You Have Choices

August 31, 2020

Paralyze resistance with persistence. – Woody Hayes (College Football Coach/Hall of Fame)

Lately I have been seeing a lot of resistance bands laying around my house. From what I understand, as the bands stretch, our muscles contract and that creates tension. The more resistance bands are stretched, the more intense resistance becomes, and exercises become harder. The different sizes and levels of resistance gives us a broad range of exercise choices that will work all of our body’s muscle groups. As we use the resistance bands, our muscles are forced to contract which increases our bone and muscle strength. The key is that the multifariousness of resistance bands is good. Not only do the bands allow us to skillfully work out using a great choice of exercises, but our body also craves the attention.

Back to resistance in our quote today, Mr. Hayes is telling us to paralyze resistance. Sometimes there are some things and some ways in our lives which we need to resist. Dictionary.com states that resistance is having power to resist, oppose, or withstand. If we resist, it means to refrain or abstain. But in our quote, he is saying to paralyze resistance. Dictionary.com says that paralyze means to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act. So Mr. Hayes is saying we should oppose the inability to act. But he doesn’t stop there; he goes on to say “with persistence.” Dictionary.com says persistence is continuing steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc. So if we put all of the definitions together, we have “Oppose the inability to act by continuing steadfastly in some state, purpose, or course of action! “

We can even tie this back to our resistance bands – we have a variety of choices in the exercises we do. As we stretch our muscles and they contract, and our bone and muscle strength increases, don’t be tempted to resist the uneasiness. Be willing to oppose the inability to stretch our muscles to a greater degree by continuing steadfastly in toning and training your body!

In the midst of the Corona-virus pandemic, we still have to exercise, eat healthy, and take care of our bodies. What healthy choices will you make today?

Will My Faith Produce Perseverance?

As the corona-virus pandemic continues, what is our current state of mind?

We found out about COVID-19 around the middle of March, and it is now July. In Texas, the number of new cases is presently spiking.

In observing the picture above, is it going to rain? Maybe, but I see a glimmer of light—sunlight in the midst of the clouds. That is what I feel as we experience a heightened level of new COVID-19 cases. I feel as if I am in an intermediate, transitional, or midway state or place (limbo). Even though I wake up every day, do some form of exercise, drink a cup of green tea, have daily meals, do daily chores, and socialize with friends and family, I still feel as though my life is a Bosu ball. A Bosu ball looks like one half of an exercise ball cut in half. It is rounded on the topside but flat on the underside. It is very challenging to balance yourself on one of these balls. As I attempt to balance everything in my life, it’s hard to have a steady routine. One week, all businesses are closed. Then, they are back open with limited capacity. I make daily decisions to cook meals or order in. Should I decide to drive to the store and go in, every trip is planned out very carefully. I always encounter people with no masks – I wonder if I will be infected by airborne water droplets being released! I work in the school system – when will schools reopen? What precautions will be taken? Is it possible for everyone to wear a mask for 6 to 7 hours per day?

My health is the most important thing in my life right now; however, I feel as though it is being rebuilt right in front of my eyes. I think of my existence as being in a state of metamorphosis which is changes of the natures or forms of persons or things into an altogether different one – either naturally or supernaturally. What impact will this evolution or rebirth have? What will I come away with – a new mind, new heart, new level of peace, more prayer, more joy, more health, more strength, a higher level of wisdom?

Just as I see in the above picture —- I am still — allowing my faith in God to persevere!

Are We In A State of Well-Being

June 24, 2020

Who influences the well-being of our world and its people? These are the words I have been pondering for weeks now – since March 2020:

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Where are we now in our minds? Peace or sleepless nights? Where are we now in our bodies? Quarantine 15 or everyday getting our grind in? Where are our children’s thoughts and fears? Do they understand why they can’t go outside to play or why they can’t visit grandparents or friends? Are our lives forever changed? No more hugs, affectionately greeting our loved ones? No more handshakes? What does our future “normal” look like? When can I see my family members? What will the upcoming holidays look like? What about all of our past traditions? When can I take my vacation? Is it safe to fly or take a cruise? Will the Coronavirus pandemic still be here in a couple of years still with no vaccine?

I do not know about anyone else, but because of the restrictions of COVID-19, I am going to seek God for answers. I have gained a few pounds, so I am working really hard to get my grind in! Get out and enjoy God’s beautiful creation – it is so overwhelming sometimes, tears well up in my eyes. Behold nature’s magnificent sounds – the chirping and singing birds, rippling and running water in streams, gently blowing crisp leaves, scurrying feet of squirrels as they cross your path, and the swaying thick, green-carpet looking grass. Invigoration of your mind and body comes as you tune in to all of nature’s sounds, tastes, textures, sights, and scents. As you listen intently to nature’s responses and God’s small soft voice whispering to your soul, receive your restoration and rejuvenation!

The Marvelous Light

June 9, 2020

As we enter the third month of “Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic stay at home, social distancing, wear masks, and gloves, I enjoy the sheer beauty of God’s nature in the morning. As I see this marvellous light on today, I feel His warmth like a thick, luxurious down and feather comforter that gives an extraordinarily cozy and plush covering people love night after night. I experience His protection like I am housed in a dwelling place and there were thousands of angels around me ensuring that nothing could penetrate the space I was in — not even water droplets that escape from our eyes, noses, and mouths when we talk, cough, or sneeze! I smell the sweet aroma of freshly-cut, dew-soaked grass, newly-awakened flowers, and the freshness of out-of-doors country, mountain, hills, and woods all rolled into one fresh smell. I am in a state of sudden, intense, overpowering emotion as I feel the cool breeze of morning gently kiss my face. I taste the exquisiteness of savory crisp and sweet air that remind me of a mass of untouched honey just collected from its beehive.

So as I start out with my five senses being tantalized by the alluring beauty of God’s nature, I can’t help but to appreciate encouragement on this day. It doesn’t matter that COVID-19 is still among us; the world’s organized civil force for maintaining order, preventing crime, detecting crime, and enforcing laws is forever changing; I still social distance from my children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, and other family members; my place of employment remains closed; and I sense transformation of the future course of our educational system.

The one thing I can control right now is my faith in God, how I choose to journey through each of my days during the COVID-19. I certainly continue to delight in the awesomeness inspired by an overwhelming feeling of reverence and admiration of God’s creation – especially the marvellous light!

LIVING WATER SPRINGING FORTH

May 22, 2020

As I look back to April 15, 2020, I recall a headline in the news: “More than two million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed worldwide, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The United States accounts for about 30% of them, with almost 640,000. The disease has killed 137,000 people, including nearly 31,000 in the U.S.”

My mind struggles to comprehend this pandemic and all of the bewilderment that goes along with it. I feel like I’m in a state of hysterical rapture – will I ever do substitute teaching again. Furthermore, I heartbrokenly miss the children. I wonder if I will ever be able to go to my favorite restaurant again. I will wear a mask, so how will I enjoy an appetizing, mouth-watering, delicious meal? I smell the aromas of deep-fried chicken wings, cajun-induced spices, odors of the smoke-producing, sizzling grill, a nice whiff of Earl Campbell hot links and slabs of baby back ribs! I have a desire to go shopping at my choice of department stores. I want to saunter up and down every aisle, taking in the sight of beautiful, eye-pleasing, exquisite gems that I find on sale. I miss the emotion of great delight and happiness caused by the exceptional animation and joy of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren in my life! I want to reach out and experience their touch that imparts a sensation of excitement and laughter that only children can whole-heartedly express in a moment of happiness! It reminds me of when you tickle them affectionately and they laugh so uncontrollably, it causes you to laugh with them. I hope to soon hug and embrace my other family members for just a few seconds while taking in their feelings of “missing me too.” In those few seconds, I sense their loneliness, fear, gaiety, disquietness, and passion all in an embrace.

The Coronavirus pandemic continues, I seek out some background research about the 1918 influenza pandemic. I sat in complete awe of the video that played before my completely-dazed eyes.

As I look at the picture of the water fountain, it evokes thoughts of us still springing forth life, strength, courage, faith, health, hope, motivation, and love. Here’s a prayer I found that will encourage all of us during COVID-19:

A Prayer for Strength When Weary

Lord, I’m weary. My energy is sagging, and my motivation is lagging. And I am so in need of you. I need your strength and your fresh touch to get back on track again. Your Word says the joy of the Lord is my strength. If that's true, then I need your joy to replace all the bone-tired parts of my mind, body, and soul… Read more.

WHERE DOES THIS LONELY ROAD END?

May 11, 2020

On March 31, 2020, the news headline read, ***“Governor Abbott orders Texans to stay home except for ‘essential’ activity as state death toll grows to 41.”*** The Governor gave orders for our non-essential business and activities to end at least through April 30, 2020. Also, included in the closures were all schools, which were initially ordered to remain closed until May 4, 2020. All of this was done in an effort to combat the Corona-virus pandemic.

During these past few weeks, I sat numb with arrested development of thoughts, physical activity, employment circumstances, and sense of being a part of this bizarre world around me! I still awoke at 4:00 a.m., had my morning cup of green tea, did my Holy Bible virtual app plan, participated in my virtual brain game activities, and all the while listening to the bleak news that blared on the television. It was such a loud, raucous sound in my ears like the noisy proclamation of bass drum, saxophone, tuba, clarinet, flute, and banging cymbals that left ringing in my ears for hours. We are all sheltering in place – staying home – banished to remain in our individual residences, except to go to the grocery store. The stores contained the stench and invasion of COVID-19 germ cesspool – people coughing, sneezing, and hacking coughs filled the atmosphere. At first, there were no face masks or gloves. Everyone was susceptible to breathing in bursts of wet explosions of spit and nose excretions being released in the air!

Where is all of this leading? It reminds me of the lonely, unknown road in the picture. I can smell the sweet aroma of the lake water, green trees, grass, and flowers. But I also smell the stench of death, illness, uncertainty, fear, and loathsome imprisonment of everyone in their homes – not one person outside, no joy of children playing in their front yards, no pleasure of sweet aromas of pies and cakes baking in the oven, or enticing smell of barbecue exquisitely grilling in the backyards.

All I can smell, feel, touch, hear, and taste do not seem normal or real…..is this all an atrocious dream? Will we all wake up one day?

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

My journey will be to let others know how I’ve been impacted by the virus and what tools I utilize to survive COVID-19. It started as a media broadcast and now it feels like not only reality, but infiniteness!

Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope.

Charles Darwin

OUTWEARING COVID-19

I have been sheltering in place because of the Coronavirus pandemic since March 6, 2020. I am retired from the federal government after 38 years and currently a substitute public school teacher. I just completed a long-term substitute assignment for a 2nd grade class on that date. When I got home that evening, the news about the Coronavirus started to saturate the news media. My head began the spin like the spinning cycle of my newly-purchased washer, as I listened scrupulously to the news reports.

What was I hearing? I was supposed to continue my long-term substitute the week of March 16-20, 2020, after Spring break! What will I do now? I sat and watched the daily news reports with astounding incredulity. I didn’t quite understand how this pandemic would affect my life for the long haul – could I outwear it? Could I have a new outlook on my life? Would I and my loved ones outlive it? When would I be able to return to “normal”?

I will be blogging about my ups and downs of how to outwear COVID-19 and you can share yours with me! After all, this is the world’s common endeavor…..to survive.