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What do I hope for? On a personal level, my first hope is that travel will become safe and convenient enough that I can once again routinely visit my family. And immediately following that, I hope that I stay well, as well as my loved ones. I also hope that in the somewhat near future, I can socialize more with my friends, return to volunteering, travel, take some classes to learn some new skills, and that the quality of my sleep pattern will improve. I hope that I can continue to grow intellectually, spiritually, and in joy until my days here on earth are done. On a national and international level, I hope, as the prayer in Richard Rohr’s daily meditation says, “we become community that vulnerably share each other’s burdens and the weight of glory.” We need to sit with others and hear the burdens of their hearts to truly understand why hate and bitterness exist. I hope that after the pandemic is over, that we don’t shut our eyes to the suffering in America or across the world. After all, it existed before, and will continue to exist after. I’m hoping that we will have the collective will to take care of this world, so the beautiful and diverse life will be here for generations to come. Some of these hopes should be attainable in the somewhat near future, and some are more difficult, needing much hard work. In the meantime, I will continue to hope. --Jeanette
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This is a tough one. I don’t feel a lot of hope right now, or maybe the better description is that I have faint hope for some good things. I hope that Democrats win both Georgia Senate seats so Biden has a chance of doing some good things. I have a tiny hope that Republicans will work with Democrats a tiny bit better. I hope we can get an aid package soon so that people won’t be hungry or get evicted, at a minimum. I had hope at one point that the divisions in the country would be healed, but I’m no longer so sure it’s possible. I hope it is. I do have some hope that the next generation will do a better job with this. I hope we can get Covid-19 under control. I hope we get a vaccine sooner rather than later but that no corners are cut getting it. I hope my limited contact with my children and grandchildren in Arizona and Illinois will be enough to sustain the relationships until we can see them again more regularly. Wow, this is depressing! The Bible says that hope deferred makes the heart sick, and that’s a good description of me right now—sick at heart. --Terese That's a broad and weighty subject.
From my perspective, much smaller hopes: selling the RV and the utility trailer. Finding a local support group for other caregivers. A phone call from my son just to chat. Every day that I wake up and have optimism in my heart, see the peaceful home that we have, enjoy a good cup of coffee and have a few TV free minutes to just be with me, is reason to hope that goodness will win the day. --donna According to Paul, "Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8: 24-25) With this in mind, I'm thinking of what I do not see but hope for. And what I don't see around me is a unified vision of what our community or world should look like. I don't think I have the only, or even the best vision myself, but some visions prominently displayed by others genuinely disturb me, and I don't see how we can reconcile those visions. Reconciled vision for a world that works for all people is something I hope for, then. Something else I've been praying for regularly is simple: "Lord, let me love everyone in front of me today." It's simple to say but not always simple to remember. These days, I don't see many people in front of me (literally, in front of me), so it's also fairly simple to carry out :-). Its corollary, though, is the hope (see, there's that word!) that all hearts will be similarly inclined. I don't see evidence of that like-mindedness, and I hope for us all to love everyone we encounter, both physically and virtually. I think this is the fundamental hope that can change the world, but I don't have the power to change hearts. Only God can. Hence, my prayers. Sorry to be so philosophical, but these are my most basic hopes in a time of turmoil. I hope 2021 will reveal a bit more peace--and hopes fulfilled! --Janice I decided to look up the meaning of hopeful. It says if you are hopeful about something, you're optimistic. Hopeful comes from the word hope, meaning “optimism about a future event,” and the suffix -ful, meaning full. So if I'm hopeful, I'm full of hope : I think something good is going to happen. I am very hopeful that 2020 will be over on December 31st and we can move to 2021! I am hopeful that the new administration will lead to better outcomes for more people, whether they are large or small. I am hopeful that sometime in the next year we will be able to travel, wherever we decide to go. I am hopeful that more people will be employed again. I am hopeful that the pandemic will lessen either by public health measures or a vaccine. I am not hopeful about that happening soon. I am hopeful that next year I will have success with my tomatoes again. This year we ate good and I had enough to make some salsa. Who knows I might try something else? I am hopeful that the ivy plants I got on a literature drop day will survive the winter as they were just planted. Without hope, I don't think I could get out of bed in the morning. I wouldn't plant another plant or tree if I didn't have hope. I believe it is a necessary ingredient for life. And, for sure, if I didn't have hope for the future, I would not attend a church and profess to be a Christian of the not-so-evangelical persuasion. --Carolyn Jeanette once told us that a Biden presidency might be like an interim pastor, whose job it is to settle us down and join us together again. I like that image, and I agree with it. My hope is that we can talk to one another again with civility. That we can once again rely on the rules of democracy to lead us. That the days of pushing every limit beyond what we can handle are over. I would sincerely hope that democracy will never again be confused with capitalism: They are not the same, and are in constant competition with one another. And that democracy and religion are not enjoined as well. If America is to be proud of anything, it needs to be vigilant in keeping our republic form of government in tact. All voices must be heard and accepted. I had thought that with the passing of time our democracy was getting more representative, but these 4 years have thrown us backward and upside down. Please Pres. Biden and VP Harris, turn us rightside up again, give us hope that this country and these people will still be able to inspire the world, remind us of our obligations to that world, and to its physical environment, and little by little to trust one another again. --Cynthia During these long months of spending the vast majority of time here at my house, I’ve returned to some hobbies that I’ve enjoyed for years, and started new ones in an effort to decrease my stress level. I’ve always enjoyed baking, so now find my self making cookies, cakes, muffins and trying my hand at homemade bread and tortillas.
My results at the latter 2 would not meet Paul’s standards on the British baking show, but I find them tasty. I’ve also returned to doing counted cross stitch, making small Christmas gifts and more recently, learned how to make fabric quilted greeting cards. Weaving is my newest hobby, but have struggled with my most recent project. Like Cynthia, I enjoy the challenge of jigsaw puzzles. Most days I take a 45-60 minute walk, either here in my neighborhood or at a nearby park. Reading books or watching good movies helps me relax, taking me to another place and into another person’s life. Of course, the most important way that I overcome this stressful way of life that we’re all experiencing is to talk with my family and friends, whether it be by phone, zoom, or in person. So, I guess what I’m saying is that I mainly keep stress at bay by staying busy. But, sometimes, for a brief period, I give into it, and have a good cry. I’ve learned during the difficult times of my life, that it is healthy to quit denying or hiding from the emotions that we humans consider negative. The tears momentarily cleanse my mind and body of the sadness and stress. --Jeanette What are my stress relievers during covid? That’s a really good question. Long baths which are also very helpful for pain relief. Exercise, whether it’s a jazzercise video, a walk, or a bike ride. I should exercise every day but only manage three or four days a week. Still, it helps. Reading, but I find that recently I get very stressed by reading more substantial books dealing with current issues. So there seems to be a need for escaping right now. I’m currently enjoying a legal thriller with no redeeming social value. Which brings up watching escapist movies. We just finished watching all the Marvel movies and it was a lot of fun. Sometimes baking, and then there are also cookies around, which is great because eating sweets is my last coping technique! If I read the above with my psychologist hat on, I am a little worried about unhealthy coping. Now I have a new source of stress! --Terese Getting haircuts on a semi-regular basis. Pedicures. Soaking in a hot bath, with Epson Salts. I've started a "garden" of flowerpots and am growing Paper-Whites in a window for Spring flowers at Christmas.
I'm learning to be more open with Karla and Fredrick about my concerns (Chris's health, finances, Big Things we need to sell, move out, donate to Charity) I don't allow myself to dwell on the fears or sad thoughts. I'm the Queen of Denial so I can put those thoughts into a corner of my mind and focus on the next picture I am going to draw. I find things to send to the Granddaughters and work on creating boxes of things they can enjoy for no reason at all. I keep happy things in my line of vison so wherever I look there is a joyful view. Sounds all Pollyana, doesn't it? But it keeps me from being a puddle of tears, or bitter or angry, none of which I want to be. Chris and I both deserve a peaceful, calm and happy life. It takes a little work, but we are going to have it because we have the support and resources to live a good way. Most of my "self-care" comes down to using a lifetime of trying to learn sanity, working at remembering lessons I learned in Al-Anon, using the wisdom I have and Karla's understanding of knotty situations and how to solve them. I know I am blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to live in the "here and now" and I say "Thank You " a lot. --donna Avoid historic elections and the aftermath! Unfortunately that was not possible this week. I do have usual strategies. I try to begin my day with a breathing exercise, drink water and then have a quiet time where I read devotional/meditative materials either in book form or things I subscribe to online. That helps to set the tone for the day. AA has a number of slogans that I find helpful, such as “Let Go and Let God,” “This too shall pass” and One Day at a Time.” They may seem trite, but it does help keep things in perspective, especially only living one day at a time. Worrying about tomorrow is something I can do well. This helps me let go of the future a lot of the time and just focus on what I can do today. I try to walk every day. It is very helpful if I can walk outside like I did today and go to the Keystone Ancient Forest where I see a 500 year old tree. If it can last, so can I. The walks tax my body and keeps my mind off of other things. It gives me a great feeling. I also took time to go see the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Center to see the spectacular colors. Something like that really takes my mind off of me. I can't forget connecting with supportive friends so I know I am not in this alone. That is so important. I am blessed to have such great and compatible friends! --Carolyn |
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