Wisdom Revealed in the Midst of Covid-19
During the Zoom meetup for Wisdom Revealed in the Midst of Covid-19 we invited our participants to comment on the below questions and shared some of their responses.
What are the things that this moment has allowed us to drop, which were not serving us well in the first place? -and/or- What has emerged as life-giving that we’ll want to cling to for years to come?
“I’ve also been changing my relationship to email. It might take weeks, now. There’s just not enough time.”
“I am dropping perfectionism, getting it right, doing it right and jumping into the messy wonder of learning in public, learning and figuring it out while doing when there is no luxury of time for perfecting. This is so life-giving for me to lean into my messy vulnerable, imperfect as my leadership gift and grace.”
“Learning to let go of not being able to do what others do especially when it comes to creating online worship.”
“Awareness of my strong need for deep connection.”
“I am finding life in listening to the birds sing every morning and noticing how the earth has begun to heal herself.”
“I have steadfastly resisted online worship and community building – my calling card was the millennial chaplain committed to face-to-face conversations amongst student communities. Well…”
“I am surrendering some focus on my needs in favor of the collective need of the community. Not that I have been very selfish, but moving further towards feeling the needs of our global community. I hope to retain a more global sensitivity.”
“I appreciate Kaji’s comments about “magnification.” Personally and professionally, I have had to become more intentional about almost everything I do–connecting with people in hospitals, preparing worship services and communicating necessary details with the entire congregation (not just those who are on the internet), getting groceries, running errands, and so on. I have had to let go of certain comforts and priorities, which has been both immensely challenging and profoundly liberating. It has been helpful for me to realize that, in this age of multiple technological resources, doing one thing that works for my congregation (but may not reach the entire world) is enough and appreciated.”
“This is a simplifying moment for me in what is ordinarily a busy life of engagement and pushing things ahead as a leader. I now have to focus on what is most basic for me and for our congregation at this time.”
“I’ve been thinking about what a fellow Lutheran (and occasional Buddhist 😉 has taught me about impermanence. I’ve been better about letting things go more easily, including feelings of not being good enough or well-liked enough. It’s been getting easier to let things go.”
“Lacking the future knowledge to plan, I’ve found I am much more in the moment than I’ve ever been—life giving and scary all at once.”
“I’ve been dropping buying things and am travelling less…and discovering more life giving time engaged more deeply in walking in my neighborhood/appreciating what is right around me — and feeling the value of connecting with neighbors and community in small acts of caring…”
“Being more in touch with the needs of people who don’t have a place to call home as I am working with others to help Tedford Housing.”
“In my practice, I am setting aside the administrative details of tracking and “advertising”. I am simply present for those who reach out to me – both current and new clients. The time that opens by this focus is indeed life-giving as I experience a deep well of spiritual energy! Not that admin, etc. is not of value…but that it should no longer be at the beginning of my focus.”
“I’m letting go of relying on the “crutches” of worship space and liturgical traditions and want to hang on to that sense of creativity and innovation even after we’re allowed back into our church building. I’ve added intentional daily/weekly prayer disciplines into the rhythm of my days which is possible because of the shelter in place rule that keeps me at home instead of running around to other places. Nightly prayer with the congregation I lead has been incredibly important–never saw that coming–and weekly prayer with the BTS Center.”
“How much I miss singing in worship”
“I’d like to drop the ubiquitous pressure to do; to be productive, to get things done. And I’m retired! however, I am an environmental educator, and although I am still being paid (can I say how grateful I am for that?), my job is vastly different. I need to drop the guilt that I am not ‘productive’ or ‘busy’; obviously I cannot be leading groups. So, overall; I’d like to let go of my internalized pressure to do.”
“What is emerging is the love there at the foundation. Just as the societal fissures are magnified, how folks around me are acting in and through love is big and bright. The clarity in their love, knowing they’re showing up and able to articulate their love without condition, that is such a dis-arming thing. It’s demanded a lot of self reflection, considering relationships that aren’t showing through in the same way. While there is so much certainty and confusion, I’m amazed by the energy around that pandemic that distills and reaches through.”
“The hardest thing for me is missing the spiritual experience of music in community.”
