Reflection

Wow, this year has gone quickly. I hear people say this every year sometime between mid November and early December when they realise that Christmas is just around the corner. For many people this is an anxious and stressful time with so many things to do leading up to Christmas. It is a shame, particularly during what should be a joyful time because, as anyone that has suffered from some sort of anxiety or stress will tell you, it takes most of the enjoyment away.

Research generally indicates that anxiety and stress related disorders are on the rise and have been for a long time, particularly in children. We often think about what has been and what is to come. It is simply human nature and, in many cases, can be very helpful. It is good to look back and reflect on what has been. It can allow us to carefully consider the positives and negatives and then make changes accordingly. To look forward in a positive sense is also extremely helpful. We can attempt to prepare for what is to come and make sensible decisions. However, this all becomes less helpful when these reflections and future considerations lead us into a negative space. When constant thought of the various permutations of our future and the mistakes of our past overwhelms our mind that is when anxiety and stress and subsequently our fight/freeze/flee response kicks in.

The below passage from Matthew's Gospel has something to offer us in this space.

Matthew 6:26-34 (NRSV)

26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

In today's context, we have much more to worry about than just food or clothing, but the sentiment of this passage holds true. Not one moment of worry, stress, or anxiety will change the outcome of what is to take place or what has already happened. But how do we stop ourselves from falling into the trap of worrying? What advice would we want our children to follow to alleviate their anxiety and stress? The final verse of the passage from Matthew gives us an indication. Live in the now. Do what you can now. Procrastinating over your worries prolongs the worry, so, don’t procrastinate. Develop a plan, visualise your plan working, and put the plan into action. Ask for help from family, from friends, and importantly, from God. Find joy in the small things. See mistakes as an opportunity for growth. Stay positive.

At St Patrick’s we aim for our students to develop the tools to maintain a positive mindset that will allow them to better navigate stress and anxiety now and into the future.

Kurt Atkins 

Acting Principal