My word for 2021 is shift. Like everyone I know, I’ve learned a lot, since this time last year. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that change and uncertainty just are. Since I’m not in control of much more than which yoga pants, Zoom-appropriate top, and slippers I’ll wear each day, I needed to figure out how I could deal with all the change and uncertainty. That’s where shifting comes in.

For me, shifts involve acceptance and adjustment. I know I don’t have much control, but I have unlimited choices. I can shift. 

Some of my recent shifts have been pretty significant. Some have been tiny. Some haven’t happened, yet. And I’m sure I’ll make a lot of shifts I can’t even imagine

I’ve been shifting backwards lately, but definitely not in a bad way. This picture of my mom, sister and me was taken in 1989. I’ve always loved it because it says so much about the relationship we shared.

A couple of mornings ago, I used it in the visio divina I practice during Morning Prayer. I spent 15 minutes, just looking at this image, of three very different women, connected in ways we couldn’t always understand, much less explain. Sitting with with this image shifted me to remember the laughter, tears, lessons, frustrations and reconciliations we shared.

Mom and Mari (along with Dad), were my earliest and most significant teachers. Mom taught me to do laundry. Mari taught me how long I could wear my jeans before washing them. Mom taught me to read the fine print. Mari taught me to cook without a recipe. Mom taught me to look for deals. Mari taught me where to look for those deals. Mom taught me about bookkeeping. Mari taught me about forgiveness.

Both of them taught me, in very different ways, how to love and receive love. I am forever shifted by them both.

What kinds of shifts have you experienced lately?