Karma is a Bus that I'm Driving
#COVID19 Social (Emotional) Distancing Log Day 03262020
“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.” -- LR Knost.
I was video chatting with a friend today and we were talking about giving people compliments, particularly your partner/spouse. I said that I was pretty terrible at giving compliments because I would think my partner already knew they were beautiful, hot, sexy, etc… I mean, I wouldn't be with them if they were hideous. Am I right or am I right? Seriously, I don't just pick my girlfriends just based off of looks. I do think that real beauty and sexiness is from the inside out. I think kindness and compassion is really hot and a great sense of humor can makes someone really sexy. Additionally, you can be incredibly stunning on the outside, but if you are mean and cruel that can make you really hideous to me.
Compliments. I'm incredibly blunt, and sometimes more honest than I need to be. And, I really don't like to use tired lines. I'm all about originality. It also doesn't seem to come off genuine.
Me: you look good.
Person: No, I don't, Vangie. I don't even have any make up on.
Me: At least you don't look like shit.
Person: Another Vangie compliment.
Me: You should have just said, thank you.
End scene.
I'm totally putting myself out there for your judgement. So, my friend was trying to help me be better with giving compliments.
Friend: Do these pants make my butt look big?
Me: Blame it on the pants.
Friend: Blame it on the pants? Hahahaha ha
Me: No.
It's been kind of a funky day. It was nice to laugh on video chat with a friend. To just talk about whatever. From really mundane daily goings ons or how worried we are about jobs and finances. It's a brave new world out there, and we have now topped China with the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and we are past Italy's numbers. We have a president that seems to care more about the stock market than 1-2% of our population. They just happen to not be the right 1-2% that our government usually bends over backwards for. People's lives are on the line and our President wants to play Russian Roulette with our most vulnerable population.
This may go longer than we anticipate. I hope everyone is using this time of isolation for some deep spiritual reflection and healing. Cause, I think as a nation we are getting back some wicked karma. Just sayin'
Be The Better Person
#COVID19 Social (Physical) Distancing Log Day 03252020:
Mood: Yikes!
I'm actually a very spiritual person. Working in the community I've always kept my religious belief to myself, so I can be viewed as spiritually unbiased. I was raised Roman Catholic and I truly did appreciate a lot of the lessons I learned and I still practice Lent every year. However, Catholic hypocrisy is no bueno.
Easter is the super bowl for many Christians because that's when the Zombie Jesus comes back to life and Christianity is born. We also have to remember that it's also spring and the celebration of new life and harvest. Pagans also celebrated the equinox when the light and dark were equal and eventually days would get longer and darkness would be shorter. Just an FYI Jesus was Jewish, so the last supper Jesus and his disciples were celebrating was Passover. Everything is interconnected, however we all want to believe that we are individuals that have no impact on each other. Obviously, it's not true because our state and local governments are telling us we can save each other if we stay-at-home for another two weeks. Two. More. Weeks. For now.
I do pray. I pray a lot. I pray for the safety and wellbeing of my friends and family. I pray for the earth to heal. I pray that we all will be okay after this pandemic finally comes to it's end. I pray that God gives me the strength and clarity to be the best person I can be every day. I pray for all who are broken to heal. I pray for those who have been lied to or betrayed for them to find justice and peace. I pray for my ancestors.
I think this is a good prayer for today.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Prayer: Lord, when I open my eyes each day, help me to feel your presence. Help me to keep in step with your Holy Spirit and be counseled by your word. My heart aches and I am worn out from crying. Please help me rise out of my hurt and sorrow.
My faith and my religion is connected to my work and how I am in the world. I believe if Jesus was alive he'd be a social justice warrior. When the work I do becomes difficult and tiring and I want to give up I always go back to Micha 6:8, "And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"
Sometimes, when my life feels heavy I trust the process and give up my burdens to the Universe. We cannot control what's going on around us. We cannot control other people. We can only control ourselves and our behavior.
Updated: Dec 4, 2020
Pushing Through Obstacles and Achieving Your Goals
#COVAD19 Social (Physical) Distancing Log Day 03242020
Mood: Playful
I used to be engaged to a minister, we had been together for seven years before we Consciously Uncoupled. The words I think we used was, "we were no longer called to be together." In some weird way it was a very appropriate way to separate from a minister. Kayla, my ex, and I moved to Rochester ten years ago. Right after my dad had passed away. We went to the Philippines together to see him before he died. But, before we left for the Philippines and for adventures unknown we went to her church that she was a 'minister-in-training,' Skyline Community Church in Oakland, CA. We went to the Sunday service before we were traveling out of the country. During the service they had a Unison Prayer at the time we were going through some life transitions and globally we were experiencing a recession. I felt that the Unison Prayer would be appropriate for what is going on in the world, now.
It goes something like this:
God is our refuge and strength,
A loving presence in time of trouble.
Though waters roar and mountains tremble,
We need not fear though the earth may change.
Who among you will respond?
We are here -- I am here -- to embody God's love in this world.
O Blessed One, You know all hearts.
You are ever with us; may love guide our lives.
In the name of all those who have come before us seeking truth and love,
Let us add our names, Amen.
We are the Light and the Blessings of the world here to do good work and deeds from our hearts.
I hope you are surrounded by people who love, care, and support you. If you are not able to be together physically I hope you are keeping each other in your hearts. Please do not make life decisions from a place of fear. It never ever turns out well. Stay safe. Stay home. Wash yo hands!
Godspeed
