Friday night, March 25, 2022 at 11:59 pm, the mask mandate was dropped in Hawaii. My first stop this morning was a restaurant we frequent. The waitresses were all in a great mood and so happy to be free of their masks. There were smiles all around and I was so happy to see that. It felt good. It felt freeing.

Later in the day, we went into Lihue. Costco was full of tourists and locals and masks were about half and half. I was told it was optional. As I ponder all of this, I am wondering how it will all play out. Will some of us wear masks forever, or are we just a little shy after two years and needing to ease our way back to normal? Time will tell what normal is. I anticipate it will be different for everyone.

I am grateful the mask mandate is over. However, I have more important questions to ask of myself. Have I changed over these last two years? Am I stronger in my faith? Am I healthier in my spirit? Am I kinder, more patient, more loving? Am I more appreciative of life and my health? Do I feel safe in the world?

I will start by saying, yes, I feel that I have changed. I feel that I’ve been forced to test my resilience and adaptability and have come out with an A+. I am proud of our Center and its members. We’ve made it through these two years and have more than survived. We’ve been so creative and so supportive. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve proven that we are here to stay. The face of the Center has changed, but its Love remains strong.

I feel my faith is stronger. I still believe in good prevailing. Even when I tested positive for COVID19, although I had a few moments, my overall feelings about my health were positive. My spirit and belief in the Principles of Science of Mind carried me through to the other side. I remain steadfast in the knowing that health is who we are.

Am I kinder and more patient? This is an area I work on every day. I want to make sure I respect everyone for where they are in consciousness. I must clean my inner world of judgment and control. This will be a test for all of us. Can we be okay with something as simple as the difference between those of us who choose to keep wearing our masks and those of us who choose to take them off? This is just a small thing, but it could make a big difference in our ability to get along and keep peace in our community. During the pandemic, this was a trial of patience and kindness for many of us.

Do I feel safe in the world? I do not have a choice but to feel safe. I say that because if I say I trust the Power of Infinite Intelligence that moves through me right now and always, it would be spiritually logical to feel safe. I rely on being guarded, guided and protected no matter my challenge.

A new consciousness has been emerging during the past two years. There is an acceleration. Science is moving forward quickly and proving the Principles the mystics have always known and understood. People are prioritizing their lives differently. Self-care is becoming more important. Community is more important than ever.

If someone were to ask me if COVID19 has made a difference in our world. I would say “yes.” Yes, there will be some of us who go back to business as usual, but I believe that we savor life more. I believe we savor each other and our relationships more. Even the war in Ukraine and Russia is bringing out our best. I don’t know how this war will end, but I stay in a consciousness of peace. I know we feel our connection to the crisis. It is not far off in some place. It is here, and we long to help in anyway we can.

We have changed. That is what I choose to believe. I choose to look for the helpers. I choose to elevate my own consciousness so that I can be one of those helpers. I choose to make sure I never forget these last two years and the impact they have had on my life, the life of my family and friends, the life of our Center. I am grateful for the awakening that has taken place. If you think you are not experiencing this awakening, you might want to look again. The world has changed. The old consciousness is moving out and away. We have a great opportunity right now to stay on the side of good and give our all to it.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Spiritual Director, CSL Kauai, Spiritual Coach