When less is more (Part 1): Authentic relationships

This Heightened alert is ending in thirteen days. From 22 July to 18 August, it seems that this time round, it is worse and more challenging for some of us. It could probably because of the emotional and mental anticipation of what is next and when it is ending. This does not help as it seemed that we are repeating a cycle of tightening and loosening (there was a phase 2HA, then a phase 3, then back to a phase 2HA). But while we are waiting for news to be announced for the next phase, maybe it is good to pause to process again.

Image by Joseph V M from Pixabay

Again, we were in a situation whereby mass gathering is difficult. We can’t even have more than 5 visitors in the house. I can’t even have my parents and my brother’s family gathered. We can’ t have lunch fellowship as a congregation after church service. We can’t have onsite seminar whereby face to face is preferred. We can’t stay back to ‘jam’ or hang around longer after worship service ends. We cannot do a lot of things that we used to do, especially when it comes to the restriction of the number of people per group.

But there are things that we can do in this period within that constraint. Or perhaps, this is a ‘forced’ period that was given to us to help me build certain discipline or practice. The taking away of certain ‘activities’ of church or our routine which resulted in less now become more. This is when ‘less is actually more’. For example, when we have church lunches (big group), often we engage more in casual conversion starter of “Hi; bye; how are you?; what are you doing?” and quickly exiting the conversation to another person or group. How can we build authentic relationship with such situation? (Don’t get me wrong, big group gathering is important because it facilitates connection and big group dynamics. And I still long for that).

Even in our family gathering, I am not sure whether we hold good and deep conversation with one another or we are at our own corner doing our own things after dinner.

I recall a meme whereby when 5 are allowed in a group, there is always a 6^th person left out. And when 2 are allowed in a group, there is always a 3^rd person left out. Hopefully, I am not the 6^th or 3^rd person respectively. 😊    

So now, given this constraint or a God-given opportunity for us to build certain practice in our lives, when lesser people can gather at one place, and more time/focus can be given to build and encourage one another, deeper and authentic conversation can take place, life can be shared, this is ‘when less is more’.

Thirteen more days before another phase comes. Let’s not be weary or discourage during this period. Ride the wave, make use of the ‘constraint’, and build ourselves with good practices and build others as we can focus more and share life with them.   

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