In this new Question and Answer I want to ask a general question for a personal answer in which we all have to apply particularly in our own unique ways!
The question is: ‘How can we navigate events that we have planned for but have un-expectantly been changed and how do we handle unexpected events that we haven’t planned or been prepared for?’
On the 6th December 2024 my daughter, having been invited, attended the Together at Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey London, under the inspiration of Katherine the Princess of Wales. In some pre-interviews for the event the Princess shared how at the last Carol Service she instigated in 2023, she had no idea how 2024 would change her health and personal commitments due to her cancer diagnosis.
Thank you Westminster Abbey
At this point I want repost a Blog, from 2018, which I included in my published book Blog 51. It does not matter who we are or what we intend to do or not do, the truth is that unexpected situations do change any diary dates we have planned for! If we are a physical diary person, we should have purchased and started to fill in, at this time of the year, our new diaries for 2025.
However, not everyone has or uses a personal or desk diary. Invitations, events, times and places may be held in our minds, on scrap paper or deposited with those around us for them to remember and remind us of what to do and where to go.
Thank you pixabay.com
Conversely, many of us do use diaries in different forms, from the calendar on the phone or a paper calendar hanging behind the door, to the pocket sized diary or a shared family or work desk diary. Meetings, activities, social arrangements and personal appointments are carefully referenced and constantly looked at so as to make sure we are where we should be on a specific day and time.
In having or not having some form of diary or calendar it may reflect our age, approach to life, responsibilities and preferences. We may choose to be organised or disorganised. We may find that we want to be in control or just go with the natural and daily flow of life with all its demands and opportunities.
You may have heard it is said that if you want to get something done, ask a busy person. A busy person is often in a better frame of mind and activity to organize what is required and be around to offer love and support where required.
A person who is not busy or in demand may find that their natural habit is to put off what is asked of them, they often procrastinate the doing and completing of tasks on their jobs list or in their diary. Life is lived at a chilled pace and can easily pass them by but so often they are very happy and content with that lifestyle.
When using a diary or calendar we look forward to important functions and appointments. However, just because we put an event in our diaries does not guarantee that it will happen or that it will be a success in the way we desire. Change can be very traumatic, especially when we incur redundancy, personal or family health concerns and the loss of loved ones.
The Munich Air Disaster is a point in question. Bobby Charlton, as a 20 year old footballer, spoke over 60 years ago about the hopes of the young. “They could go about their business confident that when the sun rose in the morning, all their ambitions and hopes would still be alive. The young were immortal.” Tragically 23 people were killed in an unexpected plane crash as they returned home from a football match, with only 21 surviving.
A plague in memory of the Munich Air Disaster
Events can also include times for personal friendships, work commitments, economic and environmental changes that may alter what we purpose to happen. In the reality of events dictating to diary dates our ability to reorganise, to accept, to adjust and come to terms with them may be overwhelming or straight forward. Such changes can increase our stress levels and make us feel out of control.
Equally we may find an internal and external strength that brings to us a greater maturity and understanding of what has happened around us. In an instance we can find ourselves moving in opposite directions from peace to turmoil, from order to chaos, from having a bright hope for the future to a feeling of despair and lack of hope.
In our calendars and diaries there will be occasions for personal and collective socialising, times to be still, to come aside from the routine and seek a rest and solace from the demands of that life.
For many years loneliness has been highlighted as a growing concern in the UK and beyond for all ages. In our maturing years when we work less and have more leisure time it can cause us to become more isolated if we don’t have a circle of good friends around us.
When we retain friendships it strengthens us to navigate the business and quietness of life. Also, having a personal faith enables us to anchor in the God of all events, seasons and diary dates. So as we prepare to enter into another New Year may we give thanks for our diaries and calendars that are being filled and may we be able to accommodate the changes that come our way expected or unexpected.
Consider for a moment how you may improve your organisational skills in 2025. What areas of your life are arranged well? Why is that so and what does it say about you at this present time?
What areas of your life do you put off socially, at home or work? Why is that so and what does it say about you at this present time?
Thank you pixabay.com
So enjoy your Diary Dates and trust the God of the expected and un-expected to inspire us afresh and grant us everything that we need to navigate and complete what is before us 2025.
We welcome the New Year – 2025
The joy of living and all that it means
From birth to old age and the exciting teens
So events, diary dates we plan them all
And rearrange them when they change or fall
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
Graham
Explore to Inspire 
Absolutely
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