How many of us are spending WAY too much time on social media these days? Gobbling up every word, every idea, every comment, every detail, the latest, the scariest, the wisest, the stupidest, the best, the worst…you know what I mean. Feeling things are out of control. Especially our own control.
I have, and I’m having to step back from it now for my own peace of mind and spirit. I am well enough informed now by those whom I trust. I am nearly 79 and have diabetes, so I am choosing to self-quarantine for a while out of an abundance of caution, not out of panic.
Much has been written, much is yet to be written, to either ramp up our fear or to speak calmly about what is real and what is not. Many of us are so angry…and anger is another side of fear. And fear arises when we feel we have no control. So, what to do??? Sometimes an answer shows up without even planning for it. It’s just there.
A song popped into my head this morning after several days of living on eggshells, finding my peace torn to shreds, and my spirit a stranger to me. I leave it with you because it calmed me down, and I recognize myself again. The Beatles made it forever famous, partly because its message transcends time and is true for all time.
If it does the same for you, I am pleased. If it does not, if it means something quite different to you, I encourage you to find your own calming music. Turn it on, close your eyes, sit back and let it wash over you. Over and over if necessary.
Give over to the calm. It makes a difference.
Most of you know this anyway, but it has been humming itself to me ever since it showed up this morning. Isn’t just the music, it’s the message.
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, Speaking words of wisdom, “let it be.” And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, “let it be.”
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be; Whisper words of wisdom, Let it be.
And when the brokenhearted people living in the world agree, There will be an answer, let it be. For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, Yeah, there will be an answer, Let it be. Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, Let it be.
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, Shine on ’til tomorrow, let it be. I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Paul McCartney – who wrote this after having a dream in which his mother, Mary, came to him when he was troubled, and spoke those three words to him, as well as the words, “It’s going to be OK. Don’t worry.” That’s how Paul explained its origin.
Peace to you all, my friends. We shall get through this together.
white hair grace 
I know what you mean about social media! I am on Facebook simply because I post a link to my blog there, and have several loyal readers who depend on that to see my latest posts. (They don’t check email very often, so they don’t follow my blog that way.) But good lord, the stuff that is out there on this virus….it’s enough to make me lose my faith in humanity!
You are so right that we all need to find a way to stay calm in the midst of this craziness, because it is fear of the unknown that is so very crippling. I’ve decided to be very mindful about how I act in the coming weeks, and what I allow myself to dwell on. And yes, finding a calming song does help! Thanks for sharing yours. I wish you find blessings and peace as you ride this out!
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Thanks, Ann, it takes a while to sift through all the hysteria to find the calm places. When we’re living in fear, our better natures don’t always win out. I hope that calm wins out, and I’m seeing places where that’s happening. This week’s blog is already written – more thinking on these moments from an elder perspective. Mindfulness is certainly key to living well in these weeks. May yours be a blessing.
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As of Friday, all of the public school districts as well as the Catholic schools in our area, closed for 3-5 weeks. This morning, the board of our church’s preschool met and decided to stay open this next week. We will meet next Saturday and see if any changes are necessary. For now, we are letting it be.
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Ooh, preschool is a toughie. So many of the parents work, I imagine, and not everyone gets to change to working at home. Many hard decisions being made everywhere. The little church where I served last year is going to have its service tomorrow…less than 20 will come…and the big church in Rochester where I belong has stopped in-person worship and will be streaming. Good to have that capability. May we all be safe, whatever roads we’re taking.
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Thank you Martha – that is so helpful.
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Thanks, Jan! It’s the main reason I do this blog. So glad this one helped.
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I enjoy spending Friday’s with Martha. Well done.
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Thanks, Mike! Glad to know you’re there!
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Thank you for this song, Martha It does the same for me as it does for you.
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Funny how a song or a poem or just a line pops up when you’re not even looking. I wasn’t even that big a fan of the Beatles, but some things just stick, I guess. Who’d think this would be the calmer on a day like this.
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I know just what you mean about a song or a poem or a line just popping up, seemingly out of nowhere. The subconscious mind holds all kinds of surprises.
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🙂 Wisdom! Be well and blessed!
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And to you, too! Thank you!
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Aloha, Marti. A weird thing happened today about half way through your latest post, when I got to “A song popped into my head this morning after several days of living on eggshells, finding my peace torn to shreds, and my spirit a stranger to me. I leave it with you because it calmed me down, and I recognize myself again.” I KNEW what that song was before I read on. Why is that? Maybe because that is the most appropriate song for the anxiety we are all feeling? Or maybe we are still on the same wavelength. Anyway, thought you would like to know.
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I’m thinking it’s some of both…the right song for many of us…and we’re still on the same wavelength that we were as roomies!!! Stay safe out there in paradise, dear one!
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