The year 2020 began like any other year, but March was the beginning of many unpleasant surprises. What are some words you would use to describe the last year of your life?

In 2001 Alan Jackson wrote the song “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Spinning) after September 11, 2001. In what way did your world stop spinning in 2020? (We suggest that you go online and download the words to the song).

What have you learned about yourself as you’ve gone through different storms? Describe a time when you found hope and peace in the midst of chaos. What did you do that brought peace into your life?

In what ways would you like your life to be different in the future?

As you think back on the changes that have occurred in your life do you hover between loss and gain? Complete the exercise on page 8 and share 2 of the words you circled and why you chose them.

Has your thinking pattern changed in the past year? If so, describe how it has shifted.

Do you tend to accept or deny change? Were there any suggestions from the list on How to Survive Change You Didn’t Ask For that you found helpful and were able to implement into your life? Learn the phrase You can do it (#9) in another language and share it.

Complete the change history and answer the questions that follow it. Share something you thought was a loss but looking back now don’t see it the same way. What emotions did the different changes bring into your life?

Touch was an unexpected loss during the COVID shutdown. What does touch mean to you? What was your experience with touch as a child? How did you interact with your parents when you were a child? In what way did they touch you and in what way did you touch them?

Touch can open the gates of grief – what does this phrase mean to you?

What role do animals play in your life? If you could have a new animal, what would it be?

On page 29 there are several examples of how to embrace someone when you are not able to touch them. Share a way you can do this with a family member, friend or child.

Do you struggle with worry or anxiety? Who taught you what you know about worry and anxiety?

How much of a part do anxiety and worry play in your life? How would day-to-day living change if the anxiety and worry your experience were to lessen?

Write out your list of What ifs…?

There are several suggestions on pages 36-39 – Did you try any of these? How did they help? Did you stop becoming anxious or worry as much?

Have you found yourself getting angry or frustrated more since the COVID shutdown? Is there something specific that causes your anger or frustration?

Write out the Scriptures recommended in this chapter (use several different versions). Read them aloud twice a day for the next week. Hearing and seeing the words helps to commit them to memory. Did reading them out loud make a difference?

Do you rehearse your failures? How can you change this practice? Is there something you would like to do differently?

If you are struggling with anger, say the following words out loud and slowly - Slow to anger. Repeat this several times a day.