On Keeping the Faith

I will admit, it’s been challenging putting words on paper the last few days. People everywhere are struggling with the many changes taking place and are trying to make sense of this new way of life. For me, what keeps things in perspective is that people have faced extraordinarily challenging times before, and that in those dark times, there was always light. And such is the case now. This will indeed pass, and once it does, we will realize just how very resilient and resourceful we were.

Many people around the world are worried, not only about becoming ill, but also about the changes to their daily lives, and how those changes will affect them for the coming weeks, months, or more. While change is often good, it sure doesn’t feel good at the start. Today, schools in several countries are closed, in some, restaurants and other “non-essential” shops have been ordered closed for the foreseeable future. I think about my friends who are business owners in France, and the financial strain this will put on them for the months to come. I think about everyone who will suffer financially, mentally, and emotionally during this time, and I think about those who are suffering physically.

It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by these thoughts, but focusing only on the negative is not going to make the situation better. So, what can we do when we feel powerless? The answer is, we can pour our energy into those things that we DO have control over. We can focus on how we are going to spend our time away from friends and loved ones, many of us in our homes for an extended period of time. I’m on day two and already getting restless and spending too much time on my iPad, so I’ve decided to be proactive and make lists of what I hope to accomplish over the next few weeks. For example:

Reading the books and magazines that have remained unopened on my bedside table since the holidays.

Catching up on correspondences. I’m finally going to sit down and write to friends and family that I’ve been meaning to for weeks or months now.

Studying that darn French subjunctive tense that gets me every time, and memorizing a list or two of masculine and feminine nouns. For some reason, these still confuse me even after studying the language for years. (If you always thought it would be fun to learn a language, go for it! There are so many videos on YouTube and many different apps to choose from. Duolingo is a free version, and Babbel offers great deals on paid subscriptions.)

Exercising. Taking long walks in nature. I’m always telling myself that I need to take more walks, like I do on my travels, but I find myself too tired after the work day. No excuses now. As luck would have it, it’s sunny today and beautiful outside.

Self-care. I see lots of masks and baths and things requiring bubbles in my future.

Decluttering. From past experience, I know that if I start with my closet or the garage I will get overwhelmed in about 10 minutes and give up. Instead, I will pick one small space, like the linen closet, the bedside drawer, or the cupboard under the bathroom sink, before moving on to the home office. I’m a list person. I like the satisfaction that it gives me when I can check off a box or cross something out that I’ve finished. It’s like getting a gold star on your paper, but as an adult.

Cooking. I eat a lot of vegetables anyway, but I’m going to double up on my fruits and veggies these next few weeks and load up on the garlic and onions. I may smell like walking soup, but no matter, that’s one major benefit of social distancing.

During the Great Depression, many people bartered for items they needed. This allowed everyone in the community to get the basics, and led to a deeper sense of community. Potlucks enabled people to have and share meals with each other, and provided an inexpensive outlet to socialize with their neighbors. While we have to wait a bit for this type of gathering (unless you do so outside), we can write out recipe cards to share with friends and family later. If you are on social media, why not share those recipes online for others to try?

People from that era will tell you that they either “Used it up, wore it out, made do, or did without.” As I go through my closets and drawers during the next few weeks, I will “shop my stash”, put outfits together, and make a list of things that are needed for the upcoming season. I’m committed to adding no more than 3 items to my wardrobe, and only the items that can be worn for work and leisure (no more suits or blazers… my least favorite clothing items!). Otherwise, I’m following the advice above and using it up, wearing it out, making do, or doing without.

I’m lucky in that I will be able to spend some of my “confinement” writing for this blog and planning our summer holiday. In the coming weeks, you can look forward to visiting, virtually, some of my favorite towns in Brittany, such as Dinan and Locronan …

And visiting enchanting castles, such as those I saw in Josselin, Vitre, and Fougeres last year…

And impeccable views of the sea, as in St. Jacut de la Mer and Binic…

Throughout history, people have endured hardships and, while difficult, they’ve learned valuable lessons. We will get through this too, and hopefully we will come out better as a result. Borders, schools, shops and cafés will all reopen, and life will get back to a new normal. It may be different than the “normal” we knew, but it will be OK.

This morning, I found the most beautiful poem. I don’t know the author, but I love the message of hope..

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

– Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM

  (March 13th 2020)

I know this is – and will be – a challenging time for us all, but we will get through it. We will persevere, and we will be OK. Take the time to do the things you (like me!) say that you don’t have the time to do. You have the time now, so try to make the best of it.

Please leave me a comment below as to how you’re going to spend the next few weeks. I may just be inspired by your plans, and try some of those ideas as well!

If you would be so kind, perhaps you could share my blog and Facebook Group page with your friends so that they can join in on the adventure too.

Bon courage, mes amis!