Looking in the Rear-view Mirror: Resolution Reboot
Now that we’re over two-and-a-half months into 2020, I wanted to check in, see how you’re doing, tell you how I’m doing – resolutions kept, resolutions broken, resolutions revised or tossed – and perhaps chart a course for what’s left of 2020.
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.” (Walt Whitman)
A Note about the Music
The two pieces of music in this blog are by Vangelis. The 76-year-old Greek composer is one of the most important, influential figures in the history of electronic music as well as the world of film scores. His best-known works are the Chariots of Fire (1981) and Blade Runner (1982) soundtracks and the tracks used in the Cosmos (1980) television series. I find Vangelis music very thought-provoking and relaxing. I recommend ear buds or headphones to better appreciate the music.
Vangelis: L’apocalypse des animaux (soundtrack)
Sidebar: COVID-19
Just an aside to give you some of my thoughts on the virus. Less than two weeks ago I was still going to the gym three times a week, swimming, and running (actually, I still run three times a week). However, my well-meaning adult children, said, “Dad, you have to stay home.” No matter now, they closed all the gyms where I live. I’m not panicking, just waiting for a cure and waiting for COVID-19 to run its course. Without getting religious on you, I’ll just say that I’m confident that it will be resolved and our normal lives will be resumed.
Going Beyond New Year’s Resolutions
Although I love Woody Guthrie’s no frills doodle-filled list of New Year’s resolutions from 1943, to broaden your mindset, think of New Year’s resolutions as tools that we use for self-improvement. You might want to go back to an article I included in my January 7 blog, written by David G. Allan. His concept I thought was very interesting, his “meaning of life” exercise. Granted it goes beyond a simple list of resolutions that you write down and try to accomplish. If you read the entire article, note that he suggests that you turn your “purpose” into action.
Allan gives examples of some very famous people’s answer to the meaning question:
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” (Albert Einstein)
“Throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.” (Whoopi Goldberg)
“Love.” (David G. Allan)
A couple of life meanings I thought of for myself were – “show more compassion to others” and “try to be less judgemental”.
Another good reference, if you’re serious about finding your “purpose”, is Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life.
My Own Resolutions List
For each of my resolutions below, I’ll give some of the affirmations from Daily Word that seemed relevant to me.
- Relax more. A good, personal mantra to remember when you’re stressed is – just breathe.
“Relax: I relax my mind, heart, and body.” (Daily Word, March 7, 2020)
- Pray for others and pray at least once a day.
“My prayers bless others and uplift the world.” (Daily Word, April 25, 2020)
- Good deeds – think of others; small deeds count too.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
- Don’t judge others – this one is high on my list of resolutions.
“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
- Stay healthy – take care of myself.
“I choose to create and experience abundant life.” (Daily Word, February 23, 2019)
- Forgive – all others and myself.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’”
- Write more – at least once a day.
Why not, it worked for Stephen King.
- Be fair-minded and less opinionated.
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinions, but not to his own facts.” (Daniel Patrick Moynihan)
- Spend more time with my family.
“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” (Pope John XXIII),
More Brainy Quotes about family.
A Beacon of Light
“Be a beacon of light in the forest of uncertainty.” (My own “purpose” mantra for the time being)
I’ll wrap up this blog with some media information that you might find useful. I’m constantly looking for independent, unbiased, and accurate news sources. As always, you may choose to disagree with anything I write, and your feedback is welcome.
The following are new media sources on my list and not fully vetted, i.e. I haven’t checked them out thoroughly, but I thought they were worth looking at.
“We just want the facts ma’am.” (Sergeant Joe Friday, Dragnet TV series. OK, you’re right, only a boomer would know that quote)
Epoch Times is a subscription publication, but you might want to check it out. To see other examples of their news coverage, go to their podcast:
Judicial Watch (free subscription). You be the judge.
There are quite a few Christian news outlets, I selected this one at random.
Another site (not a news source), “Protect Press Freedom”, the mainstream media apparently are supporting – Nora O’Donnell (CBS?) mentioned it on one of her broadcasts. Why was I watching mainstream news media, must have landed on it when I was channel surfing. I decided not to provide a link to the PPF site until I vetted it.
One More Vangelis to End With
You’ll recognize the music if you’re a Harrison Ford fan.
Vangelis: Blade Runner (End Titles), 1982
Pictures, of Course
blazinbernie
Looking for a Rufous 