The Tsunami

     Not so long ago, we were hit by a tsunami, a giant wave that changed the landscape that was so familiar to us.

     This giant wave came without warning, and hit us with its merciless force. This tsunami was different, because it wasn't a giant seawall. This tsunami was called abrupt change.

     This wave of disruption took away people that we loved and cared about to unknown places. Some of the survivors have changed forever...their lives impacted in ways that at times we cannot even describe. There is fear, sadness, insecurity, and mistrust. The landscape forever changed. I am surprised by the reaction of the survivors, myself included. I see us avoiding the "talk", isolating and expecting the next blow...the aftermath.

     It's very sad how the appointed believe they can accomplish change when they treat it as a step. Change is a process and for it to be effective, people need to be ready to change. Change isn't something you can push down someone's throat without choking them. There are stages to go through.What happened to the work of  Prochaska and DiClemente? What happened with the five stages of change- pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation/action, maintenance, termination and recycling?

     Before any endeavor takes place, readiness to change needs to be assessed.  When those steps are not taken into account people may experience serious distress, acute stress reactions and they may exhibit resistance. By neglecting the process the risk of losing great people increases.

     Sometimes I think that the ones gone are lucky, since they don't have to experience the daily struggles to survive the day. I am not able to confirm that, since they are not around to answer my questions.

     I strongly believe that agencies have the responsibility to provide an environment that is healthy, and fertile so people could flourish. If they hold back the nutrients and resources they are failing us...

     How can we provide services and meet someone's needs if our own needs aren't met? How can we jump the lake without getting wet, or the swamp without getting mud on our clothes?

     Let's brace ourselves for the unknown...