One of the key practices to dealing with times of challenge and stress is gratitude. If you can find things you are thankful for in the midst of difficulty, you will feel better and act with more kindness towards others. Another key practice is hope, keeping in mind the hopeful outcome towards we are striving. So here is a two-for-one faith practice for your home, heard somewhere over the internets and brought here to you.

Take a jar or other container and each day, write on a piece of paper something you will be grateful to do when this time of social isolation ends. As you name each thing, think about the last time you did it and how you felt. You may find that things you took for granted before you now carry a new appreciation in your heart and memory. If you are looking forward to doing something you have never done before, think about the capacity you have to new experiences, and be grateful for that.

Then, when you come into the spaciousness of the end of our isolation, take out your jar and do those things week by week or day by day. Remember what it is was like being isolated, and give special thanks for being out and free again to experience the goodness and wonder of the world.