HaShem is here, HaShem is there HaShem is truly everywhere plus some ideas

Dearest Friends, 
Im just thinking in the early morning that the sounds of birds chirping is such a wonderful sound in these days. Nature continues, amid rain storms and strong winds the birds still awaken at dawn to sing praises to HaShem. And this morning there are no buses rumbling through their minyan. (I didn’t check if they are maintaining a distance but it always sounds like it). 

I was asked to explain some of the Tehillim. The lovely lady who asked said she can’t say it fast enough, and it’s hard not to understand what you are saying.  (okay, there went a bus-but one bird is still giving forth. Probably the choir master. ) 

First of all, Tehillim is not a how many can you say in 5 minutes sort of thing. It’s fine wine. You savor every word. I’m attaching a link to a wonderful site called Machon Mamre with the literal translation and the Hebrew. My version is a translation plus brief commentary, as included in the Tehillim Hamefurash תהלים המפורש. 

https://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2620.htm if you want to add the Hebrew, it's an easy copy and paste from here

Folding my laundry earlier this morning, I love early morning-the quiet calms my mind. Back in the day when my large family was young this was my favorite time of day. Even today empty nester that I am, I love this time of day. 
Anyhow I was thinking back to those literally pre internet days. We lived in Buffalo and would be isolated at home for days and sometimes weeks at a time. Of course I had a huge house which makes no end of difference, but we all tended to congregate in the same room anyhow. So following are some things we did then, which I hope will be helpful. 

Have a base plan for the day. Meaning it’s flexible, basic. As today’s world would put it, mindfulness. Be mindful of what is happening in the moment. Let the kids sleep later but have a wake up call for the sleepyheads. No shaming. Early birds joining you at 5:30 am? Enjoy the one on one quiet time. Work hard not to resent the crowding of your space. Have a kitchen closed time. People dress. Daven together if practical. If you have schoolwork now is the time to do it. Maybe big ones can help little ones. Once that is out of the way, I don’t have to tell you guys how to structure your days, but do structure them. Do have a dinner hour, which is possible now that we have flexibility in our schedules. Eat together. No phones, or out of family distractions. I’m so old we used to take the phone off the hook. Talk to each other, go around the table and ask what was the best thing that happened to you today. Anything positive counts even sleeping late. And have a bed time for each child but be sure to spend ten minutes with each child when they are going to sleep. You can both just be sitting with each other for older children, reading together. Younger kids love to babble or tell you their problems at this time. 



All of us no matter the age have to live in this moment in time. 
Mindfulness is a well known and promoted concept the last few years. This is a very helpful tool for these weeks. Be mindful that we are living history. Mindfulness is so much of a meaningful life. In his 3 minute video my husband will talk about bringing HaShem into our lives. Mindfulness is a lot of that. Keep a journal with the other people in your house, as well as a personal journal. Be mindful of the what you bring into your holy home to keep the day going smoothly. Have non zen soothing music playing in the background for yourself. Reach out by phone to family and friends. Laugh a lot. Belly laughs. Laugh with your life’s partner, and if you don’t have one, with a good friend. We do not usually spend so much time together. Relax and talk. Respect each other’s opinion. Listen. Share. Compromise. Allow yourself to have gratitude in your attitude toward the adult figures in your life. 

And keep talking to HaShem, about everything. Try to turn your apprehension whatever it’s about, over to HaShem. This is prayer.