Change is one constant in our lives, but it’s not always easy.
Stevie Nicks, singer with the band Fleetwood Mac sang the song Landslide, “Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’.” Here’s my question to you today, are you afraid of change?
The entire Globe remains in the midst of monumental change. All of us in change, all at the same time, all together. How are we responding individually? As a spiritual community? Here is my solution that I’ve borrowed. As we continue to build and grow our Spiritual Lives through our Spiritual Community during this time of change, I say like Nike…
JUST DO IT!
Nike has the slogan "Just Do It," and to me, this is good advice during these changing times while navigating through crisis. In my opinion, one thing we should aim for, is to do something that’s never been done before. We have such an incredible opportunity because we are in such an unprecedented time.
Here’s what I mean. Do something…anything...that you have never done before. As COVID is ramping up in some places and slowing down in others, my new response, while it may seem hard to accept, is "Don't waste a crisis." What I mean by that is, find something to do. Something meaningful, life-changing. For me, that’s service. I’m constantly asking the question, where can I serve, sweet Spirit?
We are called during this time to keep moving forward. It is important that we use this time to think about our lives and how we might do things differently. An idle mind could lead to feelings of being anxious and/or experiencing depression. Doing something like service to your community can heighten our spiritual energy if we view it as worthwhile, value-added work, rather than the completion of tasks. Put another way, concentrate on where the Divine longs for you to contribute and share yourself, and that will be the most effective work you can do.
Strive to live out loud and with purpose as a fulfilled spiritual individual.
COVID-19 is causing many of us to think about how we are spending our time. Previously, much of our lives had been consumed by multiple activities. We are social, busy human beings by nature, so this time of shift and change is like a new book for all of us. Earlier in 2020, I often wondered if social distancing might become the new normal, and now, it’s definitely engrained in who we will be as we move forward. That’s just one change that has invited us to become adaptable.
So scheduling time for spiritual life-building service and sharing can become part of the change of filling the void of loneliness. Becoming adaptable is key. Concentrate on tasks and items that bring fulfillment, and increase joy and peace ― particularly those that grow your spiritual life ― rather than merely doing activities to fill the time.
View the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity, rather than just a challenge.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has been an incredible challenge, filled with added stress and loneliness, the idea of having to change itself, is just as much of an equal stressor on top of all the other stressors. Whew!!! So much…. Once again, I go back to the slogan of "Don't waste a good crisis."
Friends, this is where the glass half-full versus glass half-empty of changing one's perspective.
Wayne Dyer said, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” A person's perception becomes their reality. Sometimes change can be tilted toward a silver lining and that things aren't as bad as they seem to be. One way to be prepared for the best -- or worst-case scenarios is to see the opportunities amid the challenges. A story was once told of a famous inventor whose laboratory blew up. But when asked about the bad in the situation, it was said that he replied, "Good, all my mistakes have been erased." If COVID-19 is seen as an opportunity, then look for the opportunities that may come to you.
Look for the good that you can do to help others.
Think about small acts you can do to brighten someone else's day. Every drop of water makes an ocean when added together. Think your local context. What can you share with those who have even less than you? Not necessarily monetary, but service. Time, treasure, talents. What are you gifts to share?
Watch for ways to grow and learn.
During this time, our Spiritual Family have created an On-line Service, a variety of classes and ways to stay connected from Ministerial to Funday classes for our babes. While not the same as face-to-face services, these alternatives are giving our CSLKenya community and other attendees new ways to be involved in their personal spiritual growth. I’m not sure without this crisis, we would have had to use this outside-the-box thinking. I choose to look at this crisis as affording us an opportunity to grow in ways like never before.
Consider the ways that you use your time alone.
Now is the time to stay focused on the spiritual disciplines in our lives, such as treatment and meditation, because these disciplines work when we use them. Prayer is the way to connect to Source, and this time of distancing one's self from people and events gives you an opportunity to focus more on the spiritual Truth that may be the most important aspect of your life.
In closing, additional lyrics to the song mentioned earlier called Landslide by Fleetwood Mac went on to say this:
Well, I've been afraid of changin'
'Cause I've built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
When we have built our lives around the Divine, we become bolder, stronger, better and happier! We may have moments of fear during change, but in time, we realize different experiences, such as COVID gives us opportunities to become even closer than ever before through our Spiritual Connection to the One and each other. Here’s to changing, growing and evolving!
Please know you are loved, treasured, adored and valued.
In love,
Reverend Barbara Samuel