Like many of you, I'm also struggling to keep up with this thread. I got up extra early yesterday morning to catch up before going to work, but didn't quite make it, and ended up working a longer day than I expected so that by the time I got home, I was still about 26 pages behind! But that's ok, I'm home today so I should be caught up by this evening. In the meantime, I would like to say a few things now.
As far as what's going on where I live, which is in the interior of British Columbia, things are pretty well the same as everywhere else. All the small businesses are closing down, all pubs, restaurants, coffee shops etc, all closed. Most places that remain open, mostly supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations are still open of course and they're now starting to refuse cash. I don't see much panic yet though, but then again I'm not really 'out there'. I'm a self employed mason, and I work by myself, so the only people I really come in contact with are other tradesmen. None of them seem all that concerned about the 'virus'... yet. But I'm pretty sure that's going to change soon, as more restrictions are being imposed every day.
As many of you are saying, the whole thing seems so surreal. It's like living in a sci-phi movie. But I have faith in the process. If anything, this 'event' is really helping me get stronger. And because of this thread, I'm feeling so much more 'connected' to you all, like I'm beginning to 'vibrate' in sync with all of you. I have no fear. I think a lot of it has to do with now understanding, and having, the faith OF Christ. One big lesson that I've been 'learning' in the last several months is to live with no anticipation. What a great way to live! Especially in these 'interesting times'. Being self employed in construction, I've always struggled with finances. I often had to go weeks, sometimes months, without work. When I did have the work, I could make a fair amount of money in a short time, but by that time I was so far behind financially that most of the money went to paying over due bills, and buying things that I really didn't 'need'. That has changed. Several months ago, in desperation, knowing that I couldn't continue living this way because I knew that I was dangerously close to losing out on what I desired the most in this life, which is to be a real and active 'member' of this group, I decided to 'ask'. I asked my 'higher self', which I've always believed, really believed, that is 'there', to help me. I asked with out asking for anything specific. And I asked with 'faith'. Since then, I have been working steadily, making just enough money to pay the bills and to buy the things that are 'needed' to continue on. The work just seems to be coming at just the right times, and often from sources that I never expected. Just one example: About a month ago, I had just finished a job. I had just finished cleaning the site, and the truck loaded with tools and equipment. At that point, I had another job lined up but it was still 2 weeks away, so I didn't have any work for at least 2 weeks. As I'm leaving the site, walking towards the truck to go home, some guy is standing on the sidewalk looking at the building I was working on. As I walked past him, he asked me if per chance I had done the brick work on the building to which I replied that yes I did. He said that he had just built a new house just a few blocks away and wanted to know if I was interested in doing the stone work on the front of the house. The next day, I had the job, and it was a good paying job. It took 2 weeks to do.
It's not just with the work aspect that I'm trying to live without anticipation. It's with everything. And because of that, I'm finding that, to my amazement, that I have no fear... anymore.
Over the years, I have often neglected to support the work monetarily. I'm ashamed of that. A few months ago, I decided that every time I get paid for a job, I would give a portion of it to support the work, of which I'm so grateful for. It's now become something I actually look forward to, even getting excited about it, getting paid for something I had to work for, and giving a portion of it to help support the 'work'. Laura has asked recently if we could give a set amount on a regular basis so that it could make it easier to 'budget'. That certainly makes a lot of sense to me. At first I thought that that might not work for me because I never really know how much money I will make in any given month. But, having 'faith in the process', I've decided that I will set an amount that I'm pretty sure that I can commit to, and if I make more than expected, I can always give extra on a 'one time basis'.
About having a question for the C's, I do have a question but it would still have to be 'refined', and I think that some have brought this question up in one form or another already. It has to do with communication among the group. I don't think the internet will ever completely shut down. The PTB need the internet, and rely on the internet for their propaganda. But, of course, they could certainly place restrictions that would make it impossible for this forum to continue. So my question is along the lines of 'what could we do now to prepare for an eventual disruption with the internet where we could no longer communicate online, how could we then communicate and stay united?'
I'm learning to know what it means to 'sit back and watch the show'. As our beloved savior said: 'Be true to your nature and fear nothing'.
Let's get the show on the road!
