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Honoring Your Perseverance

Honoring Your Perseverance

It’s been a year of this surreal pandemic time and we are still trudging along. I want to honor the perseverance that has taken.

About a year ago, in places all over the world, schools closed, some workers were sent home to work, some laid off, and many working harder than ever. Basically, we were asked to turn our lives upside down, for an unknown length. A lot changed in an instant. A lot changed over time too.

It’s been a vague kind of trauma, whether you realize it or not, that effects us all in some invisible ways (as well as visible ways).

We’ve all been through a lot of change to say the least. Have you honored all you’ve been through and what you’ve learned? In your personal life, and in your work life? In your heart?

Maybe this anniversary is a good moment to pause, to look back, see where you are now, and to look forward with fresh and wiser eyes. I invite us all to bring a sense of grace and acceptance of all feelings that might be naturally arising at this time.

I want to honor you for your perseverance and all the ways you’ve worked hard to protect others. That means a lot to me. Thank you.

I notice a lot of uneasy feelings in those around me, perhaps in that way a trauma anniversary can creep up on us.

I wrote a quick poem, below, to attempt to capture this moment, with this intention:
May we find some gentleness for whatever feelings arise, and may we honor ourselves and each other for our perseverance. We are stronger than we knew.


It’s Been a Year

They asked us to just stop everything on a dime.

That surreal feeling of rapid change. And more change.
Something strange and surprising each week.
Huh? What? That too?
Really? But?

How much longer?

Still?

More changes?

That turning point was actually a trauma and we didn’t quite get it.
An invisible train went off the rails and crashed into our lives.

It landed on us all, in some way or another.
A poignant form of global connection.

A vague trauma with no clear end. So many ripples.

It’s hard on our psyches.
And on those around us too.
Still.

For some, total overwhelm. Too much work. Too much loss.

For some, too many people in the house.
While for others, the starkness of isolation.

Remember when you finally had a good laugh and it came out as tears?
Remember when you yelled at the TV… a lot of times?

We’ve made it this far.
We’re stronger and more resilient in many ways.
So much to be grateful for.

And yet, this invisible being is still here too.
We have learned to eat out of the same bowl with it.
But it’s still weird. Or worse.

Some people are feeling off as the anniversary quietly amplifies our losses.

This long journey effects us inside, more than we realize.

Have you had losses and sorrows? Me too.
Have you had some positive things you’re grateful for? Me too.
Some lessons learned about what you’ll do differently now? Me too.
Let’s honor them all.

All feelings are welcome. In small doses if needed.

For the introverts who have loved the extra time at home.
For the introverts who now have no alone time at home.
For the extroverts so hungry for more connection.
Let’s honor our new levels of awareness about what we need.

For the nurse’s aide who couldn’t see her children for a month, to keep them protected,
it’s especially for you that I keep up the work.

If you’ve used some time to rest, amen, so needed.
If you’ve used some time to reconsider what matters, thank yourself.
If you’ve used some time to get involved in your community, to learn, to grow, thank you.

For today, at this anniversary…

Let’s be gentle with ourselves.
Whatever moodiness, clumsiness, foggy brain, anger, confusion, impatience, or any kind of feeling, it’s normal.
It means you’re human. Anniversaries are like this. Trauma is like this.

snow melting in springA moment to pause, to honor, to cry, to curse 2020, or whatever feels right.
Our bodies know what they need,
if we will just listen.
Reminding myself too.

For me, a walk outside among the trees is my balm today.

I’ll gather with neighbors outside in the spring air, and give thanks to them and these quiet calming trees that have held us each day of this rocky year.

Maybe we can finally retire the word unprecedented.
Change is precedented.
The wise old trees know about change, and they are glad we are understanding better.

Val Nelson

Val Nelson

I’ve been a self-employed career/business/purpose coach since 2009. I help introverts and HSPs (like me) who want to make a difference — in a way that fits our practical needs too.
Val Nelson | Coaching | Groups | Courses | Newsletter | LinkedIn

I appreciate feedback, good and bad. You can comment below or email.

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3 thoughts on “Honoring Your Perseverance”

  1. I am so inspired to go inside and reflect on the past year, not just the welcome positives but also the growth from navigating such a change. Thank you for this Val.

  2. Nancy Francisco

    LOVE this poem Val. Tears. Recognition. A needed reflection of the raft of emotions welling up as this anniversary approached. Always appreciate what you share. Thanks for sharing this post. This poem. Offering me a way to lift all of this up. To celebrate this day in the range of emotions it brings to me.

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