We are in challenging times. But we have been gifted with Easter week—focus on the beauty it brings. Spring is a time of growth, rebirth, and RENEWAL. In Christianity, the Easter holiday represents the highest form of rebirth.
GRATITUDE
Count your blessings—you’ve heard it before. Tough times should heighten our GRATEFULNESS. What are we appreciative of as we go through this uncertain period? We have extra time with family, the occasion to cook meals, additional hours for thinking, and planning. All of these are gifts. We are GRATEFUL for family and friends, food to eat, and for our abilities and minds. Maybe we’ve taken these things for granted. We’ve quickly been jolted back to what is of importance in our lives. Be GRATEFUL for another day to inhale these simplest of things.
During these difficult times, this Easter week, we are focusing on the inspiration and encouragement the season brings.
FAMILY
Has your focus on FAMILY changed over the last month? Maybe it’s not just because we are isolated inside our homes together. In stressful or difficult times, we often turn to our FAMILY. They are our sounding boards and support systems. Now we have this time to mend, improve, or strengthen those relationships. We have been given this gift of quality time—a little sunshine behind the cloud. And we have several groups with whom to bond and grow: church FAMILY, work FAMILY, and our FAMILY of friends.
Behind every cloud there may be a silver lining. But the gold is in the FAMILY who helped you see through the cloud.
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Check out these other blog posts:
- Reducing Stress During Stressful Times
- Tips For Working From Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Count Your Blessings – Gratitude
- Dealing with your Children on Extended Break
- Take Advantage of the Family Time
During these difficult times, this Easter week, we are focusing on the inspiration and encouragement the season brings.
Resilience
We keep hearing the word RESILIENCE. It’s a strong word, but we don’t often step back to realize we illustrate RESILIENCE daily: raising our children, putting food on the table, and putting roofs over our heads. Spring reminds us of RESILIENCE from the cold winter to rebirth–fresh grass, blooming flowers, and budding trees. Shut down the technology for a bit and take in the newness of this season. RESILIENCE is within you and all around you.
During these difficult times, this Easter week, we are focusing on the inspiration and encouragement the season brings.
GROWTH
Presently, in our economic and corporate environments, GROWTH and abundance have come to a screeching halt. We’ve experienced a stunning wake-up call to what our GROWTH priorities are. It is times like these that we see extraordinary acts of kindness GROW out of true compassion and love. Like the budding greenery of spring, we become gentler, kinder, and softer. We have been given this chance to thrive and mature through illustrating generosity, gratefulness and humility. How have your priorities changed?
During these difficult times, this Easter week, we are focusing on the inspiration and encouragement the season brings.
Renewal
We are in challenging times. But we have been gifted with Easter week—focus on the beauty it brings. Spring is a time of growth, rebirth, and RENEWAL. In Christianity, the Easter holiday represents the highest form of rebirth.
We are blessed with the warmer sunshine, RENEWING our spirit, and uplifting our mood. We shed the cocoon of heavy clothing, transforming us like a butterfly. Almost overnight, we realize the pop of color and sweet fragrance of Dogwood trees and Azaleas.
In these changing times, all of these signs of RENEWAL have not changed. They are reminders that we also will restore. Gratefully take time to observe the reminders. And use this slower, quiet time to RENEW and strengthen family bonds.
There’s a saying that goes: Families who play together, stay together. If there is one thing we have plenty of—due to the coronavirus outbreak—is time spent indoors. Every moment spent with family helps build stronger relationships. This bonding time builds confidence, teaches children about positive interactions, and creates wonderful memories that last a lifetime.
Here are a few ways to use the extended family time during the COVID-19 disruption to improve your relationship with your children:
Put down your phone and step away from the computer – those pesky emails will still be there in an hour after you build a living-room fort or a castle with your children.
Participate in meaningful activities together – this way, children learn how to be part of a team, working toward a common goal.
Create a safe and supportive environment – create a non-judgmental setting where children will gain self-confidence. Instead of being critical or micro-managing, let them find solutions on their own, and let them make mistakes. Only offer help when they ask for it, so they develop problem-solving skills.
Catch up with your children and get to know them better – Engage in open conversations with your children and offer a positive response. Help your children remember why they like you! Here’s a list of fun questions to get them going: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/questions-every-parent-should-ask-their-kid/
Help your children be better persons – instill a sense of empathy in your children. Try to involve them in helping an elderly neighbor in the yard or encourage them to use some of their savings from the money jar to donate.
One of the indirect benefits of using this opportunity to spend time with your children is that it improves your parenting skills. Becoming a parent doesn’t come with instructions. Often, it is a discovery process. As a parent, there is no better chance for a positive transformation and to create lifelong memories.
As people practice social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, many will find themselves in the position of working remotely from home. But this presents new challenges for both managers and members of work teams. Follow these guidelines for a less stressful process that generate normal levels of productivity when working from home.
Don’t work from the couch – Create a work-leisure boundary. Your couch is not your office. You can focus better if you define a clear work space.
Create a work routine – Set up a clearly defined time to work in the morning and afternoon, with enough time for breaks. Try to keep the same hours until they become a routine.
Include physical activity – Work is important, but so is the physical activity both for your body and for the mind.
Avoid extreme isolation – Do not increase the loneliness factor beyond a normal level during the pandemic. Some people find after companionship at the office working from home can lead to loneliness issues. Consider outdoor activities while following the social distancing guidelines.
Over-communicate – Compensate for the lack of body language you would typically exhibit during face-to-face interaction with colleagues. It’s better to over communicate through things such as video conferencing, phone calls and email correspondence.
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Read our previous post on how to handle stress: Reducing Stress During Stressful Times
Here are additional resources on how to
- CDC Official guidelines: https://www.coronavirus.gov/
- Google resources: google.com/covid19
Typical, somewhat predictable, days are stressful. But the magnitude and speed of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak have many of us reeling with worry and anxiety. Fear of the unknown is worse than the known.
Whether you are a home-based businessperson, teleworking from your couch, or a parent slammed with schooling your children, there are ways to help reduce the stress.
If your environment permits, get outside and let the sunlight boost your mood. Or open a window and breathe in the fresh air to change your mindset.
Exercise of any type raises endorphins, increases energy—both leading to less stress and a better frame of mind.
Turn off your phone for specific periods throughout the day. The same goes for turning off the barrage of COVID-19 news and emails. You need quiet time.
Take periodic breaks! Do something that relaxes you—bake, meditate, stretch.
Keep a journal of gratitude, which will help you focus on the positives in your life. Even if you don’t journal every day, occasionally go back and review what you’ve written to remind yourself and reinforce your affirmations.
Connect with your strongest support systems. FaceTime your friends and extended family members.
Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, remain on a schedule, and get plenty of sleep.
Ask for help if you need it. Don’t feel like you have to go it alone if your stress starts interfering with your daily tasks and life. Contact your physician.
Easter is a holiday full of both religious and Hallmark celebrations, enhanced by the beautiful spring weather we so fondly welcome. Early spring is one of the best times to book your vacation to North Myrtle Beach, and what better experience than to celebrate Easter while you’re here? Whether you attend an inspirational Easter service at the ocean, participate in one of our community Easter egg hunts, or enjoy a delicious Sunday soul brunch, your Easter in North Myrtle Beach will undoubtedly be one to remember.
Check out the family-friendly events and activities below:
Easter EGGstravaganza at LuLu’s
https://lulubuffett.com
4954 Hwy 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Easter Sunday, 11 a.m.
Start a new family tradition this year by visiting the Annual Easter EGGstravaganza at LuLu’s at Barefoot Landing. Beginning at 11 a.m., experience loads of family fun including photos with the Easter Bunny, arts & crafts, face painting, and, of course – an Easter egg hunt.
McLean Park Easter Egg Hunt
https://parks.nmb.us/festivalsevents/
93 Oak Dr., North Myrtle Beach
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.
This free event is another fun opportunity to bring the children to visit with the Easter Bunny and make out like bandits with candy. Enjoy the beautiful spring weather at one of North Myrtle Beach’s most popular parks.
Barefoot Bunny Hop
https://www.bflanding.com/page/barefoot-bunny-hop
Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach
Saturday, April 4
Barefoot Landing is home to some of the most exciting Easter children’s events on the Grand Strand. In addition to the EGGstravaganza at LuLu’s on Easter Sunday, you also can find the Easter Bunny at Dockside Village on April 4. There’s a spectacular DJ dance party, entertainment, including stilt walkers, face painting, and the much-anticipated Easter Egg Hunt.
Gospel Brunch at House of Blues
https://www.houseofblues.com/myrtlebeach/GospelBrunch
4640 Hwy 17 S., North Myrtle Beach
Easter Sunday, 9 a.m.
Each Sunday, the House of Blues hosts a brunch with soul food and live gospel music. On Easter Sunday it is an annual celebration of the risen King. The House provides a huge buffet with breakfast foods and Southern favorites, carving stations, and desserts. Reservations are recommended.
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Aside from the various activities and events going on surrounding the Easter holiday, the most essential part of the celebration can be observed in a church or worship hall to honor the resurrection of Jesus. Below are some options for Easter Sunday services across North Myrtle Beach.
Barefoot Church
https://barefootchurch.com/
701 Main St., North Myrtle Beach
Easter Sunday, 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Easter Sunrise Beach Baptisms: 6:45 a.m., beach front at the end of Main Street
Baptisms are certainly a sight and experience to behold, and Barefoot Church takes Easter celebration one step further each year by holding baptisms on the beach at sunrise. Four Easter services also are held throughout the day at the church on Main Street.
Sunrise Service – King of Glory Lutheran Church
http://www.koglutheran.com/
805 11th Ave. N., North Myrtle Beach
Easter Sunday, 6:30 a.m. Additional services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
In celebration of the rising of the Son, join the members of King of Glory Lutheran Church bright and early on Easter Sunday. If you’re unable to attend the Sunrise service, regular sermon times will be held as usual.
Sunday Masses – Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church
https://olssnmb.com/
Easter Sunday Masses: 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m.
Spanish Masses: 8:10 a.m. and 10:10 a.m.
1100 8th Ave. N., North Myrtle Beach
Easter Season in Catholicism is celebrated by way of spiritual immersion: challenging the body and minds of each person through 40 days of prayer, fasting, and observing Lent. This Easter Sunday, OLSS Catholic Church invites you to participate in its mass services to close out the Easter season.
Holy Eucharist Services – St. Stephens Episcopal Church
https://www.ststephensnmb.com/
Easter Sunday, 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
801 11th Ave. N., North Myrtle Beach
As part of Holy Week celebrated by the Episcopal Church, Eucharist services are held on Sunday. Throughout the week leading up to Easter, the church also holds Liturgy of the Palms, Stations of the Cross, and Prayer Vigils.
Oceanfront Service – Trinity United Methodist Church
https://trinitynmb.com/welcome
Easter Sunday, 6:30 a.m.
17th Ave. S., North Myrtle Beach
Imagine hearing God’s word while resting upon His most peaceful creation, where the water meets the sand. Each Easter, Trinity United holds a breath-taking beach service for those who want to rise with the sun and celebrate the risen Savior. You’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs and flowers for the service.
Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church
https://www.oceandrivechurch.org/
410 6th Ave. S., North Myrtle Beach
Easter Sunday, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
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