Lent

[Jersey Girl]

Sick? Darn it. That's good that you intend to resume your walks when you're fully recovered. It's gotta be good for body and mind to get outdoors and away from well, everything we attend to each day. I've found that it's good to do one's due diligence and be informed, but given the fact that news is marketed to us it's too easy to fall for the intentional hooks and get so caught up in it to the neglect of more important aspects of our lives...like the aforementioned body and mind. Without balance I think we run the risk of turning into anxious nervous wrecks...speaking for myself there I guess.

Best to open the door, shove yourself out, breathe fresh air, get some sun and touch grass whenever possible. Talking to wildlife never hurts either.

I was sick for 2 weeks in the middle of this Lent observation as well. Hope you recover well and are able to resume now that more pleasant warm weather days are upon us.

Thanks, Jersey Girl. 5k walk set with a buddy tomorrow.

Oh that's really good to hear! Enjoy it so much, RI!

[Dr. Shades]

I've managed to stay away from toxic media reports until last night. I watched a short interview with Corey Booker and Rachel Maddow about the war. Then today I watched something else, I think it was Lawrence O'Donnell also about the war. I can sort of tell what's going on but as usual, it looks chaotic.

How many days were you able to avoid hearing about Operation Epstein Fury?

[Jersey Girl]

I've managed to stay away from toxic media reports until last night. I watched a short interview with Corey Booker and Rachel Maddow about the war. Then today I watched something else, I think it was Lawrence O'Donnell also about the war. I can sort of tell what's going on but as usual, it looks chaotic.

How many days were you able to avoid hearing about Operation Epstein Fury?

Hey Shades. Well I started observing Lent on Feb 18th. If you're talking about the war in Iran, I'm not sure when it started. If I noticed it at all I would have likely recorded it on this thread. I don't recall doing that but I may have. I'm doing my best not to back track here and when I'm online in general, I try to scroll right past anything related to politics.

[Jersey Girl]

This caught my eye on youtube. The youtuber is an MD. I tried something on ChatGPT but don't remember what it was. Anyway, putting this here so I don't forget it. Maybe try it myself and see if it turns out the same or does it tell you what you want to hear so to speak.

I asked ChatGPT, “If you were human, would you believe in Jesus?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzSiRiLXLAI

[Jersey Girl]

Hello Lentils! I just want to wrap this up while I have a minute.

I think I'm going to give myself a B+ for sticking to my plan not to watch toxic political media coverage. I slipped up but only slighly a couple or three times but I think I only watched the full video of 1 Lawrence O'donnel and 1 BTC at the protest this past weekend. I didn't consider them toxic. When it came to President it wasn't hard to scroll and click away on sight.

Observation: I noticed the more I avoided, my intest in the thumbnails and such basically faded away. I could see those things but they registered as ongoing insanity that didn't need me looking at it. Like I know some of the twists and turns of the war in Iran but I know none of it is stable. He'll shift several times in one day and throw everything into the media he can get his hands on. I don't want to play into his games because it never lasts. He'll comment on several topics a day and I don't care about paying attention to what he is putting forth because it's all BS intended to draw or deflect attention. That he doesn't know anything about this country is enough for me. If he wants blood on his hands, that's his problem. My job is my vote.

Wrap up: At times I didn't feel like I was doing justice to the purpose of Lent but all things considered, maybe I did. I previously was spending more time on toxic political media than I was on the Lord. I managed to turn that around! I did have to actively avoid temptation at first until it became reflex. Funny thing: I was visiting with family and someone mentioned a political thing. I automatically and without even thinking, went somewhere else in my head. That was an unexpected outcome so I think that's pretty good! I guess it's proof that avoiding temptation (of any kind) really can develop into a new and healthier habit.

I hope everyone managed to stay with their plans and if not, I hope you didn't harp on yourself over it. I never expected anyone to join in but you did, and I'll always remember how surprised I was!

Lunar Report: Full moon was last night and cloudy skies so I could only see a fuzzy image. I live for seeing the Full Moon. I don't know why but somehow it gives me a sense of hope and reassurance, and I love it. I always thank God for it or simply smile at it "up there". So now, we're back to a waning gibbious at 99%.

Gotta go and thanks again!

[Jersey Girl]

p.s.