JABB 694- A "Dopamine Menu" in Honor of John's Birthday

Hi all,

Happy belated heavenly birthday to John Dye!

I've been thinking a lot about this quote from him lately: “There are possibilities for goodness in a world that's very filled with turmoil." I think that's very important to remember when the news and things going on around us can be so disheartening. And I wanted to do something to promote "possibilities for goodness." Thankfully, this video popped up in my YouTube recommendations: creating a dopamine menu to end my doomscrolling. I think it would be a great idea for everyone to create one tailored to their own needs and interests. But since this is JABB, I created one related to John's work. I hope it gives you some ideas and that you can enjoy some goodness!

God bless,
Jenni

PS- This is the first newsletter being sent from my new laptop, Pinkie, so hopefully I caught all the typos. I'm still adjusting to the new keyboard.

The John Dye Inspired Dopamine Menu

So just to be clear, not everything on this list is happiness-inducing. Many of the items are but some also involve learning and that can be emotional at times. So just keep that in mind. The point isn't simply to be blissfully unaware. The point is to not get so bogged down in unproductive negativity that we're unable to act and speak up when needed. So here goes!

Bread Basket/5 minutes:

Listen to the TBAA theme or another song featured in John's work.
Listen to a song that makes you think of John, Andrew, etc.
Peruse one of the JABB Playlists and pick a song.
While they're more difficult to find these days, there are some TBAA-related and Tour of Duty related YouTube videos you can watch.
Write out one of your favorite Andrew quotes and keep it somewhere you'll see it all day.
Look at some photos on the Photo Gallery.

Appetizers/15-30 minutes:

Read a short fanfic.
Compile your own John-related playlist.
Play around with some photos and an image editor like LunaPic. Andrew as a Van Gogh painting? Why not?!
Journal about your favorite memories related to John, TBAA, etc.
Complete one of the jigsaw puzzle s.

Main Course/1-2 hours:

Watch a TBAA episode or two.
Watch some Tour of Duty.
Watch one of John's movies.
Write a fanfic yourself!

A Full Smorgasbord/ All morning/afternoon:

Take in some sort of media related to TBAA or John's other work. For example:

- Read/listen to The In-Between by Nurse Hadley concerning her experiences as a hospice nurse.
- Study up on how people reacted to the AIDS crisis. I can recommend the following: "Fiasco: The AIDS Crisis" (podcast), It's a Sin (limited-run TV show), Pose (3 season TV show), tick, tick… BOOM! (movie based on a musical), And the Band Played On (movie based on a book), The Normal Heart (movie based on a play).
- Learn about the Vietnam War. I, admittedly, haven't watched a whole lot of relevant content outside of Tour of Duty and China Beach but there's tons out there.

Honestly, just about any TBAA episode probably has some sort of documentary related to the theme-of-the-week. Since TBAA dealt with reading issues at least a couple times, maybe check out the podcast "Sold a Story" if those episodes grabbed you. If "Dear God" is one of your favorites, now's a really good time to remember and study the Holocaust. Take a note from "Great Expectations" and really learn about abortion and women's health beyond emotionally-driven misinformation.
Same goes for the historical figures in TBAA. If you loved "Beautiful Dreamer," learn more about President Lincoln. "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" a favorite? Read about Mark Twain or even take in some of his works. Go further than "Black Like Monica" and learn more about Rosa Parks.

Going Out for Dessert

Visit an art museum a la "Here I Am."
If they're willing, interview a friend or family member who experienced any of the historical events or issues featured in TBAA.
Go to a pub or coffee shop and just be for a while.
Be like Ben Mason and learn about your family history. This could be done without leaving your home depending on what resources you have on hand.
Find a labyrinth in your area and walk it.
Go see a live show, preferably a locally staged one a la "The Show Must Not Go On" and, of course, St. G's.

Whatever you do, just remember that God is still God and He loves you!

This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for continuing to be an inspiration during trying times.

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(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page, other than my own, are from Touched by an Angel and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions. They are not being used to seek profit.)