Will Life Ever Be Normal, Again?

This is a photo of me in October 2008 crossing the River Shannon in the Republic of Ireland.

I had always dreamed of traveling the world, and I actually got the opportunity back in 2008 to travel. I fell in love with the beauty, history, and awe-inspiring landscape of the Republic of Ireland.

My father had told me that once upon a time way back in our family’s history our roots had been deep in that land. Due to tragedy, suffering and fate (or destiny) our family ended up in Georgia sometime in the early part of the 1800’s.

It had been an honor to step foot on that soil and remember those family stories, and to remember those songs my father and his brothers would sing that hearkened back to those Irish roots.

It has been almost four months since I have written on this blog.

The past year and a half has done little to give me comfort in this life. If anything, all the saturation of fear mongering, threats of disease and death, isolation, quarantines, lockdowns, muzzling with masks, and the prohibition against basic human contact and interaction has been psychologically damning.

While we are allegedly allowed to go forth now and resume our lives with permission from the befuddled, baffled, and incompetent puppet-masters who have in one fell swoop managed to essentially destroy peoples’ lives, many people find it very, very difficult to just flip the switch and carry on as if nothing happened.

Well, something extremely vile, evil, and degrading did happen. Our freedom was ripped from us. Our sense of safety was ripped from us. Helpless and fearful is what the entire world was reduced to.

Just a few weeks ago, I was accosted in the World Market. I had lowered my muzzle (I mean mask) so that I could speak to a hearing-impaired family member. A store employee shamed me, repeatedly told me that they could bring me whatever it is I wanted to buy. Truth is I just wanted to be a normal person and shop.

Normal? Honestly, I don’t feel like life will ever get back to normal.

Although the muzzle (mask) mandate has been lifted (not entirely) in my state, I still see people wearing two masks. I see small children wearing masks.

Normal?

I had wanted to travel to Paris for my birthday this year, but I’ve decided that I just don’t feel like traveling anymore.

I don’t feel like doing much of anything, honestly.

It’s taking me awhile to get back to writing. I am trying to get back to some semblance of normalcy.

With writing and the cancel culture ramped up in full gear, I have become hesitant to even write, to even express myself anymore.

No, I am afraid that the damage has already been done to this world.

I am usually an optimist, but over the past year and a half I have lost my complete faith in society. Freedom was ripped from us; hardly anyone said anything. Everyone just goose-stepped in line, put on the muzzle (mask), shut up, avoided family and loved ones. The unquestioning compliance was absolutely disturbing. Debate was shut down and censored. This leaves me with no trust in society any longer.

I am not even sure why I am sharing my thoughts. I guess I still feel the human need to connect with others out there.

All I’ve ever wanted to do was to be happy, to help others, and to write my novels, short stories, and poetry.

And travel.

But, I will never, ever cover my mouth with a muzzle again. I am a human being and I will never again let anyone tell me to wear a muzzle as if I am an animal to be silenced.. If wearing a muzzle on an aircraft, train, bus requires me to muzzle like an animal, then I guess I will just drive my car.

I will skip Europe and any other place.

Well, I’ve had my say.

This is how I feel and honestly I couldn’t care less if anyone agrees with me.

I am hurt by the fear, the anxiety, and the uncertainty the puppet-masters inflicted on me and the rest of the world in this past year and a half.

People are celebrating in some places and cheering the “return to normalcy.”

I do not believe we will ever return to normalcy.

The damage has been done.

I am trying to rebound from it.

Only my faith in Jesus Christ will get me through this.

Pray for me. I pray for us all.

Jenny W. Andrews Copyright 2021

Favorite Quote to Encourage

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength- Charles Spurgeon

In these anxious times, it is so essential for our mental health to remember that worrying and obsessing about what could possibly go wrong will only rob us of our strength.

It is best to focus on the here and now and on those things we can control for rather than imagining worst case scenarios.

Staying in the moment by slowing down to enjoy a sunrise and a cup of hot tea, staying in the moment by playing with a beloved pet, or staying in the moment by actually talking in person with a friend can be mentally healthy strategies for warding off apocalyptical thinking. Stay in the moment; refocus your fear into actionable tasks, such as talking and sharing your feelings with loved ones or enjoying an activity, such as walking or watching a comedy show.

Truth is that we can only do so much in this life. We cannot control for everything. Control those things that are within your power. The rest give to God and rest in his assurance of peace and comfort.

We are quickly approaching a new year and with it will come new challenges.

Rather than give into fear of the unknown, commit to trusting in God’s power to give you strength to face those challenges which may impact you.

In those weak places, God gives us strength.

Don’t give into anxiety. Just as Spurgeon said, anxiety robs you of your strength.

Be strong. Be courageous. Trust in God for all things. Be still in this moment and know that you are safe and God is in control.

Blessings to all.

Jenny W. Andrews copyright 2020

Edge of Summer

photo of tunnel
Photo by Johannes Rapprich on Pexels.com

Edge of Summer

Jasmine scented September morning,

heat lingers at the edge of summer’s dying.

Not defeated this clinging summer, sizzling, hanging on.

Refusal to quit.

At the bottom of my dark tunnel,

I struggle to glimpse the warmth waning like an ember dying.

 

Copyright Jenny W. Andrews 2019