Finding ways to remain enthusiastic in times of challenge.

 Many of us may be members of different networks and groups. We may identify a common challenge facing people or our organisations and let's face it, these days we do not need to look far to find challenges. With the cost-of-living crisis, uncertain funding, and recovery from the impact of lockdown and the pandemic, more people finding themselves in a caring role and or also finding they have new health challenges of their own to manage. Add to that, the changes in our habits and routines over the past few years we may find we do not enjoy the same activities we did before and may even find sometimes it's an effort to find joy in anything, our focus is just getting through the day!

As ever these pieces do not replace professional advice and if you are feeling so overwhelmed by all life is throwing you are thinking of suicide, please speak to someone. The Samaritans are there 24/7 365 Tel No 116 123. The other links in this piece may also be of value Hope through action

If we as individuals are feeling flat then we may need to top our energy levels up, this piece may be of interest Recharging our batteries However, groups and networks are made up of individuals and how we feel can impact the energy in our networks, just as the activity in our networks can have an impact on how we feel.

Working together to find solutions to the many wicked problems individuals, families, communities, and organisations face can be energising, it can also offer us hope and the chance to achieve more than we ever could alone. However, just as we need to monitor and maintain our energy levels, it is also helpful to be mindful of what drains or energises the networks we are a member of. The following exercise may be one idea to explore with other network members. Please do it in a spirit of curiosity and not blame, we are all doing the best we can in what are challenging times for everyone, maybe more challenging for some than others but none of us knows what is going on in another person's life. Being kind to each other, working together, and inspiring each other, we can find ways where perhaps all that is happening hurts less and we find ways to experience moments of joy to sustain us as we move towards times when the seas of life are calmer again.