In addition to—the tranquility of Sabbath peace; the blessings of Sabbath worship; the refreshing of Sabbath rest; and those Selah moments of pause like mini-Sabbaths that can be taken throughout the week—is the joy of Sabbath reflection.
Sabbath is a time of reflection.
Many people tend to think of Sabbath as merely a command given by an authoritarian God: “Thou shalt keep the Sabbath!” (imagine a gruffly voice). Seen in this way the most essential attribute of Sabbath— i.e. relationship—is lost.
Prior to Sabbath being carved into stone, it was carved into the psyche. How do I know this? Because in pronouncing the Sabbath, God started with “remember”. To remember is to bring back to one’s mind an awareness of something previously seen, known, or experienced in the past.
“Remember the Sabbath day…”, He says. But why? To reflect on one of the primary attributes of God—creator—“…for in six days the Lord made [created] …” (Exodus 20:8-11).
Sabbath is a call back to reflection, not on ourselves, but on creation and in so doing we find/see God. For, within everything God created is embedded a revelation and a reflection of who He is.
The joy of Sabbath reflection lies in the opportunity it affords our brains to pause amidst the chaos of life and to shift focus. To foster a deeper sense of connection to God and all that He’s created and in so doing build our relationship with Him and with our communities of family, friends, believers etc.
Shabbat Shalom. May you find the joy of Sabbath reflection.
I previously wrote about attributes that Sabbath affords us—the tranquility of Sabbath peace; the blessings of Sabbath worship; the refreshing of Sabbath rest; and those Selah moments of pause that we can take throughout the days that are like mini-Sabbaths.
This post is about another facet of Sabbath, fellowship.
One of the things I miss most about not being able to assemble in church on Sabbath is fellowship.
Follow with me with your mind’s eye:
It’s Sabbath morning. I’m awake with a feeling of renewal—the work week is behind me and I’m about to start my weekly day-long date with my Father-God. I’m relaxed for it’s a time to reboot, reset, recharge. I take extra care in getting dressed because this is the highlight of my week and I want to look my best on my date.
I arrive at church, open the doors and the air is alive with the hum of voices that float out to greet me. People are smiling, laughing, shaking hands and there’s even hugging. It feels like a celebration.
And it is!
It’s sabbath fellowship.
And it’s refreshing. But there is far more than what meets the eye going on, there’s a much deeper meaning to this interaction. John describes it best in I John 1:3: “…truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
Yes, fellowship is partly about the interaction with those of like mind, but most importantly it is our individual and communal interaction with God. That’s what the fellowship of Sabbath affords us—the blessing of oneness with fellow believers and with God.
Under the pandemic we’ve not been able to assemble or have person-to-person fellowship. Online services give one part of what is needed for spiritual growth—expounding the word of God through sermons. But, in the absence of fellowship there’s one critical element of assembling ourselves together that Hebrews 10:25 spoke of that’s missing, and that’s “exhorting one another”. The encouragement, the learning, the motivation and uplifting that comes during fellowship cannot be duplicated or replicated.
However, one guiding principle for fellowship is to make a concerted effort to take the focus away from yourself and put it on others. So while we can’t assemble in the church building, finding socially-distanced ways to connect is critical.
My church instituted the Caravan of Hope. We drive by houses to sing and pray (socially distanced, with air hugs and blown kisses and sometimes with gifts) then drive on to the next house and repeat. Even though we can’t hug or shake hands, we haven’t forsaken the assembling of ourselves together-apart and in so doing have the blessing of Sabbath fellowship in a hybrid way.
Shabbat Shalom. May you find fellowship with friends/family and with God.
It’s the wee hours of the morning and sleep has evaded me. My thoughts are somewhat lucid and I want to write. In search of motivation to direct my thoughts, I went to Fandango’s One Word Challenge and the word today is “lucid”.
We’ve all heard and may practice the old adage “fake it till you make it”.
But what if we fake it till HE makes it!?
I mean: not to fake being something or someone we’re not, but to put on what we already are when we feel least like it knowing that as we are growing in Christ we are being renewed after His image.
What might this look like?
To love on a loved one even when you don’t like them in that moment?
To forgive, to apologize, to take the first step in healing a broken relationship?
Or when you’re feeling unloved or unwanted to know that you’re priceless, that you are loved and this “season” will pass?
The possible life experiences where we can practice this are endless and worth a try till we get the outcome we desire, don’t you think??
I guess I only needed to get this thought out there in the “bloggasphere” for now sleep has returned to suspend my consciousness.
One thing that’s kept me sane and connected throughout the pandemic is being in green open spaces.
Mother’s Day was spent hiking in the wonderful Palisades Interstate Park. Running up leaf-covered hillsides, balancing across water-logged walk paths, conquering rocky terrains, swinging from trees in carefree abandon—my inner child came out to play.
The changes in scenery dynamically alter between water and woodland with idyllic spots along the way, enough to lull your mind into that state of perfect happiness—nirvana.
And then there was the climb—
—steep and winding up the mountain.
Absolutely worth the ‘burn’ for the reward of picturesque views from thezenith.
At the mountaintop is the Women’s Federation Monument.
The castle-like structure overlooks the river with great views in all directions.
A climb up the stairs to the second floor…
… gives even greater views of the city far far below.
To complete the perfection of the hike, a 10-week old corgi named Luna took a liking to me.
I said a prayer along the way …
… and left a small marker—the cairn. Three stones built atop a boulder—each stone symbolically saying: “I Am Here”.
“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.” St John 14:27 (Holy Bible)
I took this photo last night as the sun was setting, ushering in another Sabbath. And though the clouds seemed threatening, the edges of light still reflecting off of the setting sun gave me a sense of peace. Peace amidst the threat of storms is the peace the Most High God promises.
I pray His perfect peace calms you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.
There are moments that some may call “happenstances” and others “coincidences”. I call them God moments – moments that mark the times when the ordinary of our lives is interrupted and interjected with the extraordinary. They are moments that cannot be explained, or are so perfectly orchestrated they are truly too good to be of man and must therefore be of God.
God moments come whenever:
Like a period (.): forcing us to stop and acknowledge that the normalcy and routine of our lives have been interrupted by the supernatural.
Like a comma (,): causing us to pause in contemplative wonderment of what has just transpired.
Like an exclamation (!): an a-ha moment when we’re awed by a sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension and left with no other expression than: “Look at God!”
Like a question mark (?): compelling us to query the depth and height of God’s love measured in the magnitude of our capacity to stray in the face of His resolute determination to chase.
Like a dash (—): a needed pause; betwixt and between the last dollar and an empty cupboard; a phone call to say “hey” breaking through a lonely moment; or the simultaneous pairing of the perfect song with the bewilderment of your heart.
God moments happen wherever like while we are taking a walk, driving on the busy thoroughfares or flying in the boundless skies.
And, no matter when or where they are manifested, we are caught off guard by God moments. But no, not so for God. These moments are all part of His design. And, He smiles a smile so big it sun-lights up the sky as He savors our astonishment to His interspersing humanity with snippets of the Divine.
God has a purpose for your life. Before you were even formed He knew you—the color of your eyes, the number of hairs on your head, the color of your skin, even your talents and abilities. He has equipped you with all you need to fulfill your purpose.
Knowing and being sure that you possess the qualities and abilities needed to be successful, empowers you to be confident in what you say and do. That confidence is a whole other level of beauty.
You’ve totally got this! Stay confident. Be your own kind of beautiful.
I’m not a patient person. No judgment. Just saying. Knowing, however, that patience is indeed a virtue I’ve been praying specifically for patience. And this prayer has truly been an object lesson in “careful what you pray for, you just may get it”.
I don’t know if I thought God would have waved a “magic wand” and voila, I’d be patient; or if He’d make it happen through osmosis. After all, He’s God—He does big things like keeping planets from colliding and seas from rolling beyond shores—surely He can drop a wee bit of ‘patience dust’ and I’d be His most virtuously patient daughter.
Nah! He didn’t.
What He’s been doing instead is creating opportunities for me to exercise patience. At first I didn’t get it. And being the Master Teacher that He is, when I botch an opportunity—you know, like whining my way through a situation or hurriedly trying to fix what is not in my power or authority to fix—He’d simply repeat. Finally I caught on. Yes, not only must we be careful what we ask for ‘cause we just may get it. We also must be discerning to know when the “it” is being gotten.
One core and critical element to developing patience—which actually is intrinsic to the nature of God (called “fruit of the Spirit”)—is waiting. But the virtue of patience is not only gained through mastering the art of waiting, it’s also mastering how you wait. To wait in peace.
Peace. To be still. To be still and know. To be still and know that God is. To be still and know that God is God. To be still and wait. To be still and wait patiently for God. To be still and wait patiently for God while not fretting (Psalm 46:10 & 37:7).
He’s God in every situation, every circumstance, and everything I will face. Being still is not stand-still-do -nothing. It’s instead a stop-trying-to-control-things-and-people//stop-worrying//find-contentment//getting-to-know process while you wait.
Finding peace in the moments of waiting—which can be seconds, months or years depending on the situation you’re facing—is the key in order for The Most High God to build patience into our core/into the essence of who we are. It’s a process of recreating. And that takes time.
Word of the day: STORY—telling an account of imaginary or real people and events
What is the story you’re telling yourself? Whose story is it anyway?
As the day unfolds, inevitably we’ll tell ourselves stories about what’s happening around us—in our own lives, about people we’re interacting with, and about ourselves. The story or narrative we construct is based on how we are experiencing the world around us in that moment, it’s an interpretation of facts as we see them. The narrative may not necessarily be false, but a version of the truth as we see it—from the perspective and experiences of “I”.
I’m a classic storyteller, mostly because I live so comfortably in my head. So, how do I manage?
Awareness is key. To recognize when you’re in story and when you’re getting stuck and ruminating particularly if it’s negative and making you unhappy.
Not judging yourself is important. Lean into the narrative you’re spinning, stay aware including how it’s making you feel—physically and emotionally—without judging yourself.
Best not to act, at least not in the immediate. You know that email you write and let it sit for a few hours then re-read it to your own horror at the content and tone of what you’d written? Yes, best not to act in the immediate.
And, it’s okay to tell your story as it really is.
Life lesson: You don’t choose what you go through in life, but you choose how you go through it and who you go through it with.
When the ER doctor said what’s been ailing me was COVID-19, the first flash of recall was the number of people who died from this virus. I’d love to say that because I’m a deeply spiritual person my first reaction was “trust God, you’ll survive”. Nah, it was not! My first emotional reaction was fear.
Fear soon passed though through the support of family and friends. The experience re-enforced the value of having a solid support system. With the help of my support, I found the strength to fight.
You know, one thing fighters have is a corner—fighters get support, they don’t fight alone.
We are not meant to be alone.
Who are you going through life with?
You need others to help you, and you need to help others.
Who’s in your corner?
Yes it’s a risk — relationships are messy. They’re complicated. You could get hurt. But, you can minimize the risk by building a support system that is solid. One that is:
Based on the right/common structure — what brought you together (sorority, same age kids)? Are you likeminded? Do you have common values and principles?
Formed before your crisis.
Built on honesty. Can you be vulnerable and not feel judged? Can you be you?
Centered on TRUST. Distinguish between who’s in your circle versus who’s in your corner. Can/will they keep you accountable?
Built around fellowship. How can I know how to support or celebrate you if you don’t share? Bring your life in the light. Be selective. With the right people you’ll find fellowship.
Your support system is a beautiful gift. Cherish it.
I was listening to Michelle Obama’s podcast and she mentioned doing puzzles as part of her family’s pass time. Having never done a puzzle before I was inspired to start. Well… wouldn’t you know, rather than starting with a 250- or 500-piece puzzle I went for the big-dawg of puzzles—ONE THOUSAND pieces!!
When the little box arrived I thought: “no prob, I got this”. That confidence lasted for as long as it took me to open the box, tear through the plastic and throw out the pieces! Then it dawned on me: this is gonna take a while. I needed a strategy.
So I purchased 2 sheets of construction paper: those I used to sort out the pieces, color coding as much as possible; and a piece of bristol board to build the puzzle on because I knew after this mammoth task I’d be framing this “labor of art”.
There were days I thought I’d not complete it. But with a huge amount of stick-to-it-iveness (yes I had to create a multi-compound word to adequately describe my tenacity), I completed!!!! And voila! My LABOR of art (first and last).
Let’s be real—2020 was a downside-up year and just about everyone couldn’t wait to get it behind us.
2020 was going to be my best year. Whereas in past years I celebrated the whole month of my birth, this year was going to be year-long celebrations. Needless to say, none of this happened nor did I dream I’d be struck down by a virus which killed over a million others. This may sound contrary, but despite all the upheavals of the year, I experienced 2020 as a year filled with teachable moments and blessings.
Looking back at 2020, these are the top 5 lessons and blessings that stood out among the many:
Lesson 1: LIFE & NOW!
I survived Covid-19 when so many others did not. Going through that experience reminded me of how fragile and fleeting life is. NOW is the only time we really have! NOW is a blessing. The past is gone, tomorrow is not guaranteed. NOW is too precious to live with regrets or resentment or without purpose and intentionality. On the flip side, 2020 was also a poignant reminder of the surety of death and a reckoning on truly knowing what it means to live. The Japanese proverbs sums it up best: “When death finds you, hope that it finds you alive”.
Lesson 2: FAMILY & FRIENDS!
2020 was a strip-down year. We were stripped down to the basics of life and it was a stark reminder that we came into this world with nothing and when we leave it will be nothing therefore placing value on things is futile. Instead, we ought to value family and friends, appreciating what they each bring to our lives and the blessing of time we are afforded to spend with them.
Lesson 3: TIME
2020 had 12 months, 42 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours and 525600 minutes like every other year before it (except leap years), yet time seemed to have operated differently—one day rolled into the other so seamlessly it was as if a whole week was a continuous day. Because of this I was forced to be more intentional with my days, distinguishing between “working-from-home” and “working-at-home”.
2020 imposed on us the necessity of stepping aside from the hurriedness of the way we lived life before restrictions restrained our movements. We were forced to stop long enough to refill empty soul-tanks and to be okay with those phases of pause and to value them as blessings.
It was also the opportunity to come to terms with alone-time. I’m accustomed to me-time—time deliberately set aside for self-care—but 2020 imposed alone-time/isolation. This in turn forced new ways to connect which required more intentionality. Let’s face it, it’s easier “to do” than “to feel”. Throwing a party to bring loved ones together is easier “to do” than to go beyond the act of gathering “to feel” what our loved ones are experiencing. In many ways 2020 forced us “to feel”, to become more real in our relationships, that’s a blessing.
Lesson 4: PRIVILEGE!
Distinguishing between “working-from-home” and “working-at-home” meant I had the privilege of employment which in turn afforded me a home to live in, food to eat and the luxury of choice when so many others lost all these basic rights. 2020 peeled back the curtains and laid bare the levels of inequity and inequality in all spheres of our societies and most visibly in health, employment and education. And it revealed the levels of racial and social injustices as well. And, for the first time the world as a whole at the same time caught a glimpse of the collective trauma experienced in the psyche and bodies of black and brown skin people as we collectively exclaimed, “I can’t breathe”. That global reckoning and the spinoff actions to ensure inclusion, diversity, equity and equality are part of building back a better post-Covid-19 world is a blessing.
Lesson 5: … but GOD!
My most favorite word combination in the Bible is “… but God”. This two-word combination usually comes amidst the worse times in human experiences such as times of loss, death, sickness, misguidedness, failures. In those moments when you read “…but God”, you know there’s about to be a manifestation of grace and compassion.
2020 was a year where “…but God” was manifested. Amidst all that the year threw at us, it was still a year of blessings. For instance, when world leaders came to grips with the severity of this virus and one by one countries were shutdown, NATURE wasn’t! In fact, our ceasing and becoming still (aka lockdown) gave nature a bit of a reprieve. It was like a “… but God” moment.
Through it all nature kept right on giving. It was in nature where many found moments of solace. Personally I had a lot more alone times with God—I had walks by the river, did picnicking in parks, strolled through sunflower farms, vineyards and lavender fields—and I know many others also turned to the blessings of nature to enhance their wellbeing more than they had before. I’m grateful for the “…but God” blessings of 2020.
In sharing these 5 lessons in my look back at 2020, I’m also keenly and painfully aware that many find it hard to see blessings in a year where they’ve suffered loss. To those who lost loved ones to this virus, I extend my deepest condolences.
It took me awhile to get the hang of growing them. In fact, I literally killed 9 … no that doesn’t sound good at all, let me rephrase … 9 orchids died while under my care (lol 😂). So this bloom is a HUGE deal—it’s from one of the orchids that is re-blooming under my care and it’s MY 1st FLOWER OF THE SEASON.
I’m so happy.
I’m proud to say I now have 11 orchids and ALL of them are set to re-bloom. All except one have sent out new spikes and all have new nodes (some of them multiple nodes). I’m ecstatic and filled with anticipation waiting for all the plants to flower.
It’s finally happened, the lockdown making people go crazy!
I was just talking about this with the microwave and the toaster while drinking my coffee, and we all agreed that things are getting bad.
I didn’t mention any of this to the washing machine, because she puts a different spin on EVERYTHING!!
Certainly couldn’t share with the fridge, cause he’s been acting cold and distant!
In the end, the iron straightened me out! She said the situation isn’t all that pressing and all the wrinkles will soon get ironed out!
The vacuum, however, was very unsympathetic…told me to just suck it up!
But the fan was VERY optimistic and gave me hope that it will all blow over soon!
The toilet looked a bit flushed but didn’t say anything when I asked its opinion, but the front door said I was becoming unhinged and the doorknob told me to get a grip!! You can just about guess what the curtains told me: they told me to “pull myself together!”
Based on the “I survived Covid-19” article, I’ve received a lot of questions, particularly from those living alone, on preparedness.
In response, I’m sharing the ICE (In Case of Emergency) plan I have in place, that’s modified for Covid19 and based on the questions received. It’s a simple plan, hope you find it helpful.
Decide which hospital you’ll go to (if it becomes necessary) and know their Covid19 protocol in advance.
Be familiar with how to dial 9-1-1 when your phone is in locked mode (without having to first unlock the phone).
Make sure your ICE contacts are up to date and each has the up-to-date contact info of the other; determine how much medical info (if any) you wish your ICE contacts to have and ensure that info is current.
Add your ICE contacts’ info to your locked screen which makes it readily available to first responders when the phone is locked (there are apps to use for that; I used the wallpaper option (iPhone) by saving the ICE contact info onto a photo, then uploaded the photo and set it for “lock screen only”).
Your ICE contact should be able to access your home (in the event you’re incapacitated).
If your house has a locked security/storm door, consider leaving that door unlocked during days of crisis this way you’ll only have to contend with unlocking the main door in an emergency.
Consider including acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) in your first aid kit, it helps to manage fever and pain.
ICE Tips
Consider saving your ICE contact in your phone using this naming format: ICE-Name-relation-location (e.g. ICE Maya Smith (sister, New Jersey); include all phone numbers, email and physical addresses.
Consider using the “Emergency SOS” app on your phone, update it with relevant medical and ICE contact info (even if your phone is locked, the SOS app can be accessed but your contacts and other info on the phone remain private).
Of course, we all must be security conscious so only you can make the call on just how much medical info you wish to have on your phone and accessible in an emergency.
Stay safe. Make a simple emergency plan.
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Nothing in my experiences prepared me for what the last three weeks threw at me.
Prior to going to the hospital I was unwell for about 9 days. I was self-medicating for the flu because all the symptoms felt like the flu except for the constant headache.
Thankfully I’m working from home. During a zoom staff meeting colleagues commented on how sick I sounded. That was Monday three weeks ago. I kept working, pushing through. The headache was a constant and I lost my appetite. By the following Monday in the staff meeting colleagues again commented on how sick I sounded in my voice. I was starting to feel as sick as I was sounding but still pushed through. By about 2:00 pm I was spent. I stopped, slept for about 2 hours got up and returned to working. Around 6:00 pm I physically could do no more and informed my office I would be on sick leave starting Tuesday.
The rapidity from feeling unwell to feeling sick made me realize this was not the flu. But how could it be Covid-19? I worked from home. I only went out for grocery. When I jogged it’s never in close proximity to anyone and I always wore a mask. I took all the precautions. Groceries were cleaned off before they’re packed away. Mail was opened in the garage. I always wore my mask. I have hand sanitizer everywhere and use it all the time. I’m the one customer who will walk down an aisle I need nothing from to follow the grocery store directional markings. I was that deliberate in following the rules.
On Tuesday I emailed the medical unit of my organization to request the Covid test which they administered and the result was negative. Yet by Wednesday my body started to feel foreign to me. My temperature was spiking. If it’s not Covid and it doesn’t feel like the flu, what could this be? By Thursday my energy level is low. My head hurts so much it’s tender to the touch. I’ve completely lost my appetite. Now I haven’t eaten anything substantial for 3 days. Though on sick leave I was still monitoring emails and listening in on meetings.
By Friday I was too sick to stay home. I went to the hospital. Another Covid test and this time the result is positive.
The ER doctor is kind. In her consult she was deliberate to touch my hand. The humanity of just that one gesture in the midst of the worst pains I’ve experienced and coming to terms with knowing I’m the carrier of an infectious disease, being touched made the difference.
What followed were 4 hellish days which spiraled downward so quickly I still cannot distinguish one day from the other. Day flowed into night and night into day and I suffered under a fog—a fever between 102 and 103.5. Fatigue. Complete loss of energy, appetite and the ability to swallow. I would chew but my throat wouldn’t open up to allow me to swallow. My breathing was shallow. Every joint in my body ached. I had an acute and constant head pain. I couldn’t touch my own head, it felt like a ton on my shoulders, I couldn’t keep it upright for more than a few minutes at a time. My stomach was queasy. The best way to describe it: it’s as if a truck drove across my body, stopped at every joint then parked on the top of my head and just hung out there. Then there’s that debilitating dry cough—if I’m standing when it comes I have to bend over or if it comes while I’m lying down I have to get in the fetal position.
I live alone so all of this I experienced alone except for family members and a couple of friends on the phone. I was scared. I was besides myself with worry. The worse possible scenarios passed through my mind.
In the height of a delirious moment I was on the phone with my brother, a respiratory therapist (who lives in Florida), I’m in pain, I’m crying and hysteria is setting in. And my brother switches from family to medical professional and he calms me and coaxes me with affirmations and actions I needed to take for my own care and told me if I couldn’t he’d need to call 9-1-1.
I dug deep. Prior to getting sick I exercised regularly—yoga or running or walking. And I practiced daily devotion and meditation time with God. My faith kicked in—I took control of my mind. I prayed. I willed myself out of bed and forced myself up and down stairs, one painful step at a time. I sat up more than I lay down and propped up my head when it became too difficult to keep it upright. I practiced breathing exercises even when it felt impossible to hold my breath for even a second or to exhale from my mouth. I forced myself to swallow and slowly started eating. By day 6 the fever broke.
Today is Thanksgiving and I’m now 4 days fever free. My energy level is getting back up. I’m able to breathe deeper. My appetite is slowly returning, I’m able to eat (not a lot) and to taste a bit. The head pain remains but I can hold my head up. And the cough is still severe. My voice is strong but after a bout of coughing I’ll be hoarse again.
My lifestyle has been one of gratitude. Everyday that I wake up I routinely thank God for the gift of life. And on this Thanksgiving, having survived a disease that’s killed so many, I’m especially grateful for:
The medical team that cared for me at NY Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital.
My family who kept me grounded through phone calls and care packages and especially my mom who I knew was extremely stressed and worried but was my tower of strength.
My friends who delivered food with such love, care and attention.
My partner who sat outside my window, hand-to-hand separated by windowpane connected by cell, so he could console me.
Medical professionals, who are now friends, who provided daily advice and care.
Faithful family and friends who prayed with me and for me, who entered into fasting periods to stand in the gap for me when I couldn’t stand for myself.
My faith in God that kept me especially during those valleys of the “shadow of death” moments and gave me bouncebackability.
My GP asks a lot of questions and I know doctors and researchers are doing their best to find answers. In the spirit of gratitude I’m already researching how to donate plasma and to contribute to the fight against this virus.
If I can share a couple insights from this ordeal:
Be a kind human. It’s possible to do all the right things and still get the virus. Nonetheless wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands. Be gentle. Be kind. Don’t judge.
Healthcare professionals are truly superheroes. From the time I got to the ER to the time I was discharged, I felt cared for. I was in so much pain, I was in tears, I needed to be held. The ER doctor touched my hand and I knew she did it deliberately. My brother and a friend activated their health networks and got help to me including a pulse oximeter and an incentive breathing exerciser.
Don’t let your guard down, take care of your immune health as a routine. Prior to Covid this was my immune building routine: vitamins D3 and C, zinc, iron, krill oil, oregano oil, elderberry. When I knew it was Covid I kept my routine but increased the Vitamin C. Tylenol was included to help manage the pain and reduce the fever. I also added natural remedies—an elixir of honey, onion, garlic; nightly diffuser with eucalyptus oil; and fever grass and vervine teas (thanks to my mom who expressed the two plants from Florida).
Manage your emotional capital. Getting well is more of a mental and a willpower “game” than it is anything else. You will need all your mental fortitude. For this reason I had to be selective in sharing my diagnosis. I activated my I.C.E (In Case of Emergency) system. I know my friends love me and from that place of love I know they would call, text, give advice and share the stories/experiences of others etc. in their efforts to help me. I knew I didn’t have the emotional capital to care for myself and receive all my friends would offer. I prioritized me and my care.
Be grateful. Stay grateful. Live in an attitude of gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Before-word: This piece was written in response to the following questions I’ve been asking myself in the wake of protests to social injustice across the globe: How many times can a people be stretched before their elasticity is extended beyond its capacity to bounce back and they snap instead? What do you do when as a people you feel you’re losing your ability to bounce back?How much longer can a people hope when they see no signs of change but distress, oppression, mistreatment, hurt and abuse instead? What do you do when as a people you feel forgotten, forsaken and left hoping for hope?
If likened to a clay pot that falls, breaking is inevitable. And like broken clay, discarding is also inevitable. Or if efforts are made to put it back together, the cracks will be evident and the original beauty seems lost. Scarred. Scarred for life. No longer fit for display.
The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery—KINTSUGI (also known as kintsukuroi)—literally translated to mean “golden repair”, is practiced from the philosophy of treating breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise.
This unique art form, when reimagined in the context of human broken experiences, can inspire a sense of hope.
Right now we are in the breaking.
We are a people yearning for change, looking for hope, wanting restoration. The price for change is the brokenness long endured in our bodies, in our psyche and now magnified for the world to see.
How can the “art of precious scars” give a sense of hope at this time?
In the case of pottery, though broken and fragmented, through a change process of applying a precious liquified metal each broken piece is reconnected and the piece is brought back together again. And because no two objects break in the same way, each restored piece is a unique work of art not to be hidden away but displayed.
In the case of a people—each restored and made whole to highlight and enhance the breaks; each a one-of-a-kind work of art more valuable than before the breaking—can lead to collective restoration. A collective change.
What if we use these experiences of injustice, these tears, the magnitude of these hurts, the enormity of these losses to inspire CHANGE? Like liquified precious metal it can bind our individual and collective breaking into a restored community.
This is the essence of resilience—what I call bounceBACKability! This can be a recipe for hope.
Before-word: This short essay is thanks to my reaction to a nature show on NatGeo. There I was immersed in the wonders of life in the deepest part of the ocean and I thought: “wow…all of this was spoken into existence”! [clearly, I’m a creationist]. Then I got to thinking about the power of the words I speak to myself and the power of words generally and this essay is the outcome of all the musings.
The universe and ALL that we know came into being because God SAID it! But He did more than just spoke (communicating His thoughts, feelings, plans), He declared — made a public announcement, an explicit assertion.
In the act of DECLARING He spoke: let there be … and there was! Let there be roses and light and trees and fish and water and giraffe and oxygen and salt and atom and stars and gold and nebula and starfish and diamond and matter and … you get the picture? Check this out — God declared: LET THERE BE LIGHT! And voila — because He IS light, light came spewing from His mouth, gushing at 299,792,458 meters per second. WOW!!
Everything God declared now is!
Of course He went a step further when it came to mankind because although He had already spoken into existence cells and blood and all the other ingredients required to speak human-life into being, He chose instead to hand-form and breathe-into and man was created not just for his own existence but so that in him life could be replicated over and over again.
But, after God created man He spoke, He made a declaration that it was not just good but “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). God said the universe in all its majesty was good but after He made man, He said it was VERY good.
I think ... the power that is in speaking and in making declarations has eluded us
It is God who said “the tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21).
Seems it is easier for us to use the tongue to speak “death” as we make declarations like:
I can’t do that – killing off our dreams before they’ve had the chance to live outside our thoughts;
I’m not good enough — killing off our potential before God’s purpose can be manifested in us;
I’m not pretty enough — killing off our beauty before the world can see who we really are;
I’m not smart enough …, rich enough …
I don’t have the right job …, right car …, right house
It’s not the right time.
Yes, we use the power of the tongue and make declarations — but declarations unto death! And it is therefore no wonder that we have exactly what we declare. There is, indeed, power in words and in the act of declaring.
After years of death-speaking into my own life I’ve learned the power of life-talk and now I make declarations like:
I can, I’m pretty enough, smart enough, rich enough!
I have the right job, the right car, the right house!
No one can fulfill the purpose I was created for!
No one can do it, write it, recite it the way I can!
No one can do the job, pick up folks in a car, welcome them to a home like I can!
And this is the time, for I’m here for such a time as now!
Why do we live in depravity, scarcity, doubt? Because we ask not. Because we keep silent. Because we do not make life-like declarations. If the all-powerful God who could think things into existence chose instead to speak, what about us?
Why do you keep silent? Speak out! Declare! Effect change!
A collection of writing by Dominic Riccitello — intimate conversations, personal essays, and poetic reflections on relationships, loss, and self-discovery.
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