Despite the uncertainly happening outside our door, we have to deal with what we may control. Of course at times, that seems like precious little. We must avoid the carousel of stress. Otherwise, we will not be able to focus on answers to the problems that will arrive uninvited.

We must answer with courage.

Along with stress when fear knocks we must answer with courage. We never know when we will be in a situation that requires us to stand up for what is right. Imagine the ills of the world that could be prevented if more people would stand together peacefully to stop hate.

We are so busy identifying why we are different that we lose sight of what we have in common. Procrastination is a barrier to peace. Stamping out hate and evil starts with each of us in our home, neighborhoods, schools and cities. My review of April 2020 with Hoda Wan Kenobi reminded me of a couple of things. You may be wondering, how may I help?

Especially today you may feel at a loss for how to help resolve the injustice of the worlds problems. Problems of the world almost sounds too big for anyone to even think about addressing. Yet, it should begin within our communities that we start to encourage and build a desirable world to leave all our families. Have faith the fog will clear so that you will see a path.

A path will always arrive for each of us to behave as we should. It may even arrive daily. More than likely it may even be subtle and something as simple as “calling out a bully.” An unknown Boston author wrote a statement that my Mom damn near wore out when I was growing up, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Do you judge a book by its cover?

Words matter but actions give words power and residual benefits. It is one thing to say that you stand for a cause. Another level entirely when you put actions behind your words. It is hard to right a wrong if you become part of the problems instead of the solutions.

All of us live our own versions of wins, losses, heaven or hell. No one can look at a person and tell what path someone else has walked. When we see a person do we tend to look at the outer shell or even possessions? All of us are guilty of this at times. Does who you are or what you have define you as a person? What would you want someone to know about you that they may not see?

None of us are too old to learn. My daughter pointed out a couple of videos of “real life situations from past” where women made false accusations against random strangers. In each of the cases, the situations were filmed by a cell phone and surveillance which helped to show what was actually occurring.

Learning lessons from bad behaviors

From Cornerstore Caroline who falsely accused a young boy of groping her who only had the misfortune of walking innocently past her with a stuffed backpack. It would be nice if this was an isolated event but there is more from Permit Patty to Becky BBQ, Hotel Earl, Coupon Carl and so on.

Truly, the list probably goes on from there. If you have any interest in watching the videos, they are available on the internet.

Since when have to decided that “be our brothers keeper” meant to help the authorities police the BBQ grills in the park or check for permits of children selling water? When we contact the police or 911 with matters like this it prevents them from helping someone in real need. Why would anyone care who uses a BBQ grill anyway and be willing to devote a chunk of their day to it?

Movies, morals and more

Where does this bad behavior or sense of entitlement come from? Who knows but maybe they need a quick review of Bible’s Moses and the 10 commandments? In 1956, Cecille B Demille created an epic movie which is shown every year around Easter. As a young girl, I remember being enthralled with the movie, story line, geography and visual effects.

Charleston Heston was the good guy who played Moses leading the Isrealites through the wilderness for forty years on a quest for the Promised Land. Of course, the bad guy was Pharaoh Rames who was played by Yul Brynner. As a young girl I remember how captivated I was by the difference in these two men within this story and the struggle between right and wrong.

Yet, I also remember Yul as the strong bald guy rocking a side pony with full pouty lips and being sexy even though he ordered up the plagues. I won’t ruin the story for you but the 10 Commandments are created in this movie. It is only 10 statements but they cover a lot of territory and apply to so many things.

From the 10 commandments to the Golden Rule, we must find a way to live together peacefully within our communities. Clearly I don’t have all the answers because I too am still learning. Music is one tool that has for years pulled us together even though we have differences.

Despite how different we may seem, we will find a way to live together in harmony. April 2020 with Hoda Wan Kenobi has given me plenty of things to think about that have been useful to me. I hope that you are able to take away something of value from my reflections and become “one with the force.”

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Covid is a word that I long to remove from my vocabulary and planet along with everyone else. How do we avoid the covid stress? It is tricky. Your geographic location may increase or decrease the amount of covidness in your world.

Frankly it’s all too much and so not the 2020 that I had planned out. My heart goes out to everyone trying to deal with the covid reality of this situation. I remind myself that I an unable to control many things so I choose to focus on what I may.

The complexities of the pandemic and how it impacts your individual world may be as broad as “I don’t know anyone that has it” to “Everyone has it.” In addition to the loss of life and overall health aspect it has burdened the world. Also, our financial incomes have been hit hard whether it is a immediate effect or the delayed trauma that will come later.

Somehow, I believe, hope and pray that most of us will survive this pandemic. Some of us will weather the covid storm easier than others. The pollyanna in me wants the rays of sunshine to obliterate covid and send it packing. And I have an idea of where to send it.

Our perspective on covid is probably equal to the damage that it has incurred on our family, friends, income and business. We need to have patience because everyone is not dealing with the same circumstances. If you have extra share whether it’s toilet paper or plain ole kindness.

Remember to focus on helping small businesses that have been hit the hardest. Large corporations like Amazon make it easy for you to buy from them, but they have plenty of money. If you want to know how much, read this article. It will make you want to buy local.

Until our small shops, service companies, hair salons, spas, boutiques and restaurants weather the covid storm, only buy local. Hopefully the businesses that are closed will be allowed to open soon. We should spend our money helping small local businesses.

Many businesses have not been classed as essential and were forced to close or have operated with minimal sales. We must help them now or they will not survive. If you have the resources, buy items or gifts now don’t wait until Fall. Local shops have added online shopping. If you’re hesitant to go out, go “old school” and use the telelphone to make purchases.

Staying home is a safer option. Depending on your health or age, you may feel as though you will never leave your house again. If your struggling with the Shelter-in-Place or Stay-at-Home orders, you’re not alone. At a minimum go outside in your yard and look at natures beauty.

Does this sound like you ?

Are you putting on makeup when you order groceries before the Insta-cart delivery person arrives?

Do you find yourself speaking to Alexa in order to select movies just so you can talk to someone?

How often do you ask Alexa random questions?

All of a sudden, doing yard work sounds like a special treat.

Walking around with your pet picking berries is a highlight of the day.

When you finally decide that you must go to the grocery store because only you know that you don’t want all 7 avocado’s ripe at the same time. (Unless of course it’s Cinco de Mayo and then you may)

You have said more than once, “It’s five o’clock somewhere.”

Within less than one week of home schooling your children, you think all teachers deserve a raise.

Within less than one week of home schooling your children, you wonder if the hospital gave you the wrong baby.

The question, “What’s for dinner honey?” makes your eye twitch.

No matter how much wine you buy it never seems like enough.

Learning to cook with what you have is a skill.

Staying at home has made you realize what’s important.

Ignoring your phone is now at the top of “the to do list.”

The idea of starting something new sounds really exciting.

Consistently everyone would love to ditch the word from our vocabulary, now. We must learn to adapt with this covid mess and find a way to function that does not destroy all that we have worked for. We need to celebrate life even if our party consists of only a couple of people or even alone. Find the blessings in your world.

Learning to adapt is a skill to survive. This must be applied at home, school, work or a business that you own. Thinking out of the box is a necessity in this covid colored haze. March 2020 Hoda wan Kenobi helped me focus on the positives. “May the force be with you “. Find your way to the positive and apply often.

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Changing perspective in January 2020 with Hoda Wan Kenobi

Do you know Hoda Wan Kenobi? I am sure that you have heard of her by now. Surely a nobel and distant relative of Obi Wan Kenobi. Hoda Kotb AKA Hoda Wan Kenobi has written a book that provides 365 sayings and quotes. Aphorism designed to help challenge and change our perspective so that we may become one with the force.

Becoming one with the force in 2020

Reading one quote a day along with Hoda Wan Kenobi’s insight in January helped me to focus. It didn’t take me long to see the ways of the Jedi. I needed to up my focus and concentrate on using the Jedi mind tricks. Hopefully the tricks would help me to concentrate on my goals and get more hours out of each day.

J-Joy : A joyful heart will carry you.
E-Education is the tool to accomplish it.
D- Determination is the driving force to stay on task.
I-Intention is the path you set for success.

With the Jedi tricks at the ready it would be easier to fight against the evil empire. What, evil empire? What is it and how do I avoid? Basically, the evil empire is anything unnecessary that you allow to become an obstacle in the pursuit of dreams.

“Your focus determines your reality.”–Qui-Gon Jinn

Pursuing and catching our dreams gives vibrant colors to a gray monochromatic world. Do you want to live with only gray? No, we all want color and passion. Yet it requires us to become a very active participant in our life and the world around us. Be a force for change.

Are you an active participant? I find joy in education as it solidifies my determination and intention. My January 2020 with Hoda Wan Kenobi is meant to be shared. Read Hoda’s book, I Really Needed This Today . I hope that it will “keep you motivated, recharged and inspired each day”.

How do I use Hoda’s new book?

Each day I read the quote and Hoda’s comment for the day. Upon reflection of the daily notes I think about what it means to me. Then I select one of my photos that somehow (in my mind) ties the two together. Daily I post Hoda’s quote, my spin and a photo selection on my Dining With Mimi facebook page.

If you’re curious, check it out. Let me know what you think about my choices. Do you agree? Did I miss the mark? Are you more confused now than when you started? Did my words or images for January 2020 with Hoda Wan Kenobi make you think?

Find the force within you to act

Remember what Obi Wan Kenobi said, “In my experience there is no such thing as luck.” Find the force within you to see how you may make changes even if they are small. Avoid the evil empire distractions from your dream journey and path.

On the path you must find joy in education, let it help solidify your determination and intention. May you find humor in my Star Wars movie analogy or at the very least an easy way to remember the mind tricks. Find focus and hold on for dear life.

The galaxy is treacherous and it helps to have mind-tricks since light sabers are out of fashion. January 2020 with Hoda Wan Kenobi aka Hoda Kotb has been enlightening. So, “when have I ever steered you wrong?”

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