My word of the week is, "Be Present."

As I've said before, I often get tested when I choose my word of the week.

I count on inspiration when I choose my word and it may be the time that God says, "You're ready to work on this now."

This time in our history is a difficult time the stay present in the moment.

We are all longing for this period of seclusion and social distancing to be over.

We are resisting the concept of keeping our children home and assisting with their learning experience.

We are afraid for the economic future, many have lost their jobs, or their job is in danger.

Those of us living on our retirement accounts are watching them dwindling.

The United States election is looming ahead, and there is fear on all sides that their candidate is the only hope, and what happens if they lose?

And with all the time alone in seclusion our minds go inward.

In the quiet and the darkness the voices of the past often attack us with regret and shame.

So what a perfect time to focus on the here and now.

To focus on what is in front of me at this moment.

To remember that all I can possibly do as a human being is to do my very best right now with all good intentions.

That was what I set out to do when I chose my word of the week.

Then I went out to mow my front lawn.

And my lawn mower wouldn't run.

When I thought I discovered why and tried to fix it, that failed.

And I lost myself in despair.

I felt alone and incapable of fixing this small hurdle in front of me.

I felt pressured to be perfect, to keep the yard in perfect condition, and to be able to fix anything and everything in my care.

I berated myself for messing up my first marriage years ago, because of course that was why I am alone now.

I berated myself for being unlovable and unwanted.

What a load of nonsense !

It's a lawn mower!

It isn't the end of the world if the lawn isn't mowed each week.

Because one fix doesn't work doesn't mean another one won't work.

And so what if I need to ask for help?

If one person can't help, another will be able to.

And since when am I really alone?

My emotional reaction was the reason I needed to work on the concept of being present.

Life is much richer and full of blessings when I can take each moment as it comes.

When I can be calm and think logically without allowing the voices of the past to attack me, then I can see the facts and the reality of each situation.

Absolutely nothing is insurmountable.

Some things are challenges.

Some things bring pain and heartache.

At no time am I ever alone.

At no time will I be helped by regrets or fear.

I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to learn and grow.

And I can't wait to see what word I get to work on next week.

I wish you peace and contentment in this day and all that it has to give you.