reflect Archives - Laurie Hopkins

May 4 2020

There Doesn’t Have To Be A New Normal

There Doesn't Have To Be A New Normal

Hello, my dear friend. How are you doing? Really doing? Not the “I am ok when I’m really not”, but the “I am ok, but this week has been tough in this way” doing. We are living in times we have never before experienced, so I thought this week we could talk about why There Doesn’t Have To Be A New Normal. You know the process, grab your favourite drink in your best mug and sit with me for a few minutes. I love your company!

What Is Normal Anyway?

As countries, provinces and cities start to relax social distancing measures, we are hearing people talk more and more about “returning to normal”. I am sure it is meant as a reassuring phrase, but for some reason, when I hear that phrase, it makes me a bit unsettled. I find myself asking, “What is normal, anyway?”

Merriam Webster Online Dictionary defines normal as conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/normal). When I visualize “normal”, I see boxes lined up in straight lines and predictable patterns. Not necessarily a bad thing, or then again, is it?

When Our Normal Is Interrupted

Normal is generally comfortable, even in our discomfort, because it is familiar to us. It may not be working for us in every facet, but at least we know we know what to expect and when to expect it. We generally do not see anything wrong with our normal, until that normal is interrupted. Then we begin to see the cracks and imperfections in the normal that we had created and were living. We are in a season when our normal has been interrupted and I would be bold enough to state that in the last few months the cracks and imperfections in what we were living as normal, have begun to show.

Opportunities to Shift

So what happens when we realize our normal may not have been as unflawed as we thought? Out of this realization comes a perfect opportunity to shift. Anytime there is change, there is an opportunity to take it a step further and make a shift. We can let change happen to us or we can lean in, participate, be intentional and begin the process of shifting – greater change! I believe that we are in a season where the opportunities for shifting are greater than anything most of us have experienced to date.

Living Outside the Box

Think for a moment about the last few months. How have things changed in your life? The way you do things? How you understand things? The actual things that you are doing? What is different in this season? Make a list. I promise you, you will be amazed at how much change you are going through right now. Now, how many of these changes are things that you said you would never do? Perhaps things that had not even entered your mind? Or even things you hoped to do, but never got around to? Right now, whether you intended to or not, you are living outside the box of normal. How does it feel? A bit uncomfortable? However, some parts of it are exciting as well? If you could pick and choose through this experience, what parts would you keep and what parts would you discard? How much would it look like your old normal?

Greater Than A New Normal

Many people are talking about a new normal. When I visualize a “new normal”, I still see boxes lined up in straight lines and predictable patterns. The boxes may be different colours or arranged a bit differently but they are still predictable. What if there was something greater than a new normal?

Transforming Times

If we could get our minds around the fact that there is more to life than finding the place where we are comfortable, and then parking there. When we learn to live and function in our discomfort, we will find the place where there is no new normal, but rather a place of transformation. A place where we can react to change by shifting continuously, picking and choosing what parts to keep and what parts to discard, without waiting to be forced into this disrupted state by outside forces. What if this is a transforming time? What if this is the season in which we will learn to stop striving for normal. A reset season in which we begin to understand that there is more than normal; there is a way of life built around shifting despite the discomfort, lending itself to growth. When I visualize growth, I see a variety of colourful shapes, constantly moving in and out of beautiful patterns. Sounds more fun than normal!

What I Know

These are unusual times. They have not been easy for many of us, but that does not mean we have to settle for normal or even a new normal. As many are moving back to their previous normal or working to create a new normal, we have the opportunity to choose to shift. We can sit and reflect on what this experience has been like for us. What have we learned? List those things that are working. Make note of those things that have not worked. Now, what do we need to do to sustain what is working and change what is not? It does not matter that others’ are striving for normal or new normal or what that looks like for them. Despite the discomfort of this season, you can choose to shift and grow. Transformation is the greater normal!

Until Next Time

Well, my friend, that is all the time we have for today. So happy to have had time to sit and chat around the kitchen table. Stay safe and take the time to do some reflecting before moving on to a new normal. Do not miss this opportunity.

Your Turn To Comment

As always, there are many ways to stay in touch. I would love to hear from you! Let me know how our chats around the kitchen table are going and drop a note about what things you would like to chat about.

Email laurie@lauriehopkins.ca

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Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

Laurie

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April 20 2020

Let’s Get Real – When We’ve Talked Enough

Let's Get Real - When We Have Talked Enough

Hello my friend – how have you been in the last 2 weeks? It seems like a long time since we chatted. How are things going in your world? These are unusual times we find ourselves in for sure. I spent a lot of time this week thinking about what we should chat about at the kitchen table this time and all I came up with was “Let’s Get Real – When We’ve Talked Enough” subtitled: “I’ve Got Nothing –When Blogs Get Real.” So let’s start there. You know the process, grab a cup of something in your favourite mug and pull up a seat at the table. It is time to talk about why we need to stop talking.

When Opinions Are Just That - Opinions

As I am sure you have heard many times already in the last few weeks, we find ourselves in unusual times. Unusual times call for unusual measures. In the last few weeks, I have read way too many commentaries on the current state of affairs, listened to too much mainstream media, spent way too much time on Social Media and have heard too many opinions. Many of which start or end with “what if?” In trying to determine the most important thing I’ve learned or have come to understand through all of this “gaining of information”, I have to confess that I have not gained great wisdom or sound knowledge about why this is all happening or when it will all end. If I could wrap up the most important thing I have come to realize in all of that, in these last few weeks, is that opinions are just that, opinions. Everyone has them and essentially, they all rely heavily on our innate biases.

Be Still And Know That I Am God

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”

In the last few weeks, I have also spent much more time in the Word, in prayer, dancing and sitting with God. I talked less and I heard a lot more. I got quiet and was amazed at how clear and consistent the sound was that came through. Not once did I hear “what if?” Instead of opinion, I heard truth. I read and heard the same consistent Words that I have been reading and hearing all of my Christian life. None of what I read or heard started or ended with “what if?” None of which changed from one day to the next. What I learned through this time was that I am no longer interested in opinions when I can have truth. That truth comes when I choose to be still and sit in God’s presence. That means choosing to turn off many of the other noises that often are a huge distraction.

Intentional Does Not Always Mean Busy

We have been talking a lot lately about being intentional, about leaning into and participating in change, to shift in this season. However, we need to be reminded that being intentional does not always mean you need to be busy. You also have to be intentional in taking the time to reflect, rest and rejuvenate.

Sometimes Words Are Not Enough

Sometimes we need to stop talking, stop sharing opinions, stop listening to every unsolicited voice out there and stop seeking the opinions of others. There are times and seasons when words are not enough; when words become a noise and a distraction. In that time and season, we need to choose to seek to listen for the truth. Not the opinion that comes clothed as truth, and changes from day to day, but the truth that never changes, and comes directly from the source. We have entered a time and season of listening. Sometimes words are just not enough.

Tune In/Tune Out

This time around at the kitchen table, I have a challenge for us all. Let us choose in the next few weeks to tune out of social and conventional media and tune into God. We can decide to be as intentional in reflecting, resting and rejuvenating as we are with our plans “to do.” One does not need to exclude the other. Let’s sit and allow the Lord to speak into our lives. Then, we can get up and move in the vein that we are being directed to. But not until we have listened.

Check-In

Now, at this kitchen table, let us take a few minutes to check-in with one another. How are you doing? Really doing? Not the “oh I’m fine” and move on but the “well, since you asked…..” At this table, we are concerned about one another. This is not a place meant for Laurie to talk and leave – this is a community, where Laurie talks to generate discussion and those at the table chime in and in the end, we care for one another more deeply. What are you learning at this hour? I would love to hear from you!

What I Know

At the end of the day, I may not know everything, but I do know we are going to be all right. I do not know how long this will go on or what things will look like. I do know that things will never look quite the same as they did before. However, in the end, I believe with all my heart, that each and every one of has the opportunity to come out of this with a new perspective on our lives and the lives around us.

Until Next Time

Well, my friend, it is always nice to sit with you and chat. I hope you will take a few minutes to comment below in the comment section and let me know how you are really doing. Also, let me know what you would like to talk about at the table! My cup is empty and it is time for me to go. Take the time to share this blog with your friends and invite them to join us at the table. There is always room for new friends.

Be In Touch

I am at the kitchen table every day; drop by anytime for a chat! You can find me on: