Pause 4 Thought – 19 June 2020

As I reflect on the last few months, one of the observations I would make is that this period has been full of uncertainties – whilst at the same time feeling strangely monotonous, and certainly tiring. This seems to be true whether one is going out to work, or is working from home, or is furloughed; whether one’s days have complex schedules or none; whether one is living alone or in a house bursting at the seams. We all, children included, can find it hard at times to find the energy to engage with the, rather unusual, lives we are currently leading.

Timely therefore, that the final value/strength we are looking at this term is that of Vitality or Zest. Vitality comes from the Latin ‘vita/vitae’ meaning ‘life’; so we use it to describe being full of life, energy and strength. Another similar word is ‘zest’ – defined as living life with a sense of excitement, anticipation, and energy. Approaching life as an adventure, such that one has “motivation in challenging situations or tasks”. Zest is essentially a concept of courage, and involves acquiring the motivation to complete challenging situations and tasks.

I invited the girls in my assembly to explore the zest of a lemon – tasting it perhaps to discover how it wakes us up/makes our mouths go tingly! When we live with zest, we exude enthusiasm, excitement and energy while approaching tasks in life. Hence, the concept of zest involves performing tasks wholeheartedly, whilst also being adventurous, vivacious and energetic. Zest is a positive trait reflecting a person’s approach to life with anticipation, energy, enthusiasm and excitement.

Inevitably, at times it will be very difficult to live with vitality and zest; any of you who have experience of depression will know how this is characterised by an absence of these feelings. We then need to take action, to seek help perhaps, so that we are able to re-engage with our life force. Living with vitality does not mean that our lives will always be happy or easy; it does mean that we will be able to respond to challenges and difficulties with courage and awareness – of ourselves and of others.

Have a good weekend.

Mrs D-C