Bill and I had a vegan dinner night this evening. He made chana masala and it was quite yummy. After I got home from work, we had dinner together outside on our porch. Charlie was barking, so he got his leash and had him join us. He is so sweet. His hair was getting quite long, so Bill gave him a haircut. Bill said that it was much more challenging than he had expected. He looks very cute now and his hair is so soft. Bill is going to take him to visit his mommy Dawn soon.
I chanted before I began writing tonight for about 15 minutes. I was chanting to fulfill my mission as a bodhisattva of the Earth. Everyone who is born has a mission to fulfill. I know that part of my mission is to give hope to individuals who struggle with mental illness. There is still so much stigma associated with it. I know that for many people talking about mental health issues is still taboo. It has gotten better though. One good thing that came about because of COVID is that seeking mental health help became mainstream. We were all struggling together from all over this planet with a worldwide pandemic. Fortunately, I didn’t lose anyone close to me because of the pandemic. I do recall that I was very fearful for my father. He has very bad asthma and must use a nebulizer often. Although my parents were both very careful, we were all afraid for him. We feared that if he did contract COVID, he might not make it.
My dad was able to evade COVID for several years. But unfortunately, I think it got to the point where everyone was going to get it sooner or later. My father was no exception to this. His good fortune was that when he did finally contract it, pax lovid was available. Even though he was able to take that medication, COVID still knocked him on his ass, and it took him a while to recover. I just felt so fortunate that my father could get COVID and survive. I do believe that he was protected because of my chanting nam myoho renge kyo. I chant for my family every day. I do believe that my practice has a positive impact on their lives.
Although something has been going on lately. It seems that a lot of my friends and family members are facing a lot of health challenges. It seems like it is all happening at once. Part of my prayer is for myself and all my loved ones everywhere to heal ourselves. Because I had breast cancer, I have been taking anastrozole for many years. Once in a while I do think about my breast cancer. Not often, I do have a fear that it might come back. Although, for the most part I don’t think about it.
I have been enjoying my time back at the Mental Health Peer Connection. I love doing outreach. I enjoy talking and interacting with people. I did outreach yesterday at the Frank E. Merriweather Library. It’s a wonderful library. It’s not too far from my house and they have parking. I went there a few times when I had more time on my hands when I was unemployed.
I have also recently started doing outreach at the Buffalo City Mission and Cornerstone Manor. They are homeless shelters for men and women respectively. Our services could be a great source of support for them. One of my coworkers said that many of them have ended up homeless because of addiction. I have never experienced homelessness myself, but I do know that anyone could experience it at some point in their lives. It could only take a serious costly health issue or a bout of unemployment to lead to it.
I am listening to soothing music as I write. Music is also important for my mental health. It’s another tool in my wellness toolbox. I will often listen to music as I am working. I work on my computer a lot and listening to music as I do so is very pleasant. Sometimes I will start my day by playing a “happy playlist.”
I woke up early today. I chanted for twenty minutes for one of my friends who is really struggling. I chanted sincerely for her happiness. I do chant for many people. I love chanting and I love chanting for people I care about. My practice has such a positive impact on my life. I am really looking forward to going to the Spanish Language Conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center this weekend. I know several people who are going, including my roommate. It is going to be amazing.