Story Library

The Calamity

A Letter to My Friends
by Annette Petrick
March 18, 2020

Read in two minutes or less

Just a few weeks ago, we applauded and welcomed 2020. Now here we stand, self-quarantined with calendars devoid of activities and events and a very uncertain future.

Now that it’s all sunk in, we realize our lives have changed dramatically and will be even stranger in the weeks ahead. Let’s take stock of our capacity to cope. Some are faced with energetic kids and distraught teenagers. Meanwhile the elderly are reminded incessantly of their vulnerability in all this.

We might learn from our parents and grandparents how they faced hard times like the depression and the last global war. Food, luxuries and choices were in short supply and the future was ominous. They will tell you how they set out to make the most of what was – with an understanding and appreciation of how much worse it could be.

First figure out how you can most help those at home. Sooth feelings of panic. Give reassurances that events will be rescheduled or re-celebrated, new opportunities will arise or be created. The sun will come up tomorrow.

Got more than enough TP? Share some or deliver rolls to doorways. Neighbors need a spice, a cup of sugar, a new book or the latest magazine or DVD? Offer to leave it outside your door for them to pick up.

Once you’ve inhaled enough news about the pandemic and how best to survive it, make a plan for how to spend the next few weeks interned. Reintroduce the treat of an afternoon drive, to get out of the house – and then home again. Figure out where to walk while staying your distance from others. Undertake some of those home projects for which you never have time. Have everyone pitch in.

Build in loving time with friends and relatives. Get on the phone and call friends who might be frightened or alone or sick or old. Call parents and grandparents. Call grandchildren. Stay close. Use all those great digital tools to stay in touch – not just once, but frequently. Start using new gizmos, like video conferencing with one of the free apps.

As the days go by, small acts of reassurance and consideration will become vital. Call on your emotional and spiritual strength to figure out what to do next. Get enough rest, provide yourself with quiet time to evaluate and plan and stay healthy.

Human kindness may seem invisible – or may be found in unlikely places. Give it freely and be an example to others, particularly the young’ns, of how it’s done.

Be ready to switch gears on a moment’s notice. Know for a fact that things will change, in the days ahead. Decisions will require clear heads. Base your decisions on fact, rather than rumor or fear. They all look to us to be the anchor; the glue that holds it all together. We can do this. We’ve done it before and we can again.

For inspiration in this time of crisis, reach out to – https://www.heartspoken.com/newsletters and read Elizabeth Cottrell’s March 2020 edition. It is packed with heartwarming and comforting ideas, thoughts, quotes and suggestions – all in a read of 5 minutes or less.

For a 90 second pick-me-up, please listen to or read this special Consider This show – https://considerthisradioshow.com/peace-within/.

See dozens of our radio shows any time at https://considerthisradioshow.com.

To receive Annette’s 90 second radio show – in print and audio, each Sunday morning, sign up at https://considerthisradioshow.com/join/

Domestic Tips

Backstory

Our moms were so good at grabbing something right at hand to solve any kind of household emergency. Let’s keep that knowledge going and growing, with the following ideas and suggestions.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Domestic Tips – #204

Today we’ve got some domestic tips that sounded so effective that we wanted to share them with you.

When you purchase a new bike, put your child’s photo inside the handlebar before placing the grips on. If the bike is stolen and later recovered, there’s your proof of who owns the bike.
Use a wet cotton ball to pick up little pieces of broken glass. Fibers catch pieces that you can’t even see.
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle them with cayenne pepper. It doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t go near it. Just be sure to wash well before eating.
When you throw a birthday or baby or bridal shower, buy a pack of Thank You cards. During the party, pass out the envelopes and have everyone write their name and address on one. When it’s time for the bride or the new mom to send thank yous, the envelopes will already be addressed.

If you have any household hints that you would like to share, or comments you would like to send in about the show, there is now an email address where you can write.

Send your comments or suggestions to annette@considerthisonline.com. That’s annette@considerthisonline.com. I’d love to hear from you.

P.S.

Even better, you can scroll down right here, and leave your tips under COMMENTS. Your messages are always appreciated. And you might enjoy reading comments left by others besides. Thanks for stopping in.

[Show #204]

Great Love

Backstory

I can remember the day I turned to God, begging Him to give me a sign about which way I should go. I was facing a big decision with seriously conflicting pros and cons. I heard a voice in my heart reassuring me and promising, “When it’s right, you will know.” And I did.

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Great Love – #164

Its been said that great love and great achievement both require a great risk. Certainly true. When you love greatly, you are most vulnerable. Your heart is open to joy and also heart break. Who knows which it will be? But as someone once dear to me said, “I would not have wanted to miss the dance.” Well, that too requires opening yourself to scrutiny.

Consider what the candidates went through in the recent election campaigns. How many of us would be willing to put our entire life’s history on the line for interpretation by anyone who wants to voice an opinion. It takes courage and determination, to say nothing of the risk that it may be, all for naught if you’re not chosen.

Do you have the courage to take great risks? The payoff could be great love or great achievement.

P.S.

When it turns out you made the right decision, be sure to appreciate the outcome. Don’t ever take it for granted. Treasure it each day and give thanks for the gift of wisdom that guided your decision. And if it does not work out, have the courage to make a change again. This time too, the outcome could be great love or great achievement.

[Show #164]

Told to Donate Blood

Backstory

It was a trying time for the whole family. One child desperately ill, the other anxious beyond words to help his little sister. Then he found out he could help.

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Told to Donate Blood – #169

Betsy was just a little girl. She suffered from a rare and serious disease.

She desperately needed a blood transfusion and her five-year-old brother was the right blood type. The doctor explained that what they were going to do and asked the little boy if he would agree to give his blood to his sister. Looking lovingly at little Betsy, he replied, “Yes. I’ll do it if it will save her.”

As the transfusion progressed the little boy was happy to see smiles on his parents faces as they looked at the color return to the little girl’s cheeks. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a tiny trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”

Well, the doctor was taken aback. Then he realized, the child thought he was being asked to give all his blood. He was willing to die to save his sister.

Unconditional love. It’s all around us. Sometimes more visible than other times.

P.S.

It doesn’t necessarily take such a dramatic incident for unconditional love to surface. It shows when care giving requires repetitive work, and it’s done with patience and smiles, yet again. It shines through endless lunch sandwich making or vegetable slicing or encouragement about squeaky, off-key notes during practice. It’s all unconditional love, probably unrecognized but hopefully appreciated, even if not for years to come.

[Show #169]

Youthful Sponge

Backstory

I was thinking about the various phases of life and how they come and go. Rather than considering it myself, I thought I’d discuss it with you.

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Useful Sponge – #18

What do you remember about your youth? I remember being a sponge. Soaking up everything around me, trying out different styles. In early times, the sponge soaked up someone else’s look, mannerisms, and values. I wanted to look like this movie star, or sound like that rock star.

Then do you remember coming into your own? What age was that for you? When you took control and decided for yourself how you wanted to look, sound, think, love, behave, distinctly from those around you.

That coming of age was a wonderful revelation. When you actually drop the adaptations and created yourself. Here you are, years later. Are you still that person from your early adulthood? Or have you reinvented yourself more times over the years?

If there’s anything you don’t like about what you’ve created, change it. There’s still time. Every day you live is a chance to get better; a chance to change.

Be a sponge again. Try out new habits and new looks. Take up new past-times or passions. Soak up the joy of the day and make it your own.

P.S.

The latest adventure we are considering is Road Scholar – education-infused travel for adults. We can choose from 6,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Wow!

[Show #18]

Peace Within

Backstory

This story was written at Christmastime – the holiday best known for giving – and receiving. I was thinking about how little I desire, to be content. I scripted this to wish the same for you.

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Peace Within – #508

I have a very special wish for you. I wish that there be peace within you today. May you feel calm and serene in your world. May you trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment of time. Wish not for more or less. Leave the wishing for someone less fortunate than you.

Resurrect the memory of the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. Use the gifts you have been given. Recognize those gifts for the treasure they are and pass on the love that has been given to you.

Remember that the gifts need not be huge. They can be small and fine and pleasure one person at a time. If you are using a gift that has been conferred on you, you are doing all that the universe could possibly expect of you. And God is pleased with you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge of who you are settle into your very center. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

What a wonderful day this can be as you follow your heart, use your gifts, and accept the opportunities you have to do something fine today and prepare for tomorrow.

P.S.

Even if this message finds you in turmoil today, take the moment to recognize the blessings in your life as well as the trials. If you can’t better your world today, add warmth and pleasure to another’s world. Help someone else to be content.

[Show #508]

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