Winds of Change are Coming

-The weather is finally cooling down; the leaves are changing their colors as we welcome autumn. Days turn into nights, months turn into years. This year, we are not just experiencing the regular changes as in every other year. It’s written in Ecclesiastics, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to be silent and a time to speak.”

We’ve experienced all that, but this year was exceptional. We were forced to make changes never seen before in our lifetimes. Due to COVID-19, we’ve experienced social distancing from our loved ones, reforms at our school systems, and other safety measures. Many lost their jobs and winds of unsettling political changes and social uprising left us feeling confused and fearful of the unknown.
Changes are inevitable in life. For many, they’re perceived as a negative factor. But many times, they are for the better as they’re opportunities in disguise. This major global change requires us to slow down and deal with our worries, loneliness, and sense of hopelessness. It forces us to make transformational choices like changing the way we think in order to change the way we feel. While a lot of it is beyond our control, there’s plenty that we can do. Engaging in activities such as creative arts, watching a funny movie, cooking a healthy meal, going for a nature walk, and even cleaning our surroundings give us great pleasure. We can make staying indoors cozier by making our home a place of sanctuary where we feel secure and comfortable. To avoid loneliness, we can seek help through therapy or support groups, meet with our loved ones in person, safely, or connect with them via social media. Listening to music, lighting a scented candle, praying and meditating can also nourish and lift our spirits. It is to our benefit to have a proactive mentality, rather than a reactive one, about our well-being physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
By setting aside time for reflection, we gain new insights and clarity about the new changes we need to adjust to and embrace. William Ward once said. “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
Remember, this too shall pass soon. For now, stay safe, calm and healthy.
Naomi Young is an educator of Jewish studies and a Bar/ Bat mitzvah tutor in Santa Clarita for 38 years. She’s also a published writer and an artist. Contact her at naomiyoung7@yahoo.com Visit her art website at www.naomiyoung.com