Food, Inspiration

Gummy Bear Heaven

Mary
Gummy Color Therapy
Photo by Surasak Klinmontha/Shutterstock.com

I am a creature of habit and sometimes I go on a gummy bear kick. I think I like to eat them because they are fat-free and tasty to boot. The only problem is they are pretty much all sugar and have no vitamins or minerals even though you may think they do since many vitamins are now of the gummy variety. One small bag of gummy bears run in the 300 calorie range and that is nothing to sneeze at. I like the German variety best.

I think one of the reasons I like them is because they are colorful. In fact, I think I like to look at the colorful gummy bears more than I like to eat them although I think the color entices me to eat them. Color makes me happy or at least happier.

Color is a welcome boost especially living in the Northwest where it is gray and dismal much of the year albeit very green. Color selection is big business, in advertising, apparel, décor, etc. I think it is fascinating. The colors you choose to wear and surround yourself with emote different psychological feelings.

I have a lot of black in my closet because black is easy and goes with just about everything. I also have a lot of the color pink, especially in the warmer months. Typically, I look out for the new color trends and try to buy the color en vogue just because sameness gets boring. It’s easy to buy a solid colored t-shirt or two and layer with a jacket. Voila! Updated wardrobe.

I’ve often thought about what heaven would look like and in my mind it typically looks like earth with maybe some more clouds. What if it was really colorful! …on earth as it is in heaven!

artofson/Shutterstock.com
Mind, Soul, Body

Fear Factor

Mary
Ipatov/Shutterstock.com

A while back when the first “Fear Factor” show came out I could only watch one or two episodes. I think I watched episodes where the contestants were challenged to eat a can of worms and and one where leeches were placed on a man’s face. Yuck! The show must be popular because it is still airing and in its fifth season although I think now the challenges are based more on stunts.

A recent sermon at Mass reflected on the Lenten season which reminded me that Lent is not about giving up things as much as it is about a conversion of heart. Our actions are based on what is in our heart and we are acting from blessing or wounded-ness. There are seven areas of wounded-ness that were named but I am sure there are more. Fear, Rejection, Hopelessness, Confusion, Abandonment, Shame, Powerlessness. We were asked to reflect on one of the areas for the entirety of Lent.

I chose Fear.

Tornado weather?

Fear is one of the most natural emotions because it is built into us to help us preserve our safety which is one of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Fear is a strong emotion. As a child, I was often afraid of the dark and impending thunderstorms with brooding, dark skies that could potentially produce a tornado. These fears were warranted and related to a need to be safe. Other times as a child, it was the fear of rejection, not being picked first to play on a team and being picked on at recess. Some of the feelings from my childhood experiences have carried into adulthood and fear is one of them. Of course, having my camera stolen on a family vacation along with all of our passports was such a violation and has sometimes created fear and anxiety of which I am still feeling the effects of several years later.

As adults, we have to contend with old and new fears. We are told to face our fears, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In today’s world fear and its promotion of it in the media is all around us. There are many things we can be afraid of–political landscape, job loss, illness, nuclear missals, mass shootings, fear of spiders, fear of change, fear of public speaking, fear of failure, fear of death, etc. I don’t think there is a person on earth that is not afraid of one thing or another at one time or another. There are a multitude of fears we could list and some of them are even phobias for some people. We wouldn’t be able to walk out the door if we didn’t face our fears. I think a lot times, especially for me, it’s the fact that many situations cannot be controlled and that is why I fear them. Thankfully, it is not a debilitating fear, but fear nonetheless.

I am still evaluating my fears and perhaps working through some of them. Lent is not over.

Inspiration

Lent and the Color Purple

Mary

The Christian season of Lent is one of my favorite liturgical seasons in the church.
Lent is 40 days (not including Sundays) from Ash Wednesday until Easter. It is a period observed by Christians as preparation for Easter, involving fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. For many it is a time to give something up whether it be chocolate, wine, TV, etc. and includes not eating meat on Ash Wednesday or Fridays.

Ash Wednesday, which is March 6th this year, is very popular and many people attend services. The date for Ash Wednesday is calculated as 40 days before Easter not counting Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The date for Easter changes and is based on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Kind of a mouth-full to recite but that is the easiest way to remember how the date for Easter is derived. Graphic by Julio Aldana/Shutterstock

The liturgical color for lent is purple. A violet-hued color that helps us focus our attention on fasting and repentance and draws us into Christ’s Passion. The color is also associated with royalty. The church décor is sparse and barren setting the tone for contemplation.

I think the reason that Ash Wednesday is well attended is that it is one of the days in the church year that gives us “permission” to think about our own mortality.

“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” traditional words spoken when the priest or liturgical minister traces the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the faithful. “Repent and believe in the Gospel” is another version of this. When we attend Ash Wednesday, we are in community and we realize we are all finite beings, hopeful for an eternal dwelling place. We too shall leave this world someday. We better make it count!

Lent is not only about giving up things but is a conversion of heart. It is looking at our actions and placing them under a microscope. It is an emptying, clearing out the clutter and any woundedness or ways that are contrary to being a follower of Christ and to make space for the blessings in our lives. To make room for God.

Check out my previous blog at provedinthefire.blogspot.com. Happy Lent!

Health

Magic Pill

Mary
If only it were that easy. Photobank gallery/Shutterstock.com

After visiting the doctor for nerve pain, I was prescribed a medication that would deaden pain and numbness. The prescription was ready when I went through the pharmacy drive-thru on my way home from the doctor appointment.

I thought I would do some quick research on the medicine before I began taking it. Common side effects include involuntary eye movement, dizziness, drowsiness, fluid retention, relaxed easy state, low energy, altered mental status, depression, anger, dry mouth, double vision, loss of memory, involuntary quivering, nausea, weight gain, confusion, hives, suicidal thoughts or tendencies, aggressive behavior, anxiety, and the list goes on. Of course, the drug company is listing all the possible side effects, but who wants to take any chances. Reading further, I learned that it is addictive as well.

Now don’t get me wrong. Medicines are sometimes needed to help a patient, but I got the feeling that the doctor wanted a quick and easy “remedy” to try and alleviate the problem until I saw a specialist. He meant well but doctors are under time constraints and he was probably looking for the quickest possible solution. I, however, am willing to put some effort into my well-being, even if it takes more time to figure out what my body is trying to tell me.

I have decided instead to use my “bed buddy” which is a microwaveable heating wrap to loosen tight muscles as well as massage, yoga for stretching along with relaxation and ibuprophen.



Inspiration

Snow Day

Mary

I took some photos on a snowy day and wanted to add text to one of them. I like to write poetry but did not have time so I searched for some quotes. Most people, myself included, would probably use an image with flowers that are just blossoming with this particular quote , but the thought didn’t cross my mind because I was living in the moment which, at that time, included snow.

To me, snow has a cleansing effect, covering the world in white, covering all the world’s imperfections, at least for the time being. It changes the shape of things and shapes are made softer. It makes us slow down. Snow can be invigorating. Sometimes the snow awakens us.