Take That Box Of Hard Down And Deal With It.

I am an eternal optimist. Go ahead smack me. I cannot help myself. Many years ago while going through a very hard situation my dad actually challenged my disposition. It was hard. I could admit that. It was also my choice to not bow down to the hard, and not to camp in hard. Put that hard on the shelf, go enjoy the day, make another's day good. Then take that box of hard down and deal with it.

Well folks. My cheery optimism has been getting harder and harder. And this time it is not my hard. It is watching, reading, and talking to friends and family who have so much hard right now. I am a born "Empath"  Here is the definition.

Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. Psychologists may use the term empath to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense.

I have, over the years, learned how to NOT take on the pains of others. I learned how to ask questions and guard my heart because it's easy for me to become consumed with others in their hard stuff. I know at times I have come across as being disconnected, but I have learned to listen, ask questions, allow someone to have their outward process and protect my own empath heart. 

This past week, the stories are endless of the struggles are so many facing. I have cried many tears this week on behalf of others.  Those close to me, my neighbors, friends and the countless stories on social media. Today I asked God what I could do with my limited resources. Today I told Gordon if I had all the money in the world I would write cashier's checks to those in my community. He asked why I would not just Venmo them. I said, "Because I would not want anyone to know it was me. I would just want them to believe that someone was watching out for them."  Today it is writing five Easter cards to strangers. A sweet gal at our church connected with a Senior Home and was able to get first names. Then asked if we all might consider writing Easter Cards. I chose five names. 

I guess the title of this post may see a little harsh. "Take that box of hard down and deal with it."  How are you dealing with it? Today I am writing notes to people I will never meet in hopes that I may brighten their Easter. I am also planning great meals for my family and gathering around the table daily to serve them. Today I did not get mad when someone used the kitchen to bake cookies and did not clean up. I just cleaned up thinking that in this hard season what can I do to make this less hard for others?

Taking my box of hard down and dealing with it in ways that might make someone else's hard a bit easier. This is hard. This is very hard. And I will not minimize what we are all experiencing together. Guess what friends? Together is the word. We are all experiencing this together.   And together we can all take that box of hard down and deal with it together. Dealing with it one day at at time. One heartache at a time. Truly with love for each person who reads this if you have to many boxes of hard to deal with. Ask for help. 

Allow someone else to carry the burden. I love this passage. If there is anything, within my resources and power, that you need please reach out to me. I can help sort out that box of hard and help you deal with it. 

Galatians 6: 2"Carry one another's burden; in this you will fulfill the law."

Beautiful Things for Today

I took this beautiful walk in Palm Desert this past week and these are the beautiful things for today. While the nation is under quarantine I have the complete joy and blessing of being in a beautiful place. Life does not feel any different today than it did a month ago. Having already had habits of being home, kids home-schooling, and being somewhat of a food hoarder anyway has had no ill-affect on our family.  I have been dong lots of walking. On this particular walk I decided that rather than just walk past all the beautiful gardens and flowers I would actually stop and study them.

I have never been that person who can identify the flowers. My sister Marantha and my close friend Amanda can identify any plant I have ever come across. As I sit in the morning cool air, a hummingbird close by, and the birds all singing their own tunes I reflect on yesterday's walk and it's beauty. In times of uncertainty, a deadly virus and economically hard times I find I can weather it all by looking for the beautiful things for today.

While I was walking and snapping pictures of so many beautiful flowers. This song came onto my Pandora. I just started crying. Because the words are amazing to the culture of our world. Take a moment to listen. Close your eyes and listen to the words.

Beautiful Things by Gunger

https://youtu.be/1spkhp41ig4

After listening and continuing my walk I just felt this overwhelming sense of peace.  A crisis gives us time to reflect and we have a choice. To wallow in fear and uncertainty or to look at what is in front of us and the beautiful things. Nature, and the beautiful humans in our lives.  Enjoy the photos below from a lovely walk. 

You Are Loved

It was a rock painting day. The mood of the day was to do something different. Turn off the news and enjoy the day. Our world is pretty much under quarantine due to the Coronavirus.  I am already use to being home having worked remotely for well over 15 years. I love to have the news on during the day but not this day. I turned it off.

I could not watch another doom and gloom story. So I decided to paint rocks. River rocks are perfect for painting. In a few short hours I would be getting into an UBER and heading to the airport to see Gordon. As the clocked clicked closer to my UBER arriving I painted this. I panted three of these. I thought I would give one to the UBER driver if he was married, to give to his wife. It turned out that the UBER driver was married and he brought up how much he loves his wife. I think when I asked if he was married he may have thought I had different ideas. I embraced his love of his wife. Then handed him this rock and said to put it on her pillow. He cracked up laughing and said he would never forget this UBER ride.

I also made one for Gordon and packed it in my bag.  I was pulled out of line by TSA.  They had found something in my bag. Before going through my bag they gave me a full body search. Rubber gloved hands inside the bands of my pants and under my breasts and all long the seams of my pants. All because there was something detected in my bag. What was detected was this painted rock.   It took three TSA personal to determine if I could keep the rock. They were wavering and as they deliberated I informed them that hair dryers are more dangerous. That in less than 5 seconds a passenger could be strangle by the cord of a  blow dryer. And aim with a blow-dryer when striking a blow would more damaging than a rock. Needless to say they were not humored. However if did make them think and they did hand me back my precious rock. Since I had their attention I asked them all what they might remember from this incident. No one answered. So I showed them the rock, smiled and said, "You Are Loved".

If there is anything you remember about this post it is simply stated, "You Are Loved". If you don't feel it or know then go love on someone and pass this message along.