A few months ago, as the pandemic was just beginning, I asked you to consider three questions to help you prepare for what lay ahead. The crisis isn’t over, we must still be vigilant and careful, however it occurred to me that it might be helpful to ask the same questions at this point in time. In the last three months our lives have changed in some significant ways. We’ve spent more time at home and less time in public. What have we learned about ourselves during these months? What has been a surprising positive outcome of the lockdown? I hope that we can hold onto some of the good habits we have picked up. Perhaps some of the changes need to be permanent.
- What things, that you started doing during the shutdown, do you want to keep doing afterwards? For example, I know many people have enjoyed more time together as a family – parents and children. How can you continue to make that a priority? Some folks have taken up hobbies, done more reading or taken better care of their health. So what’s a new habit you are going to continue doing as life ‘gets back to normal’?
- What are you going to do more of now that you can? We have all been missing something from our lives for the last few months. Perhaps it’s time with friends, more outside exercise, travelling or just going back to the office. When you miss something you often have a greater appreciation when it comes back. Make sure you savour those moments.
- What are you going to do less of after the lockdown? As we emerge from our hibernation, there are probably somethings we should shed. Many people have spent way too much time in front of a screen and need to really cut back. Perhaps others have used food or drink to dull their pain. It’s always a good time to cut out the unhealthy things in life.
Our ability to stop and evaluate our choices is one of the practices that can help us to succeed in life. The last few months have been challenging. While we don’t always appreciate his words, James reminds us that our problems can bring about growth.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)