Another way to look at the pandemic ‘pause’

In my post, “Are you an energy drain?,” I talk about adopting an attitude of gratitude. Admittedly, I think practicing gratefulness vs. grumbling proved easier pre-COVID-19. Although not impossible, it now requires a greater commitment to look for—and expect—the good. One way that’s helped me focus on the positive includes working through a 28-day joy project. In addition, I ran across this gem: 50 ways to add joy to your life. And I also started listing things I’m learning about myself while life shelters-in-place for many of us. One of my biggest discoveries: that the response I don’t have time could be better described as a reflexive knee jerk. In fact, by simply shifting priorities, I make more time to engage in activities and projects that refuel my “joy” tank—like reading and writing, exercising and taking online classes, listening to podcasts and trying new recipes. With 1,440 minutes at our disposal each day, how can anyone be bored?

What have you learned during the “pause?”

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Aligning your spirit: a divine appointment

You seek discernment. Clarity. You toss your cares onto your Creator; catch His peace; invite direction; open yourself to areas in your life that require a good spring cleaning and then wait with expectation for the pieces to fall together. I’d like to think of this as aligning our spirits with the One who formed us. Although our human bodies “fall apart” over time—illness, atrophy, normal aging (i.e., the law of entropy, which suggests systems of change become less organized over time)—our spirits are designed for something greater. Thus, when our spirits are right with a Higher Power (you say universe, I say God)—the pieces fall together—seldom in perfect order, much like a dot-to-dot unveiling the vision of our Creator. Throughout my lifetime, I’ve stumbled upon various tools and teachers to help inform my purpose. And, finally, the proverbial stars and galaxies seem to be lining up. As a new friend recently said: It’s a God thing.

In what area(s) do you seek alignment?

Photo by Graham Holtshausen on Unsplash.

Checking in: have you accepted the call?

One of countless things that strikes me during this COVID-19 climate is that collectively—as an entire world—each of us feels, at some level, the effects of the pandemic. Whether it’s getting preoccupied with the small things (minor inconveniences) or worrying about the insurmountable things (how to feed our families), it’s impossible to avoid the weight of our present circumstances. On a personal level, the sheer volume of this truth proves both frightening and humbling. But allow me to interject a “food for thought” to contemplate as we carry out our days: Could this disruption—the upheaval in our lives—be disguised as a call of sorts, an opportunity to make a difference? A powerful concept. One that I believe starts by letting go of hate and showing up in love.

It might look something like this: Before doing/saying/posting/forwarding X, Y, Z, ask “How can I respond in love?”

And then do this instead.

What are you doing to make a difference? Or, for ideas, comment here.

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Now what? Pivot vs. panic.

Here’s what I know: the “new normal” can more aptly be classified the new “not” normal. But the question begs: “Now what?” In my post, “When life is spinning out of control…” I share the one thing within our control. Even if it’s simply to breathe… congratulations! I get it. I, too, am scared. Exhausted. Discouraged. And wrapping my mind around the current climate proves boggling at best. Unplug for a moment (after reading this post) and close your eyes. Put your hand over your heart. Feel, and listen. You’re here for a purpose. What is it? Perhaps the new “not” normal will serve as your personal pause button: to pivot vs. panic. In other words, allow this time to change your course: to redirect your thoughts. To replace limiting beliefs with truth. Because here’s the other thing I know: that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:38).

How will you pivot?

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That feeling you can’t label? It’s called grief.

In my post, “When life is spinning out of control…,” I talk about the new normal; aka status quo. Within the context of all-things global pandemic, for me the biggest transition means comprehending that life as I knew it ceases to exist. Articles on this topic label these “feels” as grief caused by a deep sense of loss. How do we begin to pick up the myriad pieces of our shattered dreams when—across the world—businesses and schools continue to close doors, while the big unknown looms like a giant storm cloud: For how long? Although school and work resumes for some—albeit within a different context—what about beyond our four walls? Those workers on the front lines? And those of us who live with underlying health conditions, waiting in a holding pattern but wonder—if untreated over time—we’re doing more harm than good? Yet life continues—through the lens of a new normal that none of us planned for.

What do you grieve today?

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