Thrive!

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Luke 1:37

Thrive, what a great word!  The dictionary describes it as “prosper, flourish, succeed”.  Isn’t that what we are all meant to do?  But, how often are we distracted by things inconsequential in a society that often tells us we need to conform to succeed.  Think of your favorite artist.  If they conformed would they be so brilliant or captivating? To thrive is the ultimate form of living, something we should all be striving for.  After all we are not just supposed to survive, but ultimately “thrive”.  Sometimes that means we need to make changes, take a hard look at our lives, and be brave enough to follow our path.

The pandemic has pushed many of us to do just that in one way or another.  Many of us have had to make changes that a year ago we would have never imagined possible.   Yet here we are 9 plus months later, surviving through many adaptations, restrictions and mask-wearing, with perhaps a new outlook.   Yes, there have been many dark moments during this Covid-19 plague, but feasibly the biggest gift shining deep within the darkness is that we are learning to live better, more authentically and focus on what is essentially important.  Perhaps even follow our passion, what drives us and makes us truly alive.  This is honestly the best gift of all.  Even if it means things will be different.  In order to prosper and grow change is inevitable.  Conceivably this may just be the transformation the world needed to inspire us for better, and more of what is abundantly vital to really thrive.

That being said, Christmas and the holiday season are very unusual for many of us this year.  A lot of us will not really be getting together with family or friends.  The pandemic has forced us to modify our plans.  But, not all of this is bad.  It doesn’t mean that we cannot find some joy in the interim.  My gifts have been different this year too, more conscious about who I am buying from and why.  Most were bought on Etsy from smaller shops and artisans that are more authentic and real, thus having greater meaning and value.  I also bought from stores in my area (some of whom I had hence forgotten about) with a more deliberate purpose in helping them thrive.  The real gift and beauty in all of this.

True, the holiday season is not all about gift-giving but, it is indeed fun!  I can honestly say that I have always enjoyed giving presents, but this year has been even more enjoyable, a bit like a treasure hunt or discovery adventure.  While looking on Etsy, I chanced upon a wonderful artist based in Kamloops, British, Columbia – Keishia Treber, (www.
ktreber.com) whose works are truly inspiring.  Something I most likely would have never come across, if not for the Corona virus which drove me to think differently and ultimately shop likewise.  Her work is authentically captivating, focusing on bringing the world around us into our daily lives with genuine beauty and grace, giving us a richer appreciation of nature, the world around us and all its wonder and beauty.  Inspiring me too, to stay focused on what I need to do to live more authentically and thrive.

Isn’t that what the holiday season and the birth of Christ is all about?  Wonder, beauty and hope, allowing us to thrive in possibilities and encourage us to live the lives we were meant to live.   At the very least we all deserve that.   "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." – Romans 11:29

I can’t think of a better way to end this year and honor the many lives lost to this pandemic, not to mention the 3 billion animals who perished in the Australia wildfires.  It has indeed been a very challenging year.  But we are resilient and we can thrive.  We are after all, ending this year with hope on the horizon as a vaccine makes its way across North America.  With that in mind, let’s hope we do not just rush back into our lives but, honor a better life lived and thrive!