{"id":10491,"date":"2020-03-22T09:39:05","date_gmt":"2020-03-22T13:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=10491"},"modified":"2020-03-22T09:48:14","modified_gmt":"2020-03-22T13:48:14","slug":"cartwheels-in-the-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=10491","title":{"rendered":"cartwheels in the park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

And there she was\u2026 the young gal, maybe 19, 20\u2026 doing cartwheel after cartwheel in the afternoon sunshine in the park. As I was out for my daily walk (which is a little bit longer now since my local gym is closed),<\/em> it struck me\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it take to do cartwheels in the park?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excuse me. Allow me to reframe the question\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this crazy moment in our culture \u2014 unlike <\/em>any<\/em><\/strong> most of us have ever faced \u2014 what does it take to get through the time in a cautious yet still carefree way? \u2026 in a way in which we are prudent in ample precaution, yet don\u2019t fall prey to a paralyzing sense of worry and hysteria? \u2026 in this time of uncertainty \u2014 when there\u2019s a temptation to make the uncertain certain \u2014 what does it take to still do the cartwheel in the park?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No doubt the desire to minimize the pandemic\u2019s speed and spread will have crucial consequences. Our economy is currently crumbling; American production has been halted in multiple areas; and soon the job losses may be measured in millions. In addition to those who actually catch COVID-19, the longer this continues \u2014 prudent as the nationwide shutdown may be \u2014 the loss of income and employment will be devastating to many. Again, there is much uncertainty, of which it is impossible for us to make certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what can we do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(With all due respect to the sagacious Steven M. Covey)<\/em> Allow me to semi-humbly share what we\u2019ll refer to today as \u201cThe 7 Habits of Highly Hopeful People”\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Be educated but not obsessed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get the news. Watch the news. Maybe (even better)<\/em> read the news. But beware of the bias (as it\u2019s always there).<\/em> Know when to turn the TV off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Contemplate community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever considered the authentic value of community? Groups of people, coming together, caring for one another\u2026 How can we help? What can we do for one another? What can we share?\u2026<\/em> Differences do not matter. Community will always mean more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Keep the faith.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remember years ago, when my youngest son had to be moved to critical care because he could not breathe on his own. As the doctor shared the depth of the then-current, potentially dire diagnosis, I listened, asked questions for clarity, and remained calm. When the physician exited the room, one nurse remained, dumbfounded and shaking her head\u2026 \u201cI don\u2019t get it. I don\u2019t understand how you could stay so calm.\u201d
<\/em>I don\u2019t remember being a person of many words that day. I simply responded, \u201cThere\u2019s a reason I have the faith that I do. I\u2019m not going to give up on that now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Say your prayers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years I\u2019ve learned prayer is a bit of a two way street. That\u2019s probably why the Intramuralist isn\u2019t a fan of the \u201cthoughts & prayers\u201d memes in which the prayers part is crossed out. I get the frustration with inaction, but I\u2019d never want to be in a position in which I denied the power of prayer. Granted, sometimes it\u2019s easiest to deny what we don\u2019t understand. I suspect that prompts me to pray a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Omit the politics.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know this is not popular with the passionate, but there is a time for partisan pursuits, and that is not now. It only fuels denigration and disrespect; it can also fuel both denial and fear, and it possibly even slows solution. A wiser approach would be coming together for a common purpose \u2014 rooting for each of our leaders to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Recognize the beauty of rest.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remember hearing someone say years ago, \u201cIf Satan can\u2019t make us bad, he\u2019ll make us busy.\u201d Sometimes we\u2019re so busy, we miss the simple joys in life\u2026 the small touches, kind acts, quiet times, and time with family. I said it previously and I\u2019ll say it again: the wisest people I know have learned the unforced rhythms of rest. They intentionally stop or slow down, recognizing the rejuvenating gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And 7. Utilize leisure well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are those things you love to do but typically don\u2019t take the time to do? Maybe read a book. Play a game. Put together a puzzle or two. Write a letter. Take a bath. Binge watch \u201cThe Office.\u201d Call that old high school friend. Be intentional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Me?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else will I do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, I have a confession to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embarrassing as this is to at this life stage finally confess and publicly share, I have never<\/em> \u2014 and I do mean never<\/em> <\/strong>\u2014 been able to do a cartwheel. All growing up, I watched so many of my middle and high school friends \u2014 Amy, Andy, Kevin, Kristen, Jerry, Jill, Paula, Peggy, Steve and more \u2014 hop, leap, and seemingly jump circles all around me! But still\u2026 I could never <\/em>do a cartwheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe this week I\u2019ll try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

And there she was\u2026 the young gal, maybe 19, 20\u2026 doing cartwheel after cartwheel in the afternoon sunshine in the park. As I was out for my daily walk (which is a little bit longer now since my local gym is closed), it struck me\u2026 What does it take to do cartwheels in the park? … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “cartwheels in the park”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-event"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10491"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10500,"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10491\/revisions\/10500"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}