What gifts have you received from the last 3 years?
Does this question elicit some resistance? You may be thinking “Gifts? What gifts? What do you mean?” It was the strangest time many of us have any recollection of!
My initial thoughts were on those same lines, but then I started to reflect more deeply and came to realize that these strange and unusual times gifted many of us with new opportunities and possibilities. Here are some that came to mind, I’m sure you will come up with some too.
1. Many companies realized their workforce thrived working from home and have now allowed their workers more flexibility and choice in regards to where they work.
- This provides greater flexibility with schedules for families to be able to work around their family’s needs and perhaps also saving on daycare or transportation costs
- No commuting provides more time in your day!
- This has created less traffic and is better for the planet with regard to pollution
- Families have spent more time together connecting and developing closer bonds
- This has opened up more options for where people live in relation to where they work
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2. Many have realized just how precious life is and that life can change very quickly. This has ignited some individuals to make different choices and perhaps consider different priorities.
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- Some have made shifts in their work and home lives to offer them more balance
- Some have chosen to leave high stress jobs choosing to simplify their lives
- Choosing to spending more time with those that matter most to them
- Perhaps buying less things in trade for more free time
- Being grateful for the little things in life vs trying to buy things to make us happy
3. Individual’s have re-imagined the importance of their immune system and how their lifestyle choices impact their health and ability to ward off dis-ease.
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- With the social distancing and mandates, eating in became the only option for a time allowing families to learn how to prioritize cooking and togetherness. Money was saved and healthier meals were consumed
- Many people spent more time outdoors getting walks in and being active. This exposed their skin to sunlight, supporting their natural Vitamin D production and supporting their circadian rhythm
- More families are starting up their own backyard or container gardens for fresh herbs and produce. Freshly picked produce is economical and tastes amazing!
- Extra time at home has facilitated participation in sustainable practices like home gardens across our communities
- People are taking charge of their lives realizing life is precious and making empowering changes to better their present and future selves life experience.
Yet, many have felt fear, anxiety, and separation over the same time period. I have seen this amongst clients and loved ones alike. Indeed, these have been challenging times and yet I’m left with the notion that we can choose where we put our focus and attention because that which we put our focus and attention on ultimately grows. I encourage next time you are feeling fearful have a look at what you are focusing your attention on. Will more of that be supportive for you? If the answer is no, then how can you reframe it into something that is supportive – something you want to grow in power?
I have come to learn to choose to focus on the gifts life is offering me and I encourage you to try that on too and see how that feels for you. I love to view life through the lens of “10% of life is what happens to us, 90% is how we respond.” ~ Charles Swindoll
I also love the analogy of the glass half full or the glass half empty. Both are factually the same, but one focuses on lack and the other on abundance and fullness. This my friends I’ve come to realize is the secret sauce of life. The way we choose to view any situation can leave us with fear and lack or we can choose to view the same situation through the eyes of love and abundance. I have to tell you the most pivotal and positive changes in my own life have come from times that I felt most alone and fearful in my life. Even though those times were not always easy to navigate, they offered the most expansion and personal growth. However, in the moment I couldn’t see the positive and it wasn’t until I was distanced from the situation that the silver lining shone through. These times have shaped me into the person and healer I am today, first by helping create more balance and happiness in my own life and heeding the call to share those gifts life offered me with others. What gifts have you received that you might not even be aware of yet?
I wish you blessings as you ponder this.
Written by Sue Rapley
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