Peace in the Pandemic

What’s up, my ablazing people?! I’m Alexis Hunter, and for this entry, I’m going to talk about finding peace in the pandemic. I bet other people can relate to how much they don’t like quarantine life. We can’t hang out with people like we used to. We have to wear masks everywhere we go (please follow the CDC guidelines so we can all be safe). This isn’t how I imagined 2020 to be. Even though we are living in uncomfortable times, we can still have joy and peace in this. I find drawing to be very peaceful, especially when I draw portraits and flowers. It’s the appreciation of beauty that brings me tranquility. Creating and sharing art has helped me stay hopeful, and at the end of this, I hope you consider what I’m about to present.

If you enjoy drawing like me, go for it! Get a sketchbook, and start creating. If you’re thinking about sharing your works online, keep in mind that you’re doing it for you, not for others. Don’t just do it for the likes; if you are, you’ll be highly disappointed if people aren’t as receptive as you expect them to be. If you’re not having fun or your heart’s not in it, you should not be doing it. For those of you who are not inclined to draw but still appreciate the arts, you can get a coloring book. It’s not only for children but for adults as well, and you don’t have to be artistically talented to partake in this simple, yet engaging activity. The following research will explain how this can help you.

I came across an article called “3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain”. “According to clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, PsyD, it has everything to do with refocusing our attention” (Health Essentials). “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness,” Dr. Bea says. “It’s a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves in the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing” (Health Essentials). The three reasons for how adult coloring can relax your brain are as follows.

Reason 1: Attention flows away from ourselves.

“A simple act, such as coloring, takes your attention away from yourself (and those things that are stressing you out!) and onto the present-moment event” (Health Essentials). This is a form of healthy escapism because it should be reserved for a short period of time each day. When you focus on one simple activity, you allow yourself to stop and recalibrate. It’s very meditative because you would not be thinking about anything else other than completing the picture. If you decide to step away from the stresses of life for a moment, you’ll discover this is what you need to include in your day.

Reason 2: It relaxes the brain.

“The difficulties of life evaporate from your awareness, and both your body and your brain may find this rewarding” (Dr. Bea). This goes hand-in-hand with the first reason. It’s a phenomenon of how coloring is lulling. I always say that you can’t stay mad when coloring. It could be that coloring brings the nostalgia of kindergarten and makes you feel like a kid again with fewer worries. It could also be a newfound escape from your daily duties, as mentioned before. Whatever the case may be, you’ll be craving this moment of relaxation.

Reason 3: Low stakes make it pleasurable.

“It is hard to screw up coloring, and, even if you do, there is no real consequence” (Dr. Bea). You can do whatever you want on the page, whether it’s coloring inside or outside the lines. You can use any color you want, and it won’t be considered wrong. The only limitations present are the ones you impose on yourself. You have nothing to lose when it comes to coloring, and that makes it enjoyable.

I currently don’t have a coloring book, but after doing this research, I should get one. You can find coloring books practically anywhere, and it doesn’t cost much for quality crayons, colored pencils, or markers. I remember using Crayola and Cra-Z-Art crayons and colored pencils as a kid, so I recommend those brands.

If you don’t find enjoyment in sitting down with a good coloring book, there are other things you can do. This is a good time to find a hobby or activity that lowers your stress. There are other things I do besides drawing. I used to go to Zumba classes before all of this happened, but now I occasionally walk around and do Dance Central. I also love playing Scrabble with my mama and Stratego with my sister, Taylore. I got interested in The American Bible Challenge recently on Netflix, so I have fun testing my Biblical knowledge. Do activities to keep your mind, body, and soul active.

These options that I’m giving you are some ways to find peace but aren't the ultimate solutions; they're healthy ways to escape momentarily. I don’t like to use the word distraction because, in my mind, it makes me think that you’re running away from your problems. The only guaranteed solution to having peace and joy in the pandemic is the Way, Jesus. The only way you’re going to get through this is if you have a relationship with Christ and have the Holy Spirit, Who is the Comforter, and will remind you of what Christ says about you and your purpose (John 14:26).

I can personally say that it is not enough to just find things to do to get through the pandemic. I miss hanging out with my friends and hugging my grandparents. I’ve been in the house doing things to keep myself busy like drawing, learning Japanese on Duolingo (I have a 77-day streak), and cooking/baking. I was fine while doing those things, but every now and then, I’d “snap back into reality,” and loneliness and restlessness would set in.

I prayed about why all of this was happening – my loneliness, the pandemic, everything – and I received a revelation. Everything I established at Clemson was taken away for the moment to show me that at the end of the day, all I have is God. God is more than enough. At my lowest, I’m reminded that I am never alone, no matter how I feel. He is living inside me and is with me wherever I go.

I’m not saying that you’ll be happy all the time. Emotions are fleeting, ever-changing, and unstable. The Holy Spirit will give you joy and peace as fruits. You can think of fruit as being the yield or product of having a relationship with Christ. Having God live inside you results with you having love, joy, peace, etc. You can also think of fruit as the offspring from when you invite Christ inside you. When you are impregnated with the Holy Spirit, you will give birth to love, joy, peace, etc.

Joy and peace will come from knowing that God has been good to you through all of this, and you have his unmerited favor (grace). Reading this should be a reminder that you are breathing and you are in your right mind. You have Wi-Fi that other people may not have access to. Your electricity is paid. I can go on and on, but that would take an eternity. The point is, you have something to be thankful for even though things are unideal.

Keep these scriptures in mind as you continue to live through this:

Philippians 4:8 (KJV) – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

John 14:16 (KJV) – And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

John 14:26 (KJV) – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) - Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Like I said before, 2020 has been very unideal, but we also have this amazing opportunity to focus on ourselves. Every distraction has been set aside, and we can discover how to find peace in the most difficult of times. I really hope this has helped you out in some way.

To pair with this post, I have attached 3 downloadable coloring pages at the bottom of the post. They're the pictures of the fox, flower, and hot air balloon that are shown at the top. The first attachment is a PDF, and the other attachment is a zip file with the PNG images. You can color them digitally or print them out and color them traditionally. Please share the finished results on social media and tag me.

I’m open to suggestions, so if you have any comments, reach out to me on Instagram @ablazingarts, Facebook @Alexis Hunter (Alexis the Artist), email ablazingarts@gmail.com, or leave a comment on the site. I can also answer any questions or discuss specific topics in future blog posts. Let’s set the world ablazing!

References

“3 Reasons Adult Coloring Can Actually Relax Your Brain.” Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic, 28 May 2020, health.clevelandclinic.org/3-reasons-adult-coloring-can-actually-relax-brain/.

Coloring Pages.pdf

Download PDF • 430KB

Coloring Pages.zip

Download ZIP • 1.15MB