Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Strong Faith - Let it Guide You

I know there are many people here that have a strong faith and are quite spiritual.  Many believe in a higher being.  I know I do.  If I didn't have my faith and belief, I wouldn't be here today.
I am not trying to post about religion - as everyone has their own beliefs.

So far, you haven't seen me post about the Coronavirus.  I will mention this today - then you probably won't see me talk about it any more.  I also don't talk politics on here - maybe just my insight now and then.

I am so over all the posts seen every where about this 'new' virus.  People are in panic mode.  It seems that all have forgotten what it was like with Ebola, Sars, Swine, Bird virus breakouts.  Everyone panicked then too.
I understand this is new and scary - but panic gets us no where and solves nothing.
My goodness, H1N1/A and influenza B have already hit 29 million people THIS season (2019/2020).  280,00 or so have been hospitalized from then and over 16,000 have died.  Why is no one talking about that??
New and not understood - sells!!!!!! I believe there is an agenda (my opinion only).
The news has zoomed in on this and it sure has put other things on the back burner.  I find it odd that the things that were so all fired important (basically in politics) have gone by the way-side.  There is always a new crisis in the news and it takes our minds off other things.  How soon we forget.

IF we all have the faith that we say we do - why are we worried?  Seriously.
I do believe in making our life on this earth as pleasant as possible and making it the best quality we can - but we are told by the Good Book - that our days are numbered and our last day was known when we were born.
We can't avoid it!!!!  Make it as happy and pleasant as possible - and just go forward.  You aint getting out of here alive.

I keep seeing stories every where that are only in-sighting fear.  Many are full of misinformation.  Some people just want to feel the power they get by placing fear in your lives and hearts.  DON'T let them.

Shortages on the store shelves - well, yes there is.  People panic and hoard.  Not doing anyone any good.  Things will get back to normal.  Learn to adjust and make do until they do.

Masks - 'I can't find masks'.  CDC says stop buying them!  They say they don't stop you from getting germs - they prevent people from spreading germs.  They are to be used by the sick and medical personnel - who deal with hundreds of sick people daily.

Keep your hands and stuff clean and washed.  Keep your hands away from eyes, mouth, and nose when out in public.

If you are relatively healthy odds are you have nothing to worry about.

Stock market drop - it will go back up.  You LOSE nothing as long as you leave your money alone.  All things rebound.

JUST DON'T PANIC!
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This is all you hear about now - the news is causing panic.  People are causing panic.  
YET, the Olympics are still on schedule for that very part of the world that this all started.  Are they really that worried?  Kind of makes me wonder.

WHY do I mention this?  Have faith that all will be OK.  God is in control.
It doesn't matter if it is the flu, an accident, cancer, your heart, whatever...…. when your day comes, you aren't going to stop it.
I truly learned this first hand last April.  A beautiful, sunny, warm 'normal' Spring day and an odd and crazy set of circumstances changed my life forever! 
I questioned myself and my actions for months.  What could I have done to change things?  What could Glen have done to change things?  Why?   PTSD took over my life.  I couldn't get past that day - it played over and over in my head, just about 24/7.

I finally set and prayed and prayed and asked for God's divine hand to help me.  He helped me realize and understand that nothing could have been done - that was my love's day to go Home.
I still miss him terribly and I am so lonely - but I do know God has this.  My faith let's me know that and gets me through each day.

So I now know and believe that I am not to fret over things I can not control.  That is just the way it is.
I want you to know that you don't have to worry and panic over things that happen in this world - eventually they all work the way they are SUPPOSE to.  Do we understand why?  NO.  Do we always agree?  NO.  Do we have complete control?  NO.

Control what you CAN.  Always be prepared for anything - illness, financial problems, loss of job, etc.  Not just one thing.  Make this a way of life on a daily basis - not just in crisis.  Stay ahead of things and you won't be sorry.
Don't panic.
Don't hoard.
PLEASE don't create doom and gloom on a daily basis.
Spread happiness, love and good will every moment of every day - it is what helps make the world a pleasant place to be.
Love each day and know you can't change what is supposed to be .


I won't be addressing politics or the flu on any other posts.  I don't want to be the negative poster!!!!!! (Please know these are my opinions - you don't have to agree).
I just wanted to help you see that a Higher Authority has this covered.  TRUST and BELIEVE
Blessings to you all.

Keep calm and go forward!

42 comments:

  1. Wonderful post Cheryl. I agree 100% with all you said. We have to always hope for the best but be prepared for the worse. The only thing we can truly control is how we react to things.
    I'm glad to have had your faith to get through the loss of your husband. I truly cannot imagine and I have the utmost respect for you.

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    1. You are so right. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
      Faith and hope is all we have.
      Thank you - I sure have had my moments and days that I just didn't know. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.
      God bless.

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  2. Well said and I couldn't agree more. Fear is a tool of the devil!

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    1. Amen!!!!! I, for one, am not giving him that control in my life!

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  3. Such a nice, calm, reassuring post, Cheryl. Thank you. I too, am tired of the media getting people worrying and being afraid. I looked at masks, but calmness prevailed and I didn't buy any. Amazon has deleted many of them that were obviously price gouging. God is in control, like you said.

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    1. Thank you. Life is fleeting and we need to enjoy it. Yes mam, God is in control!

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  4. Again your common sense view of the world comes to the rescue. Thank you!!

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    1. Thank you. I just try to see things logically and not panic. It does no good.

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  5. I agree with you, Cheryl. Common sense precautions will get us through this. Brigid over at Home on the Range summed it up very well (with a lot more scientific authority than I have) in this recent post: http://mausersandmuffins.blogspot.com/2020/02/one-science-geeks-take-on-coronavirus.html. I do agree with you that there seems to be an agenda in all the hype.

    As for the stock market, losses aren't real until you sell the stock. If anything, there seemed to be a buying opportunity. Hang on and enjoy the ride!

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    1. Exactly - no loss unless you sell.
      We will get through this as we always do - if not, then our day has come to go home.
      I like that phrase - "hang on and enjoy the ride".

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  6. I know it is crazy, how about just getting a flu shot and use common sense?

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    1. There you go. Common sense seems to be something that is lacking today!

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  7. Thank you Cheryl for this commonsense point of view.
    I love your postings.
    Best wishes, Pam in Texas.x

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    1. You are so welcome. I am slowly learning in life that CALM works much better for me. Hoping it helps others. Thank you!

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  8. Thanks for your post. I needed the reminder that He is in control. Thank you for your testimony.

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    1. You are so welcome. That was my only real point. Lean on God who has control.
      Thank you.

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  9. I agree that the panic is an overreaction. At this point, there is no vaccine available, so we need to do the things you mentioned.

    Worrying never solved a problem in my life. I've learned to let go of the past, since I can do nothing about it, and focus on moving forward.

    Have a good week!

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    1. Yes, we just need to stay calm and practice clean/preventative measures.
      Worry just robs us of happy time.
      Have a good one.

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  10. Thank you for posting this, Cheryl. Preparedness and keeping a well-stocked pantry is just a way of life for us, so we haven't done anything special to prepare for the virus. With all of the stories in the news, I decided to do a quick Google to see how many people die of the flu each year. It is 58,000 - 61,000! Yet no one is in a panic over that. I do understand that it is very sad and very real for the people who have suffered loss and I'm not undermining that at all, but I don't see some sort of new "plague" like we are being led to believe.
    In our home, we are just taking the ordinary precautions against sickness that we normally would (practicing good hygiene, eating healthy, boosting our immune system). Anything beyond that is in God's hands.

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    1. AMEN! Same here - just doing what I normally do.
      Yes, it is sad when people lose others - but it is happening in mass with other illnesses and no one mentions it. Creating chaos is a PLAN in my opinion!
      Keep on doing what you do and live calm!

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  11. Common sense, handwashing, don't touch your face. And for heaven's sake, don't buy surgical masks. Most people won't wear and handle them properly anyway making things worse (retire surgery RN here).

    Our local news said there were very long lines at Costco so I gave in and went to get groceries. (I was on a 3w run of emptying freezer/fridge/pantry). So we are stocked up $314-all we'll need the last half of the month is fresh veg. The lines were normal. I was astounded though at the cases and cases of water, toilet paper and paper towels people were buying. Was it personal? Was it business? Who knows.

    Cheers to sanity in the world :-)

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    1. I went to the store as well today - hearing all the horror stories! I didn't need anything - but it was a pretty day to be out. Everything at 2 stores was fine and stocked as normal - checked every dept. NO problems here!!!!!
      AMEN> CHEERS to sanity!

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  12. I can report that this virus scare has been a good thing in my family!!!! My two adult children have finally seen the reason why you should have all the things you need on a regular basis IN your house at all times!!! They have always bought the things they normally use when it's at its lowest price and had little stores of some things but never went beyond that. Nothing like this has really ever happened in their lifetime (or that they can remember). This brought it home! They have seen the light and it's a good thing for this momma's peace of mind!!!!

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    1. I am glad it is a teaching tool for some people. That is the one positive.
      As a meme I saw the other day said - "I have lived through the end of the world many times already". LOL
      Been through all sorts of 'pandemics and end of the world crisis and still here.
      BUT we are PREPARED!

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  13. I saw a panic inducing story about shortages in hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes. Seriously, there are alternatives. I use very little of both. I yelled at the TV it was frustrating.

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    1. Crazy, isn't it? I keep hearing stories about stores are out of everything - I saw none of that today when out.
      Common sense is so far gone!

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    2. Just for a little perspective - my husband travels extensively for work and we live in a city - you absolutely do need hand sanitizers and wipes when you're commuting on the subway and through airports every week. My husband uses those Lysol wipes to wipe down his airplane seat, tray etc, and I use the sanitizer every time I use public transport or restrooms in NYC. I don't think anyone in my family would be in danger if they contracted the virus (or flu, or the like) -for us in urban areas the risk is more about having high percentages of the work force quarantined for two weeks en masse.

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    3. I don't blame him nor you - living in a huge city would be scary. I always clean my carts at the store and use wipes and sanitizer just to KEEP MYSELF somewhat healthy. You have no way of knowing what is on anything (the thought is truly nauseating) it is not just germs!
      Stay safe and healthy my friend. Do what keeps you that way. Just don't panic!

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    4. I just saw your latest post on the alcohol soaked rags - what a great idea! I'm going to start keeping them in my bag. Thanks for the tip!

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    5. Glad it will help. Sure is an easy fix and makes you feel safer!

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  14. We afe retired and could quarantine ourselves in our house for several weeks if necessary. Just have to have our snack at home, and be sure we had some milk in the freezer. Great column!

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    1. Thank you. Glad to hear you could do it too. It is amazing what we could do without or improvise.

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  15. Well said Cheryl! We are seeing the same thing here in Australia with people rushing out to buy toilet paper, face masks, etc. I think the media have a lot to answer for. They encourage people to panic by scaremongering and constantly reporting doom and gloom. I think "keep calm and carry on" is a good way to approach life at the moment. Best wishes to you.

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    1. Thank you! I guess it is every where. It is really sad. I know people may think I am crazy - but I truly believe there is an agenda going on.
      Absolutely - keep calm and move forward!
      Have a great day.

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  16. Cheryl, While you may be right in leaving it up to God and having faith, my mind rests easier when I have that extra case of water, tp, gallon of bleach, clorox wipes, etc.

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    1. I totally understand that. My whole point was to always be prepared for anything at all times - not just in a panic crisis time.
      That is why we all prepare for LIFE happening. Make life comfortable and as healthy as possible while here - then rely on God.
      Blessings

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  17. How sensible you are. You really have a lot of good advice. we need to be prepared for anything that could come at us. It's no good panicking as you say. we should always be washing our hands, keeping a small stock of food and water, medicines on hand because all sorts of things can stop us getting out to buy.we need to think ahead all the time, not just go into panic mode. and we need to be kind and calm as you say. i enjoy your writing and am impressed how you have handled the loss of your husband. You are an inspiration.

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    1. Thank you. Common sense is what the world needs more of.
      I like to be prepared for anything and then I have no worries.
      You are too kind. I have had a tough time this past year - but my faith has gotten me through.
      God bless

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  18. Hi Cheryl

    I took a break from blog reading, social media, etc... Sometimes it's a good thing.

    I do a large stock up twice a year. This month I was able to do a big stock up. Of course, now everyone is stocking up so I am getting "Those" looks. In my area there is really not a run on things.

    I do admit I am scared. I am one with a compromised immune system. I was one of the first patients to get H1N1. I am not joking about that. My DH works construction and the team he was working with at the time were from that area of Mexico. One of the guys on the team got it. I ended up getting it. Nobody else did. I almost died from it. Still to this day I have a lot of health issues over it. The man I got it from did die.

    I do admit grabbing lots of extra things this stock up so I can stay in and be safe. Also with the panic buying and the economy wobbling I know DH's profession will get hit first. It always does. I know when he's not working we have the things to keep us financially from not going under.

    I did not buy ten million hand sanitizers, lol. I bought two. One for my purse and one for the house because I actually bought it to do an alcohol ink technique I learned. The other things were normal. Honestly what is going on with this hand sanitizer thing? Don't people realize it dries out your hand and you can get more germs and be more susceptible. I know there is a need for hand sanitizers but that is a common sense need. Hand sanitizer is not going to save you during a pandemic. Trust me I almost died in one and I am clean freak. I still got sick.

    Thank you for not saying you are going to mention it over and over again. I have been slowly getting back to reading blogs. I have been avoiding blogs that keep bringing it up. We need to prep, not panic. We need to work as a community to stop this because it can be contained and pushed back till we get a vaccine. This most important we need to educate, not influence or inform. Education about these things.

    Most important be kind to those who do get this. They are not lepers. I was treated like a leper when it came out I had H1N1. I needed love and kindness. I received bigotry and fear.

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    1. We should be prepping all the time for anything! INDEED
      When a crisis hits people panic and make a lot of bad decisions - this the stock market!!!!!
      Keep steady, be cautious, be prepared, stay in when possible, and keep things clean! I mean, did most people NOT wash their hands before - because they sound like is a new found thing!
      Crazy.
      Stay healthy my friend!!!

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  19. I think you are so right about this...about the news hyping stuff...it makes me wonder what they are wanting us to miss. I do find it sort of scaring me, then I think back to Ebola alone.

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    1. They do try to take make us scared I think it keeps our mind off politics and all the nuts in the squirrel house!!!!!!
      I will be ready - but I am ready for most things.
      Just keep stock up for any reason. HUGS

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