Photo by Daniel Andrade on Unsplash
Hello You!!
First of all I want to say thank YOU for sticking with me all this while.
It’s been a long while. You know how life is - it just gets away from you. And one thing I’m practising today is the power to choose my path without self-judgement.
I had all the right intentions to write; no, let me rephrase that - to blog! Because I have been writing; I have been journaling, I have been trying to be consistent on IG, which takes up my time, as I’m not a one-liner kinda person. I write a lot.
So I just haven't had time to put stuff up on the blog. Gone are the days when I could multitask…. it’s the age, you reckon?
Singapore LAtest Covid News
Anyways, I'm here today because I'm feeling a little fearful about what's happening in Singapore - with the rising COVID-19 community infections, after a few months of feeling safe.
I worry for my family. I worry for my friends and my students. I worry about myself and my husband.
Because it's not just about getting COVID. Before you even get COVID, you have to be in the vicinity of someone who is asymptomatic, ie doesn't know he/she has it, and is walking around infecting others. And disrupting lives, businesses…….
Another scary thought that cross my mind is I might be one of those COVID sleepers!! (Boy I hope not. I've been good, Please God! I've been good. And I've been wearing my mask religiously.)
So I’ve been staying home as much as I can, even though it’s not an official lockdown. Currently, we are in what you call a Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) - gathering of not more than 2 peeps, no dining out allowed, schools closed, masks is required during yoga, and dance etc. Maybe my actions might be a bit much, but I'm taking responsibility for myself and thus for others.
WHEN SUFFERING IS NOT OPTIONAL
Initially I was feeling sad because Phase 2 happened during Hari Raya. I was so tired of all the unknowns and the unwanted surprises within the past 3.5 years what with my IVF experiences; then Covid. Right? And then there’s news about Israel-Palestine conflict - don’t we already have enough suffering in the world??
How do we move on, when it doesn't look like things are getting better?
I honestly don't know the answer to that. We just have to.
This constant fear, lack of knowing, emotional roller coaster puts a heavy toll of our mental health; jobs lost, parents having to work from home, and at the same time, guide their kids through online learning. 2 of my sisters are teachers; I can't imagine what it is like for them.
So yes, we just have to dig deep, and with brave faces, trudge through these difficult times because if we really look within, a shift has occurred, if we choose to see it that way. It’s not only the good stuff that creates growth and transformation but the stuff that test our patience, courage and resilience - the difficult stuff.
an exercise oN saying thank you
Today, I want to share with you today - a journaling exercise on saying thank you for what was, as a way to let go of what was.
In these difficult times, we all have the power to choose to let go of what doesn't serve us at this present moment, and being thankful is a way to clear the slate, and create space for grace to come through.
There's a lot of fear in the world right now. I'm giving myself permission to be afraid, because there is nothing wrong or shameful about being afraid, and I'm choosing to be intentional on where I put my energy and focus, to constantly practice being in the present moment, to really look at my fears with loving curiosity and I say thank you......
Thank you for allowing me to hug and love my sisters, my nieces, nephews, mum and dad. Thank god they are healthy and safe.
Thank you for allowing me to be my introvert self and not have to explain to others why I'm not going out.
Thank you for keeping me safe and Thank you for my health.
Thank you for the roof over my head.
Thank you for my husband’s love and health.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you ! Thank you!! Thank you!!
BISMILLAH
All these saying thank you reminds me of an invocation Muslims use at the beginning of any undertaking
bis·mil·lah
/bisˈmilə/
And THIS meaning sums it all up - bismillah expresses our wonder, awe and thankfulness while it also expresses our innermost prayer that we may have the blessing of another breath, another moment of life, and that we may walk on a path of truth and understanding.
AN INVITATION
I invite you to journal this>>>
List 1 good thing that has happened today.
What can you say Thank you for ? Make a list and keep adding to it this week.
Journaling or saying thank you will not solve all our problems, but it is one of self-care tools to get you out of your head and out of the negative space. When you put things down on paper, things may not become clear right away, but it's a way to clear out what you don't need.
Let me know how you feel in the comments below.
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Related Posts:
sophiexsanders.com/blog/2019/inner-conversation-with-gratitude
sophiexsanders.com/blog/2020/why-we-need-more-grace-in-our-lives
“Bismillah expresses our wonder, awe and thankfulness while it also expresses our innermost prayer that we may have the blessing of another breath, another moment of life, and that we may walk on a path of truth and understanding.”