How to navigate the road to normality in uncertain times:

How to navigate the road to normality in uncertain times is a daunting question - especially when daily life as we know it has been turned on its head. We wonder if we’ll ever get back to something resembling “our” normal. Yet a sense of normality at home, school or work is still present, and is thus still possible to achieve.

Not everything that constitutes our normal life has changed during this difficult time. There are many heartwarming natural things that we can still do, and continue to do. These can be as simple as reading a bed-time story to our kids, smiling at the delivery person at our door, offering words of appreciation to those staffing the supermarket checkouts or serving our takeaway food and coffee.

Despite these uncertain times, normality is still very much present. It hasn’t gone anywhere. Every day you can still do normal things that gladden your heart, such as baking, gardening, and spending precious time with your kids. You can still clap your hands in delight, dance with your little ones, sit in a sunny spot at home, enjoy walking the dog, or relish using technology to keep in contact with family and friends.

Right now, we can all still experience normality and be resilient, buoyant, and happy. We can still show kindness and caring. We can still appreciate and encourage each other. Right now we can still be courteous and considerate. We can continue to support friends and loved ones in every way possible. And we can celebrate life - such as the birth of a child, a worthwhile achievement, or a milestone reached. Such heartfelt normality is still present in our lives, and it will remain present regardless of the current hardships.

TIPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE TO NORMALITY

- Look at the positives in your life. Appreciate what is right at hand. Be grateful for the kindness of neighbours, the love of family and friends, the simple warmth of sunshine, and raindrops that water our gardens and parks. Look around. Normality is here. Every day fill your heart with gratitude. “Rejoice evermore. In everything give thanks. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”. Bible. I Thessalonians 5:16, 18, 21.

- Escape the bad-news cycle. Remember that there are still good things taking place each day. Magnify the good you hear or read about by sharing those uplifting, good ideas around the dinner table, in phone calls, and on social media. Such heartening, positive ideas, have the ability to reduce fear. And acknowledging every normal expression of goodness, has the power to lift spirits.  

- Treasure your home and everyone in it. Think of your home as a haven, a place of shelter, and a space to enjoy the company of loved ones.  Cherish where you live. “Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections.” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p. 58:21

- Remain hopeful. Be quietly confident. Have a steadfast trust in the ever-present care of divine Love.  Keep the high goal of normality before your thought each day, rather than counting the footsteps in reaching it. Be assured. With divine help, you can successfully navigate the road to normality. 

ABOUT THE EXPERT:  Beverly Goldsmith writes about the connection between spirituality and health and is a Christian Science Practitioner and Teacher of Christian Science healing.