I have watched the press conference held by President Trump and the task force for the last several days. I have seen reporters ask questions posed simply to instill fear. It is a sad thing. One reporter today simply said to President Trump (and to another member of the task force wanting them to confirm her question), "Do you think it is bad for you to sound so calm amidst this pandemic? Isn't that misleading to the people of the United States, to make them things are not that bad?" What a sad person. Now, that is not a direct quote, but it is what she was saying. She wanted the task force to instill FEAR in the people, she wanted chaos among people. The definition of FEAR according to Dictionary.com, "an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. "he is prey to irrational fears"" Fear is usually apparent when the unknown presents itself. We are in an unknown situation. We cannot allow those who want to create fear and chaos to win this battle. The question is, how do we distill the fear? We can distill fear by being informed from the source, not from third parties, or fourth parties, or fifth parties...or experts that are being armchair quarterbacks without all of the information from all of the countries involved. We have to realize that unfortunately, a pandemic means ratings. And, ratings mean money. There are several places that one can get the daily press conference without commentary, either watch it live or on playback on many different sources. Do NOT listen then, to the commentary afterwards. They are there to instill fear, which translates to ratings, which translates to money. We can be prepared. Apparently everyone has enough toilet paper, however, does everyone have enough easily stored or prepared food. Something as simple as Ravioli's or complex as a full course meal. Some of us are cooks, and some of us are not. We can be prepared against boredom. There are jokes about forefathers being called to war, and we are being called to sit in front of the tv on our couches. Instead of doing that, plan for doing the many things that you have wanted to do...read those books on the bookshelf, learn a new language (apps for that), virtual workouts (you probably already have a video at home that has dust on it), games (especially if you have children home from school), opera's and musicians are providing free concerts on line while they are also quarantined at home, while Broadway plays are cancelled the actors are urging college and high school students to join with them to video themselves singing songs from the plays that have been cancelled, the list goes on. We can be prepared spiritually. Many churches are closing to comply with requests for large gatherings to be cancelled. We need to take time out of our day to have sincere prayer. Creating a time during the day for scripture reading will also bring calm and peace to our everyday situation of fear and chaos. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful. We need to find the positive even in tumultuous times. When the world around you wants you to fear to the point of hysteria so that they can report on it, let's be the ones that are singing hymns out our windows in Rome; or presenting piano and horn recitals from the balconies. I do admire those that are putting up Christmas lights in the United States to give a bit of cheer. For those feeling they are losing their worship, remember Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Take comfort that the Holy Ghost will bring the reverence needed to come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We can be prepared through gratitude. As we look around us in our homes, we can be grateful all that we have. We can look in our kitchen and be grateful for the food we have to eat. Think of all the things that one can be grateful for during a frightening time, and then dwell on those things. You will see a change come over you as you lose yourself in gratitude. We can be prepared through service. We can check on elderly neighbors or family. If you are running to the store, you can pick things up for them. If you have a sewing machine, you can sew much needed face masks for hospital workers. If you have the talent to read books with flair, you can do some videos and put them on line for parents to use. Now is a time to write a letter, a real letter with pen and paper. Now is a time to send a card to someone, a home made card would be even more appreciated (even if it is stick figures!). If you are great at math, you can volunteer to tutor the teens that may be beyond their parents knowledge in advanced math classes. We can be prepared simply by not allowing the world of fear to overcome your home. Smile. Spread joy where you can. Give sympathy where needed. And remember, "Pray always", and "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another..." (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
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We need courage and this strength will be necessary to fight the different battles that we needed to face. The different turns and twists of life is necessary for us to be stronger and for us to be ready with the different fears that we might feel. Strength and love will be strengthened us, it will be a good thing to keep in mind. Let us not be discouraged, for there is hope, hope that will make us feel alive. Keep on dreaming no matter what.
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Carolyn Bendall"After years of teaching people how to develop their 'outside' image; we realized the 'inner image' need just as much work. Let's take this journey together!" Archives
August 2022
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