Sometimes we get so caught up change we lose awareness of what’s going on. We no longer become aware of our feelings, how our actions affect others, or what’s truly going on behind the scenes. We focus so much on the solution – “What am I going to do now that the meeting is cancelled? How am I going to get to work if my car won’t start?” – that sometimes we forget to provide care for ourselves in the moments in between. Instead we judge ourselves, telling ourselves that we shouldn’t be upset, or that this is just a part of life – a way to ignore our emotions and behave like it’s unnatural to have them.

Personally, I’ve experienced various changes this past week, and got so caught up in the situations, the consequences, and how to fix the problem, that I lacked the awareness to conceptualize that maybe all of these changes are linked.

Maybe there’s a reason I’ve been put in more out-of-my-comfort-zone situations lately. I’ve had to put in more volunteer and club hours than time on my personal hobbies or goals. I’ve also gotten my hours at work cut in half, giving me more days out of the week to be free than I’d like – but maybe both changes are a signal to me to focus on other aspects of my life.

We all know change doesn’t feel good. We’re told over and over again it’s supposed to bring you new knowledge and that all change is good in the end. But the truth is, change is a process. It’s a definite part of our universal system. Take out the words “good” and “bad”, and now you just have a part of life – change – that you don’t have to conceptualize or judge. You don’t have to see it as positive or negative, you just see it as what it is.

So although I just stated that maybe these new personal, mental, and even physical changes are happening to me, all in the quick span of a week, for some unbeknownst reason, maybe there’s truly no reason at all. Maybe this is just a part of the universal system, a system of ups, downs, and turnarounds.

So I encourage you, when you’re undergoing a series of changes (even small ones), to become aware. Are they all happening in a certain time frame? Do they all have a common denominator? Are they all school related? Health related? Or, maybe you’ll have a week like me, where your job, career goals, social life, financial security, and everything in between, changes and shifts seemingly out of nowhere.

But it’s not a bad thing, nor is it necessarily a good thing. It’s all a part of a larger cycle. So please, please, find the joy in the next week’s small daily activities. Try something new. Do something you love. And most importantly, take care of yourself in this new season of changes.

Love, Bella

2. List three things in your life that you’re genuinely grateful for. Consider the people, experiences, or aspects of nature that enrich your existence. How can you deepen your connection to these sources of gratitude and use them to foster a stronger sense of spirituality and interconnectedness?

3. Write about a recent mistake or imperfection you’ve encountered. Instead of dwelling on any negative feelings, approach it with kindness, curiosity, and mercy. How can this imperfection be reframed as an opportunity for growth and learning? How might embracing imperfections lead to a more spiritually fulfilling journey?

5. Nature & God’s Wisdom: Spend some time outdoors, observing the natural world around you. Notice the intricate balance, cycles, and beauty in even the smallest details. How does being in nature make you feel? What lessons can you draw from the natural world to guide your spiritual perspective and enhance your understanding of life’s interconnectedness?

1. Reflect on a book, film, or piece of artwork that has deeply resonated with you. What themes, messages, or symbolism resonated with you, and how did they impact your perspective or thoughts?
2. Reflect on a moment of deep connection or kindness you witnessed or experienced with another person. How did it impact you, and how can it help you create more meaningful connections in your relationships?
3. Describe a dream or aspiration that you’ve held onto for a long time. What has been holding you back from pursuing it, and what steps can you take to achieve that dream?
4. Write a heartfelt letter addressed to your past self. Offer words of advice, encouragement, and reflect on the valuable lessons you have learned since then. Celebrate the achievements and growth you’ve attained since then.
5. Write a letter of forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Release any lingering resentment to promote your healing.