Don’t wait for a crisis to discover what’s important in your life

Written By: Carisa Peters

A crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble or danger.

A pandemic is a disease prevalent over a whole country or the world. 

These are two words that I never thought I would be hearing literally a hundred times a week in March 2020. I am a small business owner who feels responsible for the livelihood of our team members. I am a mother of a 5th grader and 12th grader who needs to display confidence, flexibility, and optimism at an uncertain, confusing time in their lives.

This is me, but is it you too?

I realize this is my unique situation but I am sharing just in case there is anyone else that may need to hear it. Nothing really about this pandemic is positive. As a result, many are sick and dying, many are facing uncertainty, many will have to make difficult choices. Many will lose loved ones and be faced with decisions they never thought they would. Individually we each have our own stressors popping up with all of these daily changes taking place in our once comfortable surroundings. 

Right before this escalated I was at a peak of a decade’s long struggle with work/life balance. I was immersing myself in work (I think because I felt like it was the only thing I could “control” in life.) I was working so many hours a week and it was all hours of the day from morning to night. The laptop was always with me. The family saw me this way all the time. I made it my new normal. I felt like I am in complete control and I need to maintain this exact level of intensity to keep all the balls juggling.

Even when I did take the time to spend on a hobby such as cycling, I would find a way to turn it into a goal or a challenge. Not stopping to see the scenery all around me. 

I’ve had a more serious inner dialogue that was taking place in my head over the last few months. I would ask myself, why do you keep doing this? You’re not letting yourself relax and enjoy life. You are not engaged with your family. You can’t get these moments back. It was easier to just get on a device and feel productive. But WHY can’t I break this cycle???

And then….never let a crisis go to waste.

I don’t mean that heading as to trivialize what is happening to us. However, I had to step back and see that in this crazy turn of events, this upset from my normal routine could be a wake-up call for me. There was so much that mattered one day and then was no longer important the next. 

I finally saw that I AM NOT IN TOTAL CONTROL OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS! 

This could be an opportunity to dig deeper into myself and my actions. Having to face each day not knowing how difficult the days ahead could be and finding a way to do your best each day and then hand it over. 

I have been feeling that something deeper is going to happen with me during this time of disruption, uncertainty, and change. Enlightenment, essentially. However, the million-dollar question remains. Will I be persistent to commit to these changes and follow through? To take what lessons I can during this unprecedented crisis that will go down in history? My family is worth it, my team is worth it, I am worth it. 

So, I will not resist, I am going to take this time and go deeper into a quiet place to grab hold of what I feel I am being guided to do. I will take this time to get healthier mentally as well as physically. I will strive to be more present with my kids. I will unplug…REALLY UNPLUG! I will go deeper spiritually and listen. Stop talking and asking, and listen.

We can all use a nudge.

During these uncertain times, try to quiet your minds and be open to what could be an opportunity for reprioritizing your life. Finding peace and calm in a very distracting, noisy, and technology-filled world. Let this teach us that when much is taken away, you get a chance to see what really matters. ❤️

Philippians 4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Best wishes to all for health, safety, mental strength and peace in an uncertain time.