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.

Beauty for Ashes

Isaiah 61:3 “and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”

I’ve got to have hope. I’ve got to believe that this is not it. I’ve got to believe it gets better. I’ve got to think that this too shall pass. I’ve got to know that all of this is for my good. It gets better. Every day there is something. Bad news. Crazy headlines. Death and despair everywhere, BUT God! His word gives us comfort that there will be a great exchange. We will trade our ashes for beauty. What are the ashes? They are all the difficult and challenging things we have experienced. We can give God our burdens. We can give God our hurt. We can give God our fear. We can give God our anger. We can give it all to God. We can have beauty for ashes.

Happy Place

You’ve got to find your happy place. I know it’s hard to find a happy place under quarantine. I’m so used to finding my happy place in public venues that I had to rethink “me” time. I have learned to appreciate silence and showers. I enjoy cupcakes and extra icing. I have a new appreciation for bluetooth speakers and IG live. These are the things that make me happy. Find your peace. Rediscover your joy. Find your happy place.

Heart

In the midst of global chaos, I have seen our humanity shine. I have seen consideration for the less fortunate. I have seen food banks open in light of school closures. I have seen attention given to the elderly. I’ve seen courage in the face of despair. I’ve seen our heart. It doesn’t look as bad as I thought it would. We still have hope. We still have joy. We still have fight. We still believe. We still have love. It is a heart filled with love that cares for the needy, and feeds the homeless, and nurtures the sick.

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart. – Helen Keller

Wish

When I was a kid, I used to put change in every fountain and wishing well. Mostly, I wished for siblings. I wanted a bigger family because it was just my mom and I in New Orleans. My uncles and cousins were all in Huntsville and Chicago mostly. God has a sense of humor. On Saturday, I attended my father's funeral. Let's just say that every prayer and wish came true. I met siblings, nephews, nieces, and cousins from far and wide. There were old heads who had heard about his daughter in Atlanta. There were lots of big eyes, side eyes and smiling faces. Mostly smiling faces though. I walked into a room full of strangers and left with more family than I can count. Now, I know wishes come true.

Peace

I have learned that peace does not come without work. It does not come without struggle. It does not come without planning. Peace requires a decision to be made, and action to be taken. You have to claim your peace. You have to declare peace in your life and your family. Peace is your portion. Peace is your gift. Peace is a blessing.

Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.