Dwelling Upon

   

   

     Your mind might like to go to a dwelling place where you think, rethink, and overthink particular topics or events, perhaps reminiscing, analyzing, or seeking comfort.  You may have reasons to spend more time thinking about the past, the present, or the future.

     Some people wish to live in the moment, keep the past in its place, and not worry too much about the future.  Others may have strong emotional attachments to the past and either like to relive pleasant memories or have trouble forgetting unpleasant ones.  Some people get stuck on trying to solve problems and delay decision making.  Others worry about the future and things that are out of their control.  They may even seek comfort in unrealistic ideas.
     Unfortunate circumstances may force people to dwell upon solving certain problems to survive or improve their lives.  They may not have the luxury to think about other things until their problems are solved.  Tragedies can monopolize our thinking until we are able to move on to a more balanced life.
    Spending an excessive degree of time on a particular subject can take away time better spent on other more pertinent concerns.  Vary your interests, what you think about, read about, and talk about.  Get beyond your own personal story.  You will become more interesting to yourself and others.  Consider the things you have been dwelling upon.         

Lifesavers

 
      A lifeguard, a firefighter, a good doctor, or a helpful friend can literally save your life or you may save theirs.  Other times, someone or something may temporarily give you a break from a difficult situation.  A piece of candy or a comfort food can make life a little sweeter.
     Solutions both permanent and temporary can help us continue through life and improve hard times.  Exercising our bodies and minds may put us back on track.  An escape from unpleasant facts can relieve stress and give us the strength to persevere.   Meditation, reading, and writing can calm our busy lives.  Some believe that religion and prayer provide solace.
     Find ways to be a lifesaver for yourself and others.

   

Recommended

   
     Neil deGrasse Tyson dedicated this small book "To all those who are too busy to read fat books Yet nonetheless seek a conduit to the cosmos."  I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates scientists and their discoveries.
     Two of my favorite Tyson quotes: "We are stardust brought to life." "After the laws of physics, everything else is opinion."  I would also add a Confucius saying: "True wisdom is knowing what  you don't know."  I don't know much about astrophysics but am eager to learn more.   I admire scientists and authors who can relate this information to scientists and non-scientists alike.
     Be informed about scientific realities.  Enjoy this brief but meaningful introduction to astrophysics.  The info will awaken your interest, and the final chapter puts everything into perspective.  
   

Saints

   
     In NOLA - a football team, in the Catholic Church - a dead miracle worker, in the Lutheran Church - all Christians, in general -  someone who leads an exemplary life, these are saints.
     We may think someone is a saint when they are a good person, going beyond what many people do, behaving in a way that benefits others.  Some definitions add that a saint is holy.
     Sainthood is a goal for many who seek wisdom from God and then live with Him eternally.  Some  people just try to do their best according to their own judgment.  Many in Louisiana look to their team to do their best.
     Whether you cheer for, pray to, or revere someone who has done their best, realize you can also be a saint.  Whether you are religious or not, just do your best.
   
   

Conscience

   
     Develop your own and develop your children's conscience, that inner voice that helps us make choices that benefit ourselves and others.  Teach your children why, according to you, some choices are better than others.  Have them learn that other people may have reasons to disagree.  We all should be aware of the variety of choices people make.
     Not because your parents told you so, not because Big Father or Big Brother have handed down the laws and observe your behavior, not because you will be rewarded or punished, but develop a conscience that will promote survival, develop intellect and logic, sustain mental and physical health, plus protect nature.
     A child or adult is responsible for actions and should be aware of possible consequences.   Pleasing others has it's place but shouldn't be the primary reason to do or not to do.   Put the past in its place and train your mind to think, analyze, and define your behavior.  Understand who has made the "rules" and why they were made.  Don't fill your mind with obligations that may not make sense.   Be proud when your children gradually become independent thinkers.  They may not agree with you, but that is their right.  Let their conscience be their guide.

Lost For Good

   
     Never to be seen again, people, possessions, the past, and ideas leave your life often with feelings of sadness.  We may still miss what was lost, but we can go forward and recover.  We can repeal and replace laws and ideas with improved versions, but often the value of an earlier version will be sadly missed.
     We miss people now gone from our lives, possessions lost, and ideas once held dear.  We sometimes miss the past, our childhood, and other days gone by.  When we revise our ideas, we may miss the benefits of earlier beliefs.   Progress, however, needs to be welcomed.
     Baby teeth need to be lost in order to make space for adult versions.  This can also be said about  beliefs formed in childhood that need to make way for well-thought-out ideas of adulthood.  The past must not hinder the present.
     Some losses are beyond our control.  Some losses will always be missed.  Other losses may be necessary in order to improve.  Lost for good can mean lost forever or lost for our benefit.
     
   
   

Sensational

   
     Whatever gets your emotions going, whatever takes you away from the ordinary or humdrum, these topics grab your attention and can affect your behavior.  You may need to be more careful about what you listen to, talk about, watch and read about because some topics may distort your thinking.
     The news media presents sensational stories beginning with crime, violence, natural and man-made disasters, life-threatening or death-causing events, then goes on to politics or celebrity tidbits, and ends with cute, feel-good trivia.  Social media is full of kids, pets, political and religious opinions, the heart-warming or heart-breaking, full of emotional content.  Facebook readers can respond with like, love, ha ha, wow, sad, or angry emojis.  Popular movies often contain violence and crime or romance and sex, anything emotional and beyond reason.
     We are bombarded with the sensational; we seldom are encouraged to think logically.  We may be shocked or entertained temporarily and even share these emotional topics with others, but we should think about why we are so fascinated.  Some experts say that our brains evolved in a hunter-gatherer environment where anything novel or dramatic had to be attended to immediately for survival.  We still may be using our primitive brains and become thrill-seekers.
     Emotions are essential for human development, but they shouldn't take over our logical thinking.  An overwhelming desire for emotional highs and lows can inhibit the necessity of dwelling in reality. Outside influences can stimulate us to irrational opinions and behaviors.   We may occasionally need a respite from our day-to-day lives, a need to lighten our load, but be wary of spending too much time and energy on the sensational.