- Dr. Agnes Thomas
Across cultures and generations, people often find themselves caught between yesterday and tomorrow. Some replay the past, while others anxiously anticipate the future. In either case, the present moment is often ignored or, worse, missed. And as the years pass and individuals continue meeting and conversing, both personally and professionally, we see the same recurring theme emerge: the human tendency to focus on either the past or the future.
Generally, research shows that young adults tend to focus more on the future regarding their development and growth, while older adults dwell more on the past. From a daily living perspective, this may still apply to most; however, in an increasingly connected global community, time and boundaries have become more fluid, exposing us to varying levels of awareness that influence our knowledge and actions. It is no surprise that age groups are often not the main factor in how threatened people feel by various world issues, whether war, conflict, or a global pandemic; the only exception may be small children.
Some of this is positive, while some of it is not. For example, the number of people travelling and learning about other cultures has greatly increased in recent decades. On the other hand, concerns about the future and perceptions of global instability and economic uncertainty place significant pressure on many people, heightening feelings of helplessness and anxiety. A global study conducted after the major episodes of COVID-19 revealed that anxiety levels increased significantly among younger populations. Additionally, in our local research, mental health and well-being emerged as a key priority, with many individuals struggling to cope.
The current political climate, along with increasing incidents of violence and climate change, further intensifies feelings of frustration and isolation. The question is whether one chooses to hide from this real or sometimes perceived threat that unsettles one’s sense of reality and future, or confront the deeper question of where hope and a sense of home can be found, which inspired this reflection on “Pause” and reminds us of our call to be present.
Young adults tend to focus more on the future regarding their development and growth, while older adults dwell more on the past. From a daily living perspective, this may still apply to most; however, in an increasingly connected global community, time and boundaries have become more fluid, exposing us to varying levels of awareness that influence our knowledge and actions
The Lenten season invites us to reflect on the suffering and death of the One who offered true hope and showed us “The Way”. The personal exploration of the meaning of suffering is both a gift and a challenge, inviting us to collectively understand the incredible gift of the death and resurrection. It stands as an example from a time and place where innocent blood was shed for a cause, a sacrifice offered for humanity. It also calls us, in moments of pain and doubt about our lives and the dangers faced by our world, to pause and draw inspiration from the magnificence of the life that was sacrificed for us.
The example of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection offers a response to our existential questions about hope and purpose. It provides a home, a shelter where our worries and anxieties can be relinquished and replaced with ‘the promise’. One might wonder how this can be achieved when chaos surrounds us and we ourselves are not divine. It can only begin when we choose to pause and pay attention to the gift of the moment that presents itself to us, in the fullness of the breath we take.
It is in recognizing these precious moments that we gain the strength to carry on, relieving ourselves of the burden of moments past and future. In holding the moment, we learn to recognize the magnificence of life itself, a gift that can either be celebrated or lost to the past or future. Another gift this practice offers is the ability to create safe boundaries around events, circumstances, and people who regularly uproot us, stopping them in their tracks simply by choosing to remain present to ourselves and to the unconditional love that surrounds us. It also helps us become like children who attract and create joy rather than chaos.
This simple practice of holding the moment steadies us when chaos threatens to overwhelm. It loosens fear’s grip and restores our capacity to breathe. And slowly, we reclaim our identity as Easter people and bearers of hope who resist narratives of despair around us. When we choose presence, we become who we are called to be: grounded in love and alive with the power to create joy.
