There are a lot of things going on these days that are bringing people together.
There are also a lot of things that are tearing people apart. As we're stuck inside, we can be glued to the screens of our wonderful technology that is keeping us connected. The problem is that we are losing a bit of our humanity in the process. It's becoming even easier to point fingers, assign blame, and become nasty. I was recently scrolling through Facebook only to find an endless array of "games" about "friends" and opinions of this situation we're in. The combination showed me how self involved we truly are. Now, this isn't something new. However, with the isolation we're in, our focus on self is becoming everything on our minds. When mention of another human occurs, it is always about how they have been wronged by that person. Depressing. After a rough night of scrolling, the next morning I was privileged to hear an amazing Michael Jackson song. The song Man in the Mirror always had me singing. "I'm starting with the man in the mirror I'm asking him to change his ways And no message could have been any clearer (If you want to make the world a better place) Take a look at yourself, and them make a change At first, I was just singing and two stepping to the song of my childhood. Then I began to think about what has been going on. I, too, want to complain about everything going on. I need to actively stop myself from my bellyaching so that I can make the change I want to see. Feeling down and out? Go do something for your neighbors (safely). Send someone a gift card. Make a silly video and plaster it on Facebook. Frustrated that the masks have been sold out for a month? Make some. Not a crafty person? Purchase materials and donate them to someone making masks. Do you have free time to read a book? Read it. Devour it. If you love it, recommend it to others. Write an email to the author telling them how much you enjoyed it (if they're alive). Are you really good with numbers? Volunteer to do online tutoring for kids. They can be in your area or anywhere! What a great way to connect with family across the country! I get frustrated easily. I always have. My fuse is no longer than my nose. Lately I've been thinking about some of the things that bother me. What is the length of this issue? How much of an impact will it have on me, my family, community, country, world? What can I do to offset this? And when all else fails, since the attention is already on you- what can you do just for your little bubble to ease the negative. I've spent a good number of nights with my children in the kitchen. We're cooking dinner together. The benefits are phenomenal. 1- Delicious dinner. 2- Teamwork/communication skills building. 3- Kids are getting real world experience to handle life on their own. 4- I don't always feel like I'm being taken advantage of because I'm the person continually serving the others. The same goes for chores around the house. My children know they have to do chores every day. Last week they asked what their chore was so they could get it done (ability to have free play time!). My response - be ready and helpful. If I call out, "Hey, will you help me?" say yes and come help. And you know what? There were no complaints. I didn't fuss about doing everything for everyone (that day) and they didn't argue about having a chore to do. We found a fix. When you want a change in the people around you, you should always start with your self. Jesus said it best, "Why do you worry about the speck in your neighbor's eye. First remove the plank from your own eye. Then you will be able to help your neighbor." Deal with yourself. Find the answers with yourself. Then spread grace, love, and peace to those around you.
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AuthorI have a lot to say about a lot of things. Archives
May 2023
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