Pause for Thought

Diane Tregale, Chaplain, The Gryphon School

The African impala is a medium-sized antelope; it is majestic, beautiful and incredibly athletic. In one leap it can reach a height of 3 metres whilst covering a distance of 10 metres. When kept in captivity however, a 1-metre-high wall will contain it. It could easily scale the fence, but it never will. Impalas won’t jump over something if they cannot see where their feet will land.

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in a jail in South Africa for 27 years because of the oppressive apartheid system there. On his release from prison, he became Prime Minister and brought about peace and reconciliation. In his book called The Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela gives some great advice. He said:

‘Let your choices reflect your hopes not your fears.’

Mandela always tried to live by this principle – and it is my prayer that you will too, as we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic and all that lies beyond. It’s right that we are careful and that we don’t put ourselves, others and the NHS in danger. But it’s unhealthy to allow our fears to define us and to shape our attitudes. Let’s not allow our fears to be like the 1-metrefence that robs us of hope. Let’s not become discouraged even though we can’t yet see where our feet will land.

When the movie The Shawshank Redemption was premiered, I was living in London. It seemed to be advertised in every underground station and I was inspired by the strapline of the film, which I still remember 27 years later:

‘Fear can hold you captive. Hope can set you free.’

I wonder how would you define hope? During Lockdown 1, pupils at the Gryphon were asked for suggestions. Here are my two favourite ideas:

A target to aim for.

A way of life.

What are you hoping for after this lockdown is lifted and, further ahead, when the pandemic is over? You might like to write these hopes on slips of paper; fold them up; put them inside a jar and close it. Keep it somewhere visible to help keep hope alive and then, when lockdown is over or when the pandemic has been brought under control, open it and take the pieces of paper out. Do the things you have written down, giving thanks as you do so, and rejoicing that we are free.

And while you wait, don’t lose hope.

This prayer was written by teenagers in a secondary school in Bristol last March: Creator God, send your Holy Spirit to fill us with hope today Hope that rises like the sun and provides us with faith Hope that inspires us to get out of bed and face any day Hope that can change someone’s story and someone’s prospect Hope that can guide us on the right path when we’ve lost it May we live in hope and grow in the likeness of your Son, Jesus, Amen

gryphon.dorset.sch.uk