Happy Wednesday, TSJ Friends,
Boy does Solomon have lots of work on his hands these days for all of us.
Do you ever shake your head or even cry out, “Does life have to be this hard? Seriously?!!…..”
Well, the answer may be “yes” (because it really is hard) or it may be … “it all depends” (because there may be personal challenges of attitude or misperception ). Or it may be both.
At some point for all of us, life is quite simply challenging and we often feel stuck.
Read novels, old memoirs or even the scripture stories and it is clear life has always been hard. People are people.
But life isn’t tough just because of passion and persecution, or other traumas like death, divorce, or diseases.
Truthfully, life gets no easier with increasing demands of always “being on” with technology. This includes things like making what once were “simple phone” calls for services when you did not have to figure out which button to push for help and end up “on hold” listening to music, ads and recordings while waiting for the right connection.
These days, digital communication is so very fast one mistake can have far reaching results if we accidentally send a text or email to the wrong person. Pressures are subtle and numerous in our lives.
Another major difference is the increase of information and choices we have. What foods are healthy to eat or not eat? What medicines are safe or not? What treatment options should we get and where? Which exercise is best? What investments are best? Which insurance should we buy? What career or business should I pursue? The list goes on.
Today, I have spent catching up on emails, unread articles, and been distracted by unbelievable amounts of good information. And at the end of this blog you will find out one thing I ordered as a result.
Also, sometimes it isn’t because of any major life trauma that makes us feel “off.” Sometimes there is simply no apparently obvious reason to feel yucky. Just like waking up on a windy morning when your car gets blown almost off the road, we often experience gusts of surprises that get us off balance. We certainly don’t know where the wind comes from or where it goes. Jesus reminded folks of that. But we feel it just the same.
Emotions often battle and rage within and they range widely at any given moment moving from peace and calm to angst and chaos. They range from joy to sadness, from high energy to fatigue. They range from trust and contentment to jealousy and envy. They range from hope to despair. And they range from creativity to paralysis, and from faith to fear. And visa versa.
Yes, this all can happen with little explanation or anticipation.
We often feel like victims of our emotions. In fact, without insight, self awareness and helpful strategies we often do become victimized by our feelings. We can easily stay trapped in a not-so-pleasant feeling state that gets reinforced by everything we think- if left unchecked.
Solomon reminds us that what we don’t realize is how profoundly the way we think affects the way we feel.
So, once again, I am want to share with you a few re-discoveries and reminders of my own that I must use, especially when I feel poorly for no real good reason.
They are simple, yet replenishing.
First, when feeling discouraged it is easy to become self preoccupied.
For those times I have five practical and successful strategies that are filled with the power to change (or cope with) most anything….
~I remember the picture at the top of this blog. I know it is a repeat for you too… but it is so significant I am likely to post it again from time to time. Remember to be thankful creates the rainbow for our soul. It chases away the clouds.
~Doing something…anything at all…. from praying to whatever, for someone else. It changes your focus and chases away the clouds of your thinking. It too creates a rainbow of hope.
~Take an inventory of how your body feels. What have you eaten (or not)? How much have you been in nature breathing in fresh air and expanding your lungs and sense of well being? It helps put things in perspective when you realize how grand the universe is!
~Call a good friend. Feel the love.
~Finally- get more sleep. That means even if you must steal a few moments to nap in your car (except when driving). Sleep deprivation is something America is suffering from intensely due to a host of reasons – so be honest about how much sleep you are getting.
I have just ordered a book by Arianna Huffington (of Huffington Post fame) called The Sleep Revolution. I have heard her interviewed about this book and am excited to get it. As a leading executive and author, she knows about what it is like to be in demand. And she has done some great research.
Solomon is smiling because sometimes the wisest things are the simplest and he constantly reminds me to share with you what is simple and effective, even if not impressive and award winning!
The best solution for our planet of all, however, is to open our minds and hearts to receive Divine Love. It is our best medicine and cures many of our dis-eases.
With love,
Margie and Solomon and SJ (Solomon Junior, who asks the questions).
