We continue to feel the effects of the historical COVID-19 Pandemic. It seems to have ushered fears from Spring 2020 well into the Fall of this year. Many of us are grateful for employment during a time when unemployment continues to escalate. However, our joy is dampened by the uncertainty that surrounds us. Just as we came into a place of acceptance of what we’ve been told is our “new norm,” tragic thoughts haunt us as we escort our children to college campuses and back to schools across this nation. It’s enough to make the most stable individual emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and even physically insecure. If Corona doesn’t kill us the strain of the continued stress that over taxes our bodies surely will.
We must learn to breathe again.
Worry has become a daily chore for most of us. Although you see us posting on social media joking and laughing, inside we’re a ball of tangled fears. One thing I’ve come to understand about worry, especially if we ‘re to ever conquer it, is that it’s always attempting to predict the future. Worry will cause our minds to run dozens of scenarios of what could happen and might happen. It’s enough to send our bodies into a state of panic and eventually dis - ease. If we don’t learn to redirect worry and fearful thoughts, our minds will continue to overwhelm us with imaginary situations that we feel the intense need to solve although they may never actually occur. Of course, we need to be prepared on the one hand but on the other hand, no one can adequately prepare for everything that might or might not happen. If we haven’t learned anything else from 2020, we have certainly learned that one fact.
Stop, right now and ask yourself this question, “Where are my feet right now?” Think about where you are at this moment. What is going on around you right now? Still your body and become aware of small things like, tense shoulders or a tightly held jaw. What sounds do you hear? What smells surround you? When you notice certain areas of your body are tight, stop and relax them. Take a breath. Life may never look like what it used to or even what we want it to, but we can learn to be present. It is in these precious present moments that we are teaching ourselves to trust, to relax, to enjoy what we have and where we are. It’s in these moments that we begin to see the things we should be grateful for and that things aren’t as bad as we thought they were or as bad as they could be. Being present is healing.
Practice the wisdom of these recovery slogans from Alcoholics Anonymous and learn to “Accept life on life’s terms” and do it “One Day at A Time.” Most days we must take it one moment at a time, trusting the God of our understanding each step of the way. Remember, worry never solves anything. It only robs us of our present.
Let's practice being present and Breathe…
