After the Passion Story: When Outside Forces Interrupt Best-Laid Plans

When we profiled Claire Malleson for a Passion Story back in early 2019, she walked us through her inspiring journey to discovering her passion for Egyptian archaeology--she had just accepted a teaching position in Lebanon, and her first book was about to be published. However, to describe the past few years as challenging for Lebanon would be an understatement.

The country, working to recover from decades of civil war, was already dealing with economic collapse and skyrocketing inflation when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Then, in August 2020, a huge explosion devastated downtown Beirut, killing hundreds and leaving as many as 300,000 homeless.

We caught up with Claire to talk about perseverance, empathy, and finding positivity in the face of adversity – themes that likely resonate with all of us now more than ever.

Can you give us an update on where you are now, two years after we last checked in? 

In the past 18 months, so much has changed in the world around us all, especially in Lebanon. It's been a really challenging time, and like most people, I've had to question many of my assumptions about myself and human beings in general. I've focused a lot on really identifying my personal values, which have been tested to the limit in some ways. The financial chaos in Lebanon has been especially difficult – one of the reasons I came here to start this job was to build financial stability and some savings for my future, and that has been ripped out from under my feet. Like almost everyone here, I've been through waves of extreme anger at the greed and corruption that led to the situation we are in, as well as feelings of hopelessness, as there is nothing much we can individually to change things.

Can you tell us about your experiences in light of the catastrophic blast and your involvement with relief efforts?

Following the explosion at the port in Beirut, I found that volunteer work really helped me a lot. For me, it has been a tangible way to actually make small positive differences for people who desperately needed help, and the team I've worked with (the American University of Beirut Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service) have really impressed and inspired me with their compassion, professionalism, and energy: they gave me hope! The coach I work with (Kim Ingleby of Energised Performance) specializes in trauma responses, and she supported me a lot in the immediate aftermath, as did my family, who continue to be phenomenally supportive of the fact that I choose to stay here and help.

THE DOCKS BEFORE AND AFTER THE BLAST IN THE LEBANESE CAPITAL, BEIRUT (CNES 2020, DISTRIBUTION AIRBUS DS/PA)

How has all of this affected your path and your passion? What are the biggest lessons you've taken away from it all so far?

My primary career goals have not changed: I'm still planning a second book, and I'm designing new courses. I want to develop my mentoring skills and continue to grow intellectually and academically. I think it's possibly even more important than ever to retain focus on the bigger picture – I still set my SMART goals (daily, weekly, monthly, and long term), always bearing in mind that they have to be adaptable.

 The result of all these challenges, and all this change, has been that I now focus more than ever on finding small joys each day, and looking at the positive. I am fortunate enough to have enough money to live comfortably at the moment, the weather here is great (usually!), the food is good, I love my job and I have great colleagues, I have a network of wonderful friends around the world, and thankfully, my family has been minimally affected by COVID 19. Day-to-day life still brings me pleasure, which means when I do have to deal with challenges I feel more able to do so.

The things I've faced regarding my career, whilst being unique in many ways, are also similar to anyone who works hard to achieve a goal, and then something unexpected and out-of-control totally changes everything. I can perhaps equate it to someone starting a new business, their passion project, only to face COVID obliterating the market. The problems may look different, but they affect us all in the same ways. Empathy and compassion are the keys to help us help each other (and ourselves.) 

How can readers support the work you are doing with relief efforts in Lebanon?

I somewhat rashly opted to "run" 20km as part of the fundraising efforts back in September, so this page is still open for donations. You can also learn more about the American University of Beirut Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service here and here.