Inspiration and Introspection

Last Tuesday, I received a text message from my daughter; she and her fiancé made the tough decision to postpone their May wedding. “Due to local restrictions and health concerns, we’ve made the decision to reschedule our wedding to a later date this year. We want to keep our friends and family safe and take the difficult decision around whether or not to travel in the next couple of months out of your hands."

As I thought about what to write for this week’s blog, it seemed important to find something positive. I found this wonderful post, written by Deborah Kur and posted on The Times of Israel. She experienced a situation similar to mine: the wedding will happen; she just won’t be there.

She writes, “As part of a greater whole, I can’t just think of my needs. The pull between head and heart is so difficult. Hopefully, we will all be able to weather this time of crisis from a place of integrity and calmness. Lifestyles have totally changed in the past few days and are probably going to keep changing, so here are some tips to keep healthy at this time:

Tips and daily practices:

• Meditate and pray daily. Focus your mind and raise your consciousness.
• Work with fears as they arise, but don’t let them overwhelm you.
• Focus on opportunities, not end-of-the-world scenarios. Ask yourself, “How can this situation cause positive changes that we and the world might need anyway?”
• Be a positive example and support to others. When we feel inspired, we will have a ripple effect on those we are spending time with.
• Think of small acts of kindness you can do for others out there. Be creative!
• Try to sleep at least eight hours every night.
• Get regular exercise–outdoors, if possible.
• Eat a balanced and healthy diet, including fruit and veggies and drink plenty of water.
• Keep remembering to wash hands and follow the guidelines from the health authorities.
• Look for the opportunities of what can be done at home.
• Learn something new; this is stimulating. Platforms like COURSERA.COM offer free university courses. Keep stimulated!
• Gardening is a tranquil activity, and connecting to the earth is grounding. If you can be outside, walk barefoot on the grass, or–even better–the beach. It’s Spring!
• Spend time within contemplating; it can help us to emerge more peaceful and clear about our purpose not just in our own lives, but our role within humanity and inhabitants of our beautiful planet as well.
• Have deeper, longer conversations with people you love.

Out of struggle and tragedy something new can be born. What will your role in this rebirth be? Let’s look at this Coronavirus pandemic as a wake-up call as we unite to better serve each other and our planet.

My daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law’s decision, whilst it made me sad in the moment, also reminded me of how proud I am of them. They will reschedule. The wedding will take place.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25

In His Service,
Janet
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P.S. Think physical distancing to combat the virus. This is NOT social isolation. Call a friend!

Janet Starkey