Dear UU Schenectady~
Yesterday the weather here was blustery, wet, and grey. The wind whipped through the trees, blew over trash cans, and had our bird feeder swinging erratically. Rain fell in downpours and then gently, and then torrential, only to stop as quickly as it had begun. It felt a bit like nature’s metaphoric display of how our emotions have felt on some days, with sadness, grief, overwhelm, and anger moving in and arising with blustery force or a surprising sudden downpour of tears. Being present with our feelings as they show up…. to just acknowledge them is part of building resilience and we all will need some resilience to get through this challenging time.
Today, the sun is peeking out. We will take the small, shy dog for a walk, and see what new buds and leaves are appearing on this Spring day. For many of us, the sun or new buds or flowers emerging are signs of hope. They buoy our spirits a bit. Listening and watching for the things that give us a bit of hope is also a part of building resilience.
These are scary times. We are unsure about so many things. We must stay vigilant to the actual threats of the corona virus and of an Administration whose actions threaten our democracy more with each passing day. We must not go back to what used to be considered ‘normal.’ We have an opportunity to re-imagine a better future for our Earth and one another.
Be vigilant and aware more than afraid.
Stay connected, from an acceptable distance, more than isolated.
Honor your feelings and see what there is to learn from them.
Be present more than numbing out with distractions.
Notice moments of joy, of beauty, of hope that they help sustain you.
We know that some of you are swamped with increased responsibilities right now. We get it. REALLY. We are so amazed and proud of the ways so many of you are still caring for the most vulnerable in our communities-the homeless, the sick and the hospitalized and the pregnant, the hungry, the elders, the detained, and the incarcerated; still teaching from home even as you miss your students and in many cases, are teaching your own kids too; are honoring the ‘stay at home’ recommendations except to get groceries and medicine; and are learning new technologies so that you can gather with your church on Sundays.
Things are changing like the weather, dear ones. Let us be prepared for whatever may come by practicing presence and building our resilience now.
In faith,
Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy