麻豆社

As we stand on the brink, this weekend, of a further loosening of lockdown restrictions, it鈥檚 tempting to feel the urge to rush ahead 鈥� like my 14-year-old daughter who鈥檚 very excited about visiting a non-essential shop or three.

But thresholds like this offer the opportunity, crucially, to reflect on where we鈥檝e been, first; to gather your self, your thoughts, your soul. I鈥檓 minded of the contemplative Christian practice of 鈥榯he Examen鈥�, which aids a prayerful looking-back at the end of each day; to review it with gratitude, notice your emotions, choose a feature of the day to pray about, and to anticipate tomorrow. It鈥檚 a helpful thing in itself to do in strange days like these.

And while lockdown鈥檚 not over yet, this does seem a significant moment similarly to take stock of a whole season.

I felt inspired recently, to see that a few cultural figures had written a letter to their 鈥榩ost-lockdown self鈥�, to be opened a year from now, with advice about what they鈥檝e learned from our present challenges; as well as what to savour, what to carry with them. The play-wright James Graham was especially evocative:

'Dear Future Me 鈥︹�� he wrote.

鈥業f theatre has survived, then go 鈥� and again look around you, at those hundreds of people sitting 鈥� in the dark as a collective and listening to stories, and marvel at how mad and brilliant that is.鈥�

Personally, I鈥檝e tried to see the last few months as being full of moments of awakening, like the seeds scattered in Jesus鈥� parable of the sower.

I want them to land in good soil.

I don鈥檛 want to forget the initial, visceral shock, for example, of seeing empty shelves for the first time in my life. And that amazing sense of gratitude when someone leaves a box of eggs on your doorstep, out of the blue. Note to self: appreciate plenitude; and learn to grow some food.

I remember the day too, recently, I had to rush my wife into hospital because she couldn鈥檛 breathe properly. I鈥檇 like to remind myself of the turbulent emotions of that afternoon, even as they already fade. How quickly we forget; and take things for granted. I will tend this seedling, with extra care, and love.

And anticipating tomorrow, the future? James Graham鈥檚 advice to himself really resonates: 鈥橲tay connected to your friends,鈥� he says. 鈥楥all your mum for no reason. Keep FaceTiming Dad. Not just a call. Look at his face.鈥�

Wise words. It makes me wonder, too, what advice my 鈥榩ost-lockdown self鈥� might send back to me, here. 鈥淭his, too, is the day the Lord has made,鈥� he might say. 鈥淒on鈥檛 rush straight off. You may never see the likes of this again.鈥�

Show less