Heading Towards the Homestretch….

The time marking my hiatus from social media is quickly coming to a close. Ten more days and I’ll be logging on to Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat once more. It’s certainly been an interesting five weeks thus far and I’ve realized what a hold social media does have on my life.

The last couple of weeks has been easier that the first two, that’s for certain. I’ve gotten used to the idea that they’re all not just a click away and I’ve reduced the number of times each day I actually think about logging in and scrolling. There’s not much to be had on my phone except for WordPress and checking messenger. I had decided I needed to reinstall Messenger when I started missing communication for my newspaper photography position.

I have done quite a bit more writing in my journal during my time away. I’ve found it’s a good way to reflect on what’s going on in my life. But I think it can be said I was doing that before I got away from social media. I have started watching a bit more television, although I can still say my viewing is far below the average for most people.

One of the gems that I’ve found along the way is the History Channel’s series “Jesus- His Life”. I started watching it on television one Monday evening and then was able to find the episodes I had missed online. Their webpage provided a listing of all the episodes and I’m just one behind what’s being shown each week on TV. The last two episodes are to air this upcoming Monday, April 15th. I’ve gained a lot better understanding of Jesus’ life and the events surrounding his eventual crucifixion. I would have to say this is the most enlightening thing I’ve done during my hiatus.

https://www.history.com/shows/jesus-his-life

So once again, I’m nearing the end of my sabbatical from social media. I am really looking forward to being back online and being able to share my daily readings and pictures and such. I’m going to make a concerted effort to not waste so much time when I return and will make more productive use of my offline hours.

David Lee

Daily Readings for Thursday, April 11th

24 Hours a Day

Meditation for the Day

I must learn to accept self-discipline. I must try never to yield one point that I have already won. I must not let myself go in resentments, hates, fears, pride, lust, or gossip. Even if the discipline keeps me separated from some people who are without discipline, nevertheless I will carry on. I may have different ways and a different standard of living than some others. I may be actuated by different motives than some people. But I will try to live the way I believe God wants me to live, no matter what others say.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be an example to others of a better way of living. I pray that I may carry on in spite of hindrances.

Language of Letting Go

Financial Goals

Taking responsibility for our financial affairs will improve our self-esteem and lessen anxiety.

Each of us, today, has a present set of financial circumstances. We have a certain amount of money in hand, and money due to us. We have a pile of bills that we owe. We have taxes to pay. Those are our present financial circumstances. No matter what the details are, acceptance, gratitude, and self-responsibility will lessen the stress.

Each of us, today, has a financial future. There are few future aspects of our life we can control, but one part we can play to assist our future is setting goals.

We don’t have to obsess about our goals. We don’t have to constantly watch and mark our progress toward them. But it is beneficial to think about our goals and write them down. What do we want to happen in our financial future? What financial problems would we like to solve? What bills would we like to be rid of? What would we like to be earning at the end of this year? The end of next year? Five years from now?

Are we willing to work for our goals and trust our Higher Power to guide us?

Pay bills on time. Contact creditors. Make arrangements. Do your best, today, to take responsibility for your finances. Set goals for the future. Then, let go of money and concentrate on loving. Taking responsibility for our financial affairs does not mean making money our focus. Taking responsibility for our finances enables us to take our focus off money. It frees us to do our work and live the life we want.

We deserve to have the self-esteem and peace that accompanies financial responsibility.

Today, I will take the time necessary to be responsible for myself financially. If it is time to pay bills or talk to creditors, I will do that. If it is time to set goals, I will do that. Once I have done my part, I will let the rest go.

Everthing’s Going to Be Alright…

One of my favorite albums to listen to when I was growing up was the soundtrack to “Jesus Christ Superstar”…..I listened to its songs over and over time and again. I had the opportunity to see a local theater group performance some sixteen years ago.

While I’ve been watching episodes of the History Channel’s “Jesus-His Life” series, I’ve been also thinking on the drama “Superstar”…So today, I looked on Youtube to see songs from the musical that were listed. I chose “Everything’s Going to be Alright” as the first to view. And unbeknownst to me, it related the story of Mary anointing Jesus with oil. The episode of the “Jesus-His Life” series I watched just yesterday detailed this event, emphasizing Judas’ objections to Mary’s actions.

A sort of synchronicity no doubt,,,seeing an event reenacted on TV and then selecting a song from a musical written over forty years ago that depicted the same event.

David Lee

Spin of the Day for Wednesday, April 10th

A Million Dreams

P!nk

I close my eyes and I can see
A world that’s waiting up for me that I call my own
Through the dark, through the door
Through where no one’s been before
But it feels like homeThey can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say I’ve lost my mind
I don’t care, I don’t care, if they call me crazy
We can live in a world that we design’Cause every night, I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it’s gonna take
Oh, a million dreams for the world we’re gonna makeThere’s a house we can build
Every room inside is filled with things from far away
Special things I compile
Each one there to make you smile on a rainy dayThey can say, they can say it all sounds crazy
They can say, they can say we’ve lost our minds
See, I don’t care, I don’t care if they call us crazy
Run away to a world that we design’Cause every night, I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it’s gonna take
Oh, a million dreams for the world we’re gonna makeHowever big, however small
Let me be part of it all
Share your dreams with me
We may be right, we may be wrong
But I wanna bring you along to the world I see
To the world we close our eyes to see
We close our eyes to seeEvery night, I lie in bed
The brightest colors fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake
I think of what the world could be
A vision of the one I see
A million dreams is all it’s gonna take
A million dreams for the world we’re gonna makeFor the world we’re gonna makeSongwriters: Benj Pasek / Justin PaulA Million Dreams lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management, Fox Music, Inc