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Part 1: What do I say to my children?

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Many are well into celebrating Thanksgiving, while some are only hours away. As this is true for some, it is not true for most.

Today most of us sit, or will pair, around our dining room or kitchen tables with friends and family, and some alone, giving thanks for being alive, COVID-free, or winning the battle of the COVID infection. That deserves great thanks, as this year, 2021 and the year prior, has ascribed us to some of the biggest life challenges we’ll ever face and never saw coming. Being forced into isolation and quarantine has uprooted some deep-rooted mental and psychological issues. People worldwide have lost their homes, loved ones, jobs, and their only source of income. We have seen increased racial tensions and intentions and injustices. We have seen public figures diminish the definitions of humanity, equality, and solidarity. Over the past couple of years we have succumb to divided order, segregation, and refuting the tactics needed to take to get ahead of the spread of a deadly virus. Yet, we are on the verge of a third wave, and mandatory shutdowns.

I am a person who finds that pointing the finger serves the world a disservice. In fact, it will only make certain persons feel more validated, particularly in the case of wrongdoing, and when in essence that is absolutely not the case. I am a true believer, a humanistic believer, a who feels that we are all responsible for ourselves and well-being and should never look for anyone to make a determination of whether we should behave responsibly when it will result in saving lives, mainly your own and those close to you. This means, we should never tolerate situations, judge others negatively, or devalue or our personal beliefs to fit into social norms or to associate ourselves with a particular clique or clan.

The world has gone mad. Many have become stressed, depressed, and sad, still subjectifying or demystifying themselves to the taboo and stigmas associate with getting professional mental assistance, i.e., therapy or counseling. Most persons in the world who have common sense, who believe in social equality are frowned upon, but why. I don’t have the answer, but maybe its supplementary to certain individuals personal volitions or is based on being a nonbeliever, or lack of achiever. Trying to fit into the lifestyle of others that goes against their independent beliefs, while being espoused into those only to feel a sense of entitlement.

Wait, not to get off the topic of ThanksGiving, but today, a great deal of people assemble around dining tables with distant friends and family members, laughing, joking, and speaking out about how they’ve dealt with trying years, current situations, and how they, but not others, were able to pull together all of their resources for the purposes of survival, economically, mentally, emotional, while holding onto and embracing their spirituality. Some are afforded the ability to travel near or far. Some persons who did not have reserves to begin with, are the persons that are the ones suffering the most. No judgment, most of use are only one paycheck from being in the poorhouse. Yes, even middle-class persons who never thought in a million years that they would experience a sense of destitute have now come face-to-face with impecunious experiences. The entire situation is not their fault, as it is not the fault of anyone, well maybe it is, but that is beside the point. No one ever asked to be placed in tumultuous situations. If we were given the option, I am sure a hundred percent of the world would have checked or penciled in the NO or Opt out box. However, when circumstances are not optional and the boxes has been checked for us already, we have to live out these situations and pray and behave in ways in hope that that we will come out on the life side of the situation or this pandemic. 

Information and Communicative Technology and Socialization, and ThanksGiving

It is thanksgiving, and many people are still allowed to physically interact with loved ones without risking the transmission of the coronavirus or being asymptomatic. Well, at least most of us, those of us who are abiding by the social distancing and social gathering rules. Technology has been our best friends until now, whereby we have all become dependent on digitized information communicative technologies to socialize ourselves and communicate with others. However, some persons are not provided with the advantages of using digital technologies. In most cases, this is due to affordability issues, inaccessibility to robust broadband connections and other materials, or are uncomfortable in using innovative gizmos and gadgets. This is mainly true for older adults whose preferred method of communication is person-to-person. In using technology today for the purpose of communication and socialization, it may be a bit intimidating or overwhelming. Or it can be seemingly exciting, given that they have developed a certain level of comfortably and digital literacy.

Moreover, when older adults receive the necessary support or training from younger generations to assist them with their use, namely their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, or others, this can be an exceptional benefit to increased well-being and the reduction of senses of loneliness, boredom, and isolation.

Technology is everywhere. Everywhere you turn and look, people, mainly younger generations, are using technology to communicate. Yes, this is to even communicate with senior adults in their family or otherwise. If grandparents or older parents have technologies, such as smartphones or email or using social networking sites, family members can share and post daily activities and sent mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather a text message to say, “Happy Thanksgiving.” This is true even for great-grands as people to have longer lifespans.

FaceTime has probably being used in 2021 more than it has ever been. Just this year, I had no idea of what Microsoft Teams were until a few of my doctoral learner colleagues and I started to regularly connect as a way to motivate one another. We have started to use this tool to stay focused and overcome stressors and mental strains associated with life and the doctoral iterative processes.  It has been an outlet to speak about life in general.

ICTs and socially-oriented technologies (SOTs)have become our best friends, but for some, their worst enemy. Most of the tech-savvy persons, mainly young generations and some older adults, those educated, have the capacity to implement workarounds or fix small glitches, while others are not, making them want to toss their phones or computers out of the window. 

Still Thankful Even in the Midst of the now 2021 COVID Pandemic – Upcoming Third Wave

What I am thankful for today and for the rest of my life is being healthy and happy. This year alone has shifted my thinking to be more optimistic and to have a positive outlook on life. I have become more humble and have started to choose my affiliations, and lack thereof, more carefully. I have decided that only if you can add benefit to my life will I engage; otherwise, it will be time wasted. I have decided that I will give back. I will speak up and give voice to the voiceless, overlooked, and underserved. Today, and from here on out, I will challenge myself to be better and to do better. Life is worth living, as it does not matter what you have or what you can get. It is more about being in a happy place and space that starts with you.

I am extremely grateful for the new people that have come into my life for the good, mainly those from an academic standpoint and those who have provided me with the opportunity to become a better me, professionally, personally, and academically. I no longer care about materialistic things and have decided that what I have, big or small, I will make do. I give kudos to the naysayers, the negative prayers, and the haters who have only added fuel to my fires, thus causing my rocket to reach unbeknownst heights. Other things that I am personally thankful for are:

• My children
• My husband
• My immediate friends and family
• My mental and physical health, even when it vetoes.
• Life challenges and complexities that make me a stronger and better individual.
• Technologies and social media outlets. Just imagine the world had there not been ICTs or SOTs. This has been the primary communication source for those infected with COVID and their death beds, who had to say their last goodbyes to their loved ones.
• I am thankful for mental health professionals, as there has been a dramatic increase in mental health cases in 2021 alone. This is for those who have sought help or refused treatment due to the stigma associated with mental health treatments.
• I am thankful for prayer. A lot of people have turned to the graces of God as a way to fight this pandemic. People who have not prayed or said thank you in a long time will open their mouths and hearts to give thanks to the heavens above.
• I am thankful for others’ kindness and giving back to communities, the known and the unknown.
• I am thankful for life’s happiness, love, joy, respect, and positive environments and energy.
• I am thankful for making this far in 2021 and will continue to pray that I make it past 2021, as we know, most of us will not.

A SPECIAL THANKS!!!

I wish to give a special thanks to all essential workers and those who have put themselves at risk and stood on the frontlines to protect others. Thank you to all persons in the medical, legal, and food industries and others that ensure people are getting proper care, necessities, and nourishment. I especially want to thank those who have gone above and beyond for making sure that no one went hungry for thanksgiving and all of the days before, as well as those to come. This is especially true as millions of people are jobless, which has led to homelessness and shortages of food for themselves and their families.

LET’S NOT FORGET ABOUT OUR SENIORS AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Paying attention to those persons most vulnerable is essential. It is undoubtedly that the world continues to age, and more people are living longer these days. People with existing medical conditions make them more susceptible to contract the covid virus, whereas consequences could be deadly. That does not mean that they should be ignored. They should be embraced.  When it comes to enjoying thanksgiving, there may be opportunities where social distancing is not possible. So, even you feel that it’s mandatory to spend time with vulnerable populations, the best thing is to be mindful and eliminating any chance that they could be exposed to the coronavirus, given that you have been, are affected, or is asymptomatic, not knowing that you are positive. Millions of people have traveled, and medical professionals are anticipating an increase in positive tests and deaths. But, looking at the situation as a whole, is a turkey dinner or stuffing to die for? Whatever your decision, be grateful, be thankful, and nevertheless, be blessed.

The Blood of Jesus

COURAGE

EMOTIONAL SURVIVAL – this does not equate to emotional intelligence

POWER

PHYSICAL SURVIVAL – this does not equate to physically fit

PASSION

The Powers of Hell

ANGER

COWARDNESS

VIOLENCE

AGGRESSION

DANGER

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, THE COLOR OR RED IS SIGNIFICANT TO:

In sum. The significance of red is either related to:

The Bloods of Jesus

or

The Fires of Hell

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

WHEN YOU WEAR RED, WHAT OR WHO ARE YOU REPRESENTING

WHEN YOU SEE RED, WHAT OR WHO ARE YOU REPRESENTING

On a personal note. Red is one of my favorite colors. I love how it is a significant accent to any room and how it complements any outfit, fashion, or couture.

Red for me has really encouraged me to become a better me. I see the positive sides of red and make every attempt to avoid the negative aspects associated with the color red.

When I see red, I want to see the blood of Jesus, never wishing to see the fires of hell, even though life pitches several curveballs.

I love red because, I love everything I do, otherwise I don’t do it, it’s subliminal.

I love all persons around me and those I associate myself with, otherwise, I don’t bother, and feel as though it’s a waste of my time or effort, and maybe even yours.

RED.

Relational toxicity is about you being in a relationship and not having any direction of which way to go in life and lacking the necessary self-assurance and self-worth, and self-actualization.

Being in a self-isolating and self-manipulating relationship is one of the worst types of relationships that one could ever experience. In particular, when you have developed an anti-escapism attitude or mindset. 

You may feel as though you do not have the mental capability to escape relational toxicity, which is mentally draining and can significantly lead to increased bouts of anxiety, stress, and depression. 

Too often, we are the persons that get in the way of ourselves, feeling dazed and confused.

Too often, we are a result of our own diminished self-worth. 

Too often, we are the person that is holding us back from achieving a particular goal, completing specific tasks, or reaching our fullest potential that yields the process of us becoming self-authenticated or individualized.

Too often, we try to blame others when we face shortcomings or life challenges resulting in setbacks. However, when examining the reality, it has been you sitting on your hands, having two left feet, allowing your blessings to pass you by, or digging ourselves in deeper holes without a rope, ladder, or lifeline. 

Too many times, we look to others to save us from ourselves. 

But when are you going to start saving yourself? 

We, as humans, fail. 

We, as humans, fall to victimization instead of succumbing to the realization that we are your own master of your universe. You are in the driver’s seat. You are responsible for your own life, no one else.

Let me ask you a question.

If you could trust anyone in the world, a physical being, to be a narrator of your life, who would it be?

Be mindful that you are an option in these limitless or limited possibilities. 

It’s comical that so many people try to instill in you that life is worth living, but how is that acceptable when the person or persons telling you that they have yet to live.

Instead, they live vicariously through other people, not having experienced their true self or knowing what they want out of life or how to get there. 

So, can these persons really tell you how you should live or maneuver your way through life when they lack direction themselves?

Probably not.

Maneuvering through life is more than being in toxic or even healthy relationships. 

Successfully maneuvering through life is all about self-purification. This means getting rid of all the toxins in your body, inside and out. 

Yes, this means working from the inside out. 

You have to be mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally ready inside. 

This way, you can develop the mental strength to move external factors that are toxic without guilt.

Life is about living. 

Life is about inevitably coming into contact with toxic individuals. 

But life is all about you knowing how and having the strength to remove yourself from those situations.

Life is about believing in yourself and a higher power, or otherwise. 

It’s a fact that different spiritualities and religious believers believe that their God is distinct, and one has more power than the others. It does not matter. The only thing that matters is that you accept and stand in your faith and truth. 

When you stand with your feet planted firmly in your truth and belief, all toxic relationships that you are in will start to wither away. 

Righteous pathways will be set before you. 

Unlocked and opened doors and windows will be presented to you. 

Relational detoxification is about you removing specific individuals from your life so that you can become self-assured and self-actualized.

Overcoming self-isolating and self-manipulating relationships are about shifting your mindset to escape or free yourself from those situations.

Developing that mental capability to escape relational toxicity is about cognitive intelligence and psychological and emotional strength.   

Let no one be a cognitive proprietor that results in you having increased bouts of anxiety, stress, and depression. 

Stop feeling dazed and confused and find yourself.

Find your self-worth and embrace it. 

Stop holding yourself back and set realistic, measurable, and achievable goals. 

Complete specific tasks, never letting anything go undone, especially if it aids in your becoming a better you. 

Reach for the stars. 

Engage in activities that will assist you in reaching your fullest potential, those that foster self-authenticated or individualized.

Toxic relationships are not the fault of the persons you are with or the persons you are around. 

Toxic relationships are a two-way street. For it to end, one person must dismiss themselves or leave the situation. 

Let that person be you.

WHERE WILL MY NEXT ADVENTURE TAKE ME?

INQUIRING MINDS WANNA KNOW.

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ANGELA