Yay, I’m back and this time for good…
Have you been hungrier than usual lately? Angrier than usual, lonelier than usual, or more tired than usual? You’re not alone! Since Covid-19 kicked in, I’ve personally felt tempted to embrace these feelings more than I would ever desire to share on this platform.
Today, I came across a familiar word called “halt” as it’s used in the world of substance abuse recovery (something that touched my family very closely). On SAMHSA.gov, it says the following, “Since we are likely to pay attention to our physical responses, it might help to remember the anagram-HALT to help recognize that you need to stop whenever you are: Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired.” These essential needs have upped to exaggerated levels during the Covid-19 Pandemic crises.
During these challenging times, we have to pay even closer attention to these essential human responses; we have to be more intentional, and this is where self-care comes in. And along with self-care, comes personal transformation. So, in a lighter note, I’ll share some of the personal reinventing that I’m experiencing during these isolated times.
As a Language Arts teacher by profession, I was transitioned to teach my students from home during this pandemic scare. Though difficult during the first couple of weeks, it became like a comforting ritual with lots of time to myself. As I navigated my new normal, I saw myself experimenting in the kitchen, contemplating home decorating projects and remodeling, adding a scented, tropical garden to my balcony, and much more. And this is where my reinventing began-during a national crisis…this bitter-sweet challenge has position me for a summer off full of joy and possibilities. Isolation has been beneficial since I’ve been able to organize my priorities of what I truly want, need, what’s important, and who’s important-it’s a win, win, situation.
But the most important thing I wanted to share on this post, is my new awareness of God’s Grace in my life. This is the thrust of this blog and the purpose behind its content. Anything else I add is the icing on the cake. During this pandemic- with its social isolation, has made me more aware of His presence and my own presence, which we have a tendency to lose in the midst of busyness.
Finally, us women of faith can suffer from being too judgmental of ourselves and too OC about our decisions, feelings, etc. Our Lord wants us free, receiving freely His Grace in our times of need (during this pandemic and beyond). That means, forgiveness for ourselves and patience with our humanity, always remembering that His Spirit is always available to give us help and wisdom when we don’t have it in our own strength. This pandemic has been a humbling experience, confirming that we are NOT in control. In the coming weeks, my goal will be to challenge you and me to live in the freedom of a Grace-filled heart, nurture creativity, and practice authenticity-Jesus paid the price for such a life!
I want to leave you with a quote which I thought is very appropriate during these days of isolation… “A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that the next time you feel alone.”-Mandy Hale
Simply Balanced! 