Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 4, 2024
- Several Sunday Letter readers asked if their Comments had to be made on the same Sunday. My answer: Not at all. All Sunday Letters are posted on the web site (royswritings.com). Comments on any Sunday Letter, no matter the date, at any time. I am grateful to receive and respond to all Comments.
** Brain research confirms handwriting with pen and paper engages the brain in positive ways a keyboard does not match the criteria. So, handwriting journals, notes, and letters are exercising your brain. Hallelujah, Write on!
- I have been given the opportunity to meet with elders at a local community center. Every other Friday, we will talk together of our youth, family, gardens, and the works of our lives. Many of the elders, have background roots in growing up in the country and attended a rural school. One person’s memory story leads to stories of others. For me, an honor to listen and learn together.
** From CNN’s Good Stuff: “Resist the lie that violence and destruction are inevitable, that this way is the way it has to be. ” We have the responsibility to imagine another way to be human.” Cole Arthur Riley
- Father Bruce, retired Episcopel Rector, died several months ago. His daughters brought books from his library for the women and men at Trinity Episcopal. I am honored to add a 1953 printing of “Mere Christianity,” by C. S. Lewis. Thanks Bruce, it is a treasure.
- My view of Mother Earth has changed from global warming and the melting the Artic…”from being a project or a cause to join” to a relationship of heart, mind, and connectedness. Touching the earth, with no separation between my health, my future, and the health and future of this physical, beautiful, endangered world is the right relationship. I am praying for our mother to survive.
** This Sunday two Netflix recommendations. 1) Young Sheldon, 2017 – 2024 – 7 seasons. Setting: Late 1980’s – early 1990’s. Family with parents, grandmother, and three kids growing up, making good and bad decisions. 30-minute episodes. 2) Love On The Spectrum, 2020 – 2021 – 2 seasons. Reality show of young adults, autistic and other disabilities, seeking love and relationships as each navigates the changing world of dating, communications, and parents. 45-minute episodes.
At this time in our nation, there are real concerns, even fears for our today, and the leaders, values, and decisions of our tomorrows to come. Best approach is to talk, and listen, with each other, and create a safe environment for conversation of diverse cultures, families, language, political, and financial resources. Essential words: Courage – Hope – Values – Determination – Faith – Belief – Being Present
Roy, finding my own words
We are all searching for our own words, mine might be different from yours but we take this journey alone. It is hard to determine what is best with media screaming at us from every side. Sometimes I enjoy the silence!
You are not alone in this conversation. We listen and learn and adjust together.
“Social media” have names. Most old white males and blaming and shaming.
Tis how they raised.
They can choose, I can choose to speak with respect, hope, and encouragement to all.
This is what you have done with Clothes Closet and other effort.
Jim taught us both to do better, be better.
We both speak of Hope and that is good. Roy
I am so glad that schools across the country have resumed teaching writing in cursive. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of it over printing. For a review of such research go to http://www.howlifeunfolds.com and find their article on Mental Floss–The case for cursive: 6 reasons why cursive handwriting is good for your brain. I believe that cursive writing connects us to a flow within our feelings and soul. Let us all connect and focus on joined relationships, especially with Mother Earth. She needs us. Thank you, Roy!
Was so encouraged and delighted to read that taking pen to paper engages the brain, more so than the keyboard.
I have many year’s of journals; some gratitude a few random thoughts and the most treasured are travel remittances.
Your paints and brushes support your ink and pen. I use a pen with flowing, at times messy ink.
A bit more personality than dry ink pin.
Hour stack of journals are a life treasure…..you on each page.
Hope your girls continued the tradition and heritage.
I appreciate you in all ways……….Roy
I use a flowing ink pen. Thus my handwriting a bit messy but I am checking the box “I am a person.”
A friend uses this phrase: Because you are, I am.
This is true for you….you make me better as responder and fellow Believer at the Trinity table on Thursday mornings.
Roy