Acceptance

TEDX may not have happened in April, or will even happen in October for all we know. But, it has already transformed my life. Preparing to give this talk as well as working in a hospital during this pandemic, has triggered me to dive deeper into my soul and discover how important it is to prioritize the health of my spirit for the good of my family.

Through this process of contemplation and meditation, I have lived with some new truths that have served me well so far this year.

Even before the clocks struck midnight on “2020”, our modern society was living either in the future or the past, normalizing stress and busyness, instead of joy and peace. We don't live with purpose in the present moment (the only moment that we truly experience). Then you add all that 2020 is bringing, you end up at this pivotal point.

“This” is hard. Everything feels very uncomfortable and unstable. The way we look at and move about our world looks very different. Our professional lives look very different. The concept of our health looks very different. The start of school looks very different. “This” is hard.  Having these feelings and thoughts is justifiable and understandable.

But, we can do hard things. We are resilient. God rarely uses times of ease and happiness to do His best work. Transformation is mostly found in the messy, uncomfortable places and times. 

If we are honest, would we say that our education system was working well before COVID? We have been forced into a process of reorganization for the foreseeable future. Although this brings up all the “what ifs” and can spiral us into a constant state of anxiety, it also loosens the hold that status quo takes and allows us to imagine a new way. The process is messy, there may be no apparent right answers at first. But, If we can find our way to the stage of acceptance for these changes that this school year will bring, that this whole year is bringing, we can live from a place of presence and trust, instead of fear and anxiety.

If we can sit in this discomfort, in stillness and silence, honoring our feelings but not drowning and obsessing in the anxiety, creative possibilities can surface- bringing love, connection, and trust. What an important gift to give our children and communities!

This is my intention this year.

My intention is not to focus on the "what-ifs", "not fairs", "I wishes", because I know this only brings more stress and anxiety- not solutions, definitely not peace or joy. 

We know that “this too shall pass”, but let's not let it pass without allowing it to bring us closer to ourselves, our families, and communities first.

Rachel

“As you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life. It means fear is no longer a dominant factor in what you do and no longer prevents you from taking action to initiate change.”

Eckhart Tolle

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7