As the pandemic/quarantine days unfold, and we go out into a world of masks and fear of being too close to other people, of hysterical news reports and warnings of danger, of the contraversies
about schools...and on and on...what are we being and doing in our small parts of the world? This question invites us to stop a few times a day and consider...
One way
is to place your hand on your heart whenever you think of it, and for that few seconds, feel its beating and let it bring you into the present moment. Some people then say a short phrase, like "All is well, all manner of things are well," (echoing Julian of
Norwich) - which - even for those few seconds, they are. Even 2-3 times of doing that each day will diminish the heightened charge of anxiety and fear that now dominates every part of our world. And - dare I say it - turn off the news, or limit yourself to
once a day for a few minutes.
Don't think for a minute that this practice serves only you! It serves those around you, and it even contributes to the larger world in
ways we cannot see but trust and know. And isn't that faith?