Spirituality, Uncategorized

Sign of the Times

Recently I have noticed a lot of signs posted in retail stores reminding people to “treat their employees with courtesy and respect.” Between Austin and Dallas there are billboards telling people to slow down in construction zones because “the workers want to return home safely. “ What in the world is going on?

Depression and anxiety have been on the rise in the United States for quite some time. Young people, especially young women, have been disproportionately affected. With science, asking why is the beginning of understanding the phenomenon. Over 40% of children have chronic diseases. Thank God HHS is finally doing a deep dive into why, hoping to find answers. You might not like the answers, but the question remains relevant. We cannot sustain our population when life expectancy has been coming down, which it has.

God gave each of us a living miracle when he created the human body. Your heart will beat 36 million times this year. Your brain makes 25,000 independent decisions each second. We must take care of ourselves by eating right, getting some exercise daily, and putting the electronics away for a while. Society is more connected than ever, but we are living in the loneliest time ever, too. Again, why?

Again, a reminder that we should show kindness. The person waiting on you in a store might be doing all they can to hold it together. Taking care of yourself includes showing some kindness and compassion to your fellow man…

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Spirituality

A Moment

Thank you for taking a moment to read this piece. We all have the same 168 hours each week, and you chose to spend some of your time with me. I’m grateful.

This crazy world we are living in keeps us busy. Every time something is invented that saves us a minute, we find something to engage our minds. People are overloaded and overwhelmed. We need more peace in our lives, not more busyness.

My encouragement to you is to take a moment every day just being quiet. Turn everything off and sit in the moment. No distractions. No emails. Just you and the quiet. Calm your mind. If doing this makes you uncomfortable, sit with the discomfort. It will pass. I speak from experience.

The busy world will be waiting for you when you re-engage. You won’t have missed a thing. You will have gained some much needed peace in your life. And that’s a good thing…

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Spirituality

Late Night Entertainment

When I was growing up, The Tonight Show was the show to watch late at night. Johnny Carson hosted with Ed McMahon as his sidekick. Doc Severinson led the band. Carson was a unique talent in comedy and wit. He got his start in entertainment as a magician.

The late night talk shows of today are staid and boring. They operate in one lane: who can tell the next best Trump joke. It’s too bad because people tune in to get away from politics. We are bombarded with it 24/7. Carson picked on many politicians, but did so in a gentlemanly way.

Stephen Colbert used to be hilarious. His “The Colbert Show” on Comedy Central had great guests. Colbert has a quick wit that seems lost today. He still has the talent inside of him and I hope he finds it again.

Entertainers of today believe they need to weigh in on politics. They, like the rest of the population, have an opinion but that’s it. And I have never heard anyone say, “I was watching “The View” and thought those ladies made a lot of sense.

Our world needs to laugh. We are becoming a society that takes itself too serious. Lighten up, world. Laughter is good for you…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Detractors

There are people among us who love to tear you down. I have never understood this. It must come from an area of their own insecurity embedded in their hearts. Deeply embedded.

The world is hard. Take a moment and notice the faces of the people around you. Wherever you are, in an elevator, walking around The Domain, in restaurants, the effects of isolation are still felt today. These are opportunities to show kindness and compassion to others, even to those who don’t deserve it.

God created us to be in community, not alone. We need solitude but not isolation. Even the CDC has put on their website that human connection is vital for good emotional health and wellbeing. If you haven’t heard from your friends and acquaintances for a while, take a moment to check on them. It will do both of you well.

Don’t fall for the distractions of life, or the detractors. Stay focused on spreading goodness and light, no matter what anyone says…

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