Refresh

Do not discount how much a change of scenery can do for your mental health. I had a quick weekend getaway, and I feel like I can conquer the world. The walls aren’t closing in on me as much. The monotony isn’t too much. The routine is a bit easier to get through. I feel refreshed. What have you done today for your mental health? What would make you feel refreshed? Maybe it’s a walk or a run. Maybe it's spending time in the yard. Take care of yourself. Relax. Relate. Refresh.

Condemned

Verb

1. express complete disapproval of, typically in public; censure.

2. sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death.

There are parts of our society that need to be condemned. There are behaviors that should be called out and frowned upon. There are political views that stand juxtaposed to basic human rights and civility. We need political and social reform. We need crimes to punished equally regardless of race, class, or political view. We need an overhaul of our criminal justice system. We need hate crimes to be prosecuted to the fullness of the law. We need voter suppression addressed. We need allies advocates and abolitionists. We need our society's proverbial coattail to be pulled. We need certain behaviors to not be tolerated and publically condemned.

Lament

noun

1. a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.

verb-

1: to express sorrow, mourning, or regret for often demonstratively : 

2: to regret strongly

We all express regret or sorrow in different ways. We all have been touched by this pandemic in ways we couldn’t imagine. Solitude has a way of exacerbating our emotions. Lack of human connection and social distancing can negatively affect our psyche. Find ways to allow yourself to feel without going down the rabbit hole. Breathe. Cry. Scream. Write. Get it out. Lament!

Purge

verb

1. rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling.

2. remove (a group of people considered undesirable) from an organization or place in an abrupt or violent way.

noun

1. an abrupt or violent removal of a group of people.

People purge in different ways. There is a series of movies dedicated to the notion that to eradicate violent behavior one must be allowed to commit violent acts without consequence for a day. You can fast. You can pray. You can do a cleanse. You can remove yourself from toxic situations and relationships. Purging is necessary to cleanse yourself of both physical and emotional toxins. Do whatever you need to do to get healthy both spiritually and physically. Let go. Purge.

Restore

Joel 2:25-32 (NKJV) “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.

Be Still and Know....

The knowing isn’t the hard part. It’s the “be still” part that gets me every time. I’ve got things to do on my “to-do” list. There is a mound of laundry. The kitchen needs a once over. The bathroom needs to be cleaned. The kids need something. My mother needs something. I’m being pulled in multiple directions. How can I possibly “ be still.” In order to “be still,” you have to make a deliberate effort to give God time. You have to give God time to be acknowledged, to be praised, and to speak. When we are still, we can hear God. We can acknowledge the small still voice that says, “rest in me.” We can cry out because we can’t do everything in our own strength. When we are still, we can have peace with things being undone. We can know that God will never put more on us than we can bear. Most of know that we can cast our cares on God, but we aren’t still enough to hear the encouragement. We miss the peace of God when we aren’t still. Mute the distractions around you and focus. Be still and know….I am God.

Buried Treasure

The Alchemist is one of my favorite books. The main character goes on a journey to find some buried treasure. In the end, he does find it, just not where he thought it would be. Many of us look for treasure where it can’t be found. Many of us bury the gifts and talents that God has given us. We do not take full advantage of all the opportunities that are given to us. Maximize today. Maximize every day, and every opportunity. Dig up those talents and gifts. Brush them off and give them a second try. I implore you to not die a buried treasure.