April 22, 2020 Mailing

Thoughts from the Free World:

We’re thinking of you, and hoping you are staying healthy and hanging in there! This is a scary, strange time for us all, but know that others are sending you prayers and strength. – Hannah

The outside world cares about you. We know you are human beings. We are feeling your pain and fear. Do what you can, whatever is your best. – Ms. Pitts

Someone is thinking about you, praying for you, closing their eyes so they can wrap their arms around you. – Sara in Colorado

We care. You are not alone in this, though it may feel like that. You are loved, and we are fighting for your voices to be heard, because your existence is important and valued. – Anju

Stay present in the moment.  – Phyllis

We care about you.  You are in a tough situation made harder by the covid19.  We will pray for all of you. – Kathi

I’m thinking about you. Hearing of the outbreak at MCI breaks my heart and I hope you’re all doing as well as you can right now. – Anna

Mental/Physical Workouts for Today

Would you rather be invisible or hear people’s thoughts? Why?

Write or tell someone a story of triumph and hope. Start with this line: "It seemed impossible, but..."

Think about your favorite 15 words. Write them down. Think about them deeply, superficially, how they sound, and how they look written out. Create something with the words.

I looked this up.  Q: Mary's father has 5 daughters 1) Nana 2) Nene 3) Nini 4) Nono. What is the name of the 5th daughter?  (answer at the end of this message)

Quotations to Think About Today:

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t”

“You must hold your quiet center,

where you do what only you can do.”

—Ha Jin, “A Center”

“Bring each other into your calm. Don't let them bring you into their storm. “

"And if only we arrange our life in accordance with the principle which tells us that we must always trust in the difficult, then what now appears to us as the most alien will become our most intimate and trusted experience. How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at the beginning of all races, the myths about dragons that at the last moment are transformed into princesses? Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love." - Letter to a Young Poet, #8, Rainer Maria Rilke

“we are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars” (meaning.... the world can be hard and most of us know this, but there also is always a beacon of hope. a light that can guide you home, reminding you that within yourself is a light that can never die out, no matter how bad things can get. there is always hope and light if only we choose to look at the stars)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Brainteaser Answer: Mary!