This past weekend, my church opened its doors and welcomed members of the congregation back for the first time in over a year.
It’s been along time coming and I wonder what words our minister would use to welcome us back. His theme for the weekend was “From Now On”.
The sermon was based in scriptures ( Luke 5 1-11 - for those interested). It was a theme that resonated with me on a variety of levels.
As I return to “life”….which is in constant flux, the one thing I realized for sure is that my “From Now On” looks very different looks very different than my “Up Until Now”.
From Now On I will live in the moment, enjoy the moment - whatever it is, and not race through it. I’ve learned we don’t always get a second chance at some moments.
From Now On I will tell those I love that I love them often. I won’t count on them “knowing.” I will tell them.
From Now On I won’t put off doing anything - good or bad. I tend avoid the things that are difficult to handle, and believe the good things will be there when I get to them. A pandemic makes you see both differently.
From Now On I WILL dance like no one is watching, because its fun and I don’t care anymore if someone is watching.
From Now On I will walk away from an argument. Especially the insignificant ones. Making my point or having the last word are definitely overrated.
From Now On I am going to spend a little quiet time alone, everyday to center myself. To listen to life, and hear what’s around me.
From Now On I’m going to take better care of myself. The gym or the evening walk are not optional. One or the other is mandatory.
From Now On I will stop and smell the roses to inhale their beauty.
From Now On I will look for a way to make a difference in someone else’s world everyday. It might be as simple as a smile, or quietly paying for someone’s coffee. Maybe it’s offering a listening ear, or it could be much larger. But it will make a difference to someone - whether I know them or not.
From Now On I am not rushing. I am not racing from one place to another - rarely taking the time to enjoy either. My schedule will have wiggle room in it, so I can linger here or there if I feel like it.
I don’t know about you, but this pandemic has had a lasting impact on me, much of which I have no control over.
So I’m focusing on what I can control.
The sound of a child’s laughter makes me smile. The feeling of that unconditional love from a family member - when we hug after vaccinations makes me feel safe. Taking in a warm summer breeze, without my mask, makes me feel renewed.
All things that were part of my “Up until Now” world of 2020.
Now don’t get me wrong, the spiritual part of last weekend’s sermon was not lost on me either, but for today I just want to see the world thru the lens of “From Now On”.
Because this could all change too. The number of people deciding to get the COVID vaccine is on the decline. In some areas, hospitalizations for COVID are going up. I wonder what this will mean to kids, under the age of 12 who aren’t able to get the vaccine.
Related
The division of politics is growing wider and there is an air of anger just beneath the surface of so many I encounter.
Much of that I can’t change, but I can focus on what I will do From Now On.
What’s your “From Now On” look like?