In 2015, a heavy earthquake devastated Nepal and the Himalayan region. Many temples, palaces, bridges and houses were irretrievably destroyed. Even now, 3 years later, we see many effects. The reconstructions take a long time and there is still a lack of government and financial support for many people.
Especially here in inaccessible mountain regions, farmers remain left alone on their damage. The few income they generate through agriculture or Sherpa services is usually just enough for daily life. Building materials and all other extras are usually financially prohibitive.
As the picture shows here with an old peasant woman, the earthquake destroyed half of her house. The roof and windows were stabilized on the sides with wooden stilts. The open side is covered with a sun awning to protect from wind and rain and now serves as suspension and clothesline. She has made the best of her situation and even uses her disadvantages to her advantage.
In systemic coaching we call this action "RE-FRAMING". A restrictive situation is initially perceived neutral and then put into a new context or re-evaluated in terms of content, so that the situation is not perceived restrictive anymore. In plain text: One considers the situation from another angle, and looks instead to just the negative aspects to the positive side of the medal.
This woman certainly must have been devastated when her house collapsed. She would have been able to see the whole world negative, leave the house and move to her relatives or become depressed and neglect herself and the farm. But she didn't do that. Instead, she might have thought about how she could see the positive aspects instead. Maybe she was thinking "Good, then I finally have my airy sun terrace and more room for my laundry!" ;D
Well, we don't know what she really thought, of course. But this way or a similar way, she could have thought. After all, she had re-evaluated her situation and positively turned it around. She made the best of it. This alone shows how creative and effective re-framing can be. Try it yourself...
Comments