We have now been in lockdown for a week and my prayer is that people are starting to find new rhythms that are working for them. When we stayed at Nether Springs two years ago we loved joining in the monastic rhythm of daily life there. They teach the 5 pillars of the monastic rhythm and I think this is a time when we could all use these pillars, no matter what our age or stage. I offer them to you as a way to reflect on the daily rhythm you are establishing in this new normal. Each one is ideally included each day and they are as follows -
worship -time to pray and praise and connect with God
work -the manual kind -doing a physical task whether it is making your bed or the dinner
study -take a book from your shelf you have been meaning to read or try audio books or just spend some time looking deeply at something
solitude -make time to specifically be alone, to face your own thoughts and feelings
community -ensure you remain connected -whether by phone or email or zoom or a smile as you walk…