Hi,
Like you probably are, I am staying at home to keep from giving and getting the recent virus that has taken over our lives. At first it may have felt like a dream come true to not have to go to work. Instead you could sleep as long as you wanted and just relax, watch television or play with your laptop/phone. Time to do anything you wanted… Right?
But I realized that I have literally been inside the house for almost three weeks. I have had the time to complete several tasks that have been put off for a long time. I did more cooking than I ever thought possible, and watched more television than I ever should have. I listened to God in meditation, but all I heard at first was, “Where have you been?”
If you are in the same situation as I am and are starting to feel bored, here are a few suggestions:
--try making a puzzle,
--give your plants some tender loving care,
--watch a few Hallmark movies instead of the news,
--do a hobby that was a favorite when you had the time,
--do some family games together, like Scrabble, Monopoly, etc.
--give yourself some meditation time,
--casually spend the time to enjoy your food,
--try a new recipe or learn to cook,
--be grateful if you have food in the house,
--do word puzzles,
--read a book you have been wanting to read,
--call your mother,
--think about your purpose in life,
--play with the dog or cat—they are ecstatic that you are home,
well, at least the dog is…
--pray—but remember to be silent and let God talk…
********************************************************************************
Hi...
The picture of daises is a symbolic gift reminding you that Spring will not be cancelled. If you feel stuck with no place to go, this might be a good time to explore some quiet space. (It will help you deal with all the negative changes in our lives right now.)
Silent places allow us to breathe deeply, to take in
little messages of self-respect from our inner selves.
They give us the gentle space to feel the basic
spiritual themes that will put us back on the path
when we are lost.
Robert J. Wicks
Have you ever tried sitting in a quiet space with a lit candle and no
other distractions? If not, try doing that (with or without the candle) and simply enjoy the quiet. Many people will use the time listening to the soft voice of God in prayer. But even without that, being in the quiet with no demands on you can do wonders. It helps put things in perspective and allows you to make easier decisions afterwards. It can be a place for hope---something that is desperately needed at this time of the Pandemic. And it can help remove some of the stress and panic that many people feel.
Hope you try it...
Jeanne
**************************************************************************
March sixth and we are all hopeful for Spring. Maybe the birds outshine us in hopefulness. They seem to be scampering, a strange movement for most birds. I see them as floating, gliding, foraging, flying, etc. but I usually don’t see them as scampering.There is lightness in their movements—almost as if they are saying, “Let’s get on with it, isn’t Spring here yet?” Or maybe that’s what I am saying. Of course, birds are anxious to get their families started. Who wouldn’t look forward to infants in the house?
However, right now the birds outside my window and I are stuck in a cold, rainy weather pattern that has been with us all winter. And when it hasn’t been raining it has been cloudy. The weather seems to reflect the state of society--not a pretty picture…
But the birds are happy and maybe that is a better sign of faith. Unlike us, maybe they listen to God’s silent messages of hope. Maybe they are able to live in the present and look forward to the future knowing that God is always with them. After all, they do go about trusting that this or that will occur when needed, and there are always brothers and sisters to play with. But the birds are happy living in the now, always being aware of what is going on around them, careful not to miss the good things in life.
How about you and I? Do you think we could we do that?
*********************************************************************************
Following is a quote I came across a long time ago. Definitely something
to think about...
It can happen again.
To the Jews, the Blacks, the Hispanics, or any other identifiable group that an apathetic public is willing to let be abused.
All it takes is the coming together of even a small number of people who require a scapegoat
to explain away their own insecurities, lack of abilities,
or low self-esteem,
and you have the environment for creating another Hitler.
Simon P. Sloan An Isolated Incident
***********************************************************************
I wonder when it was that I ceased to walk and move with the fluid motions of one who is young. It seems like only a few months ago those who were wise in the way the world works didn’t yet take me seriously.
It's almost as if we are deceived into thinking that there really is an optimal time in life when we have the power to function at our best. But in reality, just when our minds and hearts finally begin to feel relaxed with explaining old insecurities and we can start to smile at ourselves lovingly, the body decides to go on strike one department at a time. And so we go from not having control because of our youth to not having control because of our failing body parts.
Right between adulthood and old age someone needs to invent a longer, more recognizable time period during which we can feel both healthy and secure--a time when, at least for part of a lifetime, we can sense that we are winning the struggle.
Just think about it...During that special extended period of ideal life we wouldn't have to worry about so many things that seem to throw us a curve at other times. We wouldn't worry, for example, about what other people think or about trying to impress anyone. We wouldn't be afraid to stand up for our rights as consumers, citizens, women, people with disabilities, people with racial, cultural or other differences.
If there were this extended time period in life when we felt in control, we could walk with our head held high and the rest of the body in perfect coordination. We could actually participate in all of the activities that the mind says are interesting and amusing.
And we wouldn’t have to live life on the defensive. There would be no need to blame others or try to change them. If we felt comfortable with ourselves for this extended period of time, we could allow others to be themselves…with no demands from us. Also, wouldn’t it be wonderful to not feel obligated to do something we really didn’t want to do? Just imagine feeling comfortable saying “No” at times when someone puts on the pressure instead of struggling to come up with an excuse.
Oh yes, there’s the fatigue aspect. We wouldn’t be nearly as tired because we wouldn’t be in that state of fight or flight all of the time. We would be happy simply being ourselves regardless of the behavior of others. If there were this period in life when we felt comfortable with ourselves, we could perform at our best, live our values and ideals, be good to ourselves and to others, and stop fighting a self-imposed system of constant disappointments.
But now that I think of it, whoever said we were supposed to fight our way through life? Perhaps maturity is really nothing more than learning how to flow…
It's almost as if we are deceived into thinking that there really is an optimal time in life when we have the power to function at our best. But in reality, just when our minds and hearts finally begin to feel relaxed with explaining old insecurities and we can start to smile at ourselves lovingly, the body decides to go on strike one department at a time. And so we go from not having control because of our youth to not having control because of our failing body parts.
Right between adulthood and old age someone needs to invent a longer, more recognizable time period during which we can feel both healthy and secure--a time when, at least for part of a lifetime, we can sense that we are winning the struggle.
Just think about it...During that special extended period of ideal life we wouldn't have to worry about so many things that seem to throw us a curve at other times. We wouldn't worry, for example, about what other people think or about trying to impress anyone. We wouldn't be afraid to stand up for our rights as consumers, citizens, women, people with disabilities, people with racial, cultural or other differences.
If there were this extended time period in life when we felt in control, we could walk with our head held high and the rest of the body in perfect coordination. We could actually participate in all of the activities that the mind says are interesting and amusing.
And we wouldn’t have to live life on the defensive. There would be no need to blame others or try to change them. If we felt comfortable with ourselves for this extended period of time, we could allow others to be themselves…with no demands from us. Also, wouldn’t it be wonderful to not feel obligated to do something we really didn’t want to do? Just imagine feeling comfortable saying “No” at times when someone puts on the pressure instead of struggling to come up with an excuse.
Oh yes, there’s the fatigue aspect. We wouldn’t be nearly as tired because we wouldn’t be in that state of fight or flight all of the time. We would be happy simply being ourselves regardless of the behavior of others. If there were this period in life when we felt comfortable with ourselves, we could perform at our best, live our values and ideals, be good to ourselves and to others, and stop fighting a self-imposed system of constant disappointments.
But now that I think of it, whoever said we were supposed to fight our way through life? Perhaps maturity is really nothing more than learning how to flow…
*************************************************************************************
Probably the hardest transition to make is the change that is necessary to become a better you. It takes a lot of courage to keep striving to be the real you, the best you possible, your authentic self.
I sometimes wonder if we are ever committed for life. Oh sure, we think that we have made life commitments, maybe in relationships, religious beliefs, or life goals, etc. But how many stay the course? How many actually develop even better relationships or actually grow closer to God’s message of love, or continue to work on those life goals?
In reality we are almost constantly distracted by so much overload that there is no time to step back and put priorities in order. It seems there is little time for finding a sense of personal peace. And this is what is needed most for developing the really good things in life like compassion, understanding, simplicity, gratitude, love, and gentleness.
Most people make the mistake of thinking that if only they had enough of something or were in the right situation, then they could be at peace. But it appears to be the other way around—it is when we are personally at peace that we are most capable of being our best or truest self. It is when we are at peace that we are most likely to have our priorities in order and are able to more easily follow our commitments to quality living.
And a quality life journey has nothing to do with accumulating things or being overly busy with urgent unimportant things that distract, and overwhelm us. The real priorities may lie with spending time (perhaps in silence, prayer, or meditation, etc.), in order to find the simplicity and direction of personal peace.Then everything else falls into place and we can get up and successfully continue to walk on our committed life journey, remembering that love is gentle lesson to learn.
*********************************************************************************************
Many people wonder how St.Teresa of Calcutta was able to consistently show so much love to each individual she met. In answer to this question she apparently said that she followed a "simple path". This is my adaptation of her answer written in the form of a prayer:
God, your path is really a simple journey...
help us to understand that:
it is in silence where we will discover prayer;
it is in prayer that we will find faith;
in faith we will know love;
and through love will come the willingness
to serve others...
and the result of service
is peace.
Jeanne Adams
********************************************************************
I am often fond of saying that life is one long lesson in humility.
Well, recently I was once again reminded of this truth when I made a somewhat disparaging comment about my slight annoyance with someone’s behavior.
It wasn’t even like me to notice, much less make a comment. I thought (too easily) that I was a person who didn’t judge others. I’ve always agreed with and felt, like Pope Francis, “Who am I to judge?” And I tend to be a person who doesn’t talk very much. Also, compassion is extremely high on my bucket list of virtues I would like to aspire to on a consistent basis.
The humility part comes from being totally wrong about my assessment of the situation based on insufficient information and my jumping to conclusions. And so, I learned that I have a much longer way to go when it comes to actually growing in faith and maturity.
Peace,
Jeanne
********************************************************************************************************
 Hello again… Just returned to my usual schedule, so I thought I could start again on my blog. Following is an exercise I used in several of my classes and this is a way of sharing: It is an exercise on what it might feel like to experience loss. (Author is unknown.) Here we go… ***First, write down 10 things that you most enjoy doing: Now cross out anything that you couldn’t do IF:
There are so many people who are experiencing many different types of losses eg. parents who have lost their children, individuals who have lost their health, those who have lost hope, safety, security, purpose, courage, or something to look forward to. The point is that feelings of loss occur much more and in many other ways than we realize. Their experience can also be helped by us in many ways. For example, just a smile to a stranger, simply acknowledging someone’s hurt, calling to check on someone, a short note sent in the mail, including them in an activity, remembering someone, or taking time to genuinely listen. Never underestimate what you can do to serve others. Much is determined by our ability to be aware and to care… Have a wonderful week. Jeanne _______________________________________________________________________ Just a note: I will be busy for the next few weeks, so there will not be blogs. I wish everyone a blessed Christmas and happy holiday... *************************************************** |
Hi there...
I think you have probably heard this one but I'd like to share it just in case:
I want to thank you, Lord, for being close to me so far
this day. With your help, I haven't been impatient,
lost my temper, been grumpy, judgmental,
or envious of anyone.
But I will be getting out of bed in a minute
and I think I will really need your help then.
-author unknown
I know this is meant to be humorous (and it is), but at this time of year, right before
the various holidays, eg. Christmas, it can be a serious plea for help because of the frantic activity we place ourselves in. What we seem to forget is that everything we do is a choice and although we want to be a part of something wonderful, often the commercial chaos overwhelms us and creates a great deal of pressure and stress.
Here are a few suggestions that research has found to be effective at reducing stress:
---spend a few minutes each day, or several times a day, and place yourself
in quiet...with no demands on yourself---even if the bathroom is seemingly the only place
to find quiet.
---walk outside in a city park or nature area and breathe slowly and deeply.
---concentrate on the reason for the season--where real peace can be found.
---try to fully experience togetherness, church services, special food treats,
presents---or at least the intention, decorations, etc.
---take time to be kind.
---pray for others who have less than you or are lonely, confused, hungry or in pain.
I could go on but I think you get the idea. Put your life into perspective,.. but know that you may
still need God's help...
**************************************************************************
The following interesting thoughts are from another unknown writer. I've adapted a few.
See if you agree:
I've learned...
that the best classroom
in the world is at the feet of an
elderly person.
I've learned...
that having an infant fall asleep in your arms
is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I've learned...
that being kind is more important
than being right.
I've learned...
that no matter how serious your life
requires you to be, everyone needs a friend
to act goofy with.
I've learned...
that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
I've learned...
that life is like a roll of toilet paper.The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned...
that sometimes all a person needs
is a hand to hold and a listening heart to understand.
author unknown
and I've personally learned...
that everything other than love
is just clutter and fluff.
Peace,
Jeanne
*************************************************************************************************
11/18/19
“But if I choose life, what would I do with it?”
The above question was asked of me by a very lonely and depressed woman on a hospital psychiatric unit.
I wonder how many other people feel the same way about living.
I wonder what became of the happiness skills we had as children---the ability to be spontaneous and free, to experience a sense of wonder and appreciation, a sense of discovery and awe. Why do so many adults simply give up on life, sit back and wait for happiness to happen someday?
How much happiness do you, in a sense, give up? Have you lost contact with the joys of living?
Try a simple exercise:
IMAGINE AN IDEAL DAY… If you could do anything you wanted all day, how would you spend your time? Write down 10 favorite activities that you see yourself doing on this ideal day, and then ask yourself: How many of these activities do I do in an average week? How much time do I spend on each activity?
Am I selecting happy times for me? Am I doing what is really important to me?
And if you choose life do you know what to do with it?
*********************************************************************
11/9/19
Ok, being an honest person, I have to admit that this is not something written in the moment. I actually wrote it awhile back. However, with the present drowning of "holiday" commercialism, it seems to fit with today's growing chaos...
Tell Me Again...
The world with its complexities appears to be escalating at too rapid a rate to maintain understanding. As soon as I think I understand one change, another inexplicable one takes place and I am left to simply scratch my head and wonder why. It seems that in the frantic race to be the latest, simplicity, common sense, goodness and quality have all taken a back seat, replaced by things that just don’t feel right. So, for the sake of those of us who haven’t kept up with the reasoning behind all that has changed in society, could you please try and explain?
For example, tell me again:
---Why natural beauty goes unnoticed or ignored, while garish and bizarre images
permeate our media.
---How all those insurance companies got their medical degrees.
---Why manufacturers continue to insult consumers by sneakily reducing the
volume of a product until the original size is called “double” with double the
price.
---How the economy can be doing so well when so many people have to hold two
minimum wage jobs in order to survive.
Please explain…
---Why we spray our lawns with toxic chemicals that harm children, pets, and
nature; or
---Why we completely destroy acres of trees in order to build a group of high priced houses on barren land, and then call the development “Woodland” Estates.
---Why, even with all the latest technology, the weather report still
seems to be wrong half the time.
And while you are at it, could you also tell me again:
---Why we seem to have lost our awareness of what is good and decent,
respectful and genuine.
---Why people do not listen the first time, why bureaucracies breed
incompetence, or why there are those who think that to love someone is to
control that person.
---When did shooting someone became the answer to everyday problems and greed replace integrity?
Try to explain…
---Why millions are spent on lighting up the sky for 10-minute spectaculars while
some of America’s children still go hungry.
---Why, when you finally become aware of what is really important in life, time
passes so quickly.
---How people can teach intolerance and hate, and then wonder why there is so
much violence, or what happened to getting to know your neighbor and being
there for each other.
And, remind me, once again, about the importance of:
---Having dreams...
---Believing that I am loveable and capable...
...And, learning how to be kind…
Please, tell me again
******************************************************************
11/2/19
In the moment I'm thinking about all those who may have lost perspective on life..).
I wonder now when it was that I ceased to walk with the fluid motions of one who is young. It seems like only a few months ago that I wasn't taken seriously by those who were wise in the way the world works.
It's almost as if we are deceived into thinking that there really is an optimal time in life when we have it all together. But in reality, it seems that just when our minds and hearts finally begin to feel comfortable with explaining old insecurities and we can smile at ourselves lovingly, the body decides to go on strike--one department at a time.
And so we unfairly go from not having control because of our youth to not having control because of our failing body parts.
Right between young adulthood and middle age someone needs to invent a longer, more recognizable time period during which we can feel both healthy and secure....a time when, at least for the moment, we can feel up to the struggle.
Peace,
Jeanne
You can reach me at jpwriters@aol.com
******************************************************
 I Want to Get Off... 10/25/19 Have you ever watched an animal (e.g., dog or cat), sitting and just looking at the world around them? Have you noticed a bird simply sitting on a branch just observing life? Do you ever wonder what they are thinking? Even animals seem to take time to rest and reflect. Sometimes we find ourselves lost in an almost constant state of distraction. We go from being distracted by noise to distraction from over stimulation, or agitation from pain and fatigue. Demands on our time and multiple social expectations can lead to a robot-like existence. When this continues on a daily basis without relief, we can be left with feelings of being overwhelmed, embattled, and confused about life in general. Have you ever felt this way? Well, it seems like this might be a good time to stop the thrill ride and begin to treat the dizziness and confusion. This might be the time to look at life from a new perspective—a perspective of personal peace and simplicity. Mindfulness really does work. The short but regular time spent in silence and alone can help you look at life from a new viewpoint. It can simplify what seems overwhelmingly difficult and create a new you--someone who can answer daily demands with calmness and confidence. Just remember that now is the only real time. The past is just a memory and the future is in our imagination. Peace, Jeanne Questions, comments, suggestions? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have any blog subjects that you might like. You can e-mail me at JPwriters@aol.com. ***********************************************************************************  10/20/19 Recently a lot has been said about clutter and its effect on those who are unable to control it. Sitting here (in the moment), I am aware of how easy it is to produce clutter without seeing it until it begins to overwhelm. As I look around my office, there are piles (neat piles) but so many that I don’t know what specifically is in them. In fact, it almost looks like a wanna-be professional hoarder. (I wonder what happened to my seeking simplicity and mindfulness). Yes, my piles seem to have purpose. But do my many projects and pending works justify this? It looks like an office of someone who may live in the moment, but is terribly disorganized in the moment. It is an affront to my integrity. So, what can I do to fix the situation? Well, I could diminish the piles by putting them all into one pile and create a pretend organized environment. Or I could stuff them all into bulging office files and never find them again. I could do mini fixes like stop paying bills, stop writing and submitting manuscripts, and take the time to finally put my recipe book together. Not gonna happen…all There are two days free, today and tomorrow, that have no commitments other than college football. Should I spend my time on Facebook and Pinterest or become the organized person I wish I were by clearing off some of the noncritical piles? Ok, help me, what do you think?… ************************************************************************ What are you looking for? In the moment I am thinking about the concept of happiness, peace of mind, and what really works to achieve them. Awhile back there was some research on what is absolutely necessary for peace of mind (happiness). Following is my adaptation of the factors that had the greatest number: 1. Shun suspicion and resentment. Keeping a grudge has been found to pull down happiness levels an average of 50 percent. 2. Live in the present. Most unhappiness comes from an unwholesome preoccupation with the mistakes and failures of the past. Forgive yourself for past mistakes. It is as vital to your happiness as forgiving others. 3. Don't waste time and energy fighting conditions you can't change There is little you can do to heal the incurable disease of a loved one, or change the personality of those with whom you live. So stop hitting your head against the wall. 4. When you find yourself in a state of emotional stress, reach out to others instead of retreating within and building a prison of loneliness. 5. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues of love, humor, thrift and church attendance, etc. 6. Stop expecting too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between the standards you set for yourself and actual achievement, Unhappiness is inevitable. If you can't improve the performance, try lowering the demands instead. 7. Self-centered materialistic people score lowest on the Duke University tests for measuring happiness. While those are are high in altruism and wholesome religious attitudes generally come out with the top happiness ratings. Author unknown (There is much more about happiness in my book, HAPPINESS--Hidden in Plain Sight. It can be purchased through my website here.) As always, I wish you peace... Jeanne  ********************************************************************** Don’t you wish you could slow down the pace of life? It seems that this would be a good time for mindfulness and meditation, but it probably sounds like more work to some of you. I wonder how many approach anything new to them as an obstacle to be overcome. But mindfulness and/or meditation are designed to take away stress and to create personal peace.. Some people are afraid to let go and to just be. Some feel that if they stop accumulating pockets of stressful activities, they may realize how pointless these are. Other individuals are afraid to be alone even for a few minutes. And some seem to be misguided by our social network and have priorities mixed up. Whatever the reason, it is worth it to try—in a simple way. Give yourself only five minutes each day to just sit in a state of calm and peace with no thought to problems, events, relationships, meetings or appointments. Don’t plan dinner or the weekend... Get the point? If doing this occurs on a regular basis it is very possible that you will become closer to the really important things in life, and living will have more meaning. It may even bring you closer to God… Now is the Time | |
In the Moment...
 |  2/10/19 Hello again... I'm one of those people who rarely get frustrated and feel irritable about something negative in my life such as breaking something or making a mess and having to clean it up. I usually just go ahead and fix the situation. But today, when I came on line to copy a blog that I had just written yesterday, I found it gone, floating somewhere in space, and I was left frustrated by what happened. But being the practical human that I am, I finally realized that what must have happened is that I forgot to post it. Arrrgh!!!... So, what am I supposed to learn from this? Well, I guess my words are not as important as they might seem, and the world will certainly continue on without them. Maybe losing something is a way of taking the ego down a notch by pointing out what is not really important. So life goes on one moment at a time and living in the moment gives a chance to decide how to respond to frustrating situations, such as loss of our work. Every minute we have a choice... |
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