We are eleven months into the two week period of slowing the curve! Each step of this journey has been met with various predictions of when life will be back to “normal.” But, it seems that all these predictions have come up woefully short. This wears on your nerves! No matter where you fall on the plethora of opinions on how to handle the virus, everyone is tired of the pandemic and life under its weight. So, what are we to do?
Jim Collins in his classic book Good to Great discussed the “Stockdale Paradox.” He tells about James Stockdale, a former VP candidate and high ranking Naval officer who spent over seven years in a Vietnam prison. He was tortured and abused terribly. When asked about how he managed to survive the terrible ordeal. he said, “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” Simply stated, the “Stockdale Paradox” is hoping for the best, while acknowledging and preparing for the worst.
Stockdale told of how optimists didn’t survive. They would build themselves up that it would be over by Christmas, then Easter, then Thanksgiving, and then another Christmas would roll around. They would eventually die of a broken heart. We must balance optimism and positivity with a healthy dose of reality. We must face the facts and wisely make decisions based upon these facts. We must balance optimism with reality.
The James Stockdale of the Bible is Joseph of the book of Genesis. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but rose to prominence in his master’s home. After suffering from slander and being falsely accused of rape, Joseph finds himself in prison. He rises to prominence in prison. His attitude in each situation was godly, hard-working, kind, and patient. He will spend years in prison, not knowing when his release would come. Yet, Joseph remained optimistic, while aware of the reality of his predicament. He made the best of his situation each time. He would eventually interpret Pharaoh’s dream and be given second in command of the nation. Even when he will be faced with forgiving his brothers, he will maintain a sense of hope, tempered with reality. He will test them to see if they have changed and will honestly deal with his hurt.
I don’t know when the pandemic will end, but I know I must be optimistic about the future. It will end; this isn’t the new normal. I want more of the old normal and believe it will come. But, I also know I must deal with the reality of the current circumstances and face those challenges head on! Will you join me in this effort?
