7 tips for living life to the full...in self-isolation

Written by John Paul Schryvers, NET Hamilton.

We live in a crazy age. The last few weeks have, for many, been a time of uncertainty. Some embrace the changes with excitement, while others don’t know how they’re going to put food on the table. Here’s our top 7 tips for living out our faith in selfisolation.

1. GET TO THE HEART BEFORE YOU START. Let’s get things straight: Not all of us are morning people. Nevertheless, there’s no better time to heed the proverb: “Early bird catches the worm.” than in prayer. Spending quality time with the Lord before the day begins (whether it’s an Angelus, scripture reading, prayer of thanksgiving or simple contemplation) is a strong spiritual foundation on which the practicalities of day-to-day life can stand.

2. RECOMMIT TO GETTING FIT. Here’s the sign you’ve been waiting for! St. Paul urges us to “offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice”, and “do all to the glory of God” in everything we do. In exercising, we give thanks to God for the gift of our physical health.

3. YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU! Remember that you’re not alone. Many in our wider community and even in our own family are reaching out for a helping hand, whether it’s with groceries or a simple check-in over the phone with words and prayers of hope and encouragement. One thing that’ll never be cancelled is the invitation to love those around us.

4. THE HOLY MASS IS STILL OFFERED - FOR YOU Don’t forget that Mass is available online; Even in your physical absence, Jesus Christ still faithfully offers his sacrifice on the altar - body, blood, soul and divinity - for you. Our Lord knows your inner desire to receive the Eucharist. Make a prayer of spiritual communion. Perhaps bring your family together, light a candle, dress, respond, kneel, listen and pray as you usually would. You may even find that your devotion to the Holy Eucharist increases over this time.

5. DON’T FEAR THE UNCLEAR. Many confronted with pain or suffering find themselves asking “why me?”. Chances are, the same people hear the words “trust in God” so often that they easily forget their meaning. Eventually, we must all face the mysterious yet simple truth that a loving and merciful God

is still in control. We’re called through both the challenging and mundane, to surrender our own expectations of life to him. As Jesus said: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matt 6:27)

6. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SILENCE. St. John of the Cross once stated: “Silence is God’s first language.” It’s unsettling that many people in today’s society have no problem compromising what this fact calls for. Perhaps they feel that before they can make time for silence they must read, talk, eat, move and worry until everything’s perfectly “in order”. Spend some time today with the Lord, not just talking, but listening.

7. BUILD A FIRM SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION. As humans, we’re creatures of habit, though you might find this time of turbulence becomes a blessing in disguise. Use this time to pick up those new skills and habits you wished you had time for. Build a routine of prayer, gratitude and discipline, so that when things return to normal, you’ve got a spiritual rock to stand on.