One More

 Yes, one more!  One more what? Another horrible trauma, be it by shooting or brutality, white or black, it doesn't matter, the news just never seems to stop. Now Tyre Nichols's breaking news and the anticipated release of his assault by five black police officers in Memphis. First of all I can not imagine a mom, family or friends going through a situation like this personally. This is just a single event today, not mentioning others!

The crux of it, however, is we ALL are going through it every time we turn on the TV or electronic device. I personally turn away in horror, change the channel and shudder.  And then wonder what can be done personally and collectively. 

Yes, our daily lives are affected without a doubt.  I recall times when comments have been made that violence on tv shows, the shoot 'em up westerns, the cop shows, the other types of programs that are too common on tv...it invades our psyche. This comment only focused on tv programs. What about national and world news?!

Consider the opposite of shows and news: maybe a personal challenge to turning to a music channel, learning tai chi or yoga, meditation or exercise. Engaging in peaceful, relaxing outlets certainly has a meaningful ripple effect in ourselves, family and community. 

Wouldn't that be great?  Knowing that we can go into our day in a calm way, peaceful from the inside out that can change the world, one by one would be remarkable. 

Who needs to be churned up to the extent that happens with each day's news cast?  We can at least change our own reaction by turning it off, turning away and taking better care of ourselves. Wonder what our world would look like if that actually happened! 

Smokey

Ponder

A friend of mine called the other day sharing some things about her mom, now in rehab and really needing assisted living after that.  Her mom and she both thought it might be helpful if I visited, especially with my background as a spiritual director, hospital chaplain and now having taken care of my husband who had been in a nursing home.

 All sorts of thoughts went through my mind, of course, they were not all positive, which I hesitate to admit to you because then I fall right off a pedestal I might have been on with you, my dear readers!! So, yesterday I visited, and to my amazement as I was walking out, I thanked God that I did some good for someone. She was much lighter in spirit, too!

Her mom was very open, receptive and before I left she reflected and said, "I need to ponder some things."  I, too, was grateful for my religious upbringing, remember what Jesus's mother Mary said regarding "pondering many things" in her heart. 

How often do each of us need to "ponder many things" but  sometimes we don't  come to know what those things are by ourselves. This is where spiritual direction has been a boon to my own life, and others, just to have space to talk, be heard specifically by a trained person, and yet know whatever is shared is confidential.  

This is a new year, a new season and perhaps you might consider it for yourself or refer a friend or acquaintance.   Spiritual direction is not about religion, but about our spirit and finding that deeper meaning in life, our connection with the divine or holy in life; that is much, much broader than any religion or faith, that we each have no matter what.  So, for each of us, consider "pondering all these things" in our heart!   

Courtesy of Pixabay

HELP!

 HELP!  Have you ever wondered what good it would do to cry "help", wondering if your pleas will even go into the universe, let alone land on any ears that might hear it and offer help?  Well, if so, you're not alone. 

I am blessed to have my husband's wonderful workshop out back to putter in.  Let alone the fact that it needs a good vacuuming and moving some heavy tools around, I can envision having a small TV out there while I spend some time. 

Sure, easier said than done!  So out goes the TV; that was easy to carry out. Well, in the meantime I opened a cabinet full of glass jars as I searched for a screw, since the staple project on a small stool didn't work out.  Crash, the jar fell out, not only a broken glass all over but a bazillian washers that were inside!  

That's all swept into a pile now, waiting for the mood to strike to sort dirt, glass and washers!  No big deal; "I can turn on the TV while I clean it up", so I thought!  Sure, until the signal said, "NO WIFI!!"  

I gave up the ghost, locked the door and came inside..."one of those days!"  This a.m. while having coffee with a friend I asked if she'd like to hear how my day went yesterday!!!  Well, she pointed me in a direction, I went to that store, the owner pointed me to Office Max, I found what I needed and the clerk even pointed out a sale item to replace a more expensive one I had in my hand!  My day continued in this vein. 

Today, it was entirely different...everything went right...everything!  Well, we'll see.  I need to read directions for the WIFI booster before I try the TV again but my thoughts come to me, "maybe the universe, or God, is just waiting for us to say, "help" and then the right resource will appear.  That's how it seemed today!  So when life crashes glass jars on your floor, go have coffee with a friend!

Courtesy of Pixabay