May 1, 2020 Mailing

Thoughts from the free world

Every new day is a canvas. You are in charge of how you paint it. Thank God every morning for blessing you with a new day, and use that blessing to keep you going. -Cheryl

I’m thinking about you. All the time. We don’t just leave class and forget what we learned and the incredible individuals that we learned it with. Hearing your writing and seeing the talent for theatre and performance is astonishing, and I can’t wait to experience your art again. – Joanna (AKA “Near”)

Know that you can trust the name of Jesus Christ as your Savior. When I am frustrated and scared I repeat bible verses that I almost memorize. Not perfect but the Lord knows and I am comforted. – Cynthia

You are beloved. You are not forgotten. We are rooting for you, in this season especially. – Judy

Mental/Physical Workouts for Today

There are some numbers that get smaller when you multiply them by themselves - that is, when you square them. Can you think of any examples? (Answer at end of this message)

Creativity prompt: Was there some object you lost as a child? something that upset you then? What if you got it back today? Freewrite or draw your memory of that object or your imagined reunion with it.

Create a still-life scene with images that are easily available to you. Try to arrange the objects in a way that suggests an emotion or story. Then draw the scene from at least two different angles.

Quotations to Think About Today

“The ideal of warriorship is that the warrior should be sad and tender, and because of that, the warrior can be very brave as well.” ― CHOGYAM TRUNGPA

“So it goes.” Maybe it’s not super inspirational to some, but to me it’s a reminder that no matter how bad things get, time moves on and we move with it.

"Don't set upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids, dare to dance the tides." In other words, live your best life, regardless of where you are. Choose to be a better person than you were yesterday. You deserve respect, as do others. Always take the high road in a disagreement. Be the bigger person.

Nelson Mandela said, "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." I think about this a lot.

This is a quote from Albert Camus: "I realized, through it all, that in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." Never doubt that you can push beyond the depths of whatever your current situation may be.

“I Rise” – Maya Angelou

Out of the huts of history’s shame

I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

Brainteaser Answer: 1/2 or 0.5, or any number between 0 and 1