June 24th was the day after the British referendum on either staying or leaving the European Union (EU). The British voted to leave, sending shockwaves across Europe and the world. Markets reacted negatively, and emotions ran high. Brexiters were jubilant while the Bremainers demanded a second referendum. Even now, tensions are still high and most media channels continue to ply us with doomsday prophecies. What does all this mean? Taking a step away from the emotional side, we can see the impact being mostly more political than economical.
The U.K. Is not going to suddenly appear geographically next to Australia. People are not going to be kicked out of the country and no wall is being built to keep others out a la Le Trump. There will be countless negotiations and renegotiations between politicians and so on, but for the common person, life goes on as per normal. Markets will readjust. The wave of negativity across the media doesn’t help one iota. Humans are creatures of habit, so they eschew change if they can help it. Thus, keeping up a climate of fear only benefits politicians as it makes people easier to manipulate.
Change, however, is necessary. It is central to Darwin’s theory of evolution, and also central to the idea of progression and success. Every hero’s journey pits the protagonist against challenges which are eventually overcome. These challenges represent a change to the status quo, a shift in comfort. If someone turns the light out. You can either sit and moan in the dark, or you can get up and turn on the light yourself. Thus, change is not inherently bad. The more we can manage the change, the better the outcome and our own state of mind and being.
Therefore, each situation presents us with choices. How we choose to react to these changes defines us and our ‘story’. Do you prefer history to write you in, or will you write history?