Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . Courage is not lack of fear, but facing the challenge despite the fear. “Why the halfling?” Lady Galadriel asks. “I don't know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid and he gives me courage,” Gandalf replies. Stuck at home due to the Coronavirus, my husband and I needed an epic film series to divert our attention. What better than J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ? As we began  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey , I recalled Tolkien wrote these books during World War II, a time of great fear, suffering, and death. The very woes we face in this pandemic. The tale begins when the wizard Gandalf hosts a battle summit in Bilbo’s home—without the hobbit’s consent. The dwarfs ar...

Welcome to Real Life . Coronavirus has us disinfecting every surface. But maybe we need to clean below the surface. The key to spring cleaning is to be ruthless!  Throw out anything and everything you never use.  (Or that may be incriminating. Burn, if necessary.)  –Josie Brown [1] Spring is awakening! On a recent Saturday, glorious sun rays burst through my window shattering the gray, dreary spell of winter. The sunshine warmed and delighted me. But it also illuminated the dirt and dust that hides on cloudy days. I was suddenly overcome by an urge to spring clean. (This happens rarely. So, when it hits, I go with it.) Later, the nightly news declared, “Spring cleaning is good for our mental health!” When our houses are less cluttered, clean, and organized we feel better, less stressed, and less depressed. [2] I was living the truth of it. My house was clean. My heart was happy! Spring is awakening! With it, comes Lent. Traditionally, this is a...