Lynn M. Dixon's Blog, page 29
April 11, 2020
The Storm is Passing Over!
[image error]The Storm is Passing Over is the title of a memorable spiritual song that fits these times during the pandemic that is sweeping our world. We must remember that there is nothing new under the sun and others have survived times like these in the past. But, obviously, the storm did indeed pass over because we only know about other plagues from the history books.
I had a two-fold dream and as in days of old, dreams still serve to guide, warn and inform us. I woke up surrounded by others out in the park. People were ecstatic as they bended their knees, exercised, jumped and played on the grass. It was like a scene out of The Wiz after the people had been freed from their years of darkness and captivity. They came to life both renewed and changed as the light poured in!
To many, the stay-at-home order has felt like a form of imprisonment. Many are trying to stay focused as cabin fever sets in and the walls seem to close in on us. We are reminded of our limitations and powerlessness. We wonder if we will ever enjoy the sun again. A woman on tv recently said, “When this is over, we won’t take anything for granted again. We will not take our city for granted again,” she added as she reflected on the city’s normally vibrant life which has come to a temporary standstill.
In the other part of my dream, I woke up and found that my students were stilling there patiently waiting for me to give them instructions. I wondered if they had seen me dozing off, but I checked the clock, directed them to put up their iPads and told them to get ready for recess. This was a sure indicator that things would return to normal again, but we must wait.
We will live again, and I believe that we will come out of this dark period as better and more improved beings. We will remember to check on our loved ones, be kinder to our neighbors and colleagues, say gentler things to one another and live as we were taught as small children.
We will emerge from underneath this heavy fog being more mindful, more spiritual and more cognizant in our daily dealings with each other. We will thank our Creator for another opportunity to live and see another tomorrow. As we stream forward, we can softly hum a tune like, “It is well in my soul.”
Lynn M. April 11, 2020
April 4, 2020
Holding On!
[image error]In these times of quarantine, fear and loss of life, we must not lose hope. We must do what we can to find some semblance of everyday normalcy amid drastic and sudden changes.
Though we are shaken by the shock waves of constant unknowns, we must seek ways to hold on. Like Aretha Franklin, we can try to ‘Rock Steady,’ as we are thrust to and fro by the news reports.
Rather becoming petrified by the onslaught of dire predictions, we must decide how much we can take or even should take of the minute-by-minute updates. Then, we can find ways to create our own calm, sane environment. We can limit the viewing of the latest news, escape by looking at old movies or reruns that make us feel lighter or listen to some soothing music.
We can luxuriate ourselves with enhanced self-care and simply stop trying to fix things that are out of our control. It’s simple- we cannot. So, we can lean on some good encouraging quotes, verses, hymns, songs and if possible, read a good book.
When it is all said and done, Max Erhmann ‘s Desiderata says it best, “…in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Strive to be happy.”
Lynn M. April 4, 2020
March 21, 2020
Where is Your Faith?
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We must calmly advance ahead,
Using mindful steps in full stead.
Raging waters rock to and fro,
We must become still and just know.
Events will set themselves aright,
If we do not give in to fright.
The Master has an unknown plan,
Has us wondering if He can.
Remember us in times like these,
Trust. In His time, he will appease.
Lynn M. March 21, 2020
March 14, 2020
New Directions!
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During these trying times of forced self-quarantines, it is a perfect time to become still. It is a proverbial, perfect storm. Many of us are unable to turn down the noise, mute our devises or come to our senses after being overly indulged daily.
Every waking hour requires some type of hype and outer stimulation. The amped-up voices, yelling, screaming and even on-line trolling of people we have never met have become the new normal for many.
But now, the corona virus has brought us to a screeching halt. We are being made to take a break and pause as we realize that we are not the center of the universe. We do not make the world go around. Each of us is quite dispensable and if we do not wake up tomorrow, the dawn will still roll in, the sun will still rise, and the earth will continue to rotate on its axis.
Once we realize that, this is a good time to slow down or even come to a complete halt. After the shock of the swift changes wears off, we can return to our senses, emerge from the fog and see with greater clarity.
We are being given another chance to reassess our values and possibly change our paths going forward. For all we know, when things get back to normal, we may have crossed over into a new precipice. Our perspectives may be changed, and we may approach life in a different way.
The future is uncertain, but one thing is certain. We still have life so there is something or things that we are to do while here. We should get quiet, listen closely for guidance and return to some of the basics that have worked for eons. In calm, quiet trust, we will come through this phase with a more revered sense of direction.
Lynn M. March 14, 2020
March 7, 2020
Alleluia!
[image error]Old thoughts, old remembrances flee from us like the barren winter days. We give them no power nor energy, so they have no room for growth spurts.
We now open the windows and allow the spring freshness to blow into our nostrils. It fills our lungs, our rooms and our sacred spaces with the newness of life.
As the birds have returned from the sunny south to serenade our mornings, we too lift our heads with voices of song. We have come this far by faith.
Our faith has sustained us, kept us and continually blessed us. It has been a shelter, an umbrella that has assisted us in weathering the sudden and predicted storms. It has watched over us as we stayed on our paths.
New thoughts, new cycles, new levels, new altitudes. New friends, new acquaintances, new joys, new insights and new hope surround us.
Yes, we exhale deeply and whisper, “Alleluia!”
Lynn M. March 7, 2020
March 1, 2020
March Rolls In!
Shamrock shuffles and frilly ruffles!
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Both connote the month of March,
Wearing clothes that need that starch!
Spring peaks its hidden head out,
Birds are chirping all about.
Announcing the warmth of days,
Waking from that sleepy haze.
Of winter’s cold, barren gloom,
March rolls in with a soft boom!
Lynn M. March 1, 2020
February 22, 2020
Black Quilt Pieces
[image error]We educators attempt to tell our young people about African American contributions that are deeply woven into the American quilt. It is Black History Month, which years ago was only a weeklong. Sometimes, we hit the mark and at other times we do not because there is so much to absorb in such a short time.
However, when it is all said and done, they will be left with some snippets of new information. When they hear certain names or events many years hence, they can think, “Oh, yeah. I heard about that person or I learned about that event.”
If they are astute and curious students, they will take it upon themselves to delve deeper. They will explore. Research. Look up more facts. They will weigh the odds as they look on both sides of the coin. They will compare the opposing points of view. Eventually, they will come to a consensus after deciding what they perceive as the truth of the matter.
And, if they do that at some future point in their lives, then we as educators have succeeded in doing our jobs. We can only tilt the ball towards them by introducing a list of great achievers. It will be up to them to slam duck the ball through the hoop by gathering more data and greater understanding.
Lynn M. February 22, 2020
Happy Black History Month!
February 15, 2020
Changing Frequencies!
[image error]We unknowingly travel at different frequencies like the radio waves. We follow what we know, what we have learned and what we have been introduced to along the way. Sometimes, we operate from a limited point of view or perspective but as we open our minds, hearts and souls to others out there, we may come to halt.
We stop and take notice as we realize that there are so many ways to approach life itself. Most of us agree that most people want to have a good life. Everyone’s chest swells with pride after receiving a compliment. Expressed appreciation for work that we have done builds confidence and our self-worth soars like the birds.
So, it would behoove us to find some person or persons that we admire and aspire to emulate in some form or fashion. We should study them, observe them and learn how they continually succeed at what they do on a regular basis.
The Good Book says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1) A person with a good name automatically makes us smile. We are reminded of pleasant memories and we remember what that person brought to our worlds. Clearly, that person was flying at a higher frequency.
Persons with good names have learned to fly at higher wavelengths where the air is cleaner, freer and crisper. They have learned how to rise over the fray and contention of the lower, crowded fields of negativity and soar at higher frequencies
We too can ascend and join the winners who may have to fly solo or in small groups to stay focused and on purpose. As we join the winners’ circles, we too can travel towards our personal destinations with greater ease.
What will we attain by changing frequencies? Probably deeper, more healthy breathing. More smiles and added miles will be guaranteed. More peace, greater patience and fantastic outcomes will be our rewards for being in the company of those more experienced eagles!
Lynn M. February 15, 2020
February 8, 2020
The Love Month!
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Pink, loving thoughts set hearts aglow,
With warm spongy feelings in tow.
February- the month of love,
We place sentiments high above.
Go and buy those items of red,
Roses, candy, cards. Enough said.
It’s time to gather, greet and meet,
Make time for those who are quite sweet!
February 8, 2020
February 1, 2020
Answers!
[image error]The other day my car was stuck on ice and I could not get out of a parking spot. I gunned the motor for what seemed like hours but to no avail. Two guys even tried to push the car out, but they too gave up after a while. I finally went inside to calm down.
If the car in front of me pulled up a bit, I knew that I could get free. So, after much time passed, I noticed that the car was indeed gone. I went back out and became freed because I had enough space to maneuver the car over the ice. Freedom never felt so good!
Lesson? If a barrier is removed, we can graciously advance forth. But sometimes, we must wait for that opportunity.
After feeling quite rattled from the ice escapade and just when I thought that things couldn’t get worse, they did. I stepped on my recently purchased cell phone. To my dismay, the screen cracked. I felt that if one more thing went wrong, I would need to go somewhere and let out a loud scream.
But, I did not. Instead, I remained quiet, but my inner frustrations were pounding inside. As I was looking through a drawer a few days later, I discovered some phone screen covers that I had on hand. I waited and when I was feeling brave, I removed the broken screen from the phone. To my astonishment, the phone itself was in stellar condition. I was surprised so I threw the broken glass cover away and put on a new plastic one feeling a sense of delight.
Lesson? Appearances are truly deceiving.
When we get in a hubbub over some small unfortunate circumstance, we first need to take a deep breath. We should take a step back and calm down. When we feel ready to dive in and deal with the problem at hand, we can then check out the perceived damages. Once we get a grip, we usually find that things are not as bad as they first seemed. Over time, we become less reactive, as we mindfully take action to remedy those situations.
Lesson? There is always an answer.
Lynn M. February 1, 2020
