Auditing the Self

2020-03-21_Auditing the Self

I wrote this poem earlier today but hesitated to post it. Journal Writing and Poetry fit together like dominoes with me. One cannot go far without calling out the other.

Robert Brewer of Writer’s Digest’s April PAD Challenge is starting early this year. You may want to join in on his blog, Poetic Asides. I am considering doing the Poem A Day, but I am already committed here, so we will just have to see.

I hope all of you are finding yourselves not too severely inconvenienced by the Coronavirus and am praying everyone stays well. I am doing usual things, maybe a little more than usually, I do. My dogs seem a bit clingy, and since I am reading and writing a bit more, I am listening to Focus@Will rather than music with vocals. It seems to help me concentrate, which is good because I am stressing.

I helped copy edit the magazines, but our content was down. I sincerely hope events and businesses can restart soon.

When nothing is normal, we have to create a new normal, because our beings require stability. In whatever fashion you can regulate your days, whether reading, writing, working in place, or being outside, I highly recommend it.

As a prompt take the words disruption and normalcy, create something that reflects them. Like always when I present a prompt you are free to take it in any direction your creativity will. I am very much a believer in using as few limits as possible.

God bless and keep you, everyone. Look for those who are attempting to help and join as you may. Smile, nothing lasts forever. Imagine how joyous we will be to see one another again.

Advice from a Homebody

You can skip this if you have it all under control, but since many of you find yourselves sequestered at home, and I am a bit of an expert at staying in, I thought I might have something that would help.

Probably as you went into this, your housework was reasonably under control. As you are making a transition to quarantine, especially if you have kids, you might let yourself ease up a little bit. I say this so you can take time to adjust. Some movies, music, books, writing, may make being home easier. This is not to say let all your housework go, just set your standards for comfort.

If you have puzzles, coloring books, beading, drawing paper, crayons, colored pencils, pens, paper, blank cards, board games, cameras, things to repair or build, this would be a time to use them. If you find yourself homeschooling, these can be utilized as rewards for finishing assignments. If you join the kiddos, it will also be a bonding experience in a time of tension.

It might be an excellent time to launch a blog or website if you have been considering it. Both WordPress and Blogger are reasonably easy to start. I prefer WordPress. There are others as well, I just mention two I have used.

If your kids are home, now is a great time to get them involved in the chores, which they may typically find ways to shirk. You do not have to be a harsh taskmaster, just tie fun screen time to task completion.

If you need additional resources for educational materials, many of the colleges have things you can access for free. Coursera is a service tied to top universities that allows auditing courses without a fee.

Almost all of us could increase our activity. For low impact, walking is the best and can be done as a family. In eating, you may find the Yummly app has some suggestions which help you add variety when supply is limited.

To lower stress and anxiety limit your news content, and if your social media is caustic, take some breaks.

Books are everyone’s best friends at a time like this. Reading can help you soothe your mind, and with kids, it helps extend their concentration and attention span. If you have pre-readers, by all means, read to them. You can read their books, and you can also share your reads. This exposes them to the rhythms of language and vocabulary they may not have encountered.

Go outside. It is that simple. Find time in nature.

I will try to post some writing prompts and exercises over these days. I remind you everyone is creative. You have an ideal opportunity to explore what creativity means to you at this time.

If you have questions, I am fully willing to help.

Gratitude

I always have a grateful heart, but tonight I want to share some things for which I thank the Lord.

During this time, when there are significant disruptions for many, a lot is typical for me. I did have to spend more than I was prepared to on groceries, pet food, fuel, and seeing things all in disorder upset me. The thing is we are good now.

I have devices and the internet, the electric and internet are currently paid.
I have access to music in abundance.
I have books (you all know I have an abundance plus I picked up library books last Thursday, and long as services stay up, I have Kindle).
I have art supplies.
I have journal supplies.
I have pens, pens are important.
I have dogs. Wookie and Tribble challenge me to keep going, (when Wookie is not trying to kill me, we are working on that).
There is a full tank of gas in the Explorer, and I just paid the payment and insurance for six months.
The taxes on the house were mailed. The insurance is paid.
My pain though disconcerting, is almost manageable.
God granted me a fertile imagination so I can entertain myself adequately.
I have the best best-friend in the world.
Should it get cold, the propane is full.
I have water.
No one stole my toilet paper, and I had Kleenex.
My meds are set until late next month.
Everyone I am distant-close to is doing well, although I think some are very inconvenienced.
I am keeping uppermost in my mind, when possible, that God is in control.
Tonight I am shuffling songs (almost 10,000) on my iPod, and I truly wish everyone could witness this concert.
Of course, I am grateful for each and everyone who reads my drivel. I will try not to inflict a list like this on you anytime soon.

I just hope everyone else is safe and okay. I really love all of you, and I want everything to be alright. If you have someone near, give them a hug, or tell someone you love them. Everyone needs love in times like these.

As a prompt, write down a few things you are thankful your life is blessed with today.

The Music Played

When the moment shifts into one of the places we rather not go, we have to find a way to keep on. It becomes a bit like fighting with dragons when we are isolated. Dragons though respond to players with music, so we do well to employ singers and songs. When we link our voices with what brings us joy and sing loud and strong, the doldrums have to go.

This is a shortlist, and I would welcome hearing from you all what helps keep your grip fastened in place.

Start Me Up, Don’t Stop, You Got Me Rocking – The Rolling Stones will help turn a mood around.

Hideaway, Joy, Goddess in the Doorway – Mick Jagger is particularly useful when you are trying to adjust to quarantine.

Time Waits for No One – Freddie Mercury makes one appreciate living.

One Vision, Love Kills, The Show Must Go On; I Want It All – QUEEN is motivating.

We Believe, The Greatness of Our God, God Is Not Dead – Newsboys are rousing anthems of faith.

God Is In Control – Twila Paris is useful when things feel out of all control.

You Say – Lauren Daigle will help if one feels lost and out of sorts.

Two Pina Coladas – Garth Brooks is just plain fun.

You Love Is Lifting Me Higher And Higher – Rita Coolidge is one of the best love songs ever.

I sleep with the QUEEN channel on YouTube playing.

Anyway, find your tunes and disperse those dragons, if the need finds you.

Maybe Today

We can spend time with
One another, talk, listen;
Pick up a book, magazine,
Newspaper, read good things.
Love
On our pets, while they love us,
Play with a child, love them,
Read interesting storybooks, or
Make stories up together.
Color, draw, paint – something
Beautiful,
Listen to music, sing along, or alone,
Pause some screen interaction,
See less bad news, avoid fear, panic,
We can discover an alcove of quiet
In whatever way we wish.
A long walk with mindfulness,
Bringing along a non-phone camera,
Writing letters to those we love,
Who
Will treasure the gift of “real” mail.
We must not allow chaos, meanness,
In the public sphere to dictate
The persons we are and become.
Humans are able to transcend disasters,
Growing richer, better, more capable,
Polished, polite, kindly, generous,
People of LOVE!
We can rise, creating,
A world
Of possibility and opportunity.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

As a prompt, I encourage you to put the world aside, a while. Enjoy the people, the places, the things that enrich your existence. If you wish, engage your creativity and produce something. Or if you are as exhausted as we often become, rest. Blessings to you and yours. Peace amidst the turmoil.