Article for March 29 Bulletin

Who Moved my Cheese? The Coronavirus Edition

     I really did not know what I was going to write about in my bulletin article for this week.  I was talking to Ann Johnston, our parish secretary and bookkeeper, about this and about how so much has changed in the past couple of weeks. 

     It made me think of the title of a book from 1998 called, “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson.  Now I admit, I never actually read the book, but I heard a lot about it when it first came out.  The book is written in the style of a modern day fable and tries to teach us how to deal with change in our work and other areas in your life.  Two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two “Littlepeople” named Hem and Haw (as in what people do when they are indecisive) live in a maze and search each day for cheese.  Both groups eventually find a cheese filled corridor that they come back to daily for food.  Eventually the cheese runs out.  While the mice take this in stride and simply go off to find other cheese in the maze, the human freak out over the fact that somebody moved their cheese.  Hem and Haw are angry about this change that is forced upon them, but also fearful of the unknown and having to venture into other parts of the maze.  Over time they learn to get past their fear and anger and start learning important lessons about dealing with change. 

     I would say that not only has our cheese been moved lately with all that has happened, but I think they have moved some of the walls of the maze as well.  Even parts of our lives that we thought we understood and had a handle on have been changed.  I write this, not to start some sort of venting or complaining session.  Rather, I think we can learn some helpful lessons from the book.  Changes happen; our cheese is going to move from time to time.  Things have changed already and they may change more.  Certainly when change happens there is going to be a period of grief and mourning over the change.  But eventually we will have to change with those changes.  One of the main points of the book is that we need to move with the cheese.  The book also encourages us, the quicker we change, the quicker we can let go of the old cheese and start enjoying the new cheese.  Change is going to happen, but we do not have to let it keep us down.

     To add a Christian element to this allegory; Christ is the constant; He never changes.  Sometimes He allows our cheese to be moved for one reason or another, but if we allow Him, He will guide us through the maze to find the new cheese.  Continue to trust in Christ. He is with us.

Comments

  • Jacky HughesPosted on 3/27/20

    I agree with Michelle. I’ll have to find that book.

  • HolliePosted on 3/25/20

    I read this book and it works good for your message. We get stuck and confused and need to depend on Christ to guide us and take control with complete surrender. Thank you.

  • Michelle HackerPosted on 3/24/20

    Fr. Joe, this is great! I love the simplicity of the story and yet the depth that it provides. I pray that the Lord continues to guide me through this crazy maze of life right now. It will truly be a time of living in the present moment one "turn at a time" through the maze. Thanks again. Keep inspiring us. We greatly appreciate it.

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