How do we Relate to Each Other?

Sometimes it takes stormy weather to bring us together.
 

This weekend it snowed and snowed, and the winds whipped it up into deep drifts, then the digging began.  It is such a nuisance when the roads are blocked, it’s dangerous for the elderly and I know it stops the wheels of industry and commerce turning but for some of us, being forced to stop in our tracks makes us see things from a completely different perspective.

After a long winter of being huddled in our homes hardly venturing out we suddenly find ourselves digging our paths and taking time to talk to our neighbours.  Everyone complains at first, but after an hour or so when the realisation sets in that no one is going anywhere, the frustration falls away and a feeling of comradeship takes over.  It’s a bit like a little battle where we all pull together against the common enemy.

Love they neighbour is what we were taught, but most of us avoid each other whenever possible, rarely saying more than simply passing the time of day because we are all so busy.  A’ snow day’ brings us together, it is a leveller.  We all look the same in our gloves, hats and wellies. 

Then there’s the humour.  The typically British sense of humour that only seems to surface in a crisis, it is so refreshing.  I didn’t know that Maureen four doors down was so funny.  As the digging continues that holiday feeling rises.  We discover each other’s forgotten personalities as we gather in the lane, then someone brings out mugs of coffee and we rest for a while, watching the children delight in their transformed surroundings.   We get mutual satisfaction from pushing the first car out of the cul-de-sac and up the lane.  It feels good to help our neighbours.

As soon as the pressure of time is taken away from us we become different people, likeable, helpful, fun-loving and caring.  We find ourselves talking to and helping perfect strangers, as if we’ve known them all our lives. We communicate and relate to our fellow man as we battle with the elements together and find that helping others gives us that warm glow inside.

Few things these days bring people closer together, but a really heavy snowfall does!

For one to one Skype coaching sessions contact Susan on susan@susanloveday.com or visit www.susanloveday.com for more information.