Kind of a loaded question, huh?
Well if you’re reading this today (Sunday, August 16), the world is in the middle of a pandemic caused by a coronavirus named COVID-19.
The United States is currently in an election year to determine a new president.
Several horrific acts of racial injustice have occurred this year with a spot light on the death of a Black man named George Floyd, and it set the world on fire amplifying racial social injustices in America and across the world.
Much of the world has been plagued with locus.
Strange weather patterns have dominated US news.
Because of the pandemic, many people have lost jobs and businesses across the world and are struggling financially.
Reported wildfires have upset California in the US and there are possibly others around the world.
Many people are struggling emotionally and physically due to all of these “fires” that are burning.
So that’s what's happening…on the surface.
But what’s happening with us…personally?
The answer to that question is as varied as the people reading this.
And by the way, if you’re reading this and all of the events mentioned above are resolved, or over, or ignored and life has returned to “normal” (whatever that is now), then CONGRATULATIONS, you made it through!
Let me be clear, I do not take ANY of this lightly. I too have had many moments of wonder, awe, sadness, anxiousness, gratitude, and peace during this time.
On this Spiritual Sunday allow me to encourage you.
Whether it’s 2020 when you read this or beyond, the fact that you’re able to read this means that you are alive to experience another moment and use your superpower.
Yes, you read that right. You have a SUPERPOWER.
Each moment we have, each day we continue in this life is another chance.
Another chance to make a different decision,
another chance to learn,
another chance to love,
another chance to show grace,
another chance to change your mind,
another chance to seek,
another chance to ask questions,
another chance for gratitude,
another chance to make a difference,
another chance to rest,
another chance to work,
another chance to play,
another chance to travel,
another chance to forgive.
This moment is another chance.
So what is your superpower?
CHOICE is your superpower.
So allow me to encourage you to take a deep breath. Slowly inhale, then slowly exhale. Clear your mind for a few moments to think about nothing or think about something insignificant with no context, like the color blue.
Then remember whenever you get overwhelmed by the reality going on around you, you have the power to chose to STOP, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, and think about nothing or just the color blue.
It may seem simple, but it can halt the spinning, even if just for a moment. It may help you get your bearings so that you can recalibrate.
It's like that split-second moment right before the hero snatches off the disguise to reveal the super suit.
You can use your superpower to choose your next thought, choose your next move, choose your next words.
I cannot tell you what to choose, that’s much of the beauty about it being YOUR superpower.
I can tell you that when I’ve taken those moments, I chose to stop and say “thank you.” At that moment, I remember I still have a choice to start over, to change directions, to do nothing, or do something…different.
Now, put on your cape and go change the world...
