century: Beware of Fear! We are fortunate to be living in the 21st century, when we have a myriad of options for learning and entertainment. More than 650 years ago, thousands of Italians survived an epidemic that ravaged northern and central Italy, by merely using simple but effective techniques.
Referring to Boccaccio’s Decameron, Spicer (2020) writes about how the Italians got through the Great Plague in the 14th century by engaging in creative activities while confined to their homes. In the Decameron, Boccaccio describes the lives of a group of 10 friends who leave Florence for a deserted villa in the countryside, following the outbreak of the Plague in 1348. The men stay confined to the villa and spend their time telling amusing stories, which helps them survive the epidemic. These stories were later depicted in art, film and literature, enriching Italian culture and becoming part of Italy’s heritage.
According to Tomasso del Garbo, a physician at the time, we should “use songs and games and other pleasant stories that do not exhaust the body, and all those delightful things that bring comfort”, in order to get through such difficult times. In another work offering advice at that time, Italian theologian, Nicolas of Burgo recommends that we “beware of fear, anger, sadness, excessive anguish, heavy thoughts and similar things. And equally one should take care to be able to be joyful, to be happy, to listen to lullabies, stories and melodies” (Spicer, 2020).
Stay in control of what you can control: While it is true that we often have little control over major events in our lives, we have direct control over how we react to those events. Resisting change and dwelling on the question, ‘Why did things change?’ will only consume us, leading to frustration and negative energy in every area of our lives and in the lives of those around us. Today, people have found various ways to cope with the recent change.
Fatima, an undergraduate student, declared that she had found reading to be a great source of entertainment, pleasure, and even ‘therapy’ during the current lockdown. She now reads one book a week.
She also told her class last week that she was happily memorising chapters from the Holy Quran together with her sisters. She consequently proved to be a source of inspiration to her classmates.
Another student called Rana Elgamal, already a film buff, has started writing critical reviews of every movie she watches. She wants to make a name for herself as a film critic, remarking, “I never thought of this before the lockdown”.
Similarly, Shaikha Al Subaey is keeping herself occupied and motivated by creating digital artwork, which she currently has more time for. Using her iPad, she creates beautiful images that reflect people’s behaviour and emotions during quarantine then she posts them in social media platforms. Some of her drawings communicate cultural and ethical messages. Salma, however, is studying ballet online, taking morning classes. She claims to have found the experience “exciting and rewarding”.
There have been footages of orchestras around the world performing concerts online. Despite being physically distant from each other, these musicians have managed to play pieces beautifully and harmoniously. These are all illustrations of how many people are coping admirably, in spite of the challenges they are facing.
Together, we shall get through this: We can adapt to change during the lockdown, entertaining ourselves with common pleasures such as playing board games and sharing stories with family members. Let us learn a new skill, take an online course, pursue a new hobby, or share some rewarding activities, such as drawing, writing, reading or various sports. Such activities not only enhance our sense of wellbeing and help us grow as individuals, but also connect us with others in a safe environment.
Another excellent avenue of self-expression that can also help us come to terms with our thoughts and feelings at this time is art. In an article in the Washington Post, Saddler (2020) wrote that the rate of new enrolments in one virtual art academy had “exploded fivefold in March compared to the previous 12 months”. Art seems to have become more popular than ever in these circumstances.
To cite Voltaire, “Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world”. Voltaire’s use of the first-person plural here indicates togetherness and collaboration. In other words, have fun together! Let us look at this lockdown as an opportunity to read more, acquire new skills, strengthen family ties and consolidate our relationships through shared activities.
Although home entertainment cannot protect us completely from the coronavirus and its effects, it will help us remain ‘proactive’ and safeguard our psychological and social well-being. This will go a long way towards combatting the fear and pessimism that can haunt us from time to time in these circumstances.
The author, Mohammad Hosam Alnahas, is a Lecturer at Qatar University.
