Sometimes life throws one into times that try one’s soul.  Prayers are requested, and much advice is given, the best of which I’ve found is to mindfully remain positive.  Taking one day at a time helps positivity, and resisting the siren call of Google is another good plan because, after all, Google isn’t you.  Remaining positive is excellent advice, but like the story of the little Dutch boy who held his finger in the dike until help was on the way, one must remain strongly positive, or worry will invade.  Often, small things can put another hole in one’s resolution, denting one’s armor and allowing that demon worry to infiltrate.   What is one to do?

One solution is to remember God’s gift of the mundane.  “What?” you say, “God helping us to remember food must be cooked or shrubs must be  pruned, can be a way out of worry?”  Yes.   When dire thoughts have you in their grip, keeping one’s mind and body busy helps make something extraordinary feel more normal.  Executing the mundane is helpful as are other more enjoyable outlets such as talking or texting friends, gardening, sports, or whatever it is you enjoy.

While one can be mindful during the day, nighttime can bring dreams of helplessness, or the inability to sleep, or waking up from sleep only to worry again.  Like a caged tiger, worry paces back and forth, looking for a way out.  When the nighttime “oh no” thoughts tear down my doors, I turn my mind to other things.  I try to walk through my childhood home, remembering what was in every room.  I make mental notes of what I need to do the following day. Currently, I find myself thinking about a book I’m writing for family members concerning our family history.  Last week, my mind was dwelling on 1768 when my  Presbyterian  7th great-grandfather attended Oxford University, an amazing fact because Oxford considered Presbyterians wild and crazy guys and refused to matriculate them.  However, my grandfather attended that university.  “Humm,” thinks librarian me, “that’s interesting and requires more research,” and off my mind goes, down a rabbit hole of possibilities.  Whatever you find interesting, or perhaps boring but not distressing, are good ways to mindfully channel your thoughts and leash control of the pacing worry tiger.

Hard times are called that for a reason, but our observations and experiences tell us they are temporary.   We must hold on, we must remain positive, we must keep that finger in the dike until there is no further need. In 1977, the artist Queen wrote an anthem for hard times, and with it, one hears the song sung at sports events, concerts, or sometimes protests.  The words are so helpful during difficult times that I’m ending with the lyrics below.  If you check the song out on your computer, turn it up loud, and do not resist the temptation to sing along.   It helps. Believe me.

We Are the Champions: Song by Queen – 1977 -Lyrics by OverviewLyrics

Lyrics

I’ve paid my dues
Time after time
I’ve done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I’ve made a few
I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I’ve come through
(We’re gonna go on and on and on and on)

We are the champions, my friend
And we’ll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
Cause we are the champions
Of the world

I’ve taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it’s been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain’t gonna lose
(We’re gonna go on and on and on and on)

We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
Cause we are the champions of the world

We are the champions, my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
Cause we are the champions
Of the world

Source: Musixmatch

Cindy Arp, teacher/librarian, retired from Knox County Schools. She and husband Dan live in Heiskell.

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