Lockdown 56

Lockdown Day 56 - 21 May 2020

This morning the sun surprised us once again by appearing as a huge white fireball just sitting on the red horizon. I am told it is dust that makes the sky this red at a cloudless sunrise. 

I read recently it takes 8 minutes for the sunlight  to reach earth, traveling at three hundred housand kilometres per second. The sun also generates solar winds which are bursts of plasma from the corona layer (no, the abonimable virus did not get its name from the sun), traveling up to 450km per second. One of the places I still want to see are the Northern Lights, generated by the interaction between the solar winds and our atmosphere. One last fun fact is the sun's surface temperature is between 5027°C and 5727°C. (Phew, and I thought I had hot flushes!) 

As the day passed and the sun glided through is winter path, I was mindfully aware that the sun has a lifetime just as we have a lifetime. And its value is immeasurable, its existence irreplaceable as far as creation goes. 

I believe this is exactly how we were created: to have immeasurable value as a unique human being with 

an irreplaceble fingerprint - the signature of our Creator. 

Feeling the sun on my skin today as I sat in the green room, I smiled at the warmth and the light, realising this is exactly what it means to be created in His image (as written in Genesis). 

Just as it is never dark where the sun is,  it is never dark where God is. Therefore I shall strive to generate more of the  warmth and light I was created to be. 

So tonight I retire with a thank you note for the sun sent as a reminder each day of my God who's got this. 

Lockdown 55

Lockdown Day 55 - 20 May 2020

According to the Oxford Dictionary the meaning of the verb bathe, is to “wash or spend time by immersing the body in water”. In this era of wellness we frequently hear we should bathe in nature. Sunbathing has been part of human life from the beginning of time. And now, being in a  worldwide lockdown, there are hundreds of videos and memes about how to use the sun to prevent the spread of this abominable virus. Dry your washing in the sun, put your mask and shoes in the sun, sit in the sun for at least 30 minutes for a dose of vitamin D which, according to new research, proves to be a Covid killer. 

After seeing the sunrise again this morning, I thought about how, pre-lockdown, the world was already more tuned in to natural ways of healing and restoration, homeopathic remedies and holistic approach to health in general. 

One self-care practise particularly interests me. It is called forest bathing. With its origin in Japan, it is a practise regularly prescribed by doctors for many patients in need of alternative treatment. It involves the patient's immersion in a green forest with trees (imagine beating Covid19 with a walk in the park!) . The benefits include mood improvement, lowers cortisol and depression, and the aromatic substances produced by plants and trees can be linked with lowering inflammation and protecting the brain. Oh wow, this is my language. I once heard that even autistic people seek this kind of therapy to ease anxiety and improve attitude. 

For me, seeing the green triggers my happy hormones; its as if I open a door for my mind to access those less visited corners that I rarely have time to explore; as if all creation utters a deep sigh of gratitude, looking to its Creator. 

So tonight I breathe in the oxygen of Truth. And lay my hopes and dreams at the feet of the God who's got this. 

I leave you with a song that says it all:

https://youtu.be/IbUAtPI8vGU

Lockdown 54

Lockdown Day 54 - 19 May 2020

Early this morning we left home at first light. Golden clouds with touches of red and pink stretched across the sky, ever changing as the sun approached. And then, suddenly the sun spilled onto the earth. I marvel at the beauty of creation every time I'm out there. I will never get tired of this scene. Watching the shadows and light, shifting as the sun emerges. There is that second when creation goes quiet as if God says, "Look what have I created", just before the earth breathes its first breath of daylight. 

Then I thought that in the space of the next 24 hours right around the world, every single person in every country sees the same sun. And all are impacted by this virus in some way. For the first time in possibly the world's history, absolutely everyone understands what everyone is going through. Wow. 

The one thing that no lockdown or virus can take away from mankind is the freedom to choose. Freedom to choose how you feel about it while it plays out around you. Freedom to choose how you will react to rules and laws. Also, freedom to be able to speak your truth, even if it is to question decisions, rage at injustice or allow a little sadness about what is lost. 

Nelson Mandela said, " For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." 

So, just remember to always get up, show up and speak the ultimate truth with which comes the ultimate freedom : God is good and He's got this all the time!

Lockdown 53

Lockdown Day 53 - 18 May 2020

One good thing Lockdown sparked is quality time spent together by families. And I suspect relationships and family bonds are a lot stronger by now , even for those who are apart. More time is spent on whatsapp video calls, etc.  One of the things we started doing is playing games on weekend nights. Tangram for the student brain and maths: two people each get 7 shapes and try to build a picture from a card always using 7 pieces. It is for people 6 to 166 years old and believe me, not at all a walk in the park. But when you get it right it's a real morale booster (especially for a blonde Betty 🏄🏼). 

We also pulled out an old family favourite called Pass the Pigs. This game originated many years ago where, it is said, live pigs were actually tossed. Fortunately they saw the light in later years and used small wood carved piglets to toss. Ours are rubber and look just like their farm counterparts. The players each take turns tossing the pigs on a table top and are awarded points according to the positions they land in. The highest score is a double leaning jowler when both pigs land on their snout and one ear. We are extremely amused at ourselves when playing this game. One would think the points are in the way the pigs are tossed. Maybe a special flick of the wrist or a drop from above. No sirreee. These piglets have a way of their own. No amount of practise or new techniques make them land the way they should for high points. First player with 100 wins.

Despite the games being fun and something to do, they ignite a competing spirit in all three of us. After all, who likes losing? And no matter how hard you try not to get upset when you're losing, you do! (maybe next time I will wear a silly outfit) 

Maybe we should design a new game. We could call it the Lockdown Game. The player who lasts the longest wins. Like staring at a target without blinking or balancing on one heel while reading👀. Or trying to type something while the others keep on tapping random keyboard letters. 

In the meantime, the piglets rest in their little holder, waiting to emerge again next weekend for a rematch. I imagine if they could talk, the one would say to the other, "When we get out, this little piggy is going to the market and this little piggy will be staying home." (a nursery rhyme from my preschool days that could well have been written in a time like this) 

Well, after a long day of house cleaning, washing and cooking, this tired Betty is going to slip into fresh clean linen, listen to the night sounds and fall asleep to the rhythm of heaven. Tonight I shall dream of a different world where everyone follows God because He's got this.

A song for you to enjoy: 

https://youtu.be/v8yiRgVHeCo

Lockdown 52

Lockdown Day 52 - 17 May 2020

Ever since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by things people experience and how they get through it. Whether it is a life-happening or life-crisis. I remember when I first read Corrie Ten Boom's 'The Hiding Place' I was inspired for a number of reasons. I learned to continuously think about myself  differently, not necessarily because of a crisis, but in spite of it.  Another was to write about everything. Regardless of my personality (and teenager logic😊) I felt if she could survive the holocaust and live to tell her story, I could do pretty much anything and be anybody I wanted. I even thought I was a rock star!  Well, of course I still am a rock star at heart (what would life be without bling jeans and wings✨). 

This virus has literally caused varying levels of crises in every single country of the world. I think it's safe to say this is just another kind of holocaust. The holocaust of the soul, forcing us into introspection. 

But this doesn't have to be a bad thing. This can be the change you've always been dreaming of.... just different. This can be the first spark of a new fire your spirit breathes. Be a rock star and get on your own stage. One little teeny tiny bit at a time. Worthwhile change puts you through discomfort and pain. It takes time. Mostly longer than you think (like cooking in lockdown when you don't have KFC as a backup). 

Who I am in this holocaust is in spite of it. In Corrie's words, "It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts." In my fallible human  'rock star' way, I will stand on my stage with bling jeans and wings and rock it out even if my feet need a foot spa. I shall put my fist in the air and breathe in the victory I see in my spirit, even if I have to wear a face screen (NASA here I come!). 

God's got this, mm hm aha YEAH 💃.

Lockdown 51

Lockdown Day 51 - 16 May 2020

Every time I go out for my weekly shopping I wonder if I am not taking this whole sanitizing strip/wash/shower routine too far. During the weeks preceding Day 1 of Lockdown, we were all coming to terms with washing hands, social distancing and cleaning surfaces. No masks and no shower routine. Then came Lockdown. We stayed home. We heard research telling us how long the virus can last on various items and surfaces. To this day we still don't know if any of these measures, 

except for social distancing, really work (the jury will always be out on this matter). 

And now, after 7 weeks and 2 days, the numbers have not done what we expected and the country is fighting for the economy, for their lives. Not against a virus (South Africans are famous rule breakers🙄) but against Lockdown Levels. 

So I wonder, if I keep my distance, keep my hands clean and wear a screen over my face, isnt that enough? Or am I going to let my paranoia get the better of me and keep the strip/wash/shower routine? 

All of the above set aside, the truth is all of us are in some way or another placed under involutary stress. Lockdown stress.  Most people have a natural instinct to de-stress under 'normal' stress conditions. The process is different for all of us, but we succeed most of the time in keeping the stress at bay. Under the current circumstances research is now being conducted and the number of people suddenly diagnosed with depression and various other stress related conditions has escalated worldwide. 

De-stressing is going to become a regular item on our daily agenda in the months to come. A few de-stressing things to do include music and online shows, dance, reading and creative pastimes such as baking, DIY, gardening and art projects. Spiritual activities such as Bible study, quiet /prayer times  and introspective activities such as blogging (Mm hm aha YEAH 💃) or journaling are also extremely important. Last, but not least, is of course exercise. 

Conducting work, home things and leisure in the same space is challenging. But to do this for an unknown period of time is what makes this even more difficult. This is why you need to have your own therapy hour. Whatever it is, plán for it and do nót compromise! One hour a week at the very least will increase your dopamine and serotonin (happy hormones) levels to make you feel better about yourself and everything else. So have a look at your routine and think about it a little. You be the judge if your therapy hour is satisfactory. 

We are in this together, so we might as well encourage one another. 

But we need to fill our own vessels first. 

The words of Psalm 51:12 from the TPT describe it best, "Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me. Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say." God's got you. 

I leave you with a Danny Gokey song:

https://youtu.be/F77v41jbOYs

Lockdown 50

Lockdown Day 50 - 15 May 2020

Day 50! Wow. I'm sure many of us are in some kind of daily routine, getting things done as best we can, trying not to think about this too much. I keep wanting to go out for a walk at odd times, and invent reasons to fill the trash so I can take it out to the place where everyone in the matchboxes have to put their trash. Roxy is especially alert and jumps up when she hears me getting the bag ready. She gets to accompany me, walking without a leash. 

To get there we walk inbetween 12 matchboxes, crossing our entry road. Most days we never see a soul. This is the only unchanged routine  and definitely makes it feel as if the world is normal again. This time we actually passed two people in their little back yard and greeted politely. Then the lady asked me if we are okay. I stopped and we introduced ourselves, having a quick chat about lockdown living. We have never met before. 

I had a strange feeling this encounter was not just a coincidence. When we said goodbye and we were walking back home, I looked up and saw a thin string of clouds right above us, standing out against the baby blue sky. Just like the lines on a road. I immediately knew they were showing the way. 

Back inside, I went to sit in the green room and pondered the sight of those clouds. I felt encouraged to keep going, “toe the line”, put one foot in front of the other. That is the way to go. And then it hit me. You know how a train on a track, once on its way to a destination, only goes forward? Leave the past just there: it has passed! Looking back in remembrance is possible, but this is a chance for us to change the not so good things, to try that something new we have thought would never work but had potential. 

To recognise our strength does not lie in how our life was before this, but how we lived inside of it that matters. To dig extra deep for that spark we know is still there. Change can only induce the birth of something new if there is pain. This is my reality tonight. I am writing from the pain deep down in my being, the part that is mourning what was before all this. But, as turning back is no longer an option, looking up and putting one foot in front of the other, small changes make each new day bring a twinkle of its own. 

So keep your eyes open, because if you blink, you might just miss it! And when you see it you’ll know there is a way and a vision set before you by your Creator. Choose to take it, folllow it and choose to believe Gods got this.  

I leave you with the words of Isaiah 30:21, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left."