Second Thoughts – COVID-19 Lessons Learned Part III

Greetings Dear Reader,

I offer for your consideration the third installment in my preparation for lessons learned in this time of plague.  Some of you still do not get that I am trying to be light-hearted about this.  Please take the time to laugh and enjoy. 

1. A 16 oz bag of Oreo Thins is still a pound of Oreos.
2. One can collect enough Cheeto dust to make homemade mac and cheese (heard this from a friend [really, it was not me {Stop judging me}]).
3. As a species, we can live without suits.
4. As a species, we can live without bras.
5. When counties in GA set up travel checkpoints, “my county does not have Chick-fil-a”, will get you through.
6. When one small town closes all its liquor stores, the next town over will have a sale at theirs (This, however, is apparently not a good reason to cross the county line [or so I was told by the Sheriff’s Deputy {Stop judging me}]).
7. The food you want the most will not be available in your county.
8. The pollen count will eclipse the national debt this week.
9. Vacation destinations will offer the best travel packages during a travel ban.
10. Gas prices will be the lowest in forty years this week because no one needs gas.
11. Almost every Bible quote about plague will be quoted out of context.
12. There are plenty of conspiracies to go around so pick a good one.

Be safe Dear Reader.  Only travel when it is vital.  Be kind to those working in the shops.   Tell me how you are doing.  I care about you.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

EVERY HUMAN STORY IS PART OF THE GREAT STORY THAT LEADS TO THE FATHER GETTING EVERYTHING BACK TO GOOD.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

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Infusing Faith ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

My mind has already turned to what will be a very different Holy Week this year.  Before I begin that series, I want to address the underpinning thing that makes it all possible.  I have written often about faith.  I suppose I want to be a little practical about how we can actually use faith in a time where things seem so out of control.

I want to call to mind that we all believe in something.  We all have faith in an ideal, a thing, or a person.  As someone who has chosen to follow Jesus Christ, I put my faith in him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.  I do my best to live out that faith and when I fail to, I count on the grace and mercy promised by the Father. 

I am not going much deeper down that path but I want to be clear about where I am coming from as I begin these few days of practical faith concerns.  We can say that we do not do anything that requires faith.  We do.  We eat food that we have not prepared.  We drive on the road next to others at high speeds.  We sit on chairs without testing them first.  We exercise faith every day.

What I wish to do to prepare my heart and mind for Holy Week is to examine some practical ways to use my faith.  I wish to be very simple and clear that faith must be a part of every aspect of what we do.  There are no issues or incidents that are outside of our faith. 

Please journey with me through a few days of practical faith application so that we can better prepare for the challenges ahead.  If you do not share my faith, Dear Reader, you will at least learn how those who claim to follow Christ should act. We are all crooked sticks, so please do not judge us too harshly.  As always, your thoughts and questions are welcome.  You make the journey sweeter.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

What are we Hoarding? ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We can hoard things internally even when we are socially isolated.  We can use the time to nurse feelings of anger and bitterness.  We can hold onto grudges or simply deny love and kindness.  All of this harms us and leaves us further from peace.

We all have hurts and fears.  There is always a reason we can find to hoard and withhold what others need.  What must be different is our desire.  Our thoughts must be tuned to being loving and encouraging to others.  Our minds must be used to give out loving-kindness in any way we can. 

As we walk through this time together, Dear Reader, we must determine to give ourselves away.  We must see that if we embark on the campaign of giving out love and encouragement with abandon, that we will run out.  It is not time to hoard this.  It is time to see that others need the love we have and give it away.

I am going to find ways to be kind to others.  I am determined to love others as deeply as possible.  I have not perfected this and we need not be perfect to try.  Let us agree as we move on to other thoughts, that our undercurrent in all of them will be to love others in every situation.  This is what will get us through the storm.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

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Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

What are we Hoarding? ~ A Kind Word

Greetings Dear Reader,

This is similar but significantly different from some of our other topics.  A friend posted an observation for his other friends who like conspiracy theories.  The conversation lasted on social media for four hours.  The interaction was friendly and civil.  Then it was not.  My friend took down the post once it became unkind.

I long to understand why we do this.  Good people that I know will post things that are unloving and unkind without really thinking about it.  I think that when we are under stress, we turn to our default settings.  If it is not our habit to be kind and encouraging then we will not show this to others.  We can, though.  We can choose to respond to everything with kindness and encouragement. 

The challenge we face is to determine how we are going to treat others amidst our own fears and frustrations.  I intend to offer encouragement to those venting about their isolation and fear.  I intend to be kind.  When I rise out of the story I am crafting to catch up, I will look for who is struggling and offer a kind word.

We have the chance here to show how much kindness and encouragement we have in us.  We can filter out the negative and give from our hoard of kind words and good intent.  Pick up on the needs of others for encouragement and give all that you have.  The Father will not let your well run dry.  Let me know if you need a kind word, Dear Reader.  I have one for you.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

What are we Hoarding? ~ That is a Great Idea

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that social media is providing right now is a slew of great ideas.  People are creative and find new ways to meet needs and compensate for things currently unavailable.  We are created to be creative.

There is not deep spiritual truth here.  Rather, it is just my desire to point out that you are creative at solving your problems.  Do not assume that you are alone in those problems.  Share your solutions with others.  If you are not wishing to share in public, send your problem/solution to me and I will post if for you.  I will not identify you.

The point is that we are unknowingly hoarding ideas that can help others.  We have solutions that others need.  Join me, Dear Reader, in loving others by sharing your creative solutions to the problems we are all facing.  All creativity is an act of worship.  I would love to worship with you.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

What are we Hoarding? ~ Unending Supply

Greetings Dear Reader,

My friend Matt sent me a photo of his wall of TP yesterday.   He was joking that he had closed a business in February on good terms.  One of the things it had was a bulk supply of TP for its restrooms.  He is planning on opening another venue in September.  He was going to save money by using it there.

Matt is the kind of guy who knows his neighbors and is the kind of neighbor you want to have.  When he realized that TP was becoming a coveted thing, he drew big red hearts on the boxes and delivered a case to each home on his street.  He told me that it did not dent his supply at all.

My friend was not giving away Toilet Paper.  Matt is giving away love.  He is refusing to hoard the very thing that his neighbors need most and perhaps understand the least.  We are in a time where the thing we must pass along to every human in every encounter is love.   It must be viral, contagious, and unavoidable in us.

Every time I must go to a store, I spend time going to the clerks and thanking them for working when it is unsafe to do so.  I greet everyone with a smile and a kind word.  I keep my distance out of respect and wisdom.  There are still so many ways to show love to others.

We can respond to our friends' concerns on social media.  We can call people who are in isolation or shut-in for other health reasons.  We can order a pizza for a friend not handling the at-home situation.  One of my closest friends bought gift cards for a local coffee shop and sent them to the manager to use for anyone in need.  He supported the shop and people he does not know.  He is not hoarding his love.

That is it, Dear Reader.  We can still find ways to practically show love to others.  We must choose that this will be our stock and trade.  Even in the solitude of our homes, we can reach out with love and action.  People will long remember our love after gatherings have resumed and the air is clear.  I must remember this in every encounter.  I must show the love of Christ more creatively than ever.  Join me, Dear Reader, in not hoarding that for which we have an inexhaustible supply.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Second Thoughts ~ COVID-19 Lessons Learned Part II

Greetings Dear Reader,

As we continue in our long-darkened siege, my tongue is still firmly sequestered in my cheek.  I have not, however, quarantined my ability to see the humor in some of this.  We must laugh.  We must not take ourselves too seriously.   

1. When posting humorously about a pandemic, do not mention burning bridges because some people are idiots.
2. When predicting a post-quarantine baby boom, consider that you are also telling people to stay six feet apart.  Can someone explain the physics of this? (Remember that this is a PG-13 BLOG [I am not seeking instructions {Sanitize your brain}])
3. Tofu is not that bad with enough hot sauce and vegetables.
4. Toilet paper calculators are not very accurate.
5. Shop towels, roll cut in half, are cheaper as TP and require only half as many sheets (Do not ask how I know this [I am not out of TP {Stop judging me}]).
6. Those who hoarded all the cheese do not need all the TP.
7. Some TV series should not be binge-watched.  That many episodes of Criminal Minds or Friends will mess with your head.
8. Auto parts stores are using shop towels for TP.
9. The movies Coatigan and Outbreak should not be watched back to back.
10. One can shower in one’s pajamas then hang them to dry in the shower.
11. The axiom, “the only way to get ALL your laundry clean is to do your laundry naked” has been proven to be true (Reported by a friend [I have always believed this {Stop judging me}]).
12. When making home-made saline solution for eye-drops and nasal spray, one should let it cool before testing it.
13. You smell worse than you think you do so take more showers.
14. People will write a three-page response when they do not get the joke.
15. The Netflix “Are you still watching” pop-up feels like a car warranty robocall.
16. The Restaurant at the end of the Galaxy is only offering carry-away.
17. There is an end to the internet and I have found it (It did not take that long [I have been searching for years {Stop judging me}]).

I continue to build my lessons learned list.  Please feel free to add your thoughts on this.  We are concluding some interesting experiments with cheese.  I know where my towel is.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

EVERY HUMAN STORY IS PART OF THE GREAT STORY THAT LEADS TO THE FATHER GETTING EVERYTHING BACK TO GOOD.

  

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

What are we Hoarding? ~ Pocket full of Offenses

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I look through my social media sites to check on my friends, I am amazed at how many posts there are that still rant over this or that political issue.  It shocks me that there is still so much vitriol concerning social situations.  In a time when we should be doing all that we can to embrace the love of Christ, we still look for things over which to be angry.

Further, some of us have held onto conflict with friends and family.  We are still not willing to build the bridges needed to work out forgiveness and reconciliation.  This is an opportunity to give up hoarding resentment and unforgiveness.  We cannot sustain holding onto offenses and anger to begin with, so giving it up is even easier.  I know it does not seem like it.  One can begin by starting a conversation.

While we social distance we can begin to lovingly interact with those we have held guilty and unworthy.   We can write a letter or an email.  We can send a text or instant message.  We can build a bridge back to those for whom we hoard anger and insult.  It will not be easy but it will be worth it.  The more we empty our stores of offenses, the further we have room for love and grace toward others.  Why not make this time of isolation a time of active reconciliation?

We can work together Dear Reader to emerge from this with greater peace and harmony.  We can empty our hearts of resentment and bitterness.  We can stop hoarding the wrongs from our past and allow the time to heal our spirits.  We can move down the path together with less burden and more love.  Shall we try?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

EVERY HUMAN STORY IS PART OF THE GREAT STORY THAT LEADS TO THE FATHER GETTING EVERYTHING BACK TO GOOD.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Second Thoughts - COVID-19 Lessons Learned Part I

Greetings Dear Reader,

As the virus wends its way through our world, I have begun to collect lessons learned for our after-action report.  As a good project manager, I am watching you all.  Here are a few observations. 

1. Do not pick Thick as a Brick as your handwashing song.
2. Your life-long obsession with having enough TP did pay off (I feel smug not having to buy any [I do not have THAT much {Stop judging me}]).
3. That sweet lady in front of you in line is a Banshee when the cashier touches her face.
4. The Banshee will then use the keypad without giving a thought to how many fingers have touched it that have touched who-knows-what.
5. The cashier will cry if you are nice to her after the Banshee screeches at her (the Banshee will glare at you for being nice to the cashier).
6. Really old people will hit you to get at the store shelf if you are in the way.
7. When really old people hit you, pretending you are hurt helps them move on to the next person in their way.
8. No one believes you have allergies anymore (even though you do, [no really, I do {I swear I am like this every Spring and why are you spraying me with Lysol?}]).
9. Handwashing, Toilet Paper, and Sanitizing Gel belong on your dating profile.
10. Extroverts now understand how introverts feel when they are forced INTO social situations.
11. You touch your face 325,602 times per day without realizing it.
12. Your stock of food meant to last for four to six weeks talks to you all day long on day three about eating it all.
13. Every store I have been to has plenty of Tofu.
14. When TP sales go up, Prune Juice sales go down (check the isles [If you do not understand this, ask an old person {This is just funny to me}]).
15. Take long isolated drives just to take advantage of low gas prices.
16. Anyone who can homeschool multiple children is a hero.
17. School teachers should earn what politicians earn.
18. Politicians should earn what teachers earn.
19. There really is a TP usage calculator (like I have not always done that in my head my entire life [See 2 above {Stop judging me}]).
20. The store will be out of buns but not hotdogs.
21. When all the frozen vegetables are gone you will still find lima beans and succotash.
22. No one is hoarding gallon jars of pickled pigs’ feet.
23. People who know that you are a “hugger” will avoid you.
24. When you do not try to hug people, who know you are a “hugger” they will judge you.

There is much more and I will add to the discussion as we roll through this time.  The most curious thing I have seen is that someone Toilet Papered the local water treatment plant.  Please share your light-hearted lessons learned with us, Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

EVERY HUMAN STORY IS PART OF THE GREAT STORY THAT LEADS TO THE FATHER GETTING EVERYTHING BACK TO GOOD.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/

What are we Hoarding? ~ The Mind Killer

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I was a lad, I had a very unfortunate encounter with some sand spurs.  These are the tiny balls of infinite spiky pain one encounters on beaches.  I was walking through the sand barefoot and stepped into a thicket of them.

I immediately sat down and tried to grab the large string of spheres embedded in my small foot.   Many of them obliged, released their grip on my foot, and buried themselves in the palm of my hand.

Clenching the palm of my hand, I realized that the spurs embedded in it were now also impaling my fingers.  I was young enough that fear of pain replaced sound thinking rapidly.  I sat there in the sand, crying in pain, and alone.  The only thing that had sway over me was my fear and it was quickly evolving to panic.

A lady on her way to the beach spotted me and came to my aid.  The focus of this writing was that I refused to open my hand because I knew it would hurt.  My fear of the pain prolonged my pain for hours.   The fear controlled my thinking and my actions. 

Holding onto my fear required that I hold onto my pain and prolong it.  That little boy on the beach held his tight-fisted grip on pain because of his fear of pain.  This is what we all do.  We fear the pain of working through our pain.  We refuse to move.  When I hoard my fear and keep it to myself, I am holding onto the source of my pain as well.

During this time of trouble, we all will feel fear.  What we must do is talk to each other.  We must share our fear and not hold onto it because we are afraid of the pain.  Fear short circuits our thinking and kills our reason.  When we hoard it, fear damages us further.   We need to remember that none of what we are facing is a surprise to the Father.  He knows how he will care for us in this.

I must not embrace fear.  I must not hoard it and neither should you Dear Reader.  We cannot afford to sell it to others or make it the center of our being.  We must keep moving forward together and share our fear.  The only way out is through.  We can see one another past the fear in love if we are willing.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

What are we Hoarding? ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As the world responds or reacts to COVID-19, we see people panic-buying so many material things.  These are things they fear being without.  They are the things one thinks will bring peace of mind or a sense of security in uncertain times.  There is no material thing that can bring a feeling of sustainable peace.

This will not be about toilet paper, sanitizing gel, or bottled water.  It is not about holding onto false security over the things that will be gone when they are gone.  We have taken it for granted for years that we will always have these things.  We have wasted resources and failed to be thankful for the abundance we have as a society.

What I would like us to consider and develop is an understanding of the intangible things we hoard.  They are the things that we cannot hold and be healthy.  If we can speak honestly about the two-sided coins kept in our internal storehouses, we may be able to find that we have more to give and less to hold onto than we imagined.  We may have more to give than we dream.

I will keep this as light as possible and not ask you to carry more than you can.  I will ask you to share your thoughts and questions so I can become better at holding what is healthy and letting go of that which will not help.  My heart is to give you encouragement and freedom in our necessary isolation Dear Reader.  My desire is to help us emerge from this with better love for each other.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

#aramisthorn

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook       Twitter        

Medium         Instagram 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/