Because it’s Monday and things in our pandemic world are still looking bleak, I thought I’d share this Giphy GIF and give you a smile.
There are chickens because, after all, I am related to Chicken Wrangler Sara and lovely, lovely flowers. Who doesn’t like flowers?
I hope it makes you smile.
I was talking on the phone with our oldest daughter last week and lamenting all the changes that have had to take place recently. She is expecting their first child in July so is already changing many things in her life. It is stressful.
As we talked, I noticed a bird carrying sticks into the bush in our front window. I commented on it, and Brian said from the other room “It’s building a nest.”
I was struck by the contrast. Our world seems to be falling apart and this bird is calming building a nest and preparing to lay eggs.
Brian reminded me of the verse in Matthew 10:29-31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
I tried to get a picture of the nest through the window.
Brian was mowing the front yard last week and the momma left the nest to get food. He was able to get a better picture with the eggs.
I’m going to make a card with this picture and the verse from Matthew. I’ll put it on the fridge to remind me not to be afraid. I am worth more than many sparrows.
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Daffodils will soon be popping out. I can’t wait. How about you?
Every time I think of Spring and daffodils this picture from an antique children’s picture book comes to mind.
Do you see the daffodil in her dress?
We’re living in a pandemic world filled with distraction and stress. That’s a big problem for our bodies that crave homeostasis (a relatively stable internal state despite changes in the world outside).
So how can we reconcile our body’s need for inner calm when what’s happening in our world is out of our control?
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Here are some experts’ suggestions I found to consider:
Our circadian rhythm (aka our internal clock) sets itself by the time at which it sees daylight each morning. Our bodies need consistent sleep.
Eating breakfast keeps our hormones from crashing and helps fend off anxiety and depression later in the day.
Light combats depression. If you’re not comfortable walking with a mask, or can’t, open the shades or blinds and stand by a window or door, or pull a chair outside.
This maybe even harder than getting up at the same time every morning. But disciplining ourselves to a regular bedtime that allows for ample sleep (at least eight hours according to experts) does make a difference in our daily health and energy.
This will help ward off Internet brain and stop your devices’ blue light from causing your body to be confused about the fact it’s nighttime.
Yes, we need to be informed about important virus details and our responsibilities in dealing with it. Yes, we need to connect with family and friends.
Truth is, too much time online and listening to news only increases anxiety and worry.
Be wise. Give yourself a shield against the unnecessary anxiety triggers and information overload by setting limits to news watching and social media time.
We’re all under enough pressure right now. When your chest and stomach clench with tension, your neck and jaw stiffen, tears build, and thoughts won’t settle, acknowledge you might need to chill for a while.
Stop what you’re doing. Read or watch something that makes you laugh. Maybe stretch out on the couch and do nothing.
Do what’s works for you at any given moment. To be of any use to others, we must first take care of ourselves.
None of these expert suggestions will make the virus go away but trying them may help calm the chaos.
We recently hatched duck eggs on Miller Farm. When Beekeeper Brian set the eggs, the world was a much different place. He was going to work and I was teaching music at school. Now we are sheltering in place and having lots of video meetings.
The ducks provide a welcome distraction.
At first there were five and they all looked like Cayuga ducklings which would have come from Lucy and Ricky, our two grown ducks.
They all snuggled with the stuffed cat.
It reminded me of the children’s book Are You My Mother?
Then two more hatched two days later. And just as Brian was ready to clean out the incubator, one more hatched.
We call him Leo the Late Bloomer from another children’s book. He’s gray and yellow and came from eggs we got from a friend.
I put water in for them to drink but, being ducks, they play in it.
The one with the yellow beak also has yellow feet which are a stark contrast to the black legs. They are really fun to watch.
Anytime I get discouraged or worried, I go watch the ducklings. It’s duck therapy and it works really well.
Being a trickster on April Fool’s Day doesn’t always work. Today’s meme explains why.
I ran across this quote from Akash B. Chandran and looked him up. He’s a talented IT web designer.
You think maybe he’s had a few April Fools’ Day pranks fail and that’s behind his quote.
Today is Happiness Day. It’s a bit of a strange topic when we have a pandemic going on and death tolls rising. Still, we can all use a little happiness with all this craziness bombarding us.
Where can we find happiness?
First, and foremost, turn off the news. Quit watching every single newscast all day long. Stay informed but take a break.
I think we’ve all gotten the message. This is not getting better. If you listen to the experts, it’s going to be worse.
Truth is we do not know. So why, listen to all the speculation that only fuels a pervasive dread of what’s coming next.
And, because you’re stuck inside try some of these ideas to find a little happy…
Find happy in diversions…
Consider the good that’s happening.
Yes, people are dying, but people are also recovering from COVID-19. Civilization is not going to end. Life will change as the emergency eases, normal will be different, and likely better.
Focus on the good stuff, and do something frivolous or fun.
Like a virtual ride on Disney’s new Frozen II roller coaster.
Be safe. Stay healthy. Find something that makes you happy.
When I first began to teach music in the classroom, I would lose my voice once a year. Laryngitis is hard for any teacher, but for a music teacher it is particularly challenging. It takes much longer to regain the ability to sing than to talk.
I would spend weeks teaching listening lessons and doing rhythm activities. Before it was all over, I would find myself sad and out of sorts. I realized this was the result of not singing regularly.
This feeling of sadness is being felt on a much grander scale by musicians around the country as they are prohibited from meeting in ensembles to make music. The Toronto Symphony found a way around these restrictions.
As I listened to this wonderful music, I was overcome by joy and amazement. I could just imagine each performer in their own home playing their part without being able to hear the others except in their minds. I have no idea if this is actually how it happened but it really made me think.
We can all do our part wherever we are and trust that God will eventually put it all together to make something beautiful.
Hopefully, one day, we will see the finished product and all the sadness and loneliness will have been worth it.
In the meantime, we can enjoy the creativity of musicians who can’t help but make music together. Here’s another example:
Credits:
Photo by Andree Brennan from Pexels
Quote discovered on NYT and USAToday bestselling author, Joan Reeves blog
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