“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
~ C.S. Lewis, British Novelist and Scholar

How often have you heard the saying, “Now is all there is”? Does it resonate with you? Think about it. The past is gone except in memories. The future has many possibilities and is unknown. The present, NOW, is what’s real. The choices we make NOW will create the future! Make sense? So, the future is really unknown, isn’t it? Each one of us is being invited to take a huge leap of faith into the unknown. The choices we make today will create the future, yes?

It sounds so easy doesn’t it? Well, I guess it can be once fear, anxiety, uncertainty, comfort, and the need or desire to control outcomes are released! Whew! How does that sound? For some, this can be challenging and for others I can hear the joy of leaping into the unknown with a loud shout of WooHoo!!

In this moment, I feel that many people are overwhelmed with confusion, conflicting information, and yet a desire to stay safe and healthy. A desire to protect family, friends and loved ones but unable to in some cases with “stay at home and social distancing” guidelines. We see people experiencing these same things worldwide. In spite of the challenges we’ve also seen the resilience of the human spirit. People clapping while they recognize healthcare workers and first responders; a Romeo and Juliet story emerging after meeting on separate balconies; communities singing and helping one another as creative ways to stay connected are found! So beautiful to watch the spark of hope ignite!

Hope, once sparked within, is hard to bury. Why not fan the spark until it becomes a flame? Peter Kuzmic, Theologian and Author has said, “Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; faith is the courage to dance it today.” Many people are hearing the music and beginning to dance as they learn to enjoy each moment in ways they were unable to before! Being able to experience family time, re-imagining the future and priorities and taking time to slow down are some of the gifts that are emerging from this health crisis.

There are those who believe this is nothing but a conspiracy. There are those who defy the guidelines for a variety of reasons and endanger others. There are also those who are experiencing more hate and division. In contrast others are becoming more kind, loving, and compassionate. Moving past fear which helps to reduce the stress of “not knowing or imagining the worst case scenarios” will help the immune system strengthen. Leaning into gratitude, beauty, and the many blessings found and experienced each day will also help to strengthen the immune system. Following the guidelines from the health professionals will as well.

It’s a choice, isn’t it? Each choice will create a new experience. Mother Teresa, Founder of Missionaries of Charity, reminds us that, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Are you ready to step into the unknown by making conscious choices; contributing to the co-creation of your new future while taking a huge leap of faith? Please make the most of each moment. We’ve been given a precious gift of life here on this planet. Let’s make the most of it!

Hope and wisdom are buried deep within each one of us. Let the spark ignite! I will be offering a free group meditation using Zoom on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 from 2p-3p AZ time. It will be recorded. I’m calling it Ignite the Spark of Hope – Stay Connected! If you are interested in participating or receiving the recording of the meditation please register at victoriabarna.com.