The Uncertainty of Life

A new post will be published each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

         This week has found Americans living in uncertainty as Washington debates our national debt and how best to handle the state of our economy.  As a people we are, by turns, disgusted, anxious, fearful and frustrated, holding our collective breath to see what will happen next.
         But government wrangling is only part of our stress.  Add to it natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars, and personal concerns, and it would be easy to conclude that the world has gone mad.  I suppose that, in many respects, pessimism may seem justified.   I'm no expert on political and financial matters, and I'm not a therapist, but I think I can be pretty sure where negative thinking will get us, and it isn't a desired destination.       

         I've asked myself, especially in light of what's happening in the United States at the moment, "What can I do to minimize my stress over our government's finances?"  Personally, I've found it helpful to be involved by studying the issues and contacting my representatives to let them know how I feel.  I have signed petitions and engaged in discussions.  Will it do any good?  I hope that my voice, mingled with many thousands of others, will be heard and that our leaders will choose to represent the people of this great nation, and not their own political interests.

         I've learned in my six decades that taking an active and interested role in life gives us a greater sense of control and empowerment, while sitting on the sidelines complaining can begin a downward spiral to feelings of depression and defeat.  I am grateful for the intellect God has given His children. I am grateful for the many times when I could get up, move my body and my mind and get involved to change my circumstances.
         Politically, I deeply appreciate living in a nation where I can voice my concerns and my opinions to my elected leaders.  While it can still be frustrating if they don't seem to be listening, I know that, in the future, their reelection depends on the voters.  If they haven't done a good job they can be replaced.
         If there is something in your life that is troubling you, consider the resources (both within yourself and outside yourself) that you can access to change the outcome of the things that are happening. 
         Worried that the economy will collapse or that you might lose your job?  In recent years, many people have resolved to pay off their debts, live on less than they make, and save money.  They have stored food, water, and medications for a time when these things might not be readily available.
         Worried about a natural disaster?  I know folks who have a 72 hour kit handy by their front door or in the trunk of their car.  It contains a change of clothing, some food and water, basic emergency medical supplies, a flashlight, matches, and other emergency essentials.  In the neighborhood I live in, we've been taught how to shut off water and gas should the need occur.  We've also discussed emergency plans for how to reach family members following a disaster.  I, personally, love the idea of choosing one family member in a distant location who is contacted after a disaster and given pertinent information.  Then other family members can call that same person to find out my whereabouts and condition.
         Worried about someone stealing your identity?  We all need to take precautions to safeguard our personal information, and many people take the further step of enlisting a paid service to assist them should such an event take place.
         The point is, we have been blessed with many resources and abilities. Getting up and getting involved, being prepared and pro-active, can help us feel better, have a greater sense of control, and enable us to be ready when difficulties occur.  I am so thankful there are things we can do to change our circumstances, and that we have many reasons to be grateful, in spite of the uncertainty of life.   
        (Note: On 7/22/11  I posted a link for a destress kit.  I am including that again.  Along with the above ideas, using the suggestions in the destress kit will help you to feel more grateful and confident as you manage the difficulties you face in life.   www.heartmath.org/destresskit ).   


TODAY'S INSPIRED QUOTATION:
"No one knows enough to be a pessimist."  
                                                                                 Dr. Wayne Dyer

Soul Aerobics

A new post will be published each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

         In 1999 I wrote a book for my graduation project from college.  It explored many aspects of gratitude, and contained essays and exercises designed to instill this attribute more deeply into the consciousness of the reader.
         In this unpublished manuscript I suggested that we practice an exercise that I called soul aerobics.  Soul aerobics is simply the habit of vigorously observing the beauties that surround us, then stretching ourselves by acting gratefully on those observations.  My belief was then, and continues to be, that in so doing we will find a deep sense of joy that fills our souls, increases our energy, and lifts our capacity for gratitude to new levels.
        Soul aerobics takes no special equipment except that with which God has already endowed us:  our eyes, our heart, our mind, and our strength.  But each of these must be in the proper condition if soul aerobics is to be effective.  Our eyes must be eyes that desire to be open and able to see.  Our heart must be softened and receptive;  our mind, anxious to be influenced by beauty; and our strength used to express our praise and gratitude to our Creator for blessing us so abundantly. 
         Soul aerobics also requires no specific level of income because everyone, everywhere can participate. Blessedly, the beauties we stretch ourselves to see and appreciate are the beauties which He has placed before all His children: the lovliness of  wildlife, trees and sky; the power of water cascading over rock; the gentleness of spring breezes; the wisdom in the face of an elderly friend; the twinkle in the eyes of a child; the elegance of well spoken words; the deep tranquility of a silent summer night.

         The Psamist David knew a lot about soul aerobics, for he not only had an agile mind, quick to perceive the wonders of God's universe, he was also able to stretch himself in deep appreciation for those gifts.  He sang in praise:

                   Oh Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!....When I

               consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars,

               which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou are mindful of him?  and

               the son of man, that thou visitest him?  For thou hast made him a little

               lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.  Thou

               madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands, thou has put

               all things under his feet. (Psalms 8:1, 3-6).

         David marveled at and delighted in the great goodness of God, but more than that, he acted on his feelings by expressing profound appreciation.
         As I participate in soul aerobics, I find my heart rejoicing in the wonders of the earth, and in the abundance of natural gifts that God has placed here to bless our lives.  Not only has He trusted me with these gifts, giving them to me to enjoy, He has asked me to care for them, "to have dominion" over them.  How carefully I do that, and how joyfully and sincerely I express my appreciation of these gifts is a measure of my devotion to Him.
         Today, while going about the daily routines of life, pause to note the many opportunities there are to practice soul aerobics.  Allow some of your time, attention, heart and energy to be focused on the beautiful people and places around you.  Take it all in.  Delight in the joy it brings.  Marvel at the beauty you see, and experience the evidence of God's hand in these beauties.  At some point during your busy day, or before retiring tonight, simply give thanks to Heavenly Father for all these blessings and their ability to strengthen and uplift your soul.

TODAY'S AWESOME BLESSING:
The night was cool and perfect for sleeping.  It followed an evening of thunderstorms.  The rain last evening was heavy and wind driven.  It's rare to have rain like that here.  It was very much like the rain in New England.  I am grateful for that little taste of the east, because I've missed those marvelous, booming, thunderstorms with their torrential rains. 

Being a Good Traveling Companion

        A new blog will be posted each Monday, Wednesday and Friday

         Hope you had a great weekend. 
         I see I've had a few visits to this site this morning.  I'm thinking it must be my east coast followers.  I'll try to get this out a little earlier for you!
         On Friday I wrote about traveling in good company.  It's great when we have friends, neighbors and family who are so very thoughtful.  Such people have certainly been a great blessing in my life.  But I often ask myself, "What am I doing for others?" 
         I hope I'm a thoughtful neighbor and friend because, honestly, how hard is it for me to brighten someone's day or lighten their load?  An old retired gal, I'm at home now, taking care of my husband. That consumes a good deal of time on some days.  But on others, I certainly can spend a few minutes or hours doing the little things that would be helpful to my friends, or even a stranger in need.  I find that little acts of kindness are a wonderful way to say "thank you" to those who have done nice things for me, or simply to serve in my neighborhood and community.
         Some people call such service "random acts of kindness."  I like that term because it signifies that, as we develop a mindset of service to others, we find opportunities all over the place to do nice things.  We don't need an organized plan, or to make an appointment.  We begin to see needs, or we see opportunities to help out, and we just spring into action.
         How refreshing and uplifting would it be if we lived in a world where people saw ways of brightening the day for another and acted on it; a world where selfishness was a rare thing and service was the norm?  Frankly, when I see all that others do for me, I think I'm already living in that world, but I know that I can do better at reciprocating.
         So what do you say, those of you who follow this blog?  What random acts of kindness have you enjoyed doing for another?  Have you known:

• A widow who was blessed by your visit? 
• A busy mom who got downright giddy over a couple of hours to herself? 
• A teen who benefited from your listening ear?
• A neighbor who was ill and appreciated having a meal brought in?
• Someone in the hospital who enjoyed a visit?
• An elderly person who felt safer because you offered your companionship during his evening walk?
• One of your children who gobbled up some one-on-one time with you?
• Someone who was blessed as you shared a talent you have?

You probably have participated in many ways of helping others to travel through life more joyfully.  Those ways are as diverse and creative as any one of the many personalities who think them up.  And each of those acts not only blesses the person being remembered, it also makes the day of the giver brighter, too.  I honestly don't believe we can do an act of kindness without benefiting from it ourselves.  In fact, research shows that when we say or do something positive it releases beneficial hormones into our system, keeping us calmer, younger and healthier.  I'm for that!  I remember a well known doctor once saying that positive words increase the seratonin (a feel good hormone) levels of those who are standing nearby and simply overhear a positive conversation.
         Well, I looked out this morning and noticed the sky is a little gray.  It's a little cloudy out there.  So what can I do today to bring some sunshine into the world?
         As we travel the road of life, I hope that we'll frequently experience the uplift that comes from blessing another.  It will lighten our load and bring the glorious light of joy into the life of someone else; and in an extraordinary and wonderful way, it will also brighten the world!



TODAY'S GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT:
                                Help someone else along the way.