Regain the wonder: creating new traditions

‘Tis the season once again. And this year, no doubt, many of our traditions will look different. As we navigate the pressures inherent with the holidays—amidst the added stressors of an ongoing pandemic—I’ve found it helpful for my own mental health to adopt a spirit of wonder and possibility that exists beyond the norm, or the “way it’s always been done.” For example, rather than rush through a harried month of December, my family created a new tradition: the Advent “tree.” This entails a small, makeshift tree onto which we clipped little notecards—dated from Day 1 to Day 24. Each morning, we read a chapter from the Gospel of Luke, and afterward we open the corresponding day’s card to view that day’s activity. Some activities include completing Christmas word puzzles, setting up our nativity scene, “attending” an online concert and baking loaves of bread to share with family and friends. A simple and sweet way to slow down, connect and reflect.

What’s your favorite tradition?

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.

Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

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?

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.