Fixing a hole

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Sunday morning was blessed. I could scarcely believe the difference.

I had been scaring myself lately when I checked at the end of the day to see how much time I had spent looking at my “smart” phone. Alarmingly, I had one day last week with more than six hours staring at the thing and another day with more than four hours.

Clearly I needed to fix the hole where the rain gets in and keeps my mind a-wandering where it will go. I started seeing the ways I was letting my “smart” phone control me, such as counting my steps in the ongoing effort to get my weight down to a more manageable level. I would feel bereft if I went for a walk and forgot the device, because I wouldn’t get “credit” for the steps. It occurred to me that in my younger days I had measured my progress by counting the number of laps I ran at a YMCA track that was 1/24th of a mile around. We were able to measure progress in the dark ages before “smart” phones were born.

I have decided to start putting quotes around the word “smart” phone, because it really is a device that does the opposite of making us smart. We are made stupid, anxious and angry when we pick that thing up and stare all day at that tiny television screen, the fount of knowledge that separates us from reality. 

“Look up from the screen and see what’s happening, w.p.,” I said to myself. “Smell a rose. Write a poem. Get back in touch with who you are.” 

Looking in from the outside, I saw a sedentary lump who stares at screens, big and little, for up to 10 of the precious 16 hours I am given each day. Time, time, time, see what’s become of me; I should be looking around for my possibilities. No — rather, I should start seizing the opportunities every day offers me. 

I cried out for help: “Lord, I am addicted to the electronic light, help me start to use the electronics as a tool, not my master. After all, I only pick up my hammer when I need to hammer something, not all the time randomly all day. Let me pick up my writing tools when I need to write, not to see if I got any more Likes or wondering what might be on TV tonight because I don’t feel like working again.”

And so, Sunday morning I left the laptop and the phone in the charger during all the time before I left for church, and surprise! I gave myself extra time to practice for the service (I play guitar in the worship team), vacuum the dogs’ play area, and water the tomato plants, in addition to getting dressed.

With the screens kept off, I was able to be more intentional with the day. The real test is coming as I type this — turning on my tools only to do the work, will I be able to maintain self-control and stare at the screen only long enough to to maintain my website, do the routine clerical work for my part-time job, and work on my next books?

I liked this morning and this version of myself. I honestly felt more in touch with myself than usual, more attentive to the people and happenings around me. I hope and I pray that I end up liking the day. Will Aug. 2, 2026, turn out to be the day that the real w.p. bluhm finally came home to stay?

Again I say rejoice

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This is the day the Lord has made — that in itself is reason to be glad, so rejoice!

Another day to love your loved ones. Another day to create the best version of yourself. Another day to find room for the important stuff. Be glad!

You will find that a smile will be returned, a kind word will be accepted with kindness, and a joyful word — well, the recipient may respond with a skeptical smile, but even the least joyful soul will be moved just a little bit towards joy. In the darkness it’s hard to find a little joy, but when one encounters a joyful soul, a little joy just may rub off; it’s almost inevitable.

So rejoice! Again, I say rejoice!

“Oh, but I am old, and all my joints ache.” Rejoice for a good long life and yet another day to pursue happiness.

“Oh, but I am young, and my prospects are so dim.” Rejoice for all the opportunities you have to choose — Look here! Look there! You’ll find them. 

That pursuit of happiness thing: Remember those words — God gave you the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, rights that are certain and inalienable. “Oh, but I can’t do that, it’s not allowed for someone like me.” Says who? The only limit to your freedom is you can’t mess with someone else’s freedom.

And so, live! Be free! Pursue what makes you happy! The Lord made this day for you. Make the most of it.

A burst of gladness

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At the end of 2020, in the midst of the hysteria over a mysterious infection, I released a little publication called Gladness is Infectious: A Book of Celebrations. On the cover I put a photo of my smiling golden retriever, Willow the Best Dog There Is™. Then I set the book aside and started working on the next one.

I picked up Gladness is Infectious the other day and have been renewed. It seems to be a book for any season of unhappiness or discouragement or uncertainty. 

More than I realized at the time, this book is a fulfillment of my objectives to encourage, enlighten, and/or entertain. I am always reticent to blow my own horn, but if my own words lift me up, maybe I should shine a light on them.

The opening words of the book are:

“Sometimes, when you’re feeling down, the most obvious thing to do escapes you: Look up.

“There is so much sky there. And the Master Painter has produced so many masterpieces in every direction …”

I surprised myself, six years later, to discover that my “Book of Celebrations” is exactly what I declared it to be.