Adaptability

Introduction

I’m sure many of you are facing trouble to find your footing with the drastic change in the economic and social climate. I feel it outside. A change in the air, in the people. The touch of freedom I used to sense from everybody about is losing its presence. There’s this atmosphere I feel from people as I catch the tram. They act as if they’re being watched. This not the point I wish to bring forward today, but I do just want to say that times have changed.

Change. An inevitable process. One that we must all face. And one quality I have found to best deal with this phenomenon is adaptability. It is the trait that man has employed to overcome this unpredictable world time and time again.

I was a warrior in my old life. I still am a warrior through and through, down to my core. This aspect was my coming of age. My old world required that I become a warrior. But now I live here, amongst the rest of you. And so a man relies on his adaptability to thrive.

Thrive. I know that is possible for each and every one of us. The degrees may vary from one circumstance to the next, but if we learn what to value in each phase of our life, it can always be achieved. That’s what I see when I come across the many souls along my path. And what I love about life is that every soul has at least one tale to tell.

The Story

To be greeted by my own name, welcomed and escorted to my table with a smile, and asked if I would like my favourite beer. That’s how I remember Ric. That’s the service you’d find at his bistro. The welcoming eyes of a friend you’ve known for years, that calming smile that reminded you that everything was alright, and that endearing voice that greeted you as you entered the door. That’s what we all remember about dining at Ric’s place. It’s fascinating how that was all you needed to assure you that you were about to enjoy some lovely Italian cuisine.

Ric’s wasn’t the biggest of places, nor was it the fanciest, but was that important? What we all came for was the comfort, the surety that when we came to this place, we would be looked after. Ric’s wasn’t even in my side of town. Makes me wonder why I’d travel so far just for some pasta. Maybe it was because even if he was so far away, the man knew how to make you feel at home. That’s the Ric we all love. The jolly plump man who wore the same faded red shirt and black trousers every time. But Ric was more than that.

The man worked hard. His bistro had been open quiet a while, and it rarely used to get any business. But the man never gave up. And with his place staying open for so long, people began to trust that there must have been something good about his place. Only the best survive, right? That’s what we all think of a long-standing business. So, if there was something good about his place, it was surely him.

The captain was willing to sink with his ship. How could you not salute such conviction?

Ric wasn’t always the warm and welcoming face that would greet you at the door. He told me that he was just a simple man trying to run his business. At first, not many would come to dine. Ric believed his delicious food would win the hearts of all the customers, and so Ric continued to stay open hoping people would eventually recognize his food. But the growth was slow. He told me everybody that came love his food, but even with that, business was not easy. After a while it became hard for his bistro to stay afloat. He’d always see the same few faces come by, but it wasn’t enough. Yet, even with the lack of sustainable business, Ric never gave up. He knew his food was good, and he also knew that if he kept his bistro alive long enough, he’d eventually get his lucky break. The way I feel at his place now, you can tell that he did. He kept his head high and continued to fight on. I honour that. The captain was willing to sink with his ship. How could you not salute such conviction?

I asked Ric one time why he was always so welcoming. He told me that it was all part of the dining experience. After always seeing the same customers time and time again, he began to become more appreciative of their support. He learned their names and always made sure to give them a warm welcome. And in turn, they would respond in kind. When he brought that same attitude towards more of his visitors, Ric began to notice something. There were more and more names and faces he had to remember. People were coming in.

This history of Ric’s bistro can always make you feel good. But that’s the thing. His story isn’t over.

His story isn’t over.

With more customers, Ric needed more hands. Fortunately enough, his young nephew was willing to work. His nephew never wanted to work with his own father in the building industry. Said his father was too hard on him. So of course, Ric too him in. And since young Marcus was family, Ric felt that he should teach Marcus how to run the business. But with such a blessing, came a curse.

Lockdown. You all know about that. And I’m sure you all know about what that’s done to all of our beloved small businesses.

Ric didn’t take the lockdown very well. The glory of his bistro was centred around the dining experience. But with doors forced to close, his forte was no longer at hand. A shame. Especially when he put his faith the government who said they’d ease the restrictions soon enough. We all remember how that never happened. And we all have the lockdown now to remind us of the likely outcome. An extended lockdown period.

Ric did start offering a takeaway service, but his hopes were place upon door reopening for public entry. The end of last year did eventually grant Ric’s wishes, and so it was back to business as usual. But the middle of this year unfortunately gave us another slap on the face. Another lockdown, and another dead end for Ric. Fore that’s how he took the current situation.

A Warrior’s Advice

I was fortunate enough to catch up with Ric recently. Oh. By the way, my activities during lockdown is none of your business, excuse you! But the energy I got off of Ric was not the same jolly heart warming presence that we all came to love. Something was missing in him. Was it a smile? No. Ric was still find and dandy. Was it the care and welcome in his eyes? No, of course not. Around him you could never miss that sense that he’d be looking after you. So all and all, he was still Ric. It’s just that there was a particular detail missing so important in Ric that the picture of him never seemed complete.

The key essence that was missing in Ric would be easy to miss for the untrained eye. My old days of commanding troops had made me more in tune to his specific detail. It’s one of the most important factors that one must consider when guiding and managing others. It became clear to me when I asked him a simple question. “How was the business doing during lockdown?” Ric smiled and told me that it was okay, but that he didn’t think it was going to last. Right then and there, I didn’t even listen to the words he had said. All I could see was the dimming tone of his spirit. That’s what was missing. His fire. His passion. His spirit.

It’s one of the most important factors that one must consider when guiding and managing others.

I talked to him about that, about how he didn’t seem as passionate about his business anymore. All he said was, “Everything is different now. What am I supposed to do?” Wasn’t it clear to him what he was to do? You all already know the answer now. Adapt. That’s what a survivor would do after a sudden catastrophe. That’s what a warrior would do in the heat of the war.

What had happened to his spirit? When I first learned about the history of him and his bistro, I thought of Ric as a strong, resilient man. A warrior. A fighter who didn’t give up when times were tough. I respected that. If he had given up early, his bistro would have gotten to that fruitful stage of its life. If he had given up early, he wouldn’t have learned the beauty of providing the warm dining experience. Such gifts are not blessed upon a man in an instant. A man must stand his ground and face adversity to discover if he can truly survive. That’s what warriors do. Warriors don’t shy away from danger. Warriors keep their heads high and find out what they’re truly worth. He proved it to himself and to the rest of us. But what had happened to his spirit? The time had finally come for him to stand and fight again. Only this time, his head wasn’t high.

For one to adapt, they must change in every aspect required. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually.

Adaptation does seem simple enough, but the process runs deeper that we expect. For one to adapt, they must change in every aspect required. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. In Ric’s mind he had already won the hard battle. So in his spirit, he was a victor. He was. Don’t get me wrong. I salute that. But the truth of the matter is that he was only a victor of that world and environment. In those times, of course he walked around triumphant, proud of his achievements. And of course, he could apply the same old skills that won him that battle, because the environment was the same, and such skills would still prevail. We are no long in that same world. Ric was no longer in that same environment. What good is it to don that same spirit if it no longer serves? What Ric was now facing was a whole new world. And it was time for him to be a warrior again.

Since we are such mentally sound creatures, a big part of adaptation is understanding our environment. For Ric, he flourished in the walk-in dining world. But now, for the sake of Italian cuisine, he was now part of the takeaway world. The market was different, the scope was different, the players were different. And whether he liked it or not, there were already some big dogs ruling these streets. These takeaway streets. Before, his main competitors were only the neighbouring restaurants near his vicinity. Now the scope was different. Takeaway deals with a whole different sort of customer. And how they are reached requires a different type of game plan. Times had definitely changed. But that was only one aspect of adaptation.

As the environment changes, so too do the things that are important. Even the degree of certain things and their value change. That’s what requires true introspection, all the while understanding the environment. Before, Ric was a wealthy man, living with a thriving business. It meant he could live more luxuriously and have a particular lifestyle. But is that still his environment? No. Not now, it isn’t. And so how could he comfortably still live with the same lifestyle if his circumstances were different. It’s the wrong spirit for the wrong time. There is no shame if he was to change his lifestyle to match his current conditions. No shame at all. What would be a shame is if he didn’t adapt and continued to live in a way that no longer worked for him. That’s the part of adaptability I find many people have trouble with. The emotional aspect of adapting. Letting go of old attachments. And that is a matter involved in comfort.

Comfort is a state we all wish to achieve. It is the goal that frees us from the human pain we all call mental stress. It is a blessing that we all get to experience. Who could deny the joys of comfort? But there are situations in life where comfort can hinder progress, particularly in terms of adaptation. It was what Ric was struggling with. He had grown too comfortable with his old spirit and the joys that came with it. Now that his situation had changed, his old comfort zone was no longer working for him. It was time for him to find a new one. And as I said before, it was time to adapt.

Comfort is the goal. It is the indication of achievement.

Now, I’m not saying comfort is a bad thing. There is no way I am saying that. Comfort is the goal. It is the indication of achievement. If the comfort is appropriate for the circumstance, then is that not fulfillment? If it is time to rest, shouldn’t the most appropriate form of comfort be sought? If it is time to work, shouldn’t the most appropriate form of comfort also be sought? That’s the detail that most people miss when they talk about comfort. If it is appropriate for the situation.

A warrior knows when there is lack of comfort, there is something new to learn. And so, a warrior will use best the skills they are comfortable with, or they will endeavour the ordeals of development of new skills until that comfort is achieved. So, what skills and qualities does Ric have to use comfortably? Ric has the comfort of his strong determination and will to achieve a goal. And what ordeals of development would be ideal for him to endeavour? The development of his adaptability.

Ric is fairly aged, so his progress to learn new skills may not come as efficiently as before. Not that he won’t progress. He is a warrior. He will prevail. But there is a resource available to him that can better his fight in this new world. Marcus, his young nephew. The kid will be better in tune to the current trends of the markets today. And if need be, Marcus would be suited to live o the legacy of Ric’s bistro.

It was strength in my old worlds. But in this current world of mine, it has set me back quite a few times.

I told Ric that he should consider learning a few things from his nephew. Ric wasn’t so sure about that since he was mentoring Marcus. Pride. I know all about that. As a warrior, pride to me is a blessing and a curse. It was strength in my old worlds. But in this current world of mine, it has set me back quite a few times. I’m still to learn when that quality will be appropriate. And I’m sure Ric will too. His determination will eventually prevail. And I’m sure he will come to learn many things from his nephew. This will all come with adaptability.

My warrior ways will not always serve me in this day and age. What will, is my adaptability. And in turn, my warrior virtues will find a way to adapt to my new environment. That is why I write here on the internet now. There is an audience out there, ready to hear the countless tales I have in store. And as with every life, I hope every tale has an essence that we can all learn.

Further Advice from a Warrior

What Ric should always keep in mind is to have pride in what he has built. If anything, his bistro is his pride. Not the actual venue in particular, but the mere idea of the establishment. His business is what represents him, and him his business. This is how the world will see him, so he should honour that. His establishment is proof of his character, from the sheer might of his determination and will, to the heart that he offered his customers to grant them a warm dining experience. The latter, of course, is no longer available, but does that mean the name can no longer live on? It most certainly can, and while he is still alive, it most certainly should.

So long as whatever was created still exists, then that person’s spirit lives on

A person is best to be proud of whatever they create. It is their mark upon the world. Whether it be an establishment, a physical structure, a city or country, a work of art, a discipline, or a philosophy, they should honour their work and how it impacts the world. So long as whatever was created still exists, then that person’s spirit lives on. And with that, their name.

A warrior lives on through the people they have impacted. So long as a warrior has contributed to a change in another’s life, then a warrior has done their duty. Be it villainy or heroism, a warrior’s spirit will live on through their impact on others.

If a warrior has no creation, no relationships, or no voice, what a warrior has at the least is their name. And they must always honour that. If they don’t, then who else should? And once they do honour their name or creation, that is when their name will become greater. Greatness always starts somewhere. A warrior’s duty first is to honour themselves.

A warrior’s duty first is to honour themselves.

Ric was proud of his business and what he begun. But he stated to lose touch of that as times grew hard. His spirit proved it so. When he said “Everything is different now. What am I supposed to do?” Ric was implicitly stating his refusal to stay strong. There was a lack of hope, a lack of courage. If he honoured himself, would he want to present himself as weak? No. Because honour is value. And anything and everything of value must be protected. Ric understands that now.

Keeping his business running shows strength. And with strength, it demands respect. And why should it? It provides to the world. It provides to its customers, and it provides to its employees. That in itself is a sense of value. And ultimately, that’s all a warrior wants. Value.

If I was to give Ric some more warrior’s advice, it would be to learn from your enemies. They are still alive somehow. They must be doing something wright. Our enemies teach us several things. They teach us how to survive in our current environment by whatever they are doing right and whatever they are doing wrong. They too have value. Honour them!

A keen eye will also notice where their enemies are losing. Is there an opportunity there at their loses? Battles do not always have to be won on the same playing field

And of course, a true warrior knows, be adaptable. Learn your current environment. Learn your future environment. You will discover how to thrive. And with that, you can discover also what is currently valuable. Is it quantity? Is it quality? Both? Money? Relationships? I cannot tell you. I’m not on your battlefield.

All I know is honour your name and be strong. Oh, and of course, adaptability will go a long way.