A New Year begins…
…and what a way to start it.
Our world is dominated by a global pandemic, and the UK is back in full lockdown. The sense of here-we-go-again is acute, coupled with a real weariness at the thought of all the mental gymnastics and internal negotiations involved on a sometimes-hourly basis to keep anxiety at bay as we continue to take one step at a time into this year.
The weather recently has been stunning – cold and frosty, clear and sparkly. This has been very good for my soul, as I explore our local area and notice all that there is that is beautiful and good.
The word in my mind has been simplicity.
I am walking the same walks and exploring the same routes as I have been for months. But there is a beautiful simplicity in noticing how nature changes in small ways each day. There is hope in seeing new buds popping bravely through the frozen ground.
And there is the stark, bare outline of trees stripped of leaves, as the tree preserves what is needed to survive the cold winter.
When all is stripped away – so much of normal life, expectations, hopes, dreams, planning – what is left?
What has been stripped away in your life?
And what is it that you are needing to preserve to get through these next difficult winter weeks?
For me, what is left is a fresh awareness of the importance of living now, in this present moment. Tomorrow, next week, next month – the prospect of what might be is too big, too uncertain and too anxiety-inducing.
But simplicity reminds me of what is and what I can do, today, in this moment. There is much around me that is beautiful and for me personally, reminds me of the Creator who I believe remains in charge.
Always, there are things to be thankful for.
A stunning sunset.
Kindness from a stranger.
Words of love from someone special.
Mesmerising fire to sit round with friends in the cold.
Music, a good book, a game played in real life or online.
Distractions maybe, but perhaps like the trees who have let go of their leaves for winter, these are important things to help us keep our roots strong in who we are and what is most important to us, even as we await the new growth of hope as we eventually come out of this pandemic.
When all is stripped away, what is left for you?
But what remains, that keeps you rooted and allows you to preserve energy and peace each day?
Today, notice what is beautiful, what you are thankful for, where you can show and receive kindness. Let’s keep it simple.