Carry On!

 

It’s a new year, but for teachers it is the half-way point in the school calendar. First semester is over - time to start the second half. We tell our students to keep going, to persevere. But what does that really mean?

Perseverance is defined as continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. (merriam-webster.com) Sometimes perseverance is a long term struggle; other times it is just a transient blip on the journey of life. It might be a prolonged illness or time of healing. It could be growing a business from the ground up. It might simply be the finishing of a short term goal. Several of my grandchildren are taking Karate lessons. Getting through your white belt may only take a matter of months. Getting your first black belt may take many years. Recently I spent 3 days climbing up and down ladders, running and testing cables, just to get an outside camera up and running. I have to admit, there were times I wanted to just throw the thing away and go on. But eventually I found the problem, fixed it, and walked away victorious. The camera works and it was also a good leg workout. I knew I could finish it, because I had done it before. I just had to keep trying. It’s funny how the struggle doesn’t seem as bad once you are through it. The goal is reached and we get to bask in the success of a job well done, at least until another struggle comes along.

 Struggles help us grow. I like to start tomato & pepper seedlings in February here in California so I can get them in the garden as soon as things warm up. (Yes, it’s also because I’m cheap and don’t want to spends $4 on a single plant at the store, but that’s another story.) When you grow seedlings inside under lights, gardeners always advise you to have an oscillating  fan pointed at them. This is to make the stems move back and forth. It helps them to have stronger stems. If plants could talk, they would probably complain, but whether they like it or not, it’s good for them. Stronger stems means more resilient plants and fruit.

 Just like physical trials help strengthen our physical bodies, spiritual trials help us grow spiritually. Knowing we have succeeded before can give us the energy to overcome the next trial. It has been said that, “The only way to fail is to quit”. When asked about all of his failures in light bulb designs Thomas Edison is quoted as saying, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." The key to perseverance, whether short or long term, is never giving up. It’s the daily grind, moment by moment, that finally adds up to a realization of your intended goal.

  

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Start the New Year Right!

Does it feel like a letdown after Christmas and New Year’s are over? Turns out New Year’s Depression is a real thing. I kind of remember not wanting to get into the routine again when I was in high school, but I had always thought it was a combination of more homework and the freezing cold temperatures that come with winter in Northern Illinois & Wisconsin. I remember seeing it in my friends also, but mental health was not really talked about much when I was a kid. Now that I look back, I can see how we all were affected. Although I’m still not a fan of AI (Skynet still comes to mind) it did come up with some good suggestions. (Note: I did do some editing for length.)

Key signs to watch for: (for others and yourself)

1. Mood swings: Feeling suddenly down or tearful after the holiday excitement fades.

2. Social withdrawal: Avoiding social events or interactions, preferring to stay alone.

3. Loss of interest: Lack of enthusiasm for activities that were previously enjoyable.

4. Excessive self-criticism: Focusing on perceived flaws or failures, feeling inadequate.

5. Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep, oversleeping, or disrupted sleep patterns.

6. Changes in appetite: Significant decrease or increase in food intake.

7. Increased substance use: Turning to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism.

8. Physical complaints: Unexplained aches and pains, fatigue, headaches.

9. Negative thoughts: Focusing on negative aspects of life, feeling pessimistic about the future.

To cope with New Year's depression, focus on self-care practices like maintaining a healthy routine, engaging in activities you enjoy, setting realistic goals, managing expectations, reaching out to loved ones for support, and seeking professional help if needed; if the feelings are persistent or severe, consider talking to a therapist about potential underlying issues related to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Key strategies to manage New Year's depression:

1. Acknowledge your feelings: Don't dismiss your emotions; accept that it's normal to feel a sense of letdown after the holiday season.

2. Set realistic goals: Instead of drastic resolutions, set achievable goals that build positive momentum throughout the year.

3. Prioritize self-care:

            Healthy eating: Maintain a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

            Regular exercise: Physical activity can significantly boost mood.

            Quality sleep: Aim for consistent sleep schedules.

            Mindfulness practices: Meditation or deep breathing can help manage stress.

4. Social connection:

            Reach out to loved ones: Spend time with supportive friends and family.

            Join a group: Consider joining a club or activity group based on your interests.

5. Focus on the positive: Reflect on accomplishments from the past year and celebrate small wins.

When to seek professional help:

1. If your depression is severe or interferes with daily life.

2. If you experience persistent feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.

3. If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

 

The real key is don’t stay silent. Talk to a pastor, a friend, a parent, a sibling. You will find out you are not alone. Tell God how you feel. He cares. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

So What Now?

 

At the beginning of 2024 I designed to blog at least once a week. This will be the final post for the year. Yah! I made it. So what is next? Well, since I have gotten this far it seems a shame to stop now. As I reflect over the year, I can see that I have written some (at least in my reading) memorable posts. Some were entertaining; others were insightful and encouraging. I’m sure there were a few that were mostly ramblings and better off left to be read only once. Since I eventually desire to put these into a collection called “The Musings of a Left Hand Man”, I will leave that decision to some more deserving editor. I think my most visited post was one about my wife. She is most definitely more interesting than myself. The second most visited was a fishing story. (Hey this one was true!) 

I have found it insightful, cathartic, and relaxing to spend time writing. It has also caused me to read a little more. My last post spurred me to reread The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. If for no other reason, this alone would keep me blogging. But I also want to leave something to inspire my children and grandchildren in future years.

With this in mind, I think 2025 will be more of a weekly devotional vibe. When I was growing up, my mom would read a little booklet called “The Daily Bread” to us at the breakfast table. It wasn’t heavy table fair, but it did leave a “good taste in your mouth” and gave you something to think about for the day, much like a morning homemade Saturday cinnamon roll would do. I think I will aim it toward my grandchildren, since they have become one of the major focuses of our life at present. As we bring 2024 to a close, I pray that the New Year will be filled with blessing, not just for you, but also so that you will be able to share the goodness of God with your fellow man. Find someone to help, someone in need, someone who has nothing to give back, and share the blessing. In the immortal words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one!”

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

                                                                An Irish Blessing

Why Just Christmas?

 

I cannot say that Dickens is my favorite author. I’m really not sure I can decide on just one. But I do love many of his writings, must notably A Christmas Carol.  One of the many themes found in the book is the idea of keeping Christmas all year long. Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, alludes to this as he visits his uncle on the day of Christmas Eve. To him, Christmas is…the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"

(Scrooge’s Nephew, A Christmas Carol)

 I do notice that most people tend to be a kinder, more tolerant, and helpful at this time of the year. It also helps that in the Northern Hemisphere that it is our winter. That alone seems to bring out some compassion for those struggling in the cold. But the weeks around Christmas seem to be special, magical. People tend to think of others above themselves, well most of the time. They give gifts to strangers. They visit the elderly. They sing Christmas carols. For some, it’s the only time they go to church all year. Sure, you can still run into a few Scrooges and those that want to get in line first to fight for new toys or gadgets coming out. But for the most part, it’s peace and Joy, Smiles & hot chocolate all around.

If Christmas is such a magical season, why can’t we keep this idea forefront all year round? I suppose it is a change that must happen from inside. It can’t come from advertisements, from events, or programs. It’s a change of heart. It is seeing our fellow man as they are, and caring for others like we care for ourselves. It’s loving people as God loved us. Imaging if we could make it last?

 So it stands to reason that one of my favorite Christmas movies is the Muppet Christmas Carol. I like it because, well, I’ve always liked the Muppets, and that there are many quotes directly from the book. But the songs have a message to. I will leave you with the chorus of one called, It Feels Like Christmas.

 “It is the season of the heart

A special time of caring

The ways of love made clear

It is the season of the spirit

The message if we hear it

Is make it last all year!”

I wish you a wonderful Christmas Season full of love, compassion, and caring for others –

For the whole year through!

The __________________ Survivor’s Group

 

Lately I have come across several friends, past colleagues, or students who have either formed or joined Facebook or other online “survivor’s clubs. Now these are not the kind of groups like surviving cancer. a traumatic attack or other unwanted events. These are saying they survived the “trauma” of a specific Christian School, some religious College, a religious denomination, a job, or even being raised by their parents. Please understand that I recognize that there have been some legitimate traumas associated with some families, social or religious organizations. But what I am seeing are complaints about strict rules, regulations, and or practices at these places. I remember talking to a person about their schooling experience under a good friend and mentor I once worked with. Their whole beef was that that person had told them that they were a rebellious and undisciplined child, and it hurt their feelings. After I hear how they had acted at the school, I tended to agree with my colleague. It wasn’t a matter of abuse (verbal or physical); it was a matter of being brutally honest in order to help the student see where they were heading. I have heard the same arguments used against parents. “I have trauma because my parents disciplined me”. Again, I am not talking about real physical abuse. I’m talking about making a child do what is required/expected. In my view, all this complaining about good discipline can also make it harder to sort out cases of real abuse.

So before I trigger anyone who might misunderstand, let me give some examples. I have heard people complain about the rules of the Bible College from which I received my undergraduate degree. We had specific dating hours. (We even had to have chaperones.) We had to wear ties in the main building. We had restrictions on where we could go alone. They did room checks for cleanliness. They made you attend Chapel daily. The men wore suitcoats to evening meals. Ladies had to wear dresses. At that time the ladies could not wear jeans. The key was, all these rules were know about ahead of time. So if someone was traumatized by the “excessive rules”, they were warned ahead of time. Every Christian school I have worked at had a student handbook that enumerated the rules. The students and the parents both signed them Unfortunately, that didn’t mean they read them.

I’ve heard others complain about how they were “mistreated” at work, church or organization. They made them follow the group/corporate rules. They dinged them for being late. They pointed out laziness and substandard work. They make you do your job! They expected you to show up and join in.

The real key here is that, at least in America, you normally have the choice to leave a school, a job, a club, or organization at any time. Yes, it may be a bit scary, but why stay and suffer? Here are some ideas that may help.

1. Know the rules and what is expected. Read the fine print, or have someone review it for you.

2. Don’t blame others for your goof ups of failures. Take responsibility for your own actions.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

4. Be clear about your own values and stick to your convictions.

5. Don’t be afraid to say no and move on if you need to.

6. Be honest and give a full day’s work.

7. Don’t get complaisant; Don’t settle. There are many ways to get training if you need to change occupations.

8. Don’t repay evil with evil. Do Good, Always. 

9. Learn from life experience. I’ve always like the quote: When I started college I thought my dad was the dumbest man in the world. At the end of my first year, I couldn’t believe how much he’d learned”.

10. Lastly, don’t hang on to the past. Even though you may have experienced some horrors in your past, you can and need to go on. There are many avenues of help, but ultimately, it will be up to you.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

Good Enough For Government Work...

When I was in high school (back with the dinosaurs according to my students) a favorite phrase of my friends and mine was, “Good enough for government work.” It expressed a common sentiment of many of the people who were dissatisfied at the work (or lack thereof) of our government workers, especially those repairing the various roadways. It was meant to convey that the work that had just been done was barely adequate, not exceptional or exciting. Over the years I have met and worked with many government employees both state and local, public and private contractors, and private individuals. I am happy to say that any stereotypes that are put out there are just that. Stereotypes. I have met hard working, job conscientious workers in all categories who excelled at their jobs and continually put out a superior product. I have met and worked with people who only did the bare minimum, with a mundane product to match.

There will be days where everything you touch turns to gold. You are spot on and producing 100% quality work. Then there are times where no matter what you try, it’s just not good enough. But that’s ok as long as you do your best. And that is the key – Do Your Best! Grow, get better, and learn to be sure, but don’t punish yourself over it. If you have honestly done your best, you have done your job. Always strive to do your best, and them be happy with that. Even though you may think your work goes unnoticed, do it anyway. Even if you don’t feel they deserve it (whoever “they” are) push for excellence. God has a way of taking care of the rest. People see more than you think. A habit of excellence will always be rewarded in the end. Remember, we aren’t really working for people anyway. As a Christian, I answer to a higher authority. God sees what I do; He knows why I do it. Forget Santa Clause ( no offence intended). Work as unto the Lord. He is the real rewarder!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance. Colossians 3:23-24

Social Media: Blessing or Cursing?

Now don’t get me wrong. I love technology. I have a Master’s in Educational Technology. I can open my garage door from anywhere just using an app on  my phone. My wife has a crock pot that can be turned on, setup, and controlled by her phone. We have smart plugs in the house. Last night we had a friendly war turning the television on and off through Alexa and our phones. (I don’t recommend it; I really isn’t good for the tv.) In Arizona we had the house thermostat and the front door able to be remotely accessed. And that’s just the beginning. There are smart houses now that set the mood with music at dinner time, turn on lights as you enter, adjust heating and cooling according to whether the room is occupied or not, and even open the garage door as it senses you come down the street.

Technology by definition, is simple a tool of applied science. It in itself is neither good or bad. It’s how we use it. I remember when I was young that many preachers would rant about the evils of tv in the home. This was really confusing for me, because my father had a tv sales and repair business. When I asked him how he felt about it, he said, “I have never sold a tv that didn’t do what you wanted it to do”. It was up to the user to control it.

One of the newest technologies to change our lives is Social Media. And like any technology it has it’s good and bad sides. There are many that would be happy if it went away completely. There are those that are addicted and overuse it continually. It’s still about how you use it. I love seeing pictures and videos of my grandchildren. They live far enough away that we would never be able to stay in touch without it. I love connecting with people around the world on various projects. The key is control. Technology is only as good as the control parameters and settings that you give it. Here’s some hints to help you manage.

1 Know your technology – In this day and age, you can Google information about settings and configuration of virtually any app. There are sites that will help you decide if an app is for you, or if some other one might be more fitting.

2. Set you apps for safe search and pay attention to privacy settings. If you are not sure, ask a trusted friend.

3. Set limits on your app time. Your phone may have settings that track usage so you can see how much time you spend every day on an app. You might be surprised.

Ultimately, Security, content and amount of use are yours to control. Choose wisely!