Ahh, somedays life throws us unexpected complications on top of worry? The things we value the most occupy our thoughts and color our deeds. So, what do you spend the most time worrying about? It seems the future becomes less certain every day providing a script of worry and woe that not even the best writer could dream up.
Yesterday, thirteen people decided they needed groceries. Grocery shopping is a lot of things. Boring. Tedious. Time consuming. Expensive. But, it shouldn’t have ever cost ten of those people their lives. Three others have unnecessary injuries that have changed their lives forever. A troubled young soul had evil on his mind. It brewed in his heart, producing hate that he expressed with the trigger of a gun. Even worse, he filmed the rampage for other innocents to watch. Again, another tragedy at the hands of a mentally ill fool.
These days, I avoid the news whenever possible. In the third year of widowhood and the Single Life of the Senior Citizen, I have plenty to occupy my mind without the thought of bullets whizzing past me in Dairy or Produce. Did I close the garage door? Are the gates locked? Did I turn off the burners on the stove? Are my underwear presentable if I need to go to the emergency room? Will my neighborhood remain a safe place for me to live? And my favorite VST saying, “What shall the end be?” Each day, it seems we’re closer to the realization that “All good things must come to an end.” I just never thought that’d refer to America and our way life.
Looking for peace in my heart, I ran across a little advice that is helping comfort my worried heart. Approaching some rapids, these things will buoy me like a life vest during these harrowing times.
- I need the simplest things to live. God. Food. Water. Shelter. Clothing. Health. Personal safety. How simple is that? Everything else is above and beyond. So, I’m going to dial back expectations for my life, relying on gratitude for the simplest of things, which I already have in abundance.
2. Courage. We all need to be courageous in our day to day lives. Life is not for shrinking Violets. Johnny Jump Ups don’t life very long in the desert. Now, Saguaro Cactus! That’s a plant. And entire community of protection and life, thriving in the desert. Yes. If I had to be a plant, I’d pick the Saguaro.
3. Self-Denial. Time that we could all dial back our “I must have……’s.” Have you ever walked down an aisle in Walmart and looked at the ridiculous things we are convinced we NEED in our American lives? Really? Have you ever purged a closet, realizing a month later that you can’t even remember what you threw out? Turn attention to the things we already have and find enjoyment in them. There are no pockets in a shroud.
4. Occupation. Stay busy. If retired, stay busy with all the chores that, once done, make life more comfortable for you. If a widow, double that amount, because you have no one to help. Do them your own way and in your own time, but, stay busy and be thankful you are able to stay occupied.
5. A Clear Conscience. Live in truth, whatever that may be. If you want to say “No”, say no. No explanation needed. Don’t lie. Read the Ten Commandments and do your best to follow them. Avoid gossip, judgement of others, prejudice, and a stiff neck. Breathe in the spring air and close your eyes at night knowing you did no harm. Live in peace.
Any one of those tips is monumental, but if even one of them is embraced, comfort is sure to follow.
“You know, troubles always gonna be there.
Don’t let it bring you to your knees.
Look up.” Look Up — Joy Oladokun
Enjoy your Sunday, whatever you decide to do.
More tomorrow.