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The Good Thing About This

I have really gotten into using online delivery services for about everything. I know that the delivery drivers have my address saved. Some may even have our frequent orders saved. Putting away the items from a recent order got me to thinking how my world has changed since the pandemic- aside from the obvious mask in every pocket and slight shudder when anyone coughs in my vicinity. Norms have morphed into something I wouldn’t have even recognized three years ago.

One of my favorite changes is online grocery shopping- for everything! I hardly ever step foot in a grocery store anymore. You know what? I spend lots less this way. I stick to my list with no impulse buys. I never thought that would happen. I am also apt to try different brands of food- and so is my son- a miracle in itself! The chronic shortages of certain items have been frustrating, but not debilitating. We never ran out of toilet paper. I use Shipt and Instacart depending on where I want to shop. Today, I used both- one for groceries and the other for a Target run. Overall, I highly recommend incorporating these services into your life. Take some time back.

Working from home is hands-down the way for me. I left K-12 education to pursue instructional design in the business world a few years ago. That alone was a great decision for me, especially since my corporate jobs have been remote. So when the pandemic hit and everyone went home to work virtually, I wasn’t worried at all. I welcomed my teammates into the virtual work world and helped them adjust to the “new office.” Working from home has proven to be less stressful for me and my family- and my dogs. I save money on lunches and gas. I have my own restroom and can eat seafood or garlic without bothering my coworkers. I am more productive because of the lack of interruptions. Seriously, I love this working environment. Don’t get me wrong, I miss the social aspects of working in an office, but have found ways to collaborate and communicate beyond texting and emails. It’s been good.

My sense of time is off though. I hardly ever know what day it is, what time it is, and have to think about the month- because it really doesn’t matter. Sundays are my anchor because I go to church, or watch it on my iPad depending on the Covid numbers. I am even more reliant on the calendar on my phone than I was before the pandemic. I have to enter all appointments, birthdays, dates, engagements, and anything with a deadline. I even put reminders in to order groceries. I don’t think it is a bad thing because it is a tool to keep me organized and sane. Yes, I even have an entry for church on Sundays.

Gratitude for essential workers is not necessarily a new concept for me. My niece is an awesome nurse in a big hospital. I could never do her job and I know that many depend on it. My definition of essential workers has changed. I have more respect for people that work in grocery stores, delivery drivers, pharmacy workers, postal carriers, bus drivers, clergy, and TEACHERS than I did before the world shook us all out of place. These people are the foundation of life as we know it. The people who have had to adapt their work environment to meet the needs of others are amazing. These folks who continue to work as they always have, maybe with a few more precautions, so that I could work from my home office and order my groceries will forever be heroes in my book.

The pandemic is not cool. I don’t relish the idea of people dying because of it. My family and I are all vaccinated and boostered to help us and everyone around us safe. Keeping with my goal of positivity and finding reasons to be joyful, I see that some good has resulted in the attempt to remain free from the wretched virus. Some things will become normal for me, even if the meaning of that word is changing all of the time. I will continue to use resources and work in environments that have proven to make my life easier. That doesn’t make me lazy, as some have taunted, but it does make me happy (and smart). I will strive to recognize when my life is positively impacted by the actions of another. I strongly suggest you do the same.

Featured

Rant, Trust, and Faith

“He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Mark 5:34

It’s been a long time, folks. The world turned upside down while we all ducked for cover. Some did it begrudgingly while others stayed in out of a sense of responsibility- or fear. Whatever the reason, I have changed. The world has changed. We cannot deny it, but we need to recognize the changes. Maybe even lean into them.

The pandemic is touching most every part of the planet. Some places are much worse than others. It has taken me over a year to get to where I can actually write rather than filling up my notebook with ideas and thoughts. I am struggling. There. I said it. I am struggling. I am struggling to see how anyone can deny the existence of a virus powerful enough to overload major hospitals and kill thousands and thousands of people EVEN THOUGH it’s happening right in front of us. There is no way it can be a huge hoax. No way.

I get why people question the immunizations. They appeared to be developed very quickly without much oversight, even though this virus is not new and a vaccine has been in the works for years. The varying messages and information from what were supposed to be official sources did nothing to help. I am struggling with tragedy becoming a political issue. How can major political parties take credit for the development of the vaccines without once working together in the formulation? Who needs credit anyway- as long as the vaccines are safe and work. Same thing with masks. So many different sources with different information- EVEN AFTER wearing masks was scientifically proven to slow the progress of the virus. I struggle to find a valid argument against them, but some people keep trying to provide one.

Ranting may help me work through the consequential struggles of COVID 19. At least, I hope it will, but I doubt it. How can I address my feelings of helplessness, anxiety, sadness, fear, depression, and all of the other dark and dreary emotions that go along them? I haven’t had an avenue to express these feelings with anyone- or rather, I haven’t looked for an avenue. Logically, I know I need to do it, to work on it, and to figure it out. I want to be normal again, but I don’t even know that that means. I crave understanding, knowledge, and logic. Digging through all of the presented information and arguments has not provided enough. Trustworthy articles and news casts are met with counter arguments. Expressed hostility in popular culture toward anyone with a different view is rampant. There is little respect for office, degree, or humanity anymore. I struggle with this, too.

The only comforts that are constant for me are trust and faith. I trust that God has a plan and a purpose and have no reason to question Him. Feel free to question all you want, at least you will be talking to Him. Faith is trusting God even when you don’t understand the plan. I don’t understand the plan. Talking to God is always my refuge. Listening to God is my serenity. Living for God is my strength. I know that God will redefine my normal. I know that I will still struggle and will probably continue to use this platform to rant. I will be fine, better than fine. The bible decrees it. There is no predicted outcome where I will not come out of this pandemic better than I was before we fell into it. For now, know that I am praying for us. I am praying for an end to this madness. I am praying for answers and direction. I am praying for peace. God speaks my language. He speaks all languages. He is the universal healer. That is my understanding, knowledge, and logic- all I need.

Disturbed

Before you read any further, this is NOT about one of my husband’s favorite metal bands. Ok…

I have been contemplating giving up all social media. The negativity that is embedded in posts, articles, and such are the crux of my headaches. I stopped watching the news for the same reason. Some online sites post uplifting articles that show that people are mostly good. BUT, many individuals become really brave and lose all inhibition behind the guise of an online post. I would hope their parents taught them better to engage with others in this manner. I guess they forgot.

People I grew up with and know to be of good stock have openly ridiculed and harassed family, friends, and strangers over everything from politics to movie choices. This is getting worse all of the time, too. We need a review on thinking thoughts verses speaking thoughts. A friend of mine gave me a short lesson a few years back. I think the digital world could benefit from the same. Everyone has those thoughts that aren’t really nice and could hurt others. Those thoughts should remain in the sparks of the brain never to blaze out of our mouths. Thoughts are given life and power when they become words. Words can hurt.

Choose Kindness is a phrase that is trending now. I wish it would really catch on and become actions. Think about it, if the overall goal was to be kind, we wouldn’t have arguments over stupid things. We wouldn’t look for opportunities to respond to things that serve no other purpose than to rile others up. We would think before arguing our point which is purely based on personal opinion. Heck, we may even learn the difference between fact and opinion!

It’s hard, folks. I am naturally sarcastic and have instilled that quality in both of my boys. Sometimes they amaze me with their wit, but they aren’t mean – at least they aren’t mean to anyone except each other. I believe it takes a measure of intelligence to be sarcastic. I also believe it takes no intelligence to be mean. It takes no intelligence to attack others just because they are different or think differently from you. So maybe, it’s just a lack of intelligence on the part of those who can’t seem to choose kindness. I don’t know.

I do know that this sarcastic, southern woman is disturbed by the state of our nation. There. I said it. Disturbed. I am not happy with the lack of consideration and empathy on social media and in the national spotlight. I am not happy with the need to be right which means that so many others are absolutely wrong. I am not happy with bullies- especially adult bullies. I am not happy with the lack of common goals. It wasn’t always like this, was it? What changed?

So, what do I need to do to change my attitude? I think my focus needs readjusting. My world is full of positives. My family. My friends. My church. My job. My puppies! I will tune in to those people and things that bring me joy. I will put in the work to ensure that I bring kindness to my environment. Maybe if we all do that, things will get better. Who’s in?

Resolutions

Many people make New Year’s resolutions every year. Some even have the SAME New Year’s resolutions EVERY year. Last year I broke my track record and decided to actually work toward something that I could achieve. It changed my attitude and mood, for the most part, every day. I want to share my intentions for the past year and how they changed the way I see my world.

A little background first… I was not always the most positive person and that is putting it lightly. It doesn’t mean I wasn’t friendly. I have always tried to be friendly. However, I tended to see negative first and just sit in it. You know when you can’t see the forest for the trees in the way? Well, that was me. Being surrounded by people who were the same, made it worse. We weren’t bad people by any means, but knowing that a negative aspect would directly impact our workload made it a more compelling focus. One day I observed how rampant the negative comments, actions, and sarcasm were and how quickly my brain came up with comebacks. I didn’t like the way it made me feel.

Change is hard. Especially when what you want to change is engrained in you! I have never had trouble being positive in my personal life. I am blessed in that area. A loving husband, two wonderful sons, awesome pets- So why was my outlook different outside of that? I found my answer in sentimental resolutions that I really didn’t have faith in when I made them.

I vowed to laugh more. I would look for positivity every day. I wanted to find the good in people even when it was hard. I wanted to make happiness and joy a priority in my life. You know what? I did all of those things! I learned that I didn’t have to hold back laughs in appropriate situations, especially when those laughs are directed toward me. I recognized that people are mostly good and it was easy to see when I was looking for it. Being positive is a choice. It didn’t take long before I committed to the resolutions because I was feeling better. I woke up in a better mood and went to sleep knowing that I had accomplished something that day. I prayed more and was still.

I’m not going to try to pretend that I am no longer sarcastic or that I don’t have bad moments, or even days. Obviously , you don’t have to be religious to be positive, but I know that God helped me. I know that my resolutions were actually prayers. I know that I found joy and happiness though His will. I made a choice many years ago to trust and have faith in God. I am positive because I chose to believe. Just imagine what you could do if you believed and had a little faith!

Hope You Having a Good Day

Dr. Meade is lover of God, a wife, a mother to two men and several fur babies. She has lots of thoughts running through her mind and needs an avenue to download.

My name is Angie. I am a doctor, just “not that kind of doctor.” I have a degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Thus, the Dr. in front of my name. Like many people, my mind is constantly running. There are so many different threads that I sometimes get lost. I feel sorry for my husband who attempts to follow along.

Why start blogging?

  • See above. I need to download sometimes.
  • I keep a running journal in my head. This seemed cleaner and easier to track.
  • Writing makes me happier.

I have two smart, young men who are both in college. I work from home with my dogs and cats. I love to ride horses, well, one horse, Chili. I love to write and am somewhat of a grammar Nazi. With that said, I do make mistakes, because I also brain dump and my brain is not always concerned with grammar. Weird.

I am not trying to convince anyone to come to the “dark side.” My blogs are my thoughts and feelings, but I welcome constructive comments. I have no tolerance for hate in any form.

Let’s do this!

Legacies

I recently attended a memorial service for a well-known, highly respected man. The auditorium was full of people with impressive resumes. We all gathered to celebrate the life of a man who was active in the community and state. Family, friends, co-workers, board members, and colleagues watched as pictures of his life flashed across the screen. The speakers praised the departed’s accomplishments and involvement in an attempt define his legacy. This made me wonder what my legacy will be when God calls me home.

I want to be remembered. My family and friends will know that I loved them with everything that I am. My legacy will be defined when they move forward loving each other the same way. My church will remember that I taught, learned, loved, gave, and volunteered in my feeble attempt to be more like Christ. They will strive for the that same likeness. The families that I have worked with over the years will continue to advocate for their children and other children who may need support. I want my mother’s words to slip out of the mouths of my sons just like they did mine. I want my nieces and nephews to dance in Walmart wearing cowboy boots and pink hats. Better yet, when the color pink shows up, I want people to smile and be happy.

A legacy is more than a memory. It’s a call to action. While you are here, try new things, go places that you want to go, and even places that you don’t want to go. Talk to strangers. Feed an apple to a horse. Live in a way that is righteous. Celebrate the little things. Apply the Golden Rule. People see the way you attack life in all situations. They see you. Let what they see, how they feel about it, and what they do with it, define your legacy. That’s my plan.