We all realize that with every challenge, there is potential, especially as we reflect on this year’s obstacles and possibilities, according to our Austin-based Resonance Repatterning expert, Mary Schneider.

YEAR ‘ROUND OPPORTUNITIES

The holidays are always such a wonderful time of year. Within that joy, there is much to contemplate in 2021 on so many levels. Consider the changes encountered since this past January. Of course, we have new leadership in Washington, with its itinerant challenges,  some already serious. Leading the way is the pandemic. The vaccine and variants will remain the top story for a while. Yet, it is a tiny fraction of the whole. It is also stressful, and that’s without factoring in our own personal dynamic thus far. Hopes can be dashed regularly. Things seem to be settling down only to be resurrected just as we begin to relax a bit. Learning to live with high‒stress every day can be instructive.

Luckily, opportunities do present themselves daily. What are we able to live with while staying present and engaged without compromising who we are? Many of us did not know what it would look like if these boundaries were pushed. We have learned a lot about ourselves, which is truly a silver lining…a ray of light.

During the holiday season, we re-connect with relatives and friends not normally seen–a double-edged sword at times, as we all know. Also, many people are often quite busy the last few weeks of the year. As a result, the holidays are inherently stressful. This year, as last, promises again to be challenging. Still, it is different energetically. We are stronger this year and more resilient. To most, with the vaccine, we are empowered and potent. This is always a winning combination–the self-esteem trifecta–strength, empowerment, and potency.

HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT

What can we do with all of this? There are plenty of options. If we are present and live in the heart, then whatever we decide will be the best decision. Reflection fortifies us. Because of where we have been, we see what might have been done differently. Contemplation allows us to recognize patterns in our psyche that might be negatively influencing our decision-making process. Furnished with this kind of knowledge, we enrich our creativity and learn not to repeat negative patterns.

Recent studies have discovered that the pandemic has triggered an extensive re-evaluation of work and life for some Americans. Countless people are deliberating changes in their careers and their communities. The Washington Post recently quoted an Austin man who was forced to change careers, “If you come out of the pandemic the same as you were, you’ve missed an opportunity to evolve and grow as a person.” The article added, “Nearly 1 in 3 U.S. workers under the age of 40 have thought about changing their occupation or field of work since the pandemic began.”

Life is an ongoing and dynamic process. We are in a continual state of transition. When our day-to-day routines progress along non-stop, we may not notice the subtle changes in our lives and in who we are becoming. An event like the pandemic is a great interrupter–an opportunity to be more mindful of our lives’ processes–and what is important to us. Change is good, and sometimes painful. Those who have been through a painful divorce or serious health alarm can attest to this reality.

Another young woman interviewed in The Washington Post article stated, “The pandemic taught me that nothing is guaranteed now. Everything can change within months, if not weeks,” she observed. “Just being able to spend time by myself made me realize what path I did and did not want to go down.”

Contemplation and stillness were not a significant part of our lifestyle pre-pandemic. Now, these tools have become so much more accessible. We do not need to change anything. However, it is wonderful to know that if we choose to, there is the potential for many people to provide support and community…another silver lining.