Courageous Friday

Confusion and disorientation may describe your experience in the COVID-19 emergency and the murders in Nova Scotia. The RCMP media release will cause distress and many intense emotions and challenging reflections. As well, media releases about the tender, considerate, empathetic and caring responses of being demonstrated will cause a slight easing of the intensity. What is a courageous response? A courageous response is to grieve. To honour the suffering of those who have lost someone this week. To honour the grief that wells up in you. To process that grief in the ways that for you help the grief move through you. • Call a friend. • Write in your journal. • Walk, with appropriate social distancing, it out. • Talk to a counsellor, minister, or other professional. • Wear red today. • Sing. • Listen to jazz or other music that get deep into your soul • Punch a punching bag. Remember the teachings of our faith tradition “1 Corinthians 12:26 If one member suffers; all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it” and our practice of lamenting the loss. Pouring “it” out to God as the psalms teach-- God is tough enough to handle our anger, rage, tears, and … A courageous response is to connect with someone who is on your mind; trust your intuition—perhaps someone who has roots in Nova Scotia. Or think of the people you sat beside that last time you worshiped in the AVUC building sanctuary. Phone, email, text, or snail mail them. On Sunday, I will be reflecting on the tenacity of dandelions is needful when our worlds are turned upside down. A link to a resource on grief from the Alberni Clayoquot Health network is: https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief Lastly a note from my friend Renee Roederer who encourages me, -- I know a person who facilitated guided meditations over Zoom for free every day this week. She did this for loved ones and people new to her. Then she passed along the recordings. They were so lovely and helpful. -- I know a person who has been sewing masks up a storm. She realized she can make these quickly, and she’s passing them along to loved ones and people unknown to her. -- I know a person who offered to teach improv games over Zoom to a support group of people that typically meets over the phone. Many participants have never seen each other’s faces, and his offer allowed them to do this for the first time while playing together in fun and meaningful ways. -- I know a person who ran a virtual Boston Marathon in his Michigan hometown. He wanted to turn the term ‘social distancing’ on its head and encourage people to run or walk any distance on April 20 while giving to social causes. He raised approximately $6,000 to support people experiencing homelessness in Flint. I love when people give uniquely from themselves, using their best gifts and skills and turning them toward others. We can all do this