July 2020
… SOMETHING NEW. How is Life calling you today? Albeit dark and gloomy these days, I am here to remind you that with every life experience we are made anew. And so it begins, right here today, something new.
A Time for Change
Admittedly who I am becoming may not always be the “best version” of whom I am becoming in the fullness of time, but I pray that my intention for that better version will rise up and blossom into something beautiful. And so it is with this current reality of Covid-19. I am changed, you are changed, but I pray for the better as we move through this experience together. May your best version of self rise above the fear, pain, suffering, confusion, and chaos. May it pull from you a strength you never knew you had.
Covid-19 Changes Everything
Firstly, as a front-line health care provider myself, I pray for the safety of all who are serving selflessly, thus putting family and friends at risk of infection for the sake of those who need them – doctors, nurses, nurses aides, therapists, clinicians, administrators, support staff, suppliers, truckers, mail carriers, grocery store workers, and countless others.
I pray for those of you who have lost loved ones to the virus, lost jobs, income, and peace of mind. I pray for those of you suffering with anxiety, depression, and general worry. For whatever it’s worth my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to you that you may one day soon know peace.
I have been living my entire life with a sense of hope and faith that all will be well. This time in our world’s history we are experiencing life in dramatically changing ways physically, socially, economically, and spiritually. Life is no longer predictable, yet she gives me my next breath, and I continue on.
How to Change “Now”
“What do I do now?” This is the question on everyone’s mind. Let’s explore this for ourselves by focusing on the last word in the question …”now.” I have learned that every moment we experience is now. Therefore it is always now, making now eternally present. It’s the place I like to believe where spirit dwells; where life beckons for our attention directing us this way or that; but only if we are listening. Five minutes ago is a memory, and five minutes from now is a mere projection. The only thing real is the now. Psychology teaches that depression is felt when living stuck in our negative past; and we experience anxiety and fear when we worry about the future’s unknown. Yet Spirit teaches us to be present in the now in order to know peace.
Some of you reading this may be protesting “But Raphael I’m neither religious nor spiritual!” I can understand protesting the sins of organized religions pushing away any thought of God as “that white-bearded guy in the sky” allowing pain and suffering upon our world. But if you have any ‘hope’ that we get through these difficult days, may I propose that spirit is where hope dwells. Hope is a thought, an intention for something better. Our hope is for something that is not yet realized, intangible to us. Spirit too is intangible and ethereal. Words will never express the fullness of Spirit, nor of Love and its fullness. So play on Life’s Playground with me and let Universal Love permeate and penetrate every experience, for it’s in this that you will find peace, and if you’re paying attention, maybe even some joy in the midst of this misery.
A Coaching Moment
As a Coach and Speaker I remind folks that we are human be-ings first, and human do-ings second. So take the hint and simply be. My five years as a seminarian to the Catholic priesthood I learned how difficult simply ‘being‘ is. I vividly remember my first attempt as a professional religious to quiet myself for prayer resulting in my running out of the chapel during that first minute with feelings of utter terror. As I reflected upon the experience later (after calming myself), I realized that I was there with myself authentically, no masks and/or pretenses. I was kneeling as if naked for the entire world and God to see. How’s that for a setup invitation to the quiet? Apologies. But the experience was real and powerfully scary. I suppose it’s the quietude that many of us find unfamiliar, particularly when the crowded thoughts demand attention. We often believe that we are our thoughts. When in truth we are not. Once you find your way through and past them you will find the peace that is yours. That is where we meet our true selves endeavoring to do good. In this place you are liberated from the thoughts and fear of the unknown, because what is known is that all will be well again, and even better.
What we can do together
For those of you like me, with great intention but lack of skill, find prayer occasionally challenging and therefore not your first go-to strategy, I humbly offer you a few actions to consider as we all move through this communal experience of COVID-19.
1. Smile – the vibrational frequency we emit when we smile has an ability to heal everything. Besides, brain circuitry doesn’t know the difference between a smile back then and now, those synapses triggered by moving smile muscles will recall happier times and brings that happy feeling into the now. I have learned to smile with my eyes when encountering patients with a mask . It will do you good to do the same. I even ask “can you see my eyes smiling at you?” And the response is always a “Yes.” I ask this so it doesn’t get missed, and the energy between us becomes warm and encouraging.
2. Do something generous – call a friend today, donate to your local food bank this week, check in on your elderly neighbors regularly, and pray for everyone you said you would. Doing good for others helps us to feel good. This takes your attention away from your own worries and woes.
3. Keep moving – find ways to exercise. This will stimulate the “feel good” hormones and give you moments of respite from all the worry. Increased blood flow to the brain will allow you to think more clearly, and offer you insights to get you what you need.
4. Develop good sleeping habits – this will boost your immune system, and keep your body in a restorative mode. Take breaks from too much news, and take time to play. And when you play, savor the moments and really enjoy yourself.
5. “BE” – Lastly, take time to pray, meditate, contemplate, do yoga, soak in a tub, or get lost in the simple routine actions of washing dishes while allowing your thoughts and your spirit to soar.
Love is Here With Us
As we together move through these challenging times keep in mind that you are not alone. Express gratitude and love for all the good that continues to exist in life – the warming weather, the people, the roof over your head, and the food in your belly. Tap into the faith of others if you’ve lost your own. Lean on others around you if you must, and allow others to lean on you when you can. The Universe / God loves you, and I love you. The Universe can’t help herself, s/he loved you into existence and wants to give you peace.
You are Being Made New
Lastly, pay attention to who you are becoming in this our changing world. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post every life experience creates us anew. Are you becoming more resourceful, creative, patient, kind, and generous? For myself I am becoming more aware, compassionate, and ever more hopeful for a cure. And I am now a blogger. Yikes! (Better late than never. Right?!)
May you and yours stay happy and healthy. And always, always, always, use your powers for good!
Yours Truly,
Raphael Angel Aguon
– Blogger / Licensed Occupational Therapist / Motivational Speaker / Corporate Trainer / Manifestation Coach / Author of Life’s Playground / Artist / Former: US Army Officer, Carmelite Friar, fitness trainer, adjunct college professor, high school teacher of theology, minister in a psychiatric penitentiary, restaurant and bed & breakfast owner, 5x marathoner / and a Lover of Life!
Please Note – I universalize my language to welcome everyone into the Joy of Life. Please honor your truth and your tradition, allow it to filter everything I share. Love is Universal and Unconditional gifted to us all!
Be well in the days ahead,
Raphael Angel Aguon