In these unsettling times, I really need serenity and health, and I’m pretty sure that you do too! I’m fortunate because my encore career is all about serenity and health…learning, practicing, and promoting it.
The coronavirus might seem to you like the last straw. In the U.S. we have been dealing with climate change, gun violence, racism, political strife, impeachment…and now the coronavirus. My two brothers live in the Seattle area, where multiple deaths have occurred. My daughter lives in Italy, another hot spot. She just called and told me the schools in all of Italy have closed for at least two weeks. That is when I sat down to write this blog post.
Each of us has our own story. Was your trip canceled? What about the wedding next month? Is your job at risk? Do you have a cold and wonder if it could be the coronavirus? Are you considered high-risk for the virus and fear illness or even death? Is your father in a nursing home? Are you worried about what will happen if schools and businesses close and you lose your income? Are you fearful of being quarantined and separated from your family? What about your retirement funds—are they shrinking? The list of concerns is real and very long. Yes, we have to be honest about the serious problems that might lay ahead and plan the best we can to deal with this uncertain future. We need to follow all safety precautions and take extra good care of our health so we will be less susceptible to the virus. This means healthy eating, exercise, and sufficient sleep. But, we should not spend our hours thinking of the many potentials for disaster. I’ve been thinking of ways to avoid going down that useless path of constant worry and stress.
Last week Lent started with Ash Wednesday. I went to Mass and heard a meaningful homily about change—“Everything changes.” The priest reminded us that today we are happy, tomorrow we may be sad. Today we are healthy, tomorrow we may be sick. Today we are rich, tomorrow we may be poor. Today we have a job, tomorrow we may not. Yesterday we never heard of coronavirus, today we have a near-pandemic, and tomorrow is full of questions. We each heard the sober words as the ashes were placed on our foreheads: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
We only have today. So, we should cherish each day, each moment. Here is what the 3x5 card on my bulletin board says:
Yesterday’s the past,
Tomorrow’s the future,
But today is a gift:
That’s why they call it the present.
So what do I do to find peace and relief from the worries of our times? I pray a lot. I try to trust my Lord and my God. I practice Centering Prayer every day. I’m a Catholic and I try to go to Mass on most days. I try to cultivate gratitude by acknowledging the many good and beautiful things and people in my life. You might enjoy a book I just read about embracing joy and gratitude. It is Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts, a very lyrical book that became a NYT’s bestseller. I exercise 3 times a week. I don’t watch 24/7 news, although I try to be informed with the newspaper, PBS Newshour, and occasional news on the internet. I try to avoid spending more than just a few minutes each day on social media. I read uplifting books and avoid being sucked into negative, frightening, or soul-sucking news stories or conversations. I practice what I call God-centered mindfulness to help me stay in the moment. A book called Sacrament of the Present Moment by de Caussade explains this concept and is one of my favorite books. I try to stay in touch with my loved ones and friends. I am an active work-zone-in-progress! What about you?
Photo of my bulletin board. In memory of Anne Nelson, who gave this card to me. Anne was a high-spirited and generous doctor who was paralyzed in a bike accident just after getting married and starting her career. I met her in a nursing home years after her accident. She died after a brief illness around 2000.
“God speaks to every individual through what happens to them moment by moment.” - The Sacrament of the Present Moment
Remember—to see a change in how you feel, you must make a change in what you do.
SUGGESTIONS:
Make your own list of new and different steps you can take. Each of my prior blogs offers suggestions.
Take that first step toward change. Will it be ten minutes each morning for prayer? A brief daily walk?
Share with me and our readers what works to help you find peace in these tumultuous, ever-changing times. We need to help each other.
We are all learning, yet again, that we are not in charge!
Each of you remains in my prayers…that never changes! And, God’s love and care for each of us never changes. We have to work at growing our trust in Our Lord and Savior. So, take a big breath and enjoy this moment.
God bless all of you.
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly blog or follow me on Facebook or Donna Chacko on Twitter. If my message helps you in any way, please consider sharing it with others.
Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, and programs at her church. She is the author of the award-winning book and Amazon best-seller Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021). You can read her full bio here.
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