I can only speak for myself, but the last year has been one of the most challenging years in my life. Usually, a person of great faith, that faith has been shaken.

Almost every conversation I have with people nowadays is rooted in fear. People are worried about the future, uncertain of what the future holds. And rightfully so, there are a lot of unknowns moving forward.

2020/21 has been a very confusing time, and it’s quite natural to be fearful, so how can you increase your faith when you are full of fear?

Well, the first step is to realise that FEAR is the absence of FAITH. Meaning that if you are feeling fearful, you are purposely or unintentionally focusing on more fearful thoughts.

So how can you reverse this?

Take it upon yourself to focus more on faith.

This is not easy, but what has helped me immensely is to connect with nature as often as I can. Although, of course, sometimes the negative thoughts are so strong that you can not shake them off.

When I find that negative thoughts have a firm hold of me, I have learned from experience that you must change up your routine.

So instead of the familiar, go to a new location, walk through a forest or beside the ocean. When surrounded by new places, our minds are forced to take in further information; when we walk on uneven surfaces or hear new sounds, our minds have no choice but to take our awareness into the present moment; otherwise, we may bump into something or trip or fall.

As powerful as the mind is, it can only think of one thought at a time, so if it is torturing you with the same thought over and over, it is time that you change your surroundings. You will not believe the difference that it makes.

What most people do, however, is they keep the same routine, letting the same thoughts replay day after day, not knowing that there is a better way.

Most of us have plenty to worry about, but the more we dwell on our worries, the bigger they grow.

Increasing your faith is about changing your focus; it’s about connecting more with nature and connecting more with God. You can make the shift; you get to choose how you spend your time; you can spend time doing things that build you up or things that tear you down.

Choose today to get close to God and spend time surrounded by his beautiful creation. Spend time with the people that build you up and want the best for you. Do the things that bring you joy and happiness and give you the most pleasure.

Getting through this pandemic is difficult; your mind will default to the negative, and the reason for this is that there is negativity all around us. Therefore, we must take it upon ourselves to feed our minds with information to build us up and help us grow.

The most crucial time to do this is first thing in the morning. It is reported that the first 30-60 minutes set the tone for the day. So play, read, or listen to something that will uplift your spirit and make you feel good.

Change up your routine. If your default is checking emails and notifications, put that off until after breakfast; if it is to tune into the morning news, put on some music instead.

It sounds almost too simple to be effective, but you will not believe the difference that it makes.

You give yourself the chance to experience life without being bombarded with marketing and negative news.

Everyone needs a ray of light in their lives, be a ray of sunshine for someone else this weekend.

Thanks for reading.

God bless you all.