Day 128

Today is Friday July 17, 2020

Recently Maren and I went on a hike. It was a beautiful hike near Evergreen with lots of shade and all kinds of terrain. Some parts were a dirt trail inside evergreens with scattered wildflowers, other areas were rocky stairs and some parts of the 5 mile hike were rocks made smooth by a river. We crossed bridges and streams and saw green fields. We had saw about a dozen or so other hikers along our way and each time we passed we put up our masks as did they if they were wearing them at all.  Even at an elevation of 7,000 feet we are reminded of this damnable pandemic. 

Every day is another day of massive infections and deaths. Since July 9, 2020 no less than 20 countries are experiencing increases in new cases. With the world total at 13.6 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths and numbers still rising there appears to be no respite in the near future. No ease from the pain and suffering and fear we endure each day.  A vaccine seems to be our only hope as social distancing and mask wearing are precautions only a percentage of the world is adhering to. In the U.S. there are still roughly 11% of the population who have not considered wearing a mask. Quick...11% of 330 million is...roughly 36 million people moving about the country possibly spreading a disease which is known to be symptom free at times.  It's no wonder most countries have closed their borders to U.S. citizens. 

Because so much of the world chatter today is about the pandemic and most of that is downright negative and hopeless it only makes sense to be mindful and close yourself off from the incessant pessimism that is pervading our televisions, newspapers and digital devices. 

Got solitude?

If not, find some. Be sure each day to put aside a part of the day to be alone with your thoughts. Thoughts not influenced by viruses and projections and fears. Instead allow your mind to wander to places of joy.  Why solitude? Why not just put down the phone or turn off the telly? Because in solitude you do not talk. (if you do then there are other issues to be dealt with...but i digress)

It's the rehashing of the same pandemic numbers, problems and fears that makes us anxious. 

But in solitude we have just our thoughts.  

Thoughts we can guide to a place of peace. 

Thoughts we can control.

Poet Kahil Gibran writes in his most famous work,  The Prophet , 

"You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts;
And when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is a diversion and a pastime.
And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.
For thought is a bird of space, that in a cage of words may indeed unfold its wings but cannot fly."

Each and every day we ought to give our thoughts the power of flight. Not to be shared aloud, but kept to ourselves in the quiet moments where your head is straight and your feet are grounded.

When I am in these quiet moments I recall quotes or sayings I know to be inspiring.

I try to remember that all things pass. Present becomes past and future the new present. Things change and if we focus on the positive, the change will be positive.

The idea that I did not want to move backwards, only forwards, keeps me looking to the next opportunity to improve my current purchase.

I find, staying present and having an authentic understanding of who I am and what I can control at this moment in time, is also helpful.

Be of strong mind and plant thyself to the earth and to your faith.           The road is long.

I wish you all the best.