No, I don't really have any new tips. I am looking for them.
How are you coping with isolation?
Are you calling people?
Binge watching TV? What are you watching?
Listening to music? What's your favorite genre or Who is your favorite artist?
How much time are you spending on social media?
Is anybody working on crafts? Maybe just coloring or putting together puzzles?
Playing video games or maybe board games? Cards?
What are you doing?
Help a guy out, will ya?
John
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Wednesday Wisdom
How are you doing?
Are you practicing social distancing or remaining at home?
Although cabin fever kind of sucks, at least it isn't deadly.
I managed to get outside for a walk yesterday and hope to go for a ride on the motorcycle today. I suppose I should still try to get a walk in -- we'll see.
I'm not into a regular practice of meditation, but I do find it to be beneficial in helping to recenter or to deal with stress. If you've never tried it, you might check into some beginning YouTube videos on meditation. I don't really have any recommendations on that since I've been using simple meditation since before YouTube was around.
On the bright side, you have plenty of time to practice.
Here's a meme I copied from a young friend's Instagram story.
I think it works well for our current time.
John
Are you practicing social distancing or remaining at home?
Although cabin fever kind of sucks, at least it isn't deadly.
I managed to get outside for a walk yesterday and hope to go for a ride on the motorcycle today. I suppose I should still try to get a walk in -- we'll see.
I'm not into a regular practice of meditation, but I do find it to be beneficial in helping to recenter or to deal with stress. If you've never tried it, you might check into some beginning YouTube videos on meditation. I don't really have any recommendations on that since I've been using simple meditation since before YouTube was around.
On the bright side, you have plenty of time to practice.
Here's a meme I copied from a young friend's Instagram story.
I think it works well for our current time.
John
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Coping with Isolation
These are strange times, indeed. So many of us are isolating ourselves and many more are under shelter-in-place orders. I know that it is more difficult for some than it is for others, especially for those that are alone.
-I've seen videos of people "visiting" people confined to nursing homes by dropping by with a message displayed outside their window.
-There is a popular actor that is writing poetry in her isolation and she is sharing it on Instagram.
-A couple of local musicians are posting living room videos of themselves playing and singing.
-My daughter, daughter in-law, and others have been sewing masks for individual friends and healthcare workers.
-A friend is posting a daily video teaching how to make a variety of cocktails.
-A couple of people are posting simple meal videos.
-Local churches are coming up with creative ways to minister to our unsheltered friends.
Our temporary home is located on a walking trail, so we get outside for a walk every now and then. We also make the occasional drive to check on the progress of our new home. It's coming along. We should be sheltering in place in a much larger place by this time next month.
How are you coping or helping others to cope?
Any good ideas to share?
John
-I've seen videos of people "visiting" people confined to nursing homes by dropping by with a message displayed outside their window.
-There is a popular actor that is writing poetry in her isolation and she is sharing it on Instagram.
-A couple of local musicians are posting living room videos of themselves playing and singing.
-My daughter, daughter in-law, and others have been sewing masks for individual friends and healthcare workers.
-A friend is posting a daily video teaching how to make a variety of cocktails.
-A couple of people are posting simple meal videos.
-Local churches are coming up with creative ways to minister to our unsheltered friends.
Our temporary home is located on a walking trail, so we get outside for a walk every now and then. We also make the occasional drive to check on the progress of our new home. It's coming along. We should be sheltering in place in a much larger place by this time next month.
How are you coping or helping others to cope?
Any good ideas to share?
John
Monday, March 23, 2020
Monday Motivation: I Need Help!
No clever meme or pithy saying for this week's Monday Motivation.
No, I think we (at least I) need more than that.
Many of us are currently pretty isolated. It may due to a local ordinance, a statewide mandate, or it may even be self-imposed. For us, our contact with others is limited to our phones and social media forums.
Damn, there's a lot of negative crap there!
I think we (I) can do better.
I get it. There's a lot of negative crap going on right now.
But let's face it; my liking your post (or you liking mine) bashing some government officials for poor response or inaction isn't going to change their response or action. It may give us some cozy feeling of togetherness, but mob togetherness isn't really what we need.
I'm all for information that helps us to recognize the severity of our situation. Even news that is not necessarily good news is welcome if it informs and persuades us to right action.
Even though there are lots of thoughts in my head about this, let me get to the point.
I'm feeling motivated to be encouraging to those that are isolated and to encourage those that aren't isolating themselves to do so.
I am going to try to refrain from negative posts and comments on social media. You have my permission to call me out if I mess up.
I don't know if I can motivate you to do the same, but it might make Facebook and other platforms a safer place for those that are isolated and feeling depressed or anxious about their situation.
Please consider it.
One week
Monday to Monday
Let's give it a try.
John
PS: If you're in, feel free to share this on your page and invite others to join us.
No, I think we (at least I) need more than that.
Many of us are currently pretty isolated. It may due to a local ordinance, a statewide mandate, or it may even be self-imposed. For us, our contact with others is limited to our phones and social media forums.
Damn, there's a lot of negative crap there!
I think we (I) can do better.
I get it. There's a lot of negative crap going on right now.
But let's face it; my liking your post (or you liking mine) bashing some government officials for poor response or inaction isn't going to change their response or action. It may give us some cozy feeling of togetherness, but mob togetherness isn't really what we need.
I'm all for information that helps us to recognize the severity of our situation. Even news that is not necessarily good news is welcome if it informs and persuades us to right action.
Even though there are lots of thoughts in my head about this, let me get to the point.
I'm feeling motivated to be encouraging to those that are isolated and to encourage those that aren't isolating themselves to do so.
I am going to try to refrain from negative posts and comments on social media. You have my permission to call me out if I mess up.
I don't know if I can motivate you to do the same, but it might make Facebook and other platforms a safer place for those that are isolated and feeling depressed or anxious about their situation.
Please consider it.
One week
Monday to Monday
Let's give it a try.
John
PS: If you're in, feel free to share this on your page and invite others to join us.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Monday, March 16, 2020
Social Media Distancing
To go with my previous post, I think I'm going to start practicing social media distancing. It's not going to be easy because I do typically spend some time on different social media platforms.
I probably spend more time on Twitter, followed by Instagram, then Facebook. I think that Facebook is probably the most toxic to my mental health and wellbeing. I'm generally shocked at the misinformation that people believe and share. It takes a great deal of restraint not to respond to some of the garbage that is posted. For me, it's best to just stay away or unfollow people that are willfully ignorant.
It's a cold, rainy day in the Ozarks so a long walk or motorcycle ride is out of the question. Guess I'll read a book or find something other than news shows to watch.
Another benefit to social distancing is less exposure to people in general. It's like an introvert's dream. And if people get too close, a fake sneeze or cough should do the trick! (Unfortunately, spring allergies make my sneezing, sniffling, and coughing real and I'm staying away from people for their own comfort.)
Social Media Distancing
Give it a try.
John
I probably spend more time on Twitter, followed by Instagram, then Facebook. I think that Facebook is probably the most toxic to my mental health and wellbeing. I'm generally shocked at the misinformation that people believe and share. It takes a great deal of restraint not to respond to some of the garbage that is posted. For me, it's best to just stay away or unfollow people that are willfully ignorant.
It's a cold, rainy day in the Ozarks so a long walk or motorcycle ride is out of the question. Guess I'll read a book or find something other than news shows to watch.
Another benefit to social distancing is less exposure to people in general. It's like an introvert's dream. And if people get too close, a fake sneeze or cough should do the trick! (Unfortunately, spring allergies make my sneezing, sniffling, and coughing real and I'm staying away from people for their own comfort.)
Social Media Distancing
Give it a try.
John
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Social Distancing
Social distancing is right up my alley. Over the past few years, I've spent a great deal of time in this new practice. I've also managed to get myself entangled in a few regular group gatherings. (Ugh! Even typing out those words makes a part of me cringe.) Unfortunately, volunteer service rarely takes place in a social distance friendly environment.
This morning I'll be watching the online broadcast of The Venues weekly worship as the church is complying with county's health request to cancel all activities where 250 people or more will be gathered in one place. That's probably the responsible thing to do. I don't know if the smaller gathering of our midweek bar church will be cancelled or not.
It would probably make people uncomfortable if I was out and about today, anyway. My normal spring allergies have kicked in and I've been doing a fair amount of coughing from post nasal drip, as well as frequent sniffling and nose blowing. I'm pretty certain that it's nothing more than that. I don't meet the criteria for Corona virus testing so maybe I'll just stay away from people for a short while.
I imagine that I'll encounter a few more people on the walking trail today. During the week I can walk several miles with only seeing one or two other walkers. It's one of the perks of retirement.
Truthfully, I will miss seeing many of my church friends today.
But I am willing to isolate myself for the good of the general public!
Keep your distance,
John
This morning I'll be watching the online broadcast of The Venues weekly worship as the church is complying with county's health request to cancel all activities where 250 people or more will be gathered in one place. That's probably the responsible thing to do. I don't know if the smaller gathering of our midweek bar church will be cancelled or not.
It would probably make people uncomfortable if I was out and about today, anyway. My normal spring allergies have kicked in and I've been doing a fair amount of coughing from post nasal drip, as well as frequent sniffling and nose blowing. I'm pretty certain that it's nothing more than that. I don't meet the criteria for Corona virus testing so maybe I'll just stay away from people for a short while.
I imagine that I'll encounter a few more people on the walking trail today. During the week I can walk several miles with only seeing one or two other walkers. It's one of the perks of retirement.
Truthfully, I will miss seeing many of my church friends today.
But I am willing to isolate myself for the good of the general public!
Keep your distance,
John
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Books -- What are you reading?
I don't know if I have any wisdom to share with you on this Wednesday morning. I don't feel like searching my saved memes for something and I can't come up with something clever and wise to just pull Out of My Hat. (See what I did there?)
Let's talk books!
What are you reading?
The fiction book I'm working through on my Kindle app is The Bootlegger's Friend by Clare Blando. It's about mob controlled bootlegging during prohibition times. It's an easy read and interesting enough to keep my interest. I might need to set it aside some so that I can finish my current non-fiction book from the library since I have a requested book that just arrived and they are holding for me.
The book I'm reading is Richard Rohr's Falling Upward. I'm still in the first half and find his overall premise of two halves of life similar to what I've expressed as our two lives -- physical and spiritual. I am a little put off by the negative characterizations of the first half, but get that a poorly based life can be responsible for many of the problems of society. I've noticed this sweeping general stereotyping in Rohr's books in the past and need to see beyond it and to be careful about using it in my own writing.
I need to finish it this weekend so I can pick up my next non-fiction read -- Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. I have a feeling it's a book I'll want to own, but I'll start with the library's copy.
So...
What are you reading?
John
Let's talk books!
What are you reading?
The fiction book I'm working through on my Kindle app is The Bootlegger's Friend by Clare Blando. It's about mob controlled bootlegging during prohibition times. It's an easy read and interesting enough to keep my interest. I might need to set it aside some so that I can finish my current non-fiction book from the library since I have a requested book that just arrived and they are holding for me.
The book I'm reading is Richard Rohr's Falling Upward. I'm still in the first half and find his overall premise of two halves of life similar to what I've expressed as our two lives -- physical and spiritual. I am a little put off by the negative characterizations of the first half, but get that a poorly based life can be responsible for many of the problems of society. I've noticed this sweeping general stereotyping in Rohr's books in the past and need to see beyond it and to be careful about using it in my own writing.
I need to finish it this weekend so I can pick up my next non-fiction read -- Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. I have a feeling it's a book I'll want to own, but I'll start with the library's copy.
So...
What are you reading?
John
Monday, March 09, 2020
Rainy Monday; random thoughts
It's a rainy Monday in the Ozarks and I took full advantage of my retirement status by sleeping late. I'm not sure that's the correct term since I generally just sleep until I'm finished. This morning I didn't finish until 8:30.
Today is the day I begin my rotation as chaplain at Mercy in Aurora. I missed last month's rotation due to Dad's passing away. It's too bad it's raining today. Most days I'll be riding the bike. Today I'll be driving.
I know I'm not going to get miles of walking in at the small, regional hospital so I'm hoping for a break in the rain to get my 10,000 steps in. I've been posting my daily step counts on my other blog since March 1. Although I missed one day last week, I managed enough steps to top 70,000 for the week. Looks like I may need to hit the mall with the other retirees or pace the hallways of the apartment building today. I could make this an off day, but it looks like there are more rainy days in the forecast for the week.
It looks like the Corona virus has made its way to Missouri via a student that spent time in Northern Italy. After receiving confirmation of the infection, family members violated the self-quarantine by attending a school dance. That's pretty damn irresponsible when it comes to a virus that can be spread without symptoms.
The infected student hasn't been named but she came into the country through O'Hare airport in Chicago and traveled to St. Louis via Amtrak.
Meanwhile, a friend is stuck on a cruise ship off the coast of California and others have travel plans that they may be reconsidering. If you are traveling and on regular medications, I'd suggest bringing extra meds. I doubt that people on the cruise ship thought to bring another weeks worth of meds and it's already been an additional six days with no apparent plan for docking and offloading passengers to some other quarantined area.
Try to stay away from people this week.
Wash your hands often.
Stay healthy.
John
Today is the day I begin my rotation as chaplain at Mercy in Aurora. I missed last month's rotation due to Dad's passing away. It's too bad it's raining today. Most days I'll be riding the bike. Today I'll be driving.
I know I'm not going to get miles of walking in at the small, regional hospital so I'm hoping for a break in the rain to get my 10,000 steps in. I've been posting my daily step counts on my other blog since March 1. Although I missed one day last week, I managed enough steps to top 70,000 for the week. Looks like I may need to hit the mall with the other retirees or pace the hallways of the apartment building today. I could make this an off day, but it looks like there are more rainy days in the forecast for the week.
It looks like the Corona virus has made its way to Missouri via a student that spent time in Northern Italy. After receiving confirmation of the infection, family members violated the self-quarantine by attending a school dance. That's pretty damn irresponsible when it comes to a virus that can be spread without symptoms.
The infected student hasn't been named but she came into the country through O'Hare airport in Chicago and traveled to St. Louis via Amtrak.
Meanwhile, a friend is stuck on a cruise ship off the coast of California and others have travel plans that they may be reconsidering. If you are traveling and on regular medications, I'd suggest bringing extra meds. I doubt that people on the cruise ship thought to bring another weeks worth of meds and it's already been an additional six days with no apparent plan for docking and offloading passengers to some other quarantined area.
Try to stay away from people this week.
Wash your hands often.
Stay healthy.
John
Wednesday, March 04, 2020
Tuesday, March 03, 2020
What if ... This is Heaven?
What have you learned about life?
I know that we're all still working things out, but are there things that you've already concluded that these things are true and we need to accept it as true?
What are the questions you struggle with today?
Even as I struggle with an aging physical body, I am learning that life is much more than the physical world. But as I grow in the spiritual realm, I am learning how taking care of the natural (physical) world is becoming more important. The daily awareness that we live in both worlds is both exhilarating and a little frightening -- not frightening in a scary way, just frightening in a new perspective sort of way.
For most of my life I've kept the two worlds compartmentalized. When dealing with the spiritual world, it was generally in an afterlife kind of way -- e.g. What happens when you die?
Consequences of decisions in the physical world seem to manifest themselves in rather predictable, physical ways, but we often seem to ignore or remain unaware of the potential consequences of spiritual decisions and non-decisions. When we think of those consequences as post-life, we can only guess what they might be. Religious leaders seem to have an inside track on post-life consequences and often use fear as a motivator to inspire some sort of current physical behavior or response.
Apparently good physical behavior = spiritual reward.
What if it isn't about reward?
What if God isn't dangling a carrot (or a crown) for us?
What if we already possess a spiritual crown? (We are created in the image of God, right?)
What if becoming more aware of God, our own spiritual being, and the other spiritual beings around us is enough to change our physical behavior?
Spiritual reward (awareness) = good physical behavior.
What if ... ?
What if when Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," he meant that we can experience heaven right now?
What if we don't have to die to experience heaven?
What if it is possible to live in the physical world and the spiritual world of heaven at the same time?
What if Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for us to have heaven and the only thing that is keeping us from experiencing heaven right now is our lack of awareness of being in the presence of God?
What if the very moment that we begin to see God in the people and in the world around us is the moment we experience salvation and become aware that this is heaven; that the kingdom of heaven is here?
What if ... ?
John
I know that we're all still working things out, but are there things that you've already concluded that these things are true and we need to accept it as true?
What are the questions you struggle with today?
Even as I struggle with an aging physical body, I am learning that life is much more than the physical world. But as I grow in the spiritual realm, I am learning how taking care of the natural (physical) world is becoming more important. The daily awareness that we live in both worlds is both exhilarating and a little frightening -- not frightening in a scary way, just frightening in a new perspective sort of way.
For most of my life I've kept the two worlds compartmentalized. When dealing with the spiritual world, it was generally in an afterlife kind of way -- e.g. What happens when you die?
Consequences of decisions in the physical world seem to manifest themselves in rather predictable, physical ways, but we often seem to ignore or remain unaware of the potential consequences of spiritual decisions and non-decisions. When we think of those consequences as post-life, we can only guess what they might be. Religious leaders seem to have an inside track on post-life consequences and often use fear as a motivator to inspire some sort of current physical behavior or response.
Apparently good physical behavior = spiritual reward.
What if it isn't about reward?
What if God isn't dangling a carrot (or a crown) for us?
What if we already possess a spiritual crown? (We are created in the image of God, right?)
What if becoming more aware of God, our own spiritual being, and the other spiritual beings around us is enough to change our physical behavior?
Spiritual reward (awareness) = good physical behavior.
What if ... ?
What if when Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand," he meant that we can experience heaven right now?
What if we don't have to die to experience heaven?
What if it is possible to live in the physical world and the spiritual world of heaven at the same time?
What if Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for us to have heaven and the only thing that is keeping us from experiencing heaven right now is our lack of awareness of being in the presence of God?
What if the very moment that we begin to see God in the people and in the world around us is the moment we experience salvation and become aware that this is heaven; that the kingdom of heaven is here?
What if ... ?
John
Monday, March 02, 2020
Sunday, March 01, 2020
Am I Running From God?
In a couple of different posts last fall I mentioned that my preaching days are pretty much over ... and I'm okay with that. Recently, on a few different occasions our Bar Church pastor has asked about the possibility of me teaching on a Thursday night. I've been cautious about that. I'm not sure how well I would adjust to the teaching style of The Venues, nor am I sure of how the people of The Venues would respond to my style of preaching/teaching.
At this point I've been open to serving in any way that's helpful.
But then...
Last week I was approached by two people from two churches (within minutes of each other) about the possibility of working with them in a preaching/teaching ministry, and I received an invite to serve as camp pastor for a kids' camp and a youth camp.
It's taken me by surprise and I find myself conflicted about how to proceed.
Because the camp opportunities are with a Southern Baptist Association where I have served in the past, I'll talk to them. I doubt that we are still a good fit, but I will let them make that call.
As for the churches -- well, I'll talk to them, too.
And in the mean time, I'm going to have to have a little talk with God about what I'm supposed to be doing now. I was thinking that I'm retired and that preaching/teaching thing was a part of my past.
So,
this is how March begins!
(shakes head and sighs)
John
At this point I've been open to serving in any way that's helpful.
But then...
Last week I was approached by two people from two churches (within minutes of each other) about the possibility of working with them in a preaching/teaching ministry, and I received an invite to serve as camp pastor for a kids' camp and a youth camp.
It's taken me by surprise and I find myself conflicted about how to proceed.
Because the camp opportunities are with a Southern Baptist Association where I have served in the past, I'll talk to them. I doubt that we are still a good fit, but I will let them make that call.
As for the churches -- well, I'll talk to them, too.
And in the mean time, I'm going to have to have a little talk with God about what I'm supposed to be doing now. I was thinking that I'm retired and that preaching/teaching thing was a part of my past.
So,
this is how March begins!
(shakes head and sighs)
John