I’ve been reading good theologians and social scientists that are urging the global “us” to consider if we want to return to a normal that in many ways is unjust. In so many ways, “back to normal” runs a parallel course with “great again”, and it ought to give us pause. Certainly, as we reconstruct our world post-pandemic shouldn’t we make it a place where we pay attention to the effects of climate change as well as systemic racist and make the needed changes?
I’m on board. There’s no need to convince me that this is a turning point for all of us.
And, I’m exhausted.
It’s not just the work of resourcing others (I now wear my Resource Presbyter title with newfound understanding, as well as a amazement at the prescience of the Presbytery!), but multiple levels of grief. Trauma, which we are suffering on a global scale, requires a tremendous amount of energy.
My body and spirit feel a bit like an old house where I’ve tried to plug in the hair dryer, toaster and coffee maker at the same time. Ever the Energizer Bunny sort, this is a new experience for me. I don’t like it one bit.
I also don’t like the idea of simply going back to what was, and pretending that we haven’t seen the impact of corporate greed or the sight of the Andes mountains now that the smog has cleared.
So, what’s someone who is tired of the injustice but also bone-tired to do?
I unplug the toaster: I begin (I think!) by practicing what I preach, and making sure I spend time at deliberate rest. I return to the Well of the various spiritual disciplines. I spend time outdoors. I spend time being creative.
I evaluate if I really need the toaster in the first place: I believe the next steps include starting small…. “let peace begin with me” and all of that. If I’m not willing to engage in my own audit of how I spend my resources, it becomes much more difficult to ask others to do so.
I find ways of tapping into the energy of others… as well as sharing what I have so that all might have toast: I need to acknowledge that although my energy is needed toward the rebuilding, it doesn’t rest on me alone. I need to seek out those who share similar vision (as well as those who poke me a bit!). I also need to lean in a bit on the Source of all that energy.
How are you planning on finding the energy to do what is just and right?
The Quirky Calvin-isht 