Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 3, 2024
** Research and tracking of an individual’s steady listening and viewing political and economic news can have a physical and emotional impact. This can, perhaps, dim someone’s sense of hope, wellness and health, no longer seeing the goodness of others or a bright future. Steady listening and viewing of hopeful, encouraging news and interviews can cause the eyes and the spirit to lift, fill you with positive, flowing energy. Go To You Tube. Search Steve Hartman’s Kindness 101 series of 3-to-6-minute stories and interviews introduced by Steve and some with his young daughter and son. There are 20+ in the series with topics of Compassion, Justice, Sacrifice, Generosity, and Courage. As we know, one social media Search will bring others to you as well. Here’s to heartfelt listening!
- SL readers liked the reference to 4-Way Stops last Sunday. The same is true for McDonald’s Drive Thru. We find our place behind the driver who ordered before us, even wave another customer to go first. There seems to be an understood courtesy as we slowly make our way to pay, be handed our order with “Have a blessed day.” So, more drive thru, and 4-way stops in a courteous world.
** We do not have children or teens on our block for Halloween….so no doorbells or “Trick or Treat” greetings. What if we made signs and healthy treats for A Seniors Halloween Trick or Treat? In recent yrs, Senior living apartments have grown in most communities. A Seniors Halloween will reduce isolation, create social hellos, with smiles and gratitude from both seniors and neighbors.
As the election ads, interviews, and rally images began to fade, return to your true self, to who and what is true, fun, and essential for you and your family, whether near or far. These past weeks have not been easy or smooth. This is the right time to affirm and reaffirm the Goodness within yourself and others, maybe even with a smile or laugh.
- Ryon Pierce is Senior Pastor at FW’s Broadway Baptist. In his weekly letter, Ryon reminds us today is All Saints Sunday, remembering those important in our lives, inspiring us, guiding us when younger or even today. His reference is to who is in your balcony, looking upon you with kindness, encouragement and a “you can do this” nod. Who would be in your balcony? Martin Luther King? A teacher? Or a grandparent or family member remembered on this special day and weekend?
The Sacred and the Relational: Long ago I attended a weekend Silent Retreat at a Catholic Conference Center. Friday evening and Sunday morning relaxed and enjoyable. A long Saturday more challenging, uncomfortable. Monday’s calendar crowded into my silence. Remembering the weekend, I knew then more about engaging others, words, the daily noise of life. Today, Beth and I attend a weekly Meditation practice, for me this is a Sacred experience in Relationship with others. The Noise and the Quiet, each finding their right place in my 2024 life.
Roy, writing often about the tension of the Noise and the Quiet.
Your reflection on the balance between private meditation,, group sharing of thoughts and ideas, and the ordinary distractions of daily life bring me the idea of balance. Solid grounding in the floor of the circus tent, strengthens us to fly on the trapeze overhead with poise and grace. All aspects of a full, rich life.
Thank you
You and Harry are high flyers
feet on the group
heas, eyes, heart in the blue of sky.
you both add to me and 4 way drive thru together….
I skip All Saints Sunday at UCC. It is too hard on me. Jim is in my balcony and there are many times during the week when I think of something he has said or done and I know he is aware of what is happening. It is comforting to know I am being watched. I will be glad when Tuesday is over, but my daughter tells me we will not know the answer on that day, I hope she is wrong. I am weary with politics and all the bashing, my hope is that we are better than that but the reality is we really are not. Looking forward to cooler weather and calmer souls.
so much to Reply to…..a 2 hr lunch indeed.
Yes, Jim can and does fil your balcony.
Beth and I in back row but applauding your ongoing courage
yes, tuesday will come and will be ugly even dangerous for months come
the sun will rise
we will smile our smiles
we will continue…..in health and wellness…….
Roy I really love the Senior Trick or Treat idea. What if we took the treats to their doors? My 83 y/o mom feels unwilling to leave her apartment. I wish I had thought to bring kids to her. She would have loved it!
your idea of going to the door of the isolated elder better than my original thought.
both together, of course, brilliant!!
Boo Ray 3 locatiions.
Can’t wait to share Tuesday with my New Orleans MD.
No e back from Jennifer yet….a good, working 2 hrs.
The White House???? An unreal real.
& more to come…..from us both
Roy
Roy,
Thank you so much for referencing Steve Hartman’s Kindness 101. It is so true that we need ideas to counter the negativity of our times. I subscribe to the Optimist Daily, which is an email publication that highlights positive events and scientific developments around the world. It gives me hope. Also, I love the idea of a Senior’s Halloween! Thank you for your Sunday Letter. You are a gift to all of us.
Paul
Beth is the leader in highlighting the positive and uplkigting.
Hartman is a hero of Goodness.
In 3 or 5 minutes a quick fix for the soul.
3 yrs of Sunday Letter ….. I enjoy the creatice put together.
So, we both continue……Roy