We're in this together
remembering what really matters...
"Gratitude doesn’t deny the mess we are in, but it does offer a different way of being with our problems because it understands that life is a gift to be treasured. It says thank you for big things, such as someone saving your life, as well as small ones, such as someone holding a door open for you. We can express gratitude for anything that brings a smile to our faces and cheerfulness to our hearts. It’s what gets poured into the glass to make it half full. It’s counting our blessings, not only our problems.”
There is no denying that the world around us is on edge right now. With days to go before this election, anxiety has become the normal human response.
Anxiety should never become normalized.
Due to the technology that surrounds us on a daily basis, we find ourselves between two worlds - watching the news, seeking answers about the latest polls and then shifting to trying to enjoy our favorite television shows or sporting events, while being bombarded by political ads. It seems that no matter what we do, we can't seem to get away from it.
And life is not supposed to be about getting away from something. It’s supposed to be about enjoyment, compassion, spending time with those we love, without being pummeled with negative messages.
What can we do to avoid becoming overwhelmed? Perhaps we need to escape but in a healthy way. Here is a list of what I will purposely work on during the next few weeks (I recommend doing these without any screens, including your smartphone):
Embrace nature - open the windows to let in cool, crisp air each day.
Host a family or close friends night for board games.
Spend time each day meditating or praying.
Listen to your favorite music.
Read and immerse yourself in your favorite books.
Watch a funny movie or a stand-up comedian - and laugh!
Bake some cookies or treats for a neighbor, friend or family member.
Make a list of 10 things you love about your life right now.
Fill your bird feeders with sunflower and safflower seeds to keep the birds around for the season.
Choose one self-care activity to commit to every single day.
Designate a time each day to sit in silence and just be. You are allowed to simply enjoy the stillness.
Exercise - go for a bike ride, go on a long walk, visit the gym…(the release of endorphins through exercise is a proven stress-reliever.)
Spend quality time with your pet.
Visit a museum, library or bookstore.
Take a hot shower or long, hot bubble bath.
Get a massage.
Give hugs to those you love and let them know why you love them.
Volunteer - there are many organizations looking for help.
Do something with your hands: draw, paint, do crafts, knit, work on puzzles…
Write in your journal, write a letter or send a card .
Call someone you haven’t talked with in awhile.
This is just a small list of suggestions. The key for me when emotions become intense is to stop, get grounded and refocus on something I enjoy instead.
It is also so important to remember that no matter what happens, we are all in this together. Hope continues, along with the concept of “stubborn gladness” - the idea that despite the darkness that seems to surround us at times, we can and should choose to see the light and focus on and embrace that, as much as possible.
Remaining stubborn in our quest to never give up on that gladness keeps life joyful and positive, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Optimism, for me, doesn’t come naturally. It is something I must work on each and every day…
Perhaps, most importantly, we should choose to be the light…be the good that we want to see in this world. If we all tried to do that, the results would be amazing.
What do you think?
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Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile video…
In our increasingly outraged America, even the lowly leaf is subject to controversy, with folks upset about the raking and the bagging and mad about the blowing and the scooping. But there is at least one place left in America where pure autumn joy can still be found. Steve Hartman goes "On the Road" to Freeport, Maine, where a family's dogs are over the moon to simply be jumping in piles of leaves.
#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove
What I am reading…
This week I read a beautiful book entitled Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs and Communications of the Dying by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelly.
I want to thank my friend Kathy for suggesting this book for me to read. Our church is focusing on supporting people with mental health concerns, including dealing with grief and this book is an excellent resource. It also puts life in perspective, in a very good way.
The Amazon description is as follows, “In this moving and compassionate classic—now updated with new material from the authors—hospice nurses Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life, drawn from more than twenty years’ experience tending the terminally ill.
Through their stories we come to appreciate the near-miraculous ways in which the dying communicate their needs, reveal their feelings, and even choreograph their own final moments; we also discover the gifts—of wisdom, faith, and love—that the dying leave for the living to share.
Filled with practical advice on responding to the requests of the dying and helping them prepare emotionally and spiritually for death, Final Gifts shows how we can help the dying person live fully to the very end.”
Letter To A Person On Their First Day Here
It's hard being a person sometimes. Kid President offers up some advice on how to be a person - an awesome person. He's gathering a list of all the things #thekidsneedtoknow. Help him add to it! Share this video with someone you love and let's give the world more reasons to dance!
What I am watching this week…
If you enjoy cooking I think you will love Cook’s Country on PBS. This cooking show is in its eleventh season and features family recipes from around the country. It also reviews cooking products and tests a variety of recipes.
I love watching cooking shows because I find them relaxing and they inspire me to try new things.
Interesting thoughts…
As I was pulling into work, I was following this car. The sign in the back window says, “Learning stick, sorry for any delay.”
Knowing this information, I was very patient with their slow shifting, and honestly they were doing pretty well for still learning. Then I asked myself a tough question: Would I have been just as patient if the sign hadn’t been there? I can almost definitely say no.
We don’t know what someone is going through. We don’t wear signs that illustrate our personal struggles. You don’t see signs taped to people’s shirts that say, “Going through a divorce”, or “Lost a child”, or “Feeling depressed”, or “Diagnosed with cancer”.
If we could read visually what those around us are going through we would definitely be nicer. But we shouldn’t have to see signs and have reasons to treat strangers with kindness. We should do it anyway, whether we know what is going on or not. Whether they deserve it or not.
Let’s give everyone an extra dose of patience, kindness, and love.
Credit - Carri Solomon (Moments of Kindness Facebook page)
Mind/Body connections…
This 26 minute Yoga With Adriene break is designed to help you shift your gears and re-direct energy to serve! Recharge your batteries and use this grounding practice to align or realign with what feels good.
Comedy Lift…
I love to share funny cartoons or memes with friends and family. Who doesn’t need to smile? Here’s this week’s Comedy Lift…
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. Here’s Journey’s song Don’t Stop Believing...Enjoy!
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….