How to Survive a Revolution

psychic101 lived through the Egyptian Revolution and is here to share what she learned!—Sparkitors

My dad's part of the US government, so I'm currently in Egypt. Probably everyone heard about the revolution in Egypt a while ago—you may have even read this Sparkler's amazing series about living through it. There was a lot happening—guns, no Internet, screaming, no phone, no school, and no Internet (I had to put "no internet" on twice because, well, who could survive without Internet?). For a week I was literally trapped in my apartment with my family. A little bit too much family time, if you ask me. It took a while for our company to evacuate us. And yet, from this cramped perspective, I learned a few tips on how to survive big changes (even a revolution):

• See no evil: Big changes can be disruptive and disturbing. There are many things that can bother us (e.g., shootings or lootings) and we just want them to disappear. But, in reality, these changes are the start of something new—usually something good. So, for the time being, you have to accept the anarchy, because it's going to be over soon.

• Hear no evil: When we hear the "big news," it's usually something that is, again, disruptive and disturbing. Maybe it's the fact that you're moving, you're losing a friend, or that people are upset with your government and want change. What you really should be doing is accepting the fact that change is about to come into your life. Deep breaths, in and out. It's all under control. If, on the other hand, any screaming is involved, you're allowed to run away from that.

• Family is good, too: When your (and my) younger siblings are running around, screaming about how excited they are to go on an adventure, and your parents are trying to get you to work out on an exercise ball, you may think that their sole purpose is to try to make you feel worse about your situation. Really, your family is trying to help you deal with change. It's a good thing, trust me.
• Screaming in a pillow can help, too: 'Nough said. Punching a pillow also works.

• We don't always need the Internet: Who am I kidding? How am I supposed to learn valuable life lessons without the Internet?

To wrap it up, change may seem bad, but it's actually good. It took me a revolution to see it, but each of our own "revolutions" brings new opportunities. It all just depends on how patient you are with change, and how willing you are to accept it.

Would you make it through the revolution?

Related Post: Living Through the Egyptian Revolution

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