Category: One for the Journal

I like going to a place where God hears me. There are so many external forces going on in the world right now, many divisive and cruel, that I feel compelled to seek a place where the quiet of my mind makes room for good sensationalism.

I have set out this week to find a place where I can stimulate and stir the dream within me. As the country is beginning to wake up, the pulse of our nation is waking too. Although in many places, it is waking up shouting as if emerging from a nightmare, which in most cases is true. The republic for which we stand is rifled right now with social and racial unrest. This suppression and aggression has been far too prevalent for far too long. We can no longer look aside. That is why I am prescribing to look inside instead.

My solution is to set aside ten minutes each day to dream. I shall find a quiet corner, I shall not be dissuaded. In my ten minute stillness, I will let my mind wander – I will dream about the change that needs to come. I will listen intently to the harmony of silence and the solution the spirits offer me. I will dream big, too. I will ask for World Peace, not with the naiveté of a pageant girl, but with the conviction of the powerful woman I am. Lofty goals have always been my strong suit.

Join me in spending ten minutes a day dreaming. The efforts we expend will go far in our paving the ‘road to peace’ for our Nation.

When your birthday falls on a weekend and you set off to have a birthday extravaganza after you’ve been in quarantine for the weeks leading up to it, you’re bound to meet your objective.

Friday night began with carryout from my favorite Asian bistro — can you say Lao-ooo, Thai-ee, VietNamese-ss?? The meal could not have been more delicious. The dinner was followed by a wonderful movie starring Ben Affleck.

Saturday morning began with a big brown box sent by Sister Golden Hair with trinkets and baubles galore, followed by a small prettily wrapped package from the Professor which contained a stunning necklace reminiscent of the lapping waves of the Gulf of Mexico.

Then there were the hundreds (number not exaggerated) of FB messages with well wishes from family and friends. The resultant feeling of gratitude permeated every inch of me.

Next up, dinner with friends! Finally, a shared meal at a sitdown restaurant with happy smiling faces and another Gemini soul to celebrate with; there was rocking music, dancing, and tequila — a combination sure to rev up any party.

Finally, a Champagne Brunch Sunday morning hosted by a kindred spirit and more Happy Birthday songs sung.

To say I am appreciative of all the love bestowed in my direction is an understatement. I am overwhelmed at the attention, and at the care taken to plan and execute the gatherings. And mostly, I am honored by the kindness and genuine fondness that fell around me like stars. The only negative I can now say is I have to wait 364 more days for a repeat performance!

Signed, One Lucky Girl

“Let America be America again, Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain, Seeking a home where he himself is free.”

This wonderful excerpt from Langston Hughes’ poem is profound in its extraction from the whole and applies to the direction of today’s newly ordered society. And, interestingly enough, although it speaks to us in an abridged fashion, the message of the original poem in its entirety is focused on the idea that the American dream is nigh on impossible.

I love the manner in which the words “Let America Be America…” rings in my ear. In this unprecedented time of life, we are all experiencing feelings of not knowing what to think, what to do, or how to do what is required. Our government is moving through the pandemic at an unparalleled rate, and our society is divided through politics and racial violence. I long for a time when ‘our America’ is given the latitude to become America again. I pray for peace every day.

Hearing a child’s prayer at night, “God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy, and God, please fix the world…” makes me ponder how deep the divide has become. Our innocent children are affected; the vigor and strength of their youth compromised by uncertainty. We will hand them a broken world if we can not unite on what America should, and can be.

We have surrendered too much of the past to give up on the future. So, let the opening words of the insightful poet, Mr. Hughes, stay in your thoughts and on your lips. It is a good a mantra as any.

A sanctuary, a refuge, a feeling of home – we have all been experiencing these emotions about our domicile while being sequestered these past two months. For some it is a time when they have reconnected to their authentic selves and to family members; to others – it is a time of deep despair having been alone for days on end and the initial comfort of being in their own skin has all but dwindled away. Me personally, I thrive in the quietude, the flows from this perspective washing over me like a single wave.

We all dream about getting back out there. And, we will soon. So I am recommending that during this ‘slow to return to life’ process that you take the time to reflect on what you need. Sometimes all you need is a heartfelt hug from a kind stranger – and that may not possible yet or dare I say ever again. But there are other needs that you can reach for that may, this time, be fruitful in that you will be approaching them from a new mental outlook. Perhaps your former life was jammed to the hilt with a thousand items that needed tending. Were you scheduled to the point of exhaustion – moving from one thing to another without giving depth of thought to any one thing? Maybe this is the time to reorder that drainage pipe.

There is more common sense and humanity being shown now. An awakening is happening. I hope in these coming days that you will find what you need. Simple things are often profound reminders of what is important.

When the time comes – go out, go easy, go with a sense of purpose. And, remember…

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“The great secret of getting what you need in life is to know what you need and believe that you can have it.”

~Norman Vincent Peale

I was brought up in a family full of Catholics. It was an obligatory presence and back then a required mandate. My mother’s families were all devout followers. My father, having barely survived being shot down in World War 2, converted to the faith through his conversations with a reassuring Navy Chaplain in a far-away island in the Philippines. It felt ‘right’, he often said, ‘it felt like home’. And, although he grew up in a house with little structured religion, his recovery from his peril lead him to feel safe within the confines of the religion’s framework.

Returning home from the war with his new found faithfulness and meeting my very-Catholic raised mother, it seemed like his draw to the church was a destiny. He became an every-Sunday attendee, eventually becoming a deacon. Daddy would drag us to service even on the Sunday mornings when Mom wanted a few extra hours of sleep. My siblings and I all received a parochial education. In those days, catechism was taught right along with reading and arithmetic. You will hear no complaints from me regarding my fine education, but I will share with you that I hesitated even at a very young age at embracing the doctrine.

I left the church at 18 years old. I was on a spiritual trek and searching for something that would fulfill me and answer my many unanswered queries as to the whys and the wherefores. I studied hard the many world doctrines, and as the story goes, I found my answers and embraced my ideal spirituality as I blossomed into a reverent almost ministerial soul.

While I am thankful for the opportunities and the basic foundation I was given at birth, I am more grateful for the latitude I was given in exploring the other possibilities, and in so doing, forming my own voice. My father always told me, “I do not care what you believe, just as long as you keep it a constant in your life.” I have done just that, and his advice has served me well.

My temple lives inside of me, and I visit it every day. It is a very sustaining place from which to rise. The many aspects to living a spiritually inflected life are each fulfilling in their own way. My special blend – resulted from my early Catholic years, to the comfort found in Judaism, to the serenity of the Eastern religions have all come together in a perfect harmonious amalgamation. This is my church, my foundation – the one that I lean on in helping myself during tough times such as these, and in helping others through theirs. It is one crusade that has proven very beneficial.

So, when I hear someone say…’See you in church’, I simply smile and utter inaudibly, ‘See the church in you!’.

I live in a community that loves to live outside. Floridians are blessed with a plethora of summer warm temperatures throughout the year. It is a magical place to decide to hang your hat. The Professor and I made that decision about 11 years ago when we decided to invest in a home here on an island off Florida’s Suncoast. And then, as in any plan that has merit, we came to make it our only home five years ago. Sure making that decision was a good one and has brought much joy to us as we age, but it also came with some pitfalls because all the family we have, and dearly cherish, remain in the Washington DC area.

Yet, during this time of imposed isolation, the social distancing rules have somehow slackened the angst of not seeing our ‘peeps’ as often as we’d like. The electronics-age new methods are putting those sweet faces in front of us every night – LIVE and shown in real time. We are connecting with each other now better than before. Our old normal – a few short phone calls, a few long texts then back to the ‘pavement’ to hustle a few more bucks and rush off to something or other. But today’s rhythm has us improving on that process. We initial a call, we shout out to other ‘fam’ members to join in, we do show and tell about something we just created or cooked or figured out. The Professor, an ardent sports fan who has been in mourning since the cease of all sports programming, is no longer an anti-kitchen dweller, he is now hanging out in the kitchen like it was his job. Together, we have baked bread, chopped vegetables, and cleaned and sanitized every existing corner – all by working together laughing and cajoling with each other.

Sister Golden Hair reports the same attitudes within her brood. Suddenly the whirling-dervish manner of a household with a teenager has slowed its motion and the family conversations have been expanded and enriched as a result. She loves the new pace, and it shows in her beautiful face that comes across my screen each night as we prepare dinner together -1,000 miles apart! Both our children enlist the same sentiments. Son and family have amplified their communication with their family and friends by reaching out with a dose of daily encouragement through their social media life to inspire and uplift other souls. Their lives, usually jammed to the hilt with places to go and people to see, found a new, and perhaps better way, to embrace others. And, our family’s newlyweds are participating in the change as well – both deemed essential in the workforce (and believe me they are – both of them!) are spreading love and devotion simply by demonstrating in each video-call their captivating smiles. Seeing those two smiling faces is like an antidote that no pharmaceutical could ever replace.

Slowly but surely our leaders will relax the social distancing rules and directives. My hope is that when it happens we will not forget these ‘new normal’ ways of living and loving each other, but instead emerge as greater, and more grateful, lovers of life.

Courage does not always roar despite it often being depicted as a ferocious Lion. These days, the face of courage is demonstrated more readily as a healthcare worker reporting for yet another exhausting day on the front lines of fighting this virus.

Our part in this fight was simple just follow the orders to ‘Stay at Home’. But to the first responders their part was in showing up – that’s courage. Much like a soldier’s sacrifice to the world, this fight has world involvement. President Trump has been very vocal in calling the pandemic “our war with the Silent Enemy”. To prevent horrifying occurrences across the globe, all the workers called to provide critical intervention (even in the face of their own peril) showed immense bravery in facing something that probably frightened the hell out of them. I think I speak for many humans worldwide – I stand in awe of their contribution. I can’t thank them enough for doing the dirty work for all of us.

This wonderful fence painting in San Jose, California was created by a patriot and fellow human being. I think its sentiment says it all. From the illustrious quote from Winston Churchill to the precious image of Dr. Fauci, the message is delivered with a clear voice. I hope all the hospital workers of the nearby Bay Area Regional Medical Center embrace this message of gratitude. And, I hope by my posting it today, healthcare workers from other states, counties and communities in the United States and across the world know they ARE making a world of difference.

Common sense is beginning to set in. All the social distancing we have been experiencing has now become the normal pattern. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, I am hugger. I call everyone ‘darling’ and open up my arms wide to embrace whoever is in front of me. Not anymore, however – that is a no-no! Now, a smile has to suffice in place of the warm body press that I used to exchange.

Yet, even with the profound human changes that have taken place, I am still hopeful because I see a new awakening happening and it is remarkable. The  infectiousness of the corona virus has a side effect – it’s Kindness. What I am seeing is prevalent – kindness is sprouting up everywhere even in the most unlikely places. It is cropping up in places that usually require courage and strength before walking through the door. Now, it’s become the unimagined contagion.

From what I have witnessed, people have come together despite the social distance rule in place. I saw a college-aged student give wide berth to a frail masked and gloved senior, all the while maintaining smiling eyes. I immediately thought of a favorite John Prine song ‘Hello In There’, it was beautiful. I also watched as a grocery clerk reached in her pocket and paid for a young mother’s milk order just because. And I observed a Harley-riding bandana-wearing gentleman dressed in leathers hold up a ‘Thank You’ sign outside of a hospital’s changing shift. All of these were extraordinary acts of kindness borne out of human crises.

From people making sure those in quarantine don’t feel alone, and those who turned canceled events into opportunities to give back, I stand in awe. I am so enamored by these feats of greatness, that if I am dreaming, I don’t want to wake up!

This new awakening of the human spirit is a welcome and sorely missed societal attribute. I believe that as we sail through this pandemic we will all emerge stronger in character and kinder in heart for that is what the angels have been dreaming up! And, I have that on High authority!

Is this shut-down of life meant to bring ‘light’ to the world? I have been pondering this thought a lot lately, as I am sure all of you are as well. Has this time been set aside to restore hope, faith and compassion to the world at large? After all, the Vernal Equinox is a season, which can be found in all the world’s calendars, that supports and advocates rebirth and renewal.

Is this global stop to our hurried activities God’s love letter to the world? Perhaps, it is His letter of instruction to all of us to return our spirits to a place of being teachable. The life-track that the world was on leading up to this pandemic seems even more divisive now that we are in the thick of quietude. Had we, as a population, lost sight of the idea that we are all connected? I believe this extra time may have been provided to us as a profound reminder of what is important.

Faith is not just about religion. It is a more a realization that there is something mighty powerful that is found within you and can be called on at any time if you need it. Hope is not just a foreign thought hung out on a clothes line to dry. It is an optimistic state of mind meant to fill our heart with the sweet desire of anticipation. And Compassion, it is not about just one act of caring for one day, it is about cultivating caring for a lifetime – a desire to demonstrate concern for another’s suffering without considering any misfortune we may have in comparison.

In order to spread love and compassion in the world, we must go out of our way to reach physical, mental and emotional pain in others. And by doing so, we help address the emotional feelings missing within ourselves. In other words – you have to give love to get love.

I am so uplifted by what I am seeing all across the world, especially in the young people. Our younger generation is turning to creative solutions to fill their now vacant hours. Where their lives were once scheduled to the hilt with lessons and activities – these fledging souls are now filling the hours with pursuits to hone their keen intellect and fill their hopeful hearts. And, the parents of these fine children are being brought back to the family dinner table which enhances and fosters the change that is coming.

Day by day, I am moving to the new rhythm we are being gifted. I am hopeful that when this whole crisis is over, we will have found within the quiet hours a new and better way of living together. Now, wouldn’t that be something?

Our living conditions are changing each and every day. The morning hours, usually set aside to gain insight, instead are filled with new recommendations. It’s mind-boggling. This whole ordeal has me in deep thought…

What if this new world rhythm is coming to us to serve in a different way? What if we are supposed to be in a learning phase during this period of our lives? What if this quiet unfettered time that is dealt to us is meant for self-reflection and self-improvement? What if we are supposed to rise to the challenge; change the way we do everything; reorder our society?

What if the problem is presented so that we all are called on to work on the solution? We are all descendants of people who survived horrific world events and occurrences. We grew our backbones from our lineage and off of the history of our ancestors.

What if by improving our sleep patterns and slowing down in our waking hours we all become better at life? And, in slowing the tempo of the world’s energy we find patience in ourselves that we never possessed before? What if we found tolerance? What if we found charity and goodwill and brotherly love?

I am seeing the world changing and the world’s leaders acting respectfully. I am beginning to see the best in our human community. I now understand that this is where humanity lives. What if we all heard and heeded the call?

What if this is the future of all humankind? Each soul is but one link in the chain of humanity. Mahatma Gandhi said it best, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Sending you all Peace.