Another Week Almost Done….

Another week in the surreal world of the unseen enemy is nearly done. It’s been just over three weeks of quarantine due to the coronavirus. I’ve learned just when you think things can’t get any more complicated, any more surreal, they most often do.

The new routine of life is definitely an adjustment. Getting used to a new routine isn’t always easy. Learning to work from home, teaching classes online isn’t always the easiest maze to navigate. But navigate it I did, one day a a time. Far from perfect, but I’m hoping I did an adequate job of doing what I needed to do.

From a personal standpoint, the road has also not been easy. I always considered myself to be a homebody, but not quite to the extent that I’ve had to these past three weeks. I’ve been cooking all my meals and planning around what I’ll eat during the coming weeks. I’ve made several trips to the store, but realize those trips put me at additional risk and I need to consider the consequences.

My mind has gone here and there. Many times I woke up in the morning and it takes the first minute for all the realities of the world we’re living in to settle in once more. And then there’s the fear and dread as I consider all the implications of the battle we’re all facing. I try to steady my thought and let those negative feelings pass as they will. Sometimes it takes longer than others, but I realize that it’s all a part of my mental framework each day.

My mind consider how much longer all this lifestyle will last. The school year is almost certainly a wash, although I’ll have to still guide students and grade their work once its finished. My own children are facing personal battles of their own during this crisis and although I realize there’s a limit to what I’m able to do, I want them to always know I’m there for support. Things may get more difficult in some respects before they get any better.

So that’s my life these days. I normally would write this as my last journal entry of the evening, but I decided to share it here tonight. Perhaps I’m able to provide some insight for others as they continue to trudge the surreal world of the unseen enemy.

David Lee

Daily Readings for Thursday, April 9th

Meditation for the Day

All that depresses you, all that you fear, is really powerless to harm you. These things are but phantoms. So arise from earth’s bonds, from depression, distrust, fear, and all that hinders your new life. Arise to beauty, joy, peace, and work inspired by love. Rise from death to life. You do not even need to fear death. All past sins are forgiven if you live and love and work with God. Let nothing hinder your new life. Seek to know more and more of that new way of living.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may let God live in me as I work for Him. I pray that I may go out into the sunlight and work with God.

From Twenty-Four Hours a Day

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Giving

Learning to be a healthy giver can be a challenge. Many of us got caught up in compulsive giving – charitable acts motivated by uncharitable feelings of guilt, shame, obligations, pity, and moral superiority.

We now understand that catering and compulsive giving don’t work. They backfire.

Caretaking keeps us feeling victimized.

Many of us gave too much, thinking we were doing things right; then we became confused because our life and relationships weren’t working. Many of us gave so much for so long, thinking we were doing God’s will; then in recovery, we refused to give, care, or love for a time.

That’s okay. Perhaps we needed a rest. But healthy giving is part of healthy living. The goal in recovery is balance – caring that is motivated by a true desire to give, with an underlying attitude of respect for others and ourselves.

The goal in recovery is to choose what we want to give, to whom, when, and how much. The goal in recovery is to give and not feel victimized by our giving.

Are we giving because we want to, because it’s our responsibility? Or are we giving because we feel obligated, guilty, ashamed, or superior? Are we giving because we feel afraid to say no?

Are the ways we try to assist people helpful, or do they prevent others from facing their true responsibilities?

Are we giving so that people will like us or feel obligated to us? Are we giving to prove we’re worthy? Or are we giving because we want to give and it feels right?

Recovery includes a cycle of giving and receiving. It keeps healthy energy flowing among our Higher Power, others, and us. It takes time to learn how to give in healthy ways. It takes time to learn to receive. Be patient. Balance will come.

God, please guide my giving and my motives today.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie 

Daily Readings for Wednesday, April 8th

Meditation for the Day

You must make a stand for God. Believers in God are considered by some as peculiar people. You must even be willing to be deemed a fool for the sake of your faith. You must be ready to stand aside and let the fashions and customs of the world go by, when God’s purposes are thereby forwarded. Be known by the marks that distinguish a believer in God. These are honesty, purity, unselfishness, love, gratitude, and humility.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that I may be ready to profess my belief in God before others. I pray that I may not be turned aside by the skepticism and cynicism of unbelievers.From Twenty-Four Hours a Day 

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Self Care

I don’t precisely know what you need to do to take care of yourself. But I know you can figure it out.
  —Beyond Codependency

Rest when you’re tired.

Take a drink of cold water when you’re thirsty.

Call a friend when you’re lonely.

Ask God to help when you feel overwhelmed.

Many of us have learned how to deprive and neglect ourselves. Many of us have learned to push ourselves hard, when the problem is that were already pushed too hard.

Many of us are afraid the work wont get done if we rest when were tired. The work will get done; it will be done better than work that emerges from tiredness of soul and spirit. Nurtured, nourished people, who love themselves and care for themselves, are the delight of the Universe.

They are well timed, efficient, and Divinely led.

Today, I will practice loving self-care.From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie