Tidings of Comfort & Joy, No. 5

Tidings of Comfort & Joy, No. 5

Today’s #songsofcomfort offering is Norah Jones, #livefromhome, covering “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses.

As the reality sets in that this is our new reality, we may start to experience anxiety. Or we may start to experience more anxiety than we already were. Know that you are not alone.

Lutheran pastor, Nadia Bolz Weber, offered this powerful prayer today. I encourage you to sit with it and let it comfort you this week.

Remember to give yourself permission to feel the feels. 

But also remember to practice square breathing. And see this advice from NAMI and this from the ADAA.

If you need support, or are feeling lonely and/or isolated, please reach out. Lizzo is there for you with some meditation too.

And if you need more professional support, find a therapist here. For most mild to moderate mental health needs, teletherapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy.

And, as always, remember that we find the fuel for the journey by finding small moments of joy. Ingrid Fetell Lee posits that “evolution is not wasteful.”

What does this have to do with joy? “These features of our bodies and minds,” she says, “have survived nature’s ruthless selection because they enhance our survival.”

In other words, joy is essential for survival.

Find, and even make, your own joy. But here are some others, if you need a boost...

• I love this fun song and video, “Six Feet Away,” from Vox.
• Lisa Loeb streamed a few songs on live yesterday.
• How about “Keep On The Sunny Side,” covered #livefromhome, by Mandolin Orange?
• And all you Hamilton fans, did you see this song, “I Have This Friend,” that was cut from the musical? If not, stop what you’re doing. Seriously, what are you waiting on?

Live. Love. Laugh. Pray.