The world we live in is becoming more and more unfamiliar each day. The turmoil, the anger, the misunderstanding, and the unbelievable actions of selfish/power hungry individuals can leave us overwhelmed and flabbergasted. We are just into the third month of the year and so much has happened that it feels like we’re towards the end of the year already. Covid news seem to have become a thing of the past and what’s dominating the news have been the heartbreaking scenes of Russia’s attack against Ukraine. In Canada, prior to this we had the truck drivers’ demonstrations nationwide and the longest would be at the capital city, Ottawa. For three weeks, demonstrators have camped near the Parliament grounds paralyzing businesses and activities around the area. There have been mixed protests that started on mandatory vaccination among truck drivers then on to anti-vaccination, Covid restrictions and dissatisfaction over our Prime Minister. Other shady groups have taken advantage of the situation and brought more havoc to the already intense situation. Thank God that Canadians are generally peaceful – there were bouts of resistance between police and protesters but overall was not as violent as we’ve seen in other countries. All these world and national events have resulted to higher cost of goods, disruption of the supply chain / distribution of commodities and many more.
Before fear, anxiety, madness, and panic overtake us, let’s pause, take a deep breath, and calm ourselves. I’ve been there and from experience, all these negative emotions if I entertain them cannot lead me anywhere. They paralyze me from moving forward and cloud my judgment impacting my decisions. This results to stress that manifests even physically, affecting my well-being as I am robbed of rest and sleep. I have learned that I cannot control what’s happening around me, but I can control how I respond to the situation. The wisdom of living one day at a time has even become more meaningful. My boss would even say not even one day at a time but one step at a time. I am learning to approach things steadily by breaking things down in chunks and dealing with them one at a time. Celebrating even minor victories and accomplishments within the day is key to moving forward. On the other hand, learning to treat our mistakes as character building opportunities, challenges us to do better next time. Good thing, there’s tomorrow, another day to start afresh.
What I appreciate the most is that we are not alone in this journey. Over the weekend, my best friend called me up and just checked up on me. We shared our concerns with what’s happening around the world. It was a lovely opportunity to connect, encourage and cheer on each other. What an inspiration that there’s someone that cares, and you can rely on when things get tough or out of control. Even more heartwarming is if we can be that to someone else. It’s amazing that the more we take the focus out of our own problems and help others, the more it benefits our own well-being. What a wonderful honor and privilege to see relief and smile from others we’ve cheered on. Now more than ever, love and kindness are needed to counter the ugly effects of hate and division.
It’s sad that these days we focus on things that divide us, more than the things that unite us. With so much misinformation, it further widens the divide. Our biases stop us from seeing the needs of an individual and hardens our heart from extending any support. I was struck with the prayer on Sunday that the wrong actions of few people do not reflect the whole country. Ukrainians need our help and let’s not neglect the Russians as well who are caught in between the wrong motives/actions of a few individuals. The same within our communities. We all need the same things – the need for food, shelter, safety/protection, security, justice, equality, good health, love of family, respect, and care. We unite to preserve these within our neighborhoods.
It’s a daily struggle to have peace of mind, to break away from pride/selfishness/entitlement, to not neglect the cries of the people within our circle. What a great comfort that I am not alone in this journey – beyond family, friends and community, there is Someone Greater that I can rely on. He alone can grant me the strength to overcome my daily struggles. He is sovereign, in control, and He’s got my back. He alone can let me face and rebuke my fear, worry, anxiety, panic, and all other negative emotions. By the power of my Heavenly Father, they can never get hold of me. By His grace, I can be part of the solution instead of the problem.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – Words of my Lord Jesus Christ in John 14:27
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