KEEP HOPE ALIVE!

 If you are like me, you may be staggering through daily life after the disastrous election results of last week. How could this be? And WTF? What happened to the youth vote and the minorities' vote? 

Those of you who are friends with me on FB may have seen my long post a few days back: "Some Thoughts On Why We Lost The Election." I cited many articles I read in the Opinion Section of the NY Times, as well as summing up some thoughts.

  But however you frame this disaster, we MUST keep hope alive. Years back B.C. (Before Cancer), I was in our fabulous choir at the Haydenville UCC. We sang a song, "Keep Hope Alive," written by our then music minister, Jeff Olmsted. What a grand song that was!

  So, my peeps, it's another one of Annie's list posts about how I am not succumbing to despair. If you are Catholic, despair is one of those sins to avoid. Here are some thoughts on how to keep that flame of hope burning in your hearts.

1/ There is a wonderful Nordic saying, which you can use as a reply when someone asks, "How are you?". Say, "I am standing and I am not crying." Feel free to use this one, especially useful for those of us with chronic conditions.

2/ Get out in nature. I get my steps in on our front deck, walking briskly, saying the "Hail Mary" as I go, looking out at the beautiful hills and watching birds.

 I see them flying by with the sun illuminating their wings, and by their sheer presence, my mood lifts. Put up some bird feeders to help during this time, taking them in each night to foil the bears.

3/ Go to church, whichever one works for you. We are "bi-churchal," as Andrea called us years ago, attending both the Catholic Church and the Haydenville UCC.

 I need both. I have to be with my progressive UCC friends, to hear Pastor Mark give a spirited, joyful, humorous, and illuminating sermon, and to hear folks' sermon responses. At the C.C., I need to feel the music, be embedded in the liturgy, pray, and receive the Eucharist which never fails to lift my heart. Praying is good.

4/ Cooking gives me hope. I am doing something concrete, making delicious meals to feed my honey and myself. When I am stirring ratatouille on the stove, nothing else is in my mind. Although some Taylor Swift songs go well with helping my mood.

 

5/Being with friends and family elevates my spirits. I love hearing their stories, what has happened to them in the past week, what they are doing, and how they are staying sane. So much to share! As some famous person said, "The cure for addiction is not sobriety but connection." Ponder that. Find ways to see people at least twice weekly, my aim.

 

6/ I am repeating my therapist friend's advice given during the Pandemic: a/ Reach out to someone in an email or a phone call. b/ Exercise c/ Do something creative d/ Learn something new. (Hope I have this right, Carolyn!)

7/ Get some plants for your kitchen or living room. Studies have shown that even looking at pictures of plants and forests on your Smartphone is calming. Get some herbs for your kitchen!

 8/ Read something cozy and take a news break. I read the Miss Read books set in two English villages when times are hard for me. I also read Give Us This Day, Daily Reflections for Catholics each morning, then write down my Gratitudes, Prayers for others, and more in my journal. Often I follow World War II sites on FB which tell me how the Brits survived the war. Cookbooks from World War II are also heartening.

9/ Listen to music. I was brought up on jazz and classical, so often turn to them, although I have recently become a Swiftie. Reggae helps too, as in, "Gonna be a bright, sunshiney day!"

Well, this seems like enough to be going on with. Just know that we will survive the next 4 years, although times will be rough for many of us around the world. Find "Keep Hope Alive" om the Internet and listen. Often. And remember what Julian of Norwich said, during times of war, famine, and the plague: "All will be well, all will be well, and all manner of things will be well," because she knew we are held in God's everlasting love.