Hobby Happiness

 

I have very fond memories of participating in the childhood of my nephew. I witnessed many of his “firsts”-first crawl, teeth, steps and words. His first and favorite sentence was “Is everybody happy?” This question would always make me smile. After a few months of hearing the question from him, my smiles turned to meditating on that question. Am I happy? 

 Happiness is defined as a combination of how satisfied we are with our life and how good we feel on a day-to-day basis. We have the ability to control how we feel. We can form life-long habits for a more satisfying and fulfilling life. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 reminds us that happiness and service are a gift of God. The word states: 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. (NIV) 

This wisdom guided me to ask another question – “What makes us happy?” Buying stuff, status, wealth, popularity, the refrigerator, the medicine cabinet — all have failed to get the job done. Research suggests that what really works, though, is a passion or a hobby – a time to play. January is National Hobby Month. 

A hobby is an activity or interest pursued outside of our regular occupation for pleasure. Hobbies are a great source of relaxation. They can reduce anxiety and increase concentration. A hobby can add eight hours of joy, gratification and contentment to your week. 

For example, businesswoman Lisa Brown is a perfect example. A dinner and salsa dancing demonstration at a Latin restaurant inspired her to take dance lessons at the age of 40. As her mastery grew, she was competing in numerous dance categories and found something that ignited her entire being. “It’s changed me totally,” she says. “Salsa has given me a great gift. I went to the office, had a great family to care for, but dancing shifted my spirits and direction in such an amazing way. I feel 20 years younger.” One of my sparks came from a recommendation from my physical therapist to practice yoga. Therapy turned into a passion to achieve an advanced certification to teach this ancient mind body system. 

So how do you get your hands on this happiness pill? Select an activity that interests you or has value. Try different activities and see what connects. Meditating on this question expanded my life. Over the years, the answers for me have included traveling to 34 states and provinces in North America, exploring the continents of Africa, South America and Europe, African dance, drumming, gardening, singing, crocheting, sewing, coin collecting, painting, weightlifting, basketball, volleyball, creating jobs, advocating for a living wage, writing a book, producing a radio show, teaching African American history, mentoring women…I am sure you get my drift. I continue to explore this question during my quiet time with God. Use your imagination - the possibilities are endless. 

 These hobbies re-introduced me to myself, long forgotten under a pile of duty and obligation. They reacquaint us with the enthused, eager soul we used to be and give us a reason to be that person as often as we can each day. Celebrate your favorite hobby this month. Host a hobby party with friends. Research different hobbies with your children and select a new one to try. Hobby happiness is the truth. Have fun because the Bible tells us so!

Source: explore.chicagocollections.org;  http://collections.carli.illinois.edu:80/cdm/ref/collection/uic_7sh/id/3198

Year In Review: Just Be Thankful

Just be thankful for what you got

William DeVaught

Wow! 2023 was an amazing year for our organization and the people we serve each day. Thank you, friends, for your support in helping us achieve the following:

 

Impact

1325    

People Served and Counseled

238

Acres and Homes Preserved 

$94,000     

Volunteer Hours Value

300% Increase

Donations and Grants

200% Increase

People Practicing Mind Body Stress Reduction Health Techniques

200% Increase

Resident Housing Placements

In the News  

Press Release - UTM Agriculture Department issued a press release on May 15, 2023, about the service they provided to the Benton County Moore farm;

Television - a documentary titled “Uprooted: The History of Black Land Ownership” that aired on PBS affiliate Nashville Public Television on April 24, 2023;

Radio - a panel discussion titled “The traditions and challenges of being a Black farmer in Tennessee” on National Public Radio affiliate WPLN on April 18, 2023, radionwtn;

Newspaper - articles in Camden Chronicle “UTM Students Study Modern Uses for Moore Century Farm", issue May 25, 2023”; “Public Television features Benton County Century Farm” issue April 27, 2023 and “Century Farms” issue Vol 127, No.41, October 14, 2018; on WBBJ-TV.com issue May 15, 2023, “UT Martin students help local farm owner with study”; “Tennessee Historical Commission Unveils New Historical Marker in Holladay”, June 15, 2023; 

Magazine - article in Benton County Genealogical Society Quarterly, “The Moore Family Century Farm” issue Vol.25, No.1, March 2023.

Social Media – Blog - Listed in Urbannite Juneteenth Directory, radionwtn.com, troytn.gov, parispi.net,  

Facebook posts through TN Historical Commission, TN Forestry Association, Forest Foundation Association, TN Civil War National Heritage Area, Hip Camden, TN Agriculture Museum, WBBJ-TV.com, Benton County Camden Chamber of Commerce, Parkers Crossroads Visitor Center, TN Century Farms Program, UT-TSU Extension Benton, MTSU Center for Historical Preservation, Historic Downtown Selmer Today, Anders Moore Family Group, Nashville Public Television; 

Twitter -This Is Nashville, Nashville Public Television; 

Linked-in – Dell Corporation, American Forest Foundation, USDA Forestry Division; 

Instagram – TN Forestry Association, Crime Seen Examiner News.

Celebrate Come On: We Are Still Here!

 

During the pandemic, we have experienced many divine moments.  We responded to our neighbors through delivered meals, cards, emails, calls, texts, visits, prayers, hugs, tears, and laughter.  We survived race riots, insurrection, a challenging election cycle, social distancing, masking, and isolation. We felt emotions of joy, anger, sadness, gladness, regret, guilt, frustration, envy, and delight.  As we reflect on the joyful and less than joyful historic moments, I just want you to remember the alms received by your family. For our diligence we receive love, comfort, covering and favor.

A Remedy for 6 January 2021

Many people have asked me how to respond to the actions of January 6, 2021.  I offer the following actions for your consideration as we Love the Most High - Love neighbor - Love Self:

1. Practice self-care. Sleep, rest, water, fruits, vegetables, lean and/or no meat; movement, kind gentle thoughts, nature, identify and/or avoid triggers.

2. Practice spiritual disciplines. Meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, celebration. 

3. Read and take action from this book - When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck de Groat

4. Reflect and act on John Wesley's 22 Questions for Self Examination - Discipleship Ministries | Everyday Disciples: John Wesley's 22… (umcdiscipleship.org)

We Love You

Be Authentic

We invigorate our energy when we express ourselves. Your unfiltered story will free you to be an authentic person. Sharing your story builds trust, overcomes skepticism, prompts action, converts, attracts interest, inspires and lights the way for those walking a similar path.  Authentic people are able to identify feeling states such as hope, gratitude, joy and love when out of the storms of life while resolving fear, worry and tension in the storms of life.

Everlasting Love

Research on what makes a marriage work shows that people in a good marriage have completed these psychological "tasks":

Separate emotionally from the family you grew up in; not to the point of estrangement, but enough so that your identity is separate from that of your parents and siblings.

·        Build togetherness based on a shared intimacy and identity, while at the same time set boundaries to protect each partner's autonomy.

·        Establish a rich and pleasurable sexual relationship and protect it from the intrusions of the workplace and family obligations.

·        For couples with children, embrace the daunting roles of parenthood and absorb the impact of a baby's entrance into the marriage. Learn to continue the work of protecting the privacy of you and your spouse as a couple.

·        Confront and master the inevitable crises of life.

·        Maintain the strength of the marital bond in the face of adversity. The marriage should be a safe haven in which partners are able to express their differences, anger and conflict.

·        Use humor and laughter to keep things in perspective and to avoid boredom and isolation.

·        Nurture and comfort each other, satisfying each partner's needs for dependency and offering continuing encouragement and support.

·        Keep alive the early romantic, idealized images of falling in love, while facing the sober realities of the changes wrought by time.                                                                                           Resource: Judith Wallerstein, "The Good Marriage"

Joy to the World

When was the last time you smiled our laughed?  Research tells us that smiling and laughing release feel good chemicals that reduce our pain, protect our heart and relax our muscles. I dare you - laugh out loud and feel better.