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Chaplain’s Corner

‘Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey towards it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.’ Samuel Smiles.

As we find ourselves plunged back into a national lockdown; and are bombarded by the awful news from the US about people storming the Capitol building; it seemed appropriate to focus on this Samuel Smiles quote once more.

The last time I shared it was just as things were beginning to change for the positive last year with restrictions gradually being lifted, when we were horror struck by George Floyd’s death and the aftermath of it.

We explored a little together about how we may hold on to hope so that we could move forward, yet only months later here we are again surrounded by a time of uncertainty and, for many, heightened anxiety.

It is good to be reminded that there is light at the end of this tunnel, there are things to hold on to that enable us to feel hope in spite of the situation.

We now have the opportunity to receive the vaccine. It may take time before many of us are eligible to take this up but the fact that it is available and being rolled out offers hope that life will return to a more ‘normal’ state before too much longer. ‘Normal’ may look very different for all of us as we move forward but, the sun, or the light at the end of the tunnel that we move towards now will indeed gradually cast the shadow of our burdens further and further behind us.

We are so much more aware of the potential impact of lockdown on our mental health now that there are an increasing number of support offerings available to help us online enabling us to practise new ways of coping and learn new ways of managing our stress and anxiety levels.

We are also encouraged to get outside for a walk and some fresh air even though we are unable to meet up with friends for a coffee and a chat. (Whoever thought that we would miss that simple pleasure so much). The weather may be discouraging but if we wrap up and tread carefully we can still feel the benefit of being outside the same four walls for a while. Music is always a go to for me to help lift my mood – did you listen to any of the Birchwood Park Spotify playlists during December? What’s your favourite method of lifting your mood? Have you found one that usually works for you yet? Yoga? Mindfulness? Breathing exercises? Crafting? Picking up a new hobby can really help fill the time during furlough and it also enables you to focus on something other than concerns for a while.

Please also remember that if you want to talk to someone independent about what you are feeling or just to hear another friendly voice who is prepared to listen unconditionally and non-judgementally MitE chaplains are here for you. You are welcome to call or text me directly on: 07526 378529

If you prefer you can contact us via email on info@mitechaplaincy.com where you can request a call-back. We also have a range of resources on our web-site including some that are more specific to the Covid-19 outbreak. You can find them on: https://mite.org.uk/quietspace

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