It’s exciting to see the snow (if you live where snow is a common occurrence for 5 months out of your year) melting.
And yes, it gets dirty and the postcard winter scenes have pretty much gone the way of the drain but it also signals a time where the world will begins to shift its attention to Easter.
It’s amazing how stores give us the cue too: the Easter eggs and bunnies adorn the shelves and cry out for us to start stocking up on the goodies. Thankfully, here in Quebec, we were finally back to full stores being open so we could and can see the Easter sugar options!!
To be fair, they give us the cues for everything. Halloween is over and it’s Christmas. Christmas is over and it’s Valentine’s time and after Valentine’s, Easter.
But it’s more than a bunny or a crème egg.
If there was ever a time where we as people should take time to reflect on aspects of our lives, who we are and how that looks, now sounds like a good time in the middle of a year of unreal flux (virus-malaise/virus-cabin fear etc.).
I think that as people, okay I’ll just speak for me that at times, we don’t take enough time to reflect on who we are, where we are going and how we are going to get there enough.
Even to the point that we/I don’t put in the moments to do just that.
It’s interesting that with this corona virus pandemic, it has for many people enforced a type of imposed step back from the usual daily run of life.. (Thankfully, most people realized after a while that they didn’t have to buy reams of toilet paper which was nice for the rest of us!!!!)
One need not be religious to see that Easter which is about the sacrifice and gift of God’s son’s rescue for mankind has a number of moments where Jesus took time to get away to reflect, contemplate, pray, gain strength for what was to come.
So for this Forward Friday, in that spirit, I am reflecting on changes that I’ve been seeing in me that I do believe is for the good over this past year.
It is shortsighted to keep continually pouring out of one’s life if there are no deposits being made to enrich, strengthen that same life.
We all have limits even if we try to pass them off.
Funny, we humans don’t always like to admit that we have limits and sometimes, we just can’t take anymore of whatever the something(s) are/is.
A Few Things I’m Still Learning On The Road To Easter.
Changing The Way I Think Where It Comes To Asking For Help.
It is important when we need help to reach out and ask for it no matter how uncomfortable it may appear or seem to be.
Last year, I went to see someone to help me process how I was feeling and the first thing that came out was that I needed to stop thinking that I had to be the one to fix whatever the thing would be and start accepting I was one person.
When it sinks in that we are worthy of having the help of others, it is amazing how angles of light and life open up, allowing us time to be inspired and, subsequently, those around us.
I still think at times that I could/can handle most anything thrown my way.
Multi tasker, Swiss army knife; I could work long hours; accessible all the time. I could/can handle most anything.
And yes, I have learned how to delegate over the years better than in my younger years but when something needs to get done, Go…..
And it’s okay until…. the crash…...
That same counselor last year said point blank, “You don’t always need to be the hero; you bleed like everyone else!”
That could be taken in a wrong way if our attitude is not in a good place but she was/is right.
It is a good thing to offer and receive help. In fact, like everything else, there must be a give and take so that we have something in our tanks to give out when needed and also have the capacity to receive when we need to be filled.
Making Time For Me/Us Is Important
It is often to our disadvantage that we neglect ourselves because we're too busy doing everything. In the end, that's not helpful to anyone: We can burnout and frustration takes over, which creates a recipe for trouble.
It occurred to me that I was saying a lot of, “I’ll do this/that soon or at some time” and the crazy thing is that "sometime", rarely ever happened.
Things like reading that new book, checking out the new restaurant (here in Quebec, Take Out And Drive Thru Is Still King), going for a hike, going for a drive, taking a short trip etc.
I decided last spring before the lock downs to take myself up on the offer for a short trip so I visited my best friend for a few days in Florida.
It was refreshing and something I said I would do for 2 years but finally did. It was amazing to do some reflecting at various points and coming home spiritually and emotionally refreshed.
Another thing that I’ve always struggled with is answering the phone. No matter the number, I would pick up the phone anytime it rang. I can remember when I would have to find a payphone to make a call when out, walk to the kitchen to answer the phone when I was living with my folks.
Cell phones; they can find us anywhere and everywhere but…… I’m learning to wait to answer or watch this, check for a message and if I don’t know or recognize the number, let it go to voicemail..
If it’s important, they’ll leave a message.
Rare is it an emergency so turning it off or on silent mode is okay!!!!
Self-care that isn’t a hit or miss proposition also helped me find a better appreciation for my life.
It helps my relationship with my wife, family and friends.
It helps me in my connections with students and colleagues and these little tweaks makes a difference in continuing to grow the life I’ve been blessed to lead.
These little changes are important and they do matter and in this time of this uncertainty, every positive movement forward is significant but even more is….
What Matters Most
Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men/women."
There will come a time in life when we must take an inward look at where we are and that's OK. While it's not an easy task, in this season on the road to Easter, to gain not only an emotional and psychological clear perspective but also a healthy spiritual perspective matters.
I think of a verse that says that man or woman should examine themselves.
This coronavirus has created a lot of waves but many times, crisis creates opportunity and I know for me, it is becoming a time of reflection for growth and preparing me for the days, weeks and months to come.
I think that on the road to Easter is a perfect time and maybe the timing is right for us to:
Many times, crisis creates opportunity
Looking at where we are on what matters most and if we are still not feeling grounded especially in the world that we live in with this continual onslaught of Covid-19 and the narrative that has caused us to be filled with uneasiness.
That maybe it could be a signal to find our spiritual heritage (renew our spiritual heritage) if we feel rootless, stuck, afraid, frayed, unsure of the ground we stand on.
Like the Good Book says, a man or woman should examine themselves.
Asking For Help Makes A Big Difference; Mindsets Can Shift So We Know We’re Not Alone.
Making Time Is So Important To Help Us Prioritize Us; We Need To Be Healthy To Be Able To Make A Difference.
What Matters Most Centers Us And Grounds Us If Can We Stop To See What’s On The Inside And Make Adjustments.
It helps us in times of discontent, distress, uncertainty, the unknown.
Very simple yet effective and every day is a new day to practice.
I’ve often sung this song when I needed to encourage myself and maybe this could be a source of comfort to you not only for this time we live in but whenever we may be going through a season that isn’t comfortable.
Easter reminds me of the greatest help mankind could have ever asked for and that's why I believe, even in today's crazy world, we have some good medicine!
Some Good Medicine
Sometimes discouraged, but not defeated, Cast down, but not destroyed There are times I don't understand, But I believe it's turning around for me
I've had struggles and disappointments, There are times I felt so alone Some of my friends, they let me down, But I still believe it's turning around for me
Around for me around for me, around for me it's turning around for me
Around for me around for me, around for me it's turning around for me
I can see the breaking of day, God is making a way A change is coming for me, If I stand strong and believe There's no reason to doubt, I know He's working it out It's turning around for me
And it won't always be like this, He will perfect that concerning me
And sooner or later, it will turn in my favor (Sooner or later, it will turn in my favor)… It's turning around for me
Walking with you on the road to Easter!!
Dave
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