Hugs and Prayers

We had mac and cheese for dinner and warm brownies with whipped cream for dessert tonight and my kids love me. It was one of those rare "I feel like such a nice, awesome mom!" nights, and I want to remember that feeling.

I still possess at least two more posts worth of Paris pictures, but I have something else on my mind to ponder before I wrap up our Paris trip. That was a nice P-popping sentence--I'm not one to resist some good bilabial alliteration! 

The past week has been quiet at home--the five of us took turns with a low-grade cold/lethargic sickness--but further afield, big things have been happening. A new president was inaugurated. Women marched for rights and respect. The president issued an alarmingly long string of executive orders. Turmoil and unrest continue in various hotspots around the world. I feel so removed from all of it and yet so moved by all of it at the same time. The social media has been flooded with opinions, outcry, and clashes. Facebook has become its own war zone! As usual, I scanned various flaming friends' posts, but mostly stayed out of the Facebook fray. I may not be a social media crusader, but I do feel deeply and care/worry about all of the STUFF going on in both the USA and in the wider world. 

Over the past few months I have slowly been reading the book Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain. As one who has scored a 100% on every "are you an introvert?" quiz ever written, I am loving the research and explanations in this book and learning so much about myself on a basic psycho-level, hahaha. A big takeaway for me has been to treat my introvertedness as a strength and use the skills that come naturally to me as an introvert to serve and fill my responsibilities. Stress happens FAST when I try to serve/do things in a way that is contrary to my introverted nature. So one of my goals is to work with my "quiet skills" instead of against them. For me that means not crossing swords in regards to politics. Politics are rough waters that few can navigate unscathed. I prefer to sneak around onshore rather than attempt it.

This week I have been wondering: how can quiet people like myself: 

1. live 
2. help 

in this boisterous world? The events of this week have gotten me thinking, thinking thinking. Ideas trickle in slowly. Three of my "responses" to the current political climate:

1. "I am and always will be--the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes. The dreamer of improbable dreams." --BBC's Dr. Who
2. Hope for goodness, handle what happens, and hug more. Hugs are good. Hugs show gratitude, welcome, acceptance, and love.
3. Prayer is my best way to handle it all. Prayers for the people inside our country, prayers for the people outside our country, and prayers for the people who are caught somewhere in between.

This morning I glanced at social media and read a few articles about refugees, etc. I felt the desire to help out, but I didn't know what I could possibly do. Most of the time I feel like I'm barely keeping my nose above water with everything I already have on my plate! I prayed to know how I can help, using my strengths so I don't get stressed/overburdened. Later at church, a sister gave the most wonderful, heartfelt talk about the blessings of temple service. I had tears bulging in my eyes during most of it. One of her points was that blessings from serving in the temple are not always related directly to the temple itself--they can happen in all aspects of life. I had a distinct prompting while I was listening to her speak: "the way I can help the refugee effort is go to the temple." It's not the only way to help, but it's a way that uses my strengths and will not stress me out.

I reflected on that prompting for the rest of the meeting. What an odd, non-obvious way to help! How would that help anything? I could utilize the temple prayer roll--that would be helpful. Then I realized that prayer was the answer. Prayer is the best place to start with every challenge, both personal and...political. Prayer is my best way to handle it all. Prayers for the people inside our country, prayers for the people outside our country, and prayers for the people who are caught somewhere in between.

As usual, it feels vulnerable and a little scary to post these personal thoughts on the internet. These words reflect not my opinions about current world events, but how I am finding peace in the midst of these intense times--prayer, faith, hope, courage, and HUGS. And kindness. As I have reflected on: 

1. exactly how I feel about the current political situation(s), and 
2. what I can do from my tiny corner of the world to help, 

over and over my answer has been: hugs and prayers, hugs and prayers. 

Hugs and prayers.