​ 
Sunday Musings – May 31, 2020
Risk to hope; hope to risk
 
On May 28, 2020 the On Being podcast with host Krista Tippett rebroadcast the May 30, 2019 conversation with the lyric poet Gregory Orr.  The podcast is entitled “Shaping Grief with Language.”  Mr. Orr says, “And we just navigate our lives with this kind of interplay of disorder and order. And what poetry says to us is, turn your confusion, turn your world into words. Take it outside yourself into language.  Poetry says, I’m going to meet you halfway.  You just bring me your chaos.  I’ll bring you all sorts of ordering principles.”
 
Later in the same conversation he posits, “Risk is our existential condition.”  I was thinking about the fact that often I am hesitant to put words to paper for fear that I might not like or not be comfortable with what my words reveal.   When I sit down to write it does not matter what I think I am going to write. Even if I begin with a thesis statement and am determined to follow the “rules” for ensuring that each sentence is closely related to or supports the thesis, the words soon take on a life of their own revealing to me what I was hesitant to “know” but already knew. 
 
The succinctness of poetry especially challenges one to face truths which may feel very risky to face.  Yet, I also know that without risk there is no journey.   Risk is the fuel of this human journey.  Hope both propels me to take that risk and provides the direction for that risk.  Without hope there is only aimless reaction.  Without hope there is no intent to risk.  There is only the explosion of action   As I write, in many places in the United States rage over the ongoing genocide of those who appear to fit into the box of black or African American has erupted into what many officials are terming simple lawlessness “attacking civil society and installing fear.” (Governor Walz).   Yet the form of this rage is neither simple nor lawlessness.   To call it lawlessness is to miss the point.  These eruptions do not begin with hope and are not guided by hope.  These eruptions say:  “This is more grief than we can bear. We have asked, begged, pleaded and appealed to the sense of sacred which you promise.  Instead of sacred you give us the profane time and time again.”
 
When we fail to understand that the current eruptions are not about risk or hope; When we fail to understand the core fear of those who use the threat of violence to end social distancing and closings; When we fail to understand that logic, hope and risk are not prime movers in the rancorous movement to “Make America Great Again”, we have avoided writing the words which will form the succinct poem which will risk the truth which will, in the end, free us.
 
It is, I believe, true that “The Truth will make us free.”   The truth, however, is often uncomfortable.  When we risk the truth of our poem we risk being uncomfortable.   It is, however, in the center of that discomfort that we can find and embrace hope – direction. 
 
Taking risk is frightening.   Not taking risks is taking a bigger risk and, thus, more frightening.    We must  allow the words to reveal the truth.  We must allow hope to emerge from that truth.  Avoiding risk cannot be one of the choices.
 
Written May 31, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
 

​Virtual hugs
 
In these days during which Covid-19 seems to dictate so many of our actions  and non-actions, many of us have been restricted to virtual hugs. Of course, we all knew pandemics have visited humans many times during our relatively brief history .  There was never any reason for any of us to assume that we would necessarily be able to live out our life dance without the visit of another pandemic and, yet,  most of us were not prepared for 100,000 plus deaths in this country alone, face masks, social distancing, fights over toilet paper and sanitizing wipes, sudden economic collapse, no restaurant eating, or no live cultural or sporting events.  In fact  most of us are not prepared to let go of the illusion of permanence which last longer than this moment.
 
Zoom meetings or gatherings, virtual hugs, stimulus checks and  the kindness of neighbors and other family members carried  and continues to carries us from moment to moment until soon 70 + days have passed and the virus has settled into our homes as a permanent uninvited co-resident.
 
Often, against medical advice, many areas have begun to reopen to a new normal of virtual hugs, social distancing, restaurant workers with masks, and tables set far apart.  Many are finding it impossible to maintain social distance and are risking the health of all  they encounter and the health of all who encounter who they encountered and …..   
 
A few of us, on the surface, will not have to sacrifice much.   We will be able to pay rent, keep all the utilities on, buy and prepare food and some will even purchase a new 65 inch television.  Day to day we will suffer few hardships unless, of course, we or another member of our household  are visited by the virus or another unwelcome guest.    Family and other friends will continue to also die of “natural causes.   Funerals for those will be “private” and perhaps even then devoid of encircling arms.   
 
Some of us are not used to or comfortable with physical touch outside of professional handshaking or scheduled love making with our spouse/partner.  Virtual, unspoken or unnamed hugs are just fine thank you very much.    Some of us, however, are accustomed to touch which insists on the sharing of the depths of our griefs and our joys.   We thrive on being connected with our own emotions as well as those of others.  We are not practiced at touching without touching.
 
There are moments when  the  loss of the opportunity to touch or be touched seems so painful that I secretly wish I was one who had never risked touching or allowed myself to touch and yet, why else live except to welcome the joy and grief of touching and letting go; touching and letting go; touching and letting go.
 
We may, for now, have to settle for virtual touch but we can all open our hearts and experience what it is to return ourselves to ourselves which as Ram Dass said allow us to return to the profound joy of walking each other home.
 
Written May 29, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
 
 
 

​I don’t know what I don’t know
 
For whatever reason early this morning before I had exercised, listened to any podcasts or read anything, I was thinking  what if I could begin each day with a completely open mind.  What if I could non-judgmentally accept the possibility that everything I think I know may be wrong or inaccurate.
 
A little later I was listening to a recent Fresh Air podcast with host Terry  Gross entitled  “Deep Breaths: How Breathing Affects Sleep, Anxiety, and Resilience “ and her guest, James Nestor author of Breath:  The New Science of a Lost Art.
 
Every yoga teacher, Tai Chi teacher, dance teacher and Buddhist teacher I have ever had stressed paying attention to the breath.  I have been taught the value of deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and attending to the energy one is breathing in and out.   Nearly all the clients with/for whom I work are recipients of my belief in the value of breathing.
Several of the ancient books of The Tao deals with breath.   
 
I thought I had some respect for the breath and, yet, listening to James Nestor I found that I know nothing about breathing.  Although one of my current Tai Chi instructors stresses one can breathe through  the nose and not the mouth, he does not explain why that is important.   Various teachers  have taught me such techniques as alternative nostril breathing but I do not recall anyone explaining that the body naturally alternates between nostrils . When one is breathing through the right nostril circulation speeds up  which affects a number of other body functions and when one is breathing through he left nostril all slows down.  I also learned that the nose filters breath and triggers certain hormones, affects heart rate and even menstrual cycles.   There are erectile tissues in the nasal passages which affect erective tissues in the genitals and vice versa.   Certain sleep issues perhaps can be treated with a simple small taping of the mouth to help force breathing through the nose. (a very small piece of surgical tape) and for some effectively reduce or stop snoring- even reduce sleep apnea for some.
 
 
Many readers will find the Fresh Air podcast and Mr. Nestor’s book very illuminating  and may give one some suggestions for talking with one’s physician.   I will listen to the podcast again and I have ordered M. Nestor’s book.  My approach to health care and breathing will be a more central part of my work for/with clients. 
 
Most important, I need to daily remind myself that I don’t know what I do not know.   Although I read a lot,  listen to many podcasts, attend lectures when possible, listen to Ted Talks, complete many correspondence courses and try to practice listening I still do not know what I do not know.  I am tempted to say that I know nothing although that is not entirely true.  Despite knowing I do not know I often make  statements with such an  air of profundity (arrogance)  that one might assume that I know even when I know that I do not know.   I might even convince myself that I “know”.  Thinking that I know also affects my hearing.  When I “know” something there is no reason to listen to what others are telling me.  I might be arrogant enough to assume that age, gender, political affiliation, religious affiliation and a host of other associations should dictate my willingness to listen.
 
The 12 step program of recovery which is used my many addicts seeking recovery stresses the HOW of the program – Honesty, Open Mindedness, and Willingness. It is my desire to be more honest in facing my inflated ego, more open to learning and more willing to be uncomfortable with not knowing.
 
Written May 28, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​Interdependence versus independence
 
From a sociological perspective I am fascinated by the fact that many in the United States ((possibly also in other countries) are convinced that they have the right to risk getting infected with covid-19 even if this mean that they will die.   Some go so far as to  assert that their family has the same right.  Even significant numbers of unrelated people assert their right to resume the old normal, not wear a mask and not maintain social distance or other safely protocols.  Some of these very same individuals, families and groups of people maintain that if they get sick and die that is there right.  This thinking seems to me to be flawed in the following respects:
 

• One can be infected, asymptomatic for some time and still infect others.
•  Many do not believe that parents or guardians have the right to make these decisions for children and others,

 
It seems as if those advocating for this “right” are frequently the same individuals who believe that abortion is always wrong because they believe that person exist from the moment of conception.  They may also believe that homosexual love is wrong and somehow affects them.
 
It would seem that many of us humans simultaneously believe:
 

• One’s behavior  does not affect others and is no one’s business.
• One’ s behavior affects others and is the business of others

The closest one comes to not directly affecting others is if one is living  by themselves in a very isolated  place – a hermit like life - and only has interaction with animals living in the wild.  Yet, even then the actions of that person does affect the ecology long term, however minimally in the short run.
 
I recall when living in Southeast Alaska many families arrived from “down under” and built a home in a very remote location so that they would live independently.   Yet, they used the services  a teacher who guided them in homeschooling their children, bought some supplies from others and when a family member became sick expected the coast guard to respond when they needed to transport the sick family to a medical facility.  It was not possible to ignore the fact that medical help was available.    I cannot recall, but I suspect that a short wave radio or other piece of equipment manufactured outside their enclave  was used to communicate with the coast guard.
Obviously, in order for the medical service to be available a group of people had to make the facilities a manifest reality.
 
I am not herein attempting to address the more scientific debate about whether long term the society, as a whole, benefits more from shelter in place or from staying with the old normal.  One has to consider the effects of shelter in place on the economic system and on the availability of essentials such as food, housing, and medical care. Very reasonable, non-self-serving people are engaging in that debate.
 
Wanting to return to the relative freedom and safely of the old normal is understandable.  Restrictions on nearly every aspect of life is a nuisance at best.  On the other hand, making decisions based on the reality that our behavior is seldom, if ever, in complete isolation  - affects only us and no one else- is what social beings do.  We are social beings who live within systems which are part of larger systems.   We are, of necessity, interdependent.  Pretending otherwise does not serve the reality of individuals or society
 
Written May 26, 2020
Jimmy F. Pickett, LPC, AAADC
coachpickett.org
 
 

​Embracing but not glorifying our ancestors
 
Today in the United States is the day set aside to honor those who died while serving in the United States military.   The tradition began following the civil war and was then known as Decoration Day.   In 1971 Memorial Day became an official federal holiday. 
 
When I was a child families began preparing for Decoration Day days or even weeks prior to the event by making decorations for the graves of all family members including those who died who served while in the military.  Food also had to be prepared and packed for the elaborate picnic feast that was shared following the cleaning up of graves, straightening headstones, and perhaps saying a prayer as one put fresh flowers or other decorations on or by the graves.  I do not recall anyone bringing what I now know as purchased grave blankets
 
Often, while at the cemetery,  many would have conversations with the spirit of the deceased person expressing how much they appreciated and loved them.  These conversations were not restricted to the fallen military family members but often extended to all who were symbolically resting there.  
 
Obviously, no one actually thought the spirit of the person was in the grave but, perhaps, many believed the spirits gathered at the cemetery just for Memorial/Decoration Day.   While sharing the picnic feast family member also shared their favorite stories about the deceased.   Often parents of those who died while serving in the military shared happy memories of when their children “were young and innocent”.   Many of my ancestors on my father side of the family are buried in that small cemetery as are the ashes of our mother.   Fortunately, I do not have to visit the cemetery to call upon the spirits of those ancestors today sitting as I am nearly a 1000 miles away.  Some with whom I spent time I can conjure up and place in the several empty chairs on my large covered porch.  Some I can conjure up from photos and stories shared with me.   Many I just know are with me via the DNA I carry every place I go. (If I just had that new iPad Pro I could use photos to place them in all my porch chairs!)
 
I often write about the Grandma Fannie lessons I carry with me.  They are like open books in my mind which also contain the wisdom of my parents and wise mentors such as Aunt Pleasie and Uncle Harold.
 
What I do not recall from those Independence Days at Sunrise Cemetery are any conversations with the deceased about what we should learn from their experiences:  Why didn’t the war to end all wars ends all wars? What did we have in common with the soldiers we killed or who killed us?  How can we teach our children to find the best in each other?  Does the world look better to you from the distance of time or are we making the same mistakes?  Why can’t we adults follow the advice of our parents and learn to share our “toys”?  Is war inevitable? 
 
There are millions of questions I need to ask my ancestors; we need to ask our ancestors.   Is it true, as I believe,  each of us (barring illness which prevents a shared reality) contains a best self  that wants to come out and work together to create a more just, loving, less angry and less judgmental world?
 
I am told that the most traumatic experience in war reveals “the enemy” to be partner, father, mother, lover, or otherwise just like us; in realizing that in killing each other we kill a part of ourselves. 
 
On this Memorial Day my prayer is to embrace my ancestors without glorifying their decisions and mistakes; to honor and hold close the best of my ancestors and allow their best to be alive in me; to forgive myself for all the times I have failed to be my best self: to give thanks to all the youth including my wonderful nephews, nieces and son who do their best to teach this elder.
 
Written May 25, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett, LPC, AADC

​ Moral Philosophy
 
I grew up learning that the word moral largely referenced the ten commandments issued by a very jealous and punishing god.  Yet I also grew up with the teachings of that Jesus fellow who is reported to have given us the Beatitudes which are sometimes compared to Psalm l:1-6 although I hear them very differently.
 
When I started or restarted my college career at the University of Maryland I was introduced to the study of moral philosophy and psychology,   From Plato to Immanuel Kant to Soren Kierkegaard to Bertram Russell and a host of others I was invited to rethink the purpose of this brief life journey of us humans. In my first graduate school experience I would be invited by the poet and philosopher Walter Kaufman to join 11 other graduate students to explore the concept of justice.  On weekends during this time I was invited to join others in prayers at Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C.  We were praying that the then leaders of these United states might question what it meant to make a moral decision with regards to our involvement in Vietnam.  We were also concerned about the moral price of investments which benefited some at the cost of oppressing others.
 
If I google moral philosophers I get an initial list of 48 only two of which are women.   Jacqueline Novogratz is not listed as a moral philosopher but her recent book Toward a Moral Revolution and her work to use financial systems to serve a moral purpose other than making profit certainly qualifies her as a moral philosopher.  (Many other women have left a legacy of moral philosophy even if they are not listed as such.)
 
Ms. Novofgratz was the guest of Krista Tippett host of On Being podcast on May 21, 2020.   I urge the reader of this blog to listen to this podcast.
 
Ms. Novogratz suggests that the golden rule could be “Give more to the world than you take from it.”   She was influenced by the nun teacher who suggested to the class to take to heart the reminder “To whom much is given much is expected.”
 
Once again, on this Friday morning. I am challenged to consider what it means to be human.  What is the purpose of this life journey?  This automatically leads to the question of who is sacred/worthwhile.   Is it true that all men (and women) are created equal?  What is my responsibility as a  result of my privileged position?  Does my privileged position indicate the amount in my bank account, the fact that I am physically abled, the fact that I have a job I enjoy, or the fact that I have wise spiritual teachers?
 
A friend of mine has a friend who was grateful to stand in line in the hot sun for a $40.00 check for his aged mother.   Two other friends purchase houses which they rent out to others for a very low amount and then find lots of other ways to give of their money, time, and energy to others in the community.   Another friend is in the process of purchasing a house outside his condo association so that he can provide individuals with a felon history and have little money a safe, comfortable home.   Ms. Novogratz  talks about an organization which has made it possible for 100 million people to have electricity.  Friends of mine in two local businesses hire people who need a second chance or a third chance.
 
Economic systems are not moral or immoral. They are tools.   A shovel is a tool.  If I am using a shove hide an unkind deed it is not serving a moral purpose. If I am using that same shovel to plant a garden to help feed my family and others it is serving a moral purpose.    Ms. Novogratz suggests that we could switch from thinking of ourselves as consumers to thinking of  ourselves as citizens; from thinking of profit as a motive to serving humanity as a motive or purpose
 
I am convinced that if we invite students starting at a very young age to be moral philosophers – to ask the really important questions – we will invite a moral revolution which in turn will lead to honest, open discussions of how we work to help all of us leave more than we take; which will decrease depression, drug abuse, and create spiritual giants to replace people who feel and live as unimportant, invisible beings. 
 
Written May 22, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
 
 

Moral philosophy – Ethical decision making
 
Philosophes, theologians and in more recent history psychologists, psychiatrist and medical researchers have attempted to explain how and why we humans behave as we do.  Those responsible for branding and marketing products are also very interested in what motivates humans to behave in various situations. 
 
Shankar Vedantam the host of the podcast Hidden Brain on May 18, 2020 explores some aspect of this issue with Sam Bowles, a behavioral economist and author of The Moral Economy; Why Good Incentives Are No Substitutes for Good Citizens.  I urge the reader of this blog to regularly listen to Hidden Brain.
 
In this country policy makers seem to believe that humans are fundamentally bad.   Many believe if one catches and punishes people who break the laws then not only the law breaker but other citizens will be motivated to not break the law.   At every government level an enormous amount of money is spent attempting to catch and punish the law breaker. The laws are based upon beliefs about morality, personal property and personal rights.  Thus it is illegal to murder another person, take the property of another person or engage in a behavior which otherwise infringes on the rights on others.  There are also laws designed to punish behavior which some in the community find personally offensive.    
 
Questions about motivation and the relative effectiveness of attempts to limit or control behavior are very relevant.   We also need to know from a scientific perspective if all the money being spent on identifying and prosecuting  those who do not behave in a way which is consistent with the laws is well spent.
 
Sam Bowles designed an experiment with his children.  His children consistently helped with household chores.   Since they frequently wanted toys, clothing or other items which cost money he decided  (with them) to pay them  for performing household tasks.   They began to only do tasks if they wanted money for some items.  They did fewer household tasks than previously.   Mr. Bowels thinks that his was because the systems had switched from moral or ethical one to a cost benefit one.   Many other more scientifically designed experiments validate his theory.
 
Current research seems to show parts of the brain process cost benefit equations and other parts process ethical ones. Cost benefit equations are not necessarily based on what is best for the community.  When Mr. Bowles children felt as if they were doing chores as a part of a family they willingly did them.   When they were doing them  merely to earn money to purchase something they wanted they only did them if the benefit outweigh the physical cost of labor.
 
Treating individuals as outlaws/bad people/criminal does not makes them feel an important member of the community or a member of the community at all.   Their decisions on how to respond is likely to be based on the same cost benefit equation as was used to punish them. 
 
It would seem axiomatic that if we want individuals to act as part of a community and to behave in a way which enhances the life of all in the community we might want to explore ways to making them believe and feel they are part of  the larger community.  This may be true in the family and at the local, community, state, national and international level.
 
Whether in response to covid-19, addiction, or other behavior which is not healthy for the individual or larger community it may  be important to use what we are learning from scientific research.    Basing  decisions on feelings or poorly validated economic theories might not bring about the results which ensure the community can survive and thrive.
 
Written May 21, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
 

​Enrolling in common goals
 
When I was a child Grandma Fannie had a set of encyclopedias as well as numerous other books.  Many young people may not be familiar with the encyclopedia.  They were a multi volume book set which attempted to do what google does for most of us today; provide access to a wide assortment of information..  if one was lucky enough to own a set of encyclopedias one got periodic updates which were helpful but after a time one had a large stack of updates to look through every time one was  looking up information.  Grandma Fannie and Grandpa Ed were not wealthy.   Many in their limited income did not feel able to afford encyclopedias but one of Grandma Fannie’s clear goals was learning.
 
We are no longer dependent on a set of encyclopedias or the multiple books I owned as a younger man.   Today, there is google, Ted Talks, Podcast, You Tube, Wikipedia, email correspondence, public libraries with a host of resources, magazines, and telephone access to many resources.    As long as one has access to the internet one has access to more information than Grandma Fannie and her contemporaries could have dreamed of.   Of course, just as with encyclopedias, not all the information is accurate.  One still has to search out multiple resources, consider the background and credentials of the source and decide how much validity to give to each source.    If one’s goal is to find material which agrees with one’s  point of view  then one can easily do that.
 
One of my pocket guru’s is Seth Godin.    Daily I receive his brief blog in my email in box and periodically I can also access his podcast.   His current podcast on his Akimbo podcast is “Difficult Conversations”. His very simple and helpful advice regarding difficult conversations is to ensure that all those with whom one must have a difficult conversation are enrolled in a common goal.  If the goal is not the  same for everyone or everyone has not enrolled in a common goal, then the  conversations are going to be very difficult.
 
Part of the difficulty in n many situations is that either the goal is not clear or there are multiple goals.  If, for example, the primary goal is to make as much money as possible in the shortest possible time, the quality of the product may not be very important.  Another possible  goal is to offer a quality product which will improve the quality of the buyer’s life while also practicing sound business practices.   Those are two very different goals.   Often the mission of an organization states one goal while the practices or policies of the organization suggests a different and often conflicting goal.
 
If the stated mission or goal of an organization or venture does not match what Set Godin is terming the enrollment of all involved then there are going to be many difficult conversations.
If the enrollment in a common goal is 100% then there may be debates about how to achieve that goal but the debates should not be uncomfortable or demeaning to anyone. 
 
Clear, honest goals in one’s personal, work and community life are very important.  Making sure everyone is on the same page – is enrolled in the same goal – may  be  time consuming in the short term but will save a lot of time, energy and heart ache in the long run.
 
Our current political climate is fraught with mistrust, anger, and fear because there has not been widespread enrollment in common goals.   “Make America Great” is a very nebulous goal which has a significantly different meaning for many citizens of the United States. 
 
There are also very different goals regarding the response to Covid-19.   If the majority cannot agree on common goals and enroll the majority of the United States citizens in these goals than there are going to continue to be many difficult conversation or non-conversations consisting of hurdling sound bites at each other. If there are not common  or shared goals all the information available will not be helpful.
 
Written May 20, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
 
 
 

Common Sense
 
A friend of mine messaged me recently  suggesting, “Let’s enjoy life and use common sense to stay safe.”  
 
Merriam – Webster defines common sense as “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.”  It would seem “common sense” to use “common sense” in all our judgements and decisions.  Yet, what seems to be sound and prudent judgment to me may not seem so to others.  My friend who made the suggestion about using common sense was referring to his perception or understanding of a healthy relationship to Covid-19 which is responsible for a pandemic.  In his mind:
 

• We don’t know all the ways it may be transmitted.
• We don’t know how it began to take over a significant part of the world. Did it began with animals?
• We don’t know if humans can be infected more than once.
• We don’t know how long one might be a carrier of the virus.
• We don’t know why some get very ill and  many do not.
• We have no idea what percentage of people are already infected in the United states.
• We do not have effective treatments for many who are infected.
• Wide spread testing for the virus and for the antibody is not available.
• Economic hardships for many are acutely real and may be responsible for the financial destruction of individuals and companies but if all has to be closed down again even more will be adversely affected.
• Health insurance in this country is often tied to  one’s job and if no health insurance more people reluctance to get care but putting people back to work just for health insurance when that is also increasing chances of getting ill makes no economic or moral sense.

 
Obviously, those who are advocating and/or violently demanding the lifting of all restrictions  believe that they are also exercising common sense and would argue:
 

• Individuals in this country have the decide for themselves what risks to take.
• Shutting down everything is not stopping a large number of people from dying.
• Politicians and medical people are exaggerating the danger because of their own agendas
• Dying from starvation and/or losing homes because of not being able to work to feed one’s family and maintain health insurance is not preferable to the small chance of getting infected and becoming seriously ill.
• Relatively few who are infected get seriously and even fewer die.
• There are physicians who support reopening as quickly as possible.
• We also know there are a number of people who not believe the virus was ever as dangerous and wide spread as the media/fake news reported.

 
Common sense – a review of the understanding or perception of the situation with Covid-19 would seem to dictate:
 

• We not let emotions dictate decisions.
• We, as a community, accept responsibility for helping each other economically, practically and emotionally through this time.
• We take the concerns of all the members of the community seriously.
• We take responsibility for the potential fallout from our community decisions.
• We support efforts to get scientific answers to the transmission,  risk factors, best treatment protocols, and prevention options.
• We  make decisions which consider the needs of health care professionals, support staff, and all those who are keeping essential goods and services available.
• We think long term and not short term.
• We seriously commit to universal health care.

 
Common sense does not seem to dictate:
 

• The needs or desires of politicians to get reelected.
• Individuals “rights” supersede collective rights. 
• The loudest  and most vocal or demanding voice be  the decision maker.

 
Written May 19, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 

Sunday Musings – May 17, 2020
 
 
Although in courts in the United States one might swear or promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,  truth is almost always formulated from the perspective of the narrator.  As narrators we have an objective and must, therefore, tailor the truth to serve the objective.   Often this objective is hidden from our consciousness.   We may, for example tell ourselves that our objective is to tell the whole truth but convince ourselves that certain details are not relevant.  in testifying in a court of law each side will attempt to elicit a truth which is favorable to their side of the case.
 
Since the arrival of the visit of covid-19 many around the world have been “sheltering  in place” with access to only essential services such as food (for some and not for others), gas, utilities, internet, cable television, limited medical care, office supply stores and depending on where one lived, certain other services such as building and home supply stores.   Restaurants, malls, movie theaters, department stores, bars, beauty shops/barber, and a host of other non-essential businesses have been closed.   One could still order on line from many businesses or a few would allow one to order ahead and pick up items from a service  person outside an establishment. 
 
Many have been off work or working from home.   Home closets and dressers have been emptied of  much of their belongings.
Attics basements and garages have gladly given up many of the treasures.   Some of us did shop at home supply stores such as Lowe’s for material to complete home projects such as new flooring or a new coat of paint.  Some of us resumed returned to making bread and more elaborate meals while some took advantage of take out services.
 
Many of us have been reexamining what is essential.  Obviously,  for those of us that continued to have an income, all the basics of food, basic clothing, housing, utilities and apps such as Zoom which along with phones allows us to stay in close touch with others, it was relatively easy to use the time to reassess what is essential in this very brief life journey.    Often, we found that although we missed seeing friends face of face – sans masks - cultural events, visiting the library or book stores, and gyms, if truth be told,  we did not miss all the non-essential services which are such a core part of the economy.  For many of us, if we were honest, we found we had too much stuff already.  Some of us also found that what we most missed about the gym, churches and other gathering places was the strong sense of community.  The rest was just fluff.  Even well-rounded exercise was not dependent on the expensive and elaborate gym equipment for most of us.
 
Perhaps if we are honest we find that although we are concerned for and about those without jobs or the means to take of their families, we have created an economic system which is dependent on unsatisfying jobs creating products which marketing people convince us we need.   Our stuff then requires larger houses and/or storage facilities, insurance, and a host of industries which would not be needed if we had time to breathe and enjoy loving and taking care of each other.
 
Perhaps the visit of Covid-19 could be a time to explore what brings us long term contentment; what honors what is best about who we are as humans.
 
Spiritual growth offers the opportunity to be honest about what our day-to-day actions say about what we consider valuable.    No matter what we say, perhaps our closets, basements, garages, attics and even our kitchen pantries tell us what we consider important. 
 
Honestly is an essential practice of spiritual growth. It is a never-ending process which requires what the theologian Soren Kierkegaard described as a leap of faith.
 
Written May 17, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
 
 
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