During times of difficulty, whether being personal or societal, I think turning to Three Cs of Coping are something that we find ourselves doing. I know that I certainly do. What are the Three Cs of Coping? Well it’s something I think of as comfort, creation and community. Many folks may already be doing a special practice for Lent, but I am also trying to make sure to incorporate some of the Three Cs of Coping into my daily schedule.
Comfort. Whether it’s watching a favorite show with the boys, (I can never resist watching It’s the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown or The Brady Bunch) or listening to music (for me everything HAIM to Dolly Parton, the Beatles, Edith Piaf, Taylor Swift and Rachmaninoff and whole bunch of artists in between) engaging in activities that can soothe your spirit by giving comfort is important. I have playlists on Youtube and Spotify that I know will lift my spirits when I’m in distress. Try thinking of that for yourself, can you curate a playlist or even make a list of some things- music, videos, books, articles that you turn to when you need a quick moment of comfort? It always helps me to have these things mapped out in advance of a stressful moment, so that you will find yourself able to immediately slip on the cozy mantle of comfort and dial back the effects of the burden when things get to be too much.
Creation. It’s no secret that I love writing and performing. I also love graphic design, choosing costumes and music for performances. I make playlists for my family and friends and decorating for holidays is a must even if other demands don’t allow much in the way of time or budget. (Our Easter wreaths and Easter tree have been up for a week already!) Mitch and I are enjoying working on a short dramatic presentation for Palm Sunday. Humans are made to be creative because we are made in the image of the ultimate creator, God. What do you like to be creative with? Whether it’s cooking, art, singing, gardening or even the creative way that you solve dilemmas like how to fit everything in your schedule or fix an item that needs to be repaired, take the moment when you create something to revel in it. Celebrate what you created or fixed, allow yourself to feel the goodness of creating. Think of something special that you’d like to create during Lent or even challenge yourself to find something that you create or make better each day.
Community. The destructive forces of oppression and depression will try to make you feel like you are alone in the world and that it’s better to give up, but they are wrong. Our church, county, state, country and world contain people who care about you and care about the things that matter to you and want to make a better world. Oppressors know that keeping folks isolated keeps them quiet, small and bewildered. That means when we come together to raise our voices in prayer, song or learning we are taking a step to stand up and fight. There are also few forces in the world that can lift your spirits quicker than getting a smile, an encouraging word or compliment or sharing a laugh. We are all caring so much during this tumultuous time that taking the opportunity to affirm the joy that we all wish for others is a way that we keep fighting together for that better world. Rest is an important part of resistance and while I admit that I’m definitely having to be creative with power naps in this season, rest doesn’t always mean sleep. Rest can also just be putting your burdens down and choosing to laugh with a friend, to watch a goofy show with your kids, sing in your car on the way to work or make a playlist that causes you to dance in the privacy of your kitchen. I hope that my Three Cs of Coping will help you in finding rest.
As we carry on in the difficult season that we find ourselves in as a world, may we remember to find ways to rest, even if just for a moment as we need each day. For surely as we want to journey with Christ during this season of his suffering, let us remember that God brought him through the Lenten season by finding some moments of comfort in meals with friends and creating images to point us toward the better and God will continue to lead us through our journey too.
Keep the faith and keep the singing and laughing too!
Kari Kitts Macdonald
Communications Director