Trying to Make the Right Choices

So it would appear that we have reached an impasse in our Coronavirus journey here in the U.S. There are some that say the “stay at home” orders issued should continue until there’s a downward number of cases. Then there are those who say enough time has passed and that the orders need to be lifted so people can return to their jobs and normal lifestyles.

Certainly there are no easy choices to be made here. While there has been an overall decrease in the number of new cases, a lot of that can be attributed to the fact most states have had “stay at home” orders in place. Several states in the past week have lifted those orders or at least lifted some parts of the restrictions. I watched on Facebook this morning as a live feed of a good number of people enjoying the beach as restrictions there had been lifted.

Most definitely people’s livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic. Record numbers of people have lost their jobs and there are those businesses who fear their days in business might be coming to a close. I get that part of it and yes, I’m one of those who’s been afforded the ability to work from home. So perhaps I’m not the best one to address those with that concern.

But I also see the side of those who are saying it’s way too soon to even attempt to return to normalcy. We’ve seen reduced numbers largely due to the fact that we’ve put social distancing practices into measure. While the numbers have been decreasing, most experts agree that we need to continue that trend for a two week period before considering lifting any restrictions.

So the basic dilemma seemingly is the health of the population vs people’s freedoms and their right to work. I’m not sure that I have any of the answers,,,for they are not easy.

I’ll close with links to two stories that those in the decision-making process might want to consider:

https://www.newsweek.com/dr-fauci-says-easing-lockdown-measures-too-soon-will-lead-big-spike-coronavirus-cases-its-1498944?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2rJTfcxVFOQy116T27Rimdr_rF5rwnYr6OD2D6WVeVefNRMXL6ftAMius#Echobox=1587393301

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/21/coronavirus-secondwave-cdcdirector/

Some Days are Better than Others…

One of the things that I’ve learned during this period of uncertainty during the Covid-19 pandemic is that some days will be better than others. Not that it should have taken something like the worldwide spread of a virus to do this, but it definitely has become much clearer now.

I have been in the unwanted habit of waking up in the morning filled with fear and dread. I’ve had this happen at other points in my life, but over the past four weeks of quarantine, it’s become more frequent. I’ve tried to go back to sleep when this happens, usually to no avail. I’ve tried to begin my morning routine early….sometimes this works, sometimes not. Today has been one of those days when I’ve not been able to shake the feeling for most all the day long.

I know being held captive here at home doesn’t foster mental well-being. I did take a short trip to a local park to get some pictures on Saturday afternoon, but that didn’t seem to help too much. I’ve tried several projects around the house, but that’s not really offered any relief either. Today I went back to teaching online and I put on a brave face for the students I had a video meeting with, but that too fell short of lasting when the meeting was over.

So I’m hoping that the feelings that I’ve had over the past several days will soon pass. I will once again being teaching online tomorrow and I’m hoping getting back in that practice will help. I have a Zoom recovery meeting tonight and those have been uplifting in the past as well.

So here’s to today…it’s not been one of my stellar days. And here’s to tomorrow,,,,may it be better.

David Lee

Daily Readings for April 20, 2020

Meditation for the Day

There are two paths, one up and one down. We have been given free will to choose either path. We are captains of our souls to this extent only. We can choose the good or the bad. Once we have chosen the wrong path, we go down and down, eventually to death. But if we choose the right path, we go up and up, until we come to the resurrection day. On the wrong path, we have no power for good because we do not choose to ask for it. But on the right path, we are on the side of good and we have all the power of God’s spirit behind us.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be in the stream of goodness. I pray that I may be on the right side, on the side of all good in the universe.

From Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Deadlines

I don’t know whether I want in or out of this relationship. I’ve been struggling with it for months now. It’s not appropriate to let it hang indefinitely. I will give myself two months to make a decision.

—Anonymous

Sometimes, it helps to set a deadline.

This can be true when we face unsolved problems, are struggling with a tough decision, have been sitting on the fence for a while, or have been floundering in confusion about a particular issue for a time.

That does not mean a deadline is written in stone. It means that we are establishing a time frame to help ourselves not feel so helpless and to help bring a solution into focus. Setting deadlines can free our energy to set the problem or issue aside, to let go, and allow the Universe, our Higher Power, and ourselves to begin to move toward a solution.

We don’t always need to tell people we’ve got a deadline. Sometimes, it’s better to be silent, or else they may feel we are trying to control them and may rebel against our deadline. Sometimes, it is appropriate to share our deadlines with others.

Deadlines are primarily a tool to help ourselves. They need to be reasonable and appropriate to each individual situation. Used properly, deadlines can be a beneficial tool to help us get through difficult problems and situations without feeling trapped and helpless. They can help us let go of worrying and obsessing, so we can focus our energies in more constructive directions. Setting a deadline can help move us out of that uncomfortable spot of feeling victimized by a person or a problem we can’t solve.

Deadlines can help us detach and move forward.

Today, I will consider whether a deadline might be helpful in some areas in my life. I claim Divine Wisdom and Guidance in setting appropriate deadlines for any problems or relationship issues that may be lingering.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

Quote of the Day for Sunday, April 19th

Quote of the Day: “And yet, being a practical man, I recognized a big difference between the mere affirmation of faith and its effective implementation. To desire harmony, or peace, or whatever word you care to give to the sense of identification with the orderly processes of life, would be a step in the right direction; but this by itself was not enough. I had to work for it.”- Richard E. Byrd

Daily Readings for Sunday, April 19th

Meditation for the Day

It is a glorious way – the upward way. There are wonderful discoveries in the realm of the spirit. There are tender intimacies in the quiet times of communion with God. There is an amazing, almost incomprehensible understanding of the other person. On the upward way, you can have all the strength you need from that Higher Power. You cannot make too many demands on Him for strength. He gives you all the power you need, as long as you are moving along the upward way.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may see the beautiful horizons ahead on the upward way. I pray that I may keep going forward to the more abundant life.

From Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Accepting Change

The winds of change blow through our life, sometimes gently, sometimes like a tropical storm. Yes, we have resting places – time to adjust to another level of living, time to get our balance, time to enjoy the rewards. We have time to catch our breath.

But change is inevitable and desirable.

Sometimes, when the winds of change begin to rustle, we’re not certain the change is for the better. We may call it stress or a temporary condition, certain we’ll be restored to normal. Sometimes, we resist. We tuck our head down and buck the wind, hoping that things will quickly calm down, get back to the way things were. Is it possible we’re being prepared for a new normal?

Change will sweep through our life, as needed, to take us where we’re going. We can trust that our Higher Power has a plan in mind, even when we don’t know where the changes are leading.

We can trust that the change-taking place is good. The wind will take us where we need to go.

Today, help me, God, to let go of my resistance to change. Help me be open to the process. Help me believe that the place I’ll be dropped off will be better than the place where I was picked up. Help me surrender, trust, and accept, even if I don’t understand.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie

Daily Readings for Saturday, April 18th

Meditation for the Day

I should strive for a friendliness and helpfulness that will affect all who come near to me. I should try to see something to love in them. I should welcome them, bestow little courtesies and understandings on them, and help them if they ask for help. I must send no one away without a word of cheer, a feeling that I really care about them. God may have put the impulse in some despairing one’s mind to come to me. I must not fail God by repulsing that person. They may not want to communicate with me unless they are sure of a warm welcome.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may warmly welcome all who come to me for help. I pray that I may make them feel that I really care.

From Twenty-Four Hours a Day

——————-,

Freedom

Many of us were oppressed and victimized as children. As adults, we may continue to keep ourselves oppressed.

Some of us don’t recognize that caretaking and not setting boundaries will leave us feeling victimized.

Some of us don’t understand that thinking of ourselves as victims will leave us feeling oppressed.

Some of us don’t know that we hold the key to our own freedom. That key is honoring ourselves, and taking care of ourselves.

We can say what we mean, and mean what we say.

We can stop waiting for others to give us what we need and take responsibility for ourselves. When we do, the gates to freedom will swing wide.

Walk through.

Today, I will understand that I hold the key to my freedom. I will stop participating in my oppression and victimization. I will take responsibility for myself, and let others do as they may.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie