Hope Focused
How will we pay our bills? Feed our children? How long will this quarantine last? There are so many questions. Fear seems to run rampant these days for many.
There isn’t much I can do. I’m not a doctor or nurse or any other first responder. God bless and protect these incredible folks!
But what I can do is focus on fun and hope.
Fun? In times like these? You may be wondering if I’ve lost my mind. But remember, laughter produces endorphins that are healing to our bodies. Fear, worry, all those do is cause harm to our minds and bodies.
Fun can include recording things noticed. While we are all quarantined, we can pay attention to our surroundings and discover gratitude.
I love what Jane Kirkpatrick shared in her March Story Sparks newsletter about noting the senses.
So today, I’m sharing with you…
5 things I see: wildflowers; Lake Roosevelt; trees swaying in the wind; clouds, large and petite, drifting through the mostly emerald sky; my Dingo Daisy sleeping nearby
4 things I hear: the drone of my space heater, Christian music playing softly in the background, my fingers pecking the keyboard, my husband’s encouraging tone
3 things I feel: soft petals of my daffodils, a breeze brush against my cheek, cool water gliding down my throat
2 things I smell: turkey sausage for breakfast, my husband’s spicy scent
1 thing I taste: pineapple juice
The descriptions seem somewhat poetic, don’t you think?
Speaking of poetry. My friend Celaine Charles, a gifted poet, recently got me addicted to Elfchen poetry from her blog, Steps in Between.
Elfchen is an eleven-word poem written across five lines. It is also called an elevenie. She taught me that Elf means eleven in German, and -chen at the end of a German word makes the word wee or enduring. So, an Elfchen is a little poem. Or I like to say, a wee little poem. I guess it the Scotch-Irish in me. Aye!
Here’s how it works:
One word for line one
Two words for line two
Three words for line three
Four words for line four
One word for line five
My attempts at Elfchen:
Love
in times
of reckless fear…
God holds us close,
Hope
Coronavirus
threatens lives
few are immune…
God is greater yet,
Strength
See
the blessings?
Our God showers
them all around us…
Search
Now your turn!
I’d love for you to post your attempts at Elfchen poetry in the comment section.
My life has not changed much since the quarantine. I’m a writer and work from home. The only thing I cannot do is shop. My husband has been doing all the shopping for me, except for what I can get online. I am one of those with a compromised immune system and have to stay away from everyone per doctor’s request.
This is extra hard for me because I love spending time with my grandchildren. Thankfully, I’ve seen some through windows and others through video chats. A couple of my local granddaughters who are 7 and 9 call me frequently. I’m so very thankful for technology!
I pray you will remain safe, enjoy your Easter, and hold diligent until we can again shake hands and hug.
During this time, I encourage you to search for things you can be grateful for, do something thoughtful for someone else, and focus on the hope of Jesus and his love for us.
God’s blessings to you all and…
Happy Resurrection Day!
P.S…
Wednesday is my birthday!
My gift to you, beginning Monday, is a set of two discounted EBooks, and one for free-this offer lasts all week!
Hello Carmen, while you didn’t use the word compassion in your writing, everything you have put down in words speaks volumes for your compassion – for yourself, your loved ones, and every other living creature on this planet. I felt your compassion as I read your words. They inspired my gratitude for you. Now I am off to re-read Jane‘s article and discover my own sensory joys. thank you!
Laura, your words uplift me! Thank you with all of my heart. Have fun discovering your sensory joys! Be blessed.
Lovely post, Carmen. Positive thinking is key to these times. Although our life hasn’t changed much, since Bruce is retired, I do feel for those whose work, school and important social events have been disrupted. On the other hand, COVID19 has given us another prospective on how we lead our lives, what we need for happiness.
Mary, thank you for your insight. I agree, many have new perspectives. I pray those not able to work, God will provide.