The Power of Negativity

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Jan C. Johnson

Recently I studied Proverbs 18:21* and got to thinking…

Everyone knows that a positive attitude can bring positive changes, boost your success, and improve your relationships with colleagues, family, and friends. But do you realize that a negative attitude is just as powerful?

Mmm-hmm. Sure is.

This topic is especially relevant now, since our culture seems to be generating a huge supply of negativity. It just spews out willy-nilly. No one seems to give it a thought.

You might say our negativity is all stressed up with no place to go.

Let’s look at some of the powerful things negativity can accomplish!

1. Got almost-perfect weather? Try complaining about the one thing you’d like to adjust. Like, the temperature should be two degrees warmer (cooler), or you’d prefer a little more (less) wind. Your complaints can turn “almost perfect” into “lousy.”

2. Let’s say some stranger on the highway changes lanes in front of you, cutting it a bit close, but doesn’t so much as touch your car. You could take a breath and say, “No harm, no foul,” but where’s the satisfaction in that? You’d display much more power if you lean on your horn, shake your fist (or some variation thereof), and cuss out the offender. Congratulations! You’ve gone from ruining zero people’s day, to ruining your own and someone else’s. See how this increases your output? Sooo efficient.

3. Is your mate pretty dang wonderful, but has a few quirks or flaws? Why express appreciation for the good qualities and exercise patience with the shortcomings? Instead, you can grumble about every little thing. Not only does this crush your mate’s spirit, but at the same time you can set off a defensiveness showdown that makes both of you feel isolated!

As near as I can figure, living in ALL CAPS, ALL THE TIME makes a huge impact on your life. People will sit up and take notice of you, all righty. And that’s worth a little high blood pressure and a few broken relationships…… isn’t it?

Thanks for reading,
Jan

* “Death and life are in the power of the tongue. . . ” Proverbs 18:21, New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Posted in A Page From My Journal, Near As I Can Figure... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Rainy Day Fun

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Jan C. Johnson

Ah, spring in Washington State. Majestic mountain views, blossoming trees, and heavily overcast skies putting forth a nearly nonstop drizzle. Oh, sure, sometimes the sun comes out. But by the time you can say, “It’s sunny! Let’s go for a walk,” find everyone’s shoes, and get jackets on, poof! the clouds are back.

I’ve been visiting my son and his family there. Aside from watching videos until their eyes glaze over, what are two active preschoolers to do on a rainy day?

I’m glad you asked.

Their mommy and I have a few tricks up our sleeves. Like hanging out at Barnes & Noble (I actually did buy a book!)

And making a batch of baking-soda dough, then fizzing it up with vinegar.

There’s the play area at the mall…

Writers gotta write!

Meanwhile, artists gotta, um, “art.”

Ah, a nice vacant sofa to sit on…

… or not!

I hope you’re having a sunny day, regardless of the weather.
Thanks for reading,
Jan

Posted in I Remember When... (my OWN stories) | 4 Comments

Send Me Packing

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Jan C. Johnson

As I maaaay have mentioned once or twice (or eighty times, but who’s counting?), I recently traveled with a group of friends to Liberia, West Africa. This carefully choreographed undertaking involved months of preparation and a packing list as long as my arm.

“Don’t overpack,” our leader Andy said, “but take everything you might need because lots of things aren’t available where we’re going.” For instance, we took toilet paper to use during our stay at the BESTWA headquarters. More seriously, each participant had to get a prescription and bring a full course of antibiotics. That way if any of us got sick or an injury became infected, we wouldn’t die.

Andy also advised keeping a change of clothes and other essentials in our carryons, just in case of lost or delayed luggage. We put photocopies of our passports in every piece of luggage and split the donated supplies we were bringing for the BESTWA staff between two or more bags.

Without quite realizing it, I was operating in crisis mode.

Two weeks after our return, I packed for a trip to visit our son and his family in the Olympia, Washington area.

In my efforts to streamline, I wanted to bring only my laptop bag as a carryon. The bag has extra room because I now use a tablet as my travel “computer,” but I nearly went crazy trying to fit in my retainers, my prescription, spare clothes, emergency this and essential that…

Then it dawned on me that I’d never been this stressed over previous trips to Washington.

(Ponders why…)

“Hey Brent,” I said to my longsuffering husband, “the airlines never lose our luggage, do they?”

“Nope.”

“And even if they did, I could pick up a few things at Target, couldn’t I?”

“Sure.”

“Oh.” (Starts pulling non-flight-required items from bag, stowing them in a Ziplock, and stashing it in the suitcase.)

“You’ll be fine,” Brent assured me.

And that’s how Brent helped me stop freaking out over a simple domestic flight.

Your turn: Do you ever overthink a routine event? Succumb to crisis mentality? Make things way harder than they need to be? I’d love to hear about it! You’re welcome to comment in the “Leave a Reply” box below.

Thanks for reading,
Jan

Posted in I Remember When... (my OWN stories) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Liberia Report: From War to Peace

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Jan C. Johnson

Chillin’ at the Peace Cafe

 

Benjamin Somah walked into Monrovia’s Peace Cafe, where our freshly arrived team sat with a few local contacts, enjoying some coffee and Internet time. Our friends knew this local craftsman, so we checked out his artwork.

 

We already knew that Liberia’s fourteen-year civil war had deeply wounded the nation, affecting every area of life. Among the general population, the PTSD rate is estimated at 70 percent. When Benjamin showed us the fistful of empty rifle shells he pulled from his pocket, I wondered just how emotionally scarred he might be.

From war…..

But then he opened his backpack to show us what he does with these shells. Traditional Liberian figures, crosses, Nativity pieces, and even a chess set–Benjamin had redeemed the grim reminders of war, turning them into artistic symbols of peace.

…. to peace

Thanks for reading,
Jan

Posted in Everybody Has a Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Liberia Report: Cooking

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Jan C. Johnson

The foundation of BESTWA’s ministry is feeding children. The Liberian people have so many needs besides, but the need for food is universal, immediate, and ongoing.

While visiting Buchanan, we learned quite a bit about how our resourceful friends manage, in conditions we thought primitive, to produce some pretty yummy meals.

First, to cook rice you gotta have water. Simple, right? Not here. This neighborhood water well is about a block from the cooking pavilion.

Of course, when the bucket was full,
Patience carried it back on her head.

Cooking over charcoal? Sure, we can pour some Kingsford briquets into the Weber, throw in some starter fluid and a lit match, and let’er rip. But the folks at the feeding sites light chunks of actual pre-burnt wood in a square basin, then park the giant aluminum cooking tub right on the burning coals.

That stuff is palm oil, veggies, and clams, simmered with
a bundle of fragrant palmetto leaves. Delicious!

Once the food is cooked, the ladies set up an assembly line to prepare and serve each dish of food. My new friend Nancy starts the process by dishing up an ample serving of rice.

“Dynamite comes in little boxes,” they say, and these tiny peppers sure were explosive! Back at the headquarters, Evelyn, BESTWA’s Liberian Assistant Field Director, made some tongue-searing salsa for the staff banquet.

A little of Evelyn’s salsa goes a long way!

Speaking of the banquet, here’s my dinner. So glad I thought to take a photo of this fresh fish before I devoured the rest of it.

I’m also glad I got a piece that didn’t include the head / eyes.

I hope I’ve whetted your appetite for learning more about West Africa.

Thanks for reading,
Jan

Posted in Everybody Has a Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Liberia Report: Contrasts

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Jan C. Johnson

During our stay in Buchanan, Liberia, one thing that struck me was the variety of contrasts we saw.

Old and Young: At the Old Folks Home, we visited with dozens of aged people, several with physical handicaps. But a number of children also live there, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of the elderly residents. Like their elders, these kids have no other family to care for them.

I thought this cool hand bike / wagon was a toy. But I learned this boy cannot walk.
The wagon actually serves as a wheelchair.

High Tech meets Old School:

Here I am with Martha Gibson, the lady I told you about who cares for orphans at her home.

 

This is Martha’s daughter, also named Martha (known as “Martha Jr.”) She was clearing brush with a machete out behind the orphanage during our visit, and stopped to take a call on her cell phone.

New Life… or Not:
Possibly our most heart wrenching visit was to the Government Hospital in Buchanan. The hospital serves three counties, roughly a quarter million people. It is currently staffed by a team of dedicated nurses… and one doctor.

Here in the maternity ward we brought little hats (handmade and provided by sweet ladies in Texas) and prayed over the babies and their moms. I don’t know why this dear mother seemed so listless… maybe we white people just made her uneasy.

Praying for provision and strength for this mom and her precious, healthy little girl

Woefully under-equipped, the staff can do little to help people. This woman’s preborn baby had died. In the US, she would have received immediate treatment. Sadly, all she could do was wait in the hospital to deliver spontaneously.

Liberia is a country of resourceful and intelligent people, but the nation has deep, urgent needs. I hope you’ll consider joining BESTWA in alleviating what suffering we can.

Thanks for reading,
Jan

Posted in Everybody Has a Story | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment