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Self-Isolation

Raoul Pascual — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 15:49:05 +0000

Raoul’s 2 Cents

Cabin Fever

I think we are in week 5 of the Covid lockdown. People are processing things they would normally have no time to consider. People are getting into each other’s nerves. If you are beginning to have conversations with inanimate objects, you know what I mean.

I just recently got into a conversation about the inhumane condition that this government demands of its citizens. A friend’s Dad is in a locked down retirement facility but she wants to be physically present with her Dad to comfort him. She is even willing to get infected and die in the process. She is thinking of crashing the doors to get him. However, from the medical logistical point of view, If she gets sick, she will be stealing resources (man power, medications, ventilators, etc.) from innocent others.

I can understand that the government is still grappling with uncertainties. What is the nature of the “beast?” Does it spread through animals? Does it live longer on metal surfaces? Is it airborne? Do we have enough resources to win this war? If it really is that deadly and that contagious, should someone dictate what is good for you and the rest of society? Should we be forced to isolate? Should doctors and nurses care for the foolhardy victims? My daughter is a nurse who is going through very real trials due to the pandemic. Is it fair for us to squeeze even more out of her to care for people who choose to be sick?

This is just one of the topics that have sprung up. To be honest, I’m not sure where I stand on this one. But one thing I do know is we need to be sensitive to the other person. You may think you have the right answer but I think the better approach is to understand where the person is coming from. Why the need to talk about it? Perhaps it isn’t an answer he/she is seeking. Perhaps it is the need for someone to listen. I do not mean we should give up our convictions. Rather, I’m suggesting there will be other opportunities to engage … not when everyone’s nerves are already frayed. We don’t want to get out of our bunkers hating each other, do we?

Recently, a friend who works in an organization that helps the homeless asked me what I thought about their program. I told her that many programs merely exacerbate the problem with temporary relief rather than provide long term solutions. Later that night I couldn’t sleep because I gave her what she asked rather than give her what I now believe she needed. She needed someone to listen and thank her for all her hard work. I didn’t do that. I need to apologize.

Of course there are limitations. Sometimes, the best thing to do is just smile and walk away to your corner of the cabin. But this is just me.

Let’s keep our distance and keep our sanity and hold on to our faith. TGIF people!

Raoul

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” — Colossians 4: 5-6

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Mike of New York for sharing this joke.

Video: Sophie Sings Fly Me to the Moon

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA for sending this adorable 5 year old’s rendition of Sinatra’s classic tune.

Video: Dog Hugs

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for these heart warming clips of the love between dog and master.

Video: Grocery Shopping

Thanks to Naomi of N. Hollywood and Terry of Santa Monica, CA for this video. A great way to shop!

Video: Visita Iglesia

Thanks to Leo of Toronto for sharing his personal video of churches during his travels. Even the background music is from his own choir, the Madrigals of the University of the Philippines. I should have shared this last week but it’s better late than never.

Rodney’s Puns

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who sent this collection of puns. Sounds like this is original.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi of N. Hollywood, CA who sent this image:

Thanks to Cheryl of Arcadia, CA for this picture:

The post Self-Isolation appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Do You Have Salt?

Raoul Pascual — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 07:27:48 +0000

Raoul’s 2 Cents

Bah Humbug!

I was chatting with 2 friends this morning and I found out that they were modern-day Scrooges. They didn’t like the stress, the surprises, and especially the obligation to give gifts. I was disappointed that they didn’t see any joy in this festive season. But as the conversation unfolded the source of their bitterness was deep pain — a loss of a mother, a loss of a father, etc. How could I blame them? They could only see the fake commercial side of Christmas. I was reminded not to judge the Scrooges in my life but offer sweet patience and understanding because my friends shared the original tale of young Ebenezer Scrooge whose bitterness grew from a broken heart,

We live in a fallen world infested with fallen creatures. Since childhood, most of us are taught about truth, justice and love so bitterness understandably kicks in when our high expectations are dashed when “life” happens. Our traumas can easily transform us into little Scrooges.

The other night I was reading the scriptural verses in the book of Matthew pertaining to the birth of Christ. Three gifts were given to the Christ child by the wise men from the East: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Some scholars guess they came from the area in Iraq maybe even as far as China. Tradition has it that one of them was dark skinned. The statues and religious paintings depict him with African dark-skinned features but Africa is South not East of them. So I’m guessing he was more probably Indian because India also had a strong astrological science at that time. And it wasn’t three Kings but a three men of science who probably traveled with a whole entourage. And they arrived in Bethlehem where the child was born long after the actual birth. They followed a star. It could have been Halley’s comet but whatever it was it stopped right on top of the location of the child. And it wasn’t on the birth day they arrived but no more than two years after because the jealous King Herod ordered babies killed two years and below (read all of this in the book of Mathew).

There was a symbolism behind the three prominent gifts. Gold to acknowledge that he was to be king; Frankincense to acknowledge that he was God and fit to be worshiped; And then we have this strange fragrance used in funerals called Myrrh. I can just imagine Mary, the young mother, looking at the strange gifts: “You sure you got the right address? Thanks for the gold and the frankincense but this myrrh stuff … isn’t that for burying?” I’d like to think these majestic visitors came to visit Mary and Joseph at a low point in their early marriage to remind and encourage the young couple that they were living a prophecy. Apparently, even at his young age, Jesus’ mission to suffer on the cross was already predetermined. Jesus was to die for all of us including the Scrooges among us. If you think about it, Jesus was the ultimate bitter-sweet Christmas present. His birth was a fulfillment of a promise given since Adam and Eve … a gift of love from a father to his children … an unselfish gift to impact the whole human race.

This Christmas what’s at the top of your wish list? A tech gadget? A dress? A new car? How about a gold ring? How about accolades for being the king of your industry? How about a funeral package?

I wish the Scrooges among us could understand the magnitude of this gift packaged in a young child because this is a gift of grace that erases all bitterness. Only then will one experience the true joy of Christmas.

But this is just me.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for sharing this joke.

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Funny Video

Photo Bomber

Sent by Jackie of Whittier, CA

Parting Shot

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA who shared this:

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA who shared this:

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