“Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking.”
~Khalil Gibran, Writer, poet, visual artist, and philosopher
This week I’ve talked to several people who are feeling more isolated and alone than ever. 2020 has been a year of changes, trauma, and challenges. So many are suffering from what is becoming known as “Covid burnout.” Thanksgiving gatherings and other social activities have brought on an increased number of people infected and hospitalized with the virus. In addition, more economic pressure on individuals and families without seeing any help in the near future has added more stress and feelings of isolation and desperation. I’m an optimist by nature and I find myself consciously looking for the light at the end of the tunnel and bright spots. I don’t want to dwell on what’s negative and wrong. I admit that some days are more challenging than others. To combat this, before I get out of bed, everyday I offer my gratitude for being alive and ask, “How can I help someone today?”
When I feel down or discouraged I take time to go inward into my heart space to re-ignite the spark of hope within me. It’s here that my thoughts quiet and my faith in humanity is restored. It’s also here that I remember to reach out to my friends and family to see how they’re doing. I realize that I’m not alone and the feelings of separation and isolation go away. I remember that I am LOVE and we’re all connected. Through my reaching out to someone else my situation doesn’t seem so overwhelming or hopeless.
In fact, helping someone else takes me beyond myself even if the help is only listening to and hearing what’s going on with them. Hearing someone voice their truth can bring a feeling of hope and validation that they matter and aren’t alone. Someone cares! Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist reminds us that, “The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.”
With the “stay at home” environment we’re in it becomes more important to reach out to people that we know who live alone or feel isolated. My concern is that in normal times the holidays tend to heighten feelings of isolation and depression. Now, more than ever, reaching out to someone can make a difference and reduce their suffering and bring them joy!
I’m making a more conscious effort to do this and live more intentionally myself. Like many of you our holiday rituals, traditions, and ways of celebrating are very different this year. Physical time together isn’t possible. Our choice. However, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel! An emergency vaccine has been approved and seems to have great results. Next year is looking up. We just need to hang in there. We can choose to spiral into the depths of despair and fear or lift each other up into the energies of hope and possibilities. Reaching out to one another with encouragement, love, compassion, and genuine concern can make a difference in how we move forward individually and together.
Again, Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that, “Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand-new hours to live. What a precious gift! We have the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others.” What intentions will you create during your next brand-new twenty-four hours?
I will be offering a group Zoom channeling session with Luminus and the Messengers of Light on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 @2p MTN/AZ time. If you would like to connect with me or schedule a private session please go to victoriabarna.com.