When Others Fail Us

The TV message, "When Others Fail Us," by Dr. Charles Stanley (First Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA) was very encouraging for me. He addressed the pain we experience when we have been dropped from the lives of family and friends. "Being a discard" [my words] is the reason I experience deep depression.

I've often said "I need to be needed; I want to be wanted." I had so many valuable talents to give to Hallelujah Acres--but was unceremoniously relieved of my many responsibilities (along with eight others that day). Likewise I had computer skills and a head full of knowledge about genealogy and Brethren families. My "volunteer" services were rejected by the Brethren Heritage Center. (Just two examples in very recent years.) I almost never hear from my children!! I send greeting cards, gifts, and e-mail, but it's a one-way street. Where did I go wrong?? It has been my desire to live "A Purpose Driven Life" -- not a life without purpose!!

It's a sad set of circumstances when we come to the sunset years of our life and we haven't a friend, or family, to call on in case of emergency. I'm not alone, I hear the same story from many Seniors. Our Country is disintegrating!! (I'll not comment on the bailouts of banks, auto industry, etc., but was saddened to see a sign in a furniture store: "Going out of business after 65 years." The once-thriving furniture industry is suffering; the textile industry is gone from North Carolina. Unemployment is high in the Carolinas.)


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I Have All in God

God of your goodness, give me yourself,
for you are sufficient for me...
If I were to ask anything less I should always be in want,
for in you alone do I have all.

- Julian of Norwich (Prayer copied from BeliefNet.)
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7 Ways and 7 Days to Renew Your Life

Frankly, I have been very depressed lately!! This message (below) arrived as an e-mail and I see it as a gift from God. My trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway is designed to elevate my mood. In the interest in full disclosure: I've used excuses for delaying my departure. 1) I wanted to see what happened on a Soap Opera; 2) I ought to be one of the billion viewers of the Michael Jackson Memorial; 3) I ought to eat up the perishables in my refrigerator.... ~~ I will start to apply the seven ways to renew my life.


7 Ways and 7 Days to Renew Your Life
by Robyn Hessinger Jul 6, 2009

To renew and reinvent our lives, we all need a plan. Here it is: a seven-day process to work with over and over. This plan incorporates physical, mental and spiritual work. Use the whole seven-day process, or choose any one of the days to work with as you create the life you want.

DAY 1: RE-CHARGE A Day of Commitment
Focus on changing your mind-set: This is the day to change the thought patterns playing in your mind. Get rid of phrases such as “I can’t.” “Why does this happen to me?” “Things always seem to go wrong.” “After three bad things happen, life will change for the better.” Insert thoughts such as “I can do it.” “There are creative solutions to any problem.”
Create a visual logo that works for you: Imagine the ocean or the lake, water falls, butterflies, sunshine, moonshine — whatever works for you. Note the image or images that work for you, and if you begin to feel negative, simply bring one of your positive images to mind. Your image is your logo for positive energy.
Tools for Day 1: Motivational books, music, dance, art, all that is inspirational.

DAY 2: RE-VAMP A Day of Planning
What changes do you need to make in your home?
What changes do you need to make in your office?
What changes do you need to make in your exercise routine, OR do you need to begin an exercise routine (with doctor’s permission of course)?
What changes do you need to make in your diet?
Tools for Day 2: A notebook and pen, or computer.

DAY 3: RE-CYCLE A Day of Throwing Out
Choose an area of your home, your garage, your backyard, and clean it out thoroughly. Have three boxes set up: one for things to keep, one for things to repair, and one for things to give to others. The hard work begins.
Do not tackle your whole house on this one-day. This seven-day program can be repeated again, and each time you can choose a new area. You can repeat Day 3 every week for six weeks.
Tools for Day 4: Boxes to sort things in, vacuum cleaner, broom, dust rags, music to play to cheer yourself on through this hard day of work.

DAY 4: RE-FRESH
A Day of Refreshment
This is a day of reward. If you cleaned out your office or home on day 3, then refresh this space with a new plant or bunch of flowers. Give yourself a present. Open the windows and make sure the light can shine in.
Tools for Day 4: A present for yourself.

DAY 5: RE-TURN
A Day of Spiritual Contemplation
This is a day to contemplate your spiritual values and re-turn to the values that are important to you. This is a quiet day of soul searching. In the past two days you have re-cycled some of your belongings and you have refreshed an area of your house or office: you did a lot of physical work. You were involved with a lot of “things.” Today, focus on the soul level. Sit and connect with the God of your understanding and ask questions:
What is the meaning of my life?
What am I here to do in this lifetime?
What am I proud of and what advances have I made in my life?
Which areas of my life need work?
This is the day to take an honest look at the way you spend your time, the people you associate with, the worries that occupy you too much, the fears that you allow to control you, the anger you may have towards others.
Tools for Day 5: An honest heart and an inquiring mind.

DAY 6: RE-INVENT A Day to Change Patterns
Yesterday was an assessment day. It was a hard day. Today is a day to make plans to change the parts of your life that need changing.
Do you have health problems you are not facing? Make an appointment with a health professional or get back to taking care of yourself in the way that you know is best for you.
Are you allowing the problems of others to dominate your life? If so this is a day to make plans to change your schedule. If you are a caregiver, find creative ways to get time off. And do not say, “There is no way.” Find out what your community has to offer. If the person you are taking care of does not want to receive care from others, then you must be strong and explain that you have to have time off.
If you spend all your time compassionately listening to others, remember that you will burn out if you do not have time for yourself. We all know this, but we do not always allow time for ourselves.
Tools for Day 6: A notebook, pen, computer, a telephone, appointment book.

DAY 7: RE-INVEST A Investment Day in All That is Positive
While I hesitate to use the word “re-invest” during this financial crisis, it is time to think about how to best spend your money, how to best spend your time. You have spent an entire week taking a look at your physical and spiritual life. Today is the day to take a good look at your financial life as well. Another coffee for five dollars may not be the best way to go. A lot of takeout food costs money. Are there ways to organize your cooking so that you do not pick up as much food?
Tools for Day 7: Your financial records, your checkbook, a willingness to make changes.
OKAY LET’S GET STARTED AND CHANGE OUR LIVES!

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Postscript, Tuesday 7/07, 7:00 PM: I apologize if I offend you. In my humble opinion, my time would have been better spent driving the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. Hours in front of the TV, watching a tribute to Michael Jackson, was a waste of my time.

All the praise, all the expense to the city of Los Angeles and State of California!! Misplaced, in my humble opinion.

How quickly people have forgotten the charges of child molestation. Wealthy people can settle out of court or buy an acquittal. ~~ Black entertainers predominated on the stage but, remember, Michael Jackson changed his appearance so he didn't look "black." He chose white women to bear his children. Is there even a drop of "black" blood in Prince, Paris, and Blanket??

In my "blog" I have revealed my opinions and I must remain true to my faith and integrity. I'm in the minority, I know, but felt I must express myself.

Honestly, I expected Michael Jackson to jump out of the $30,000. gold coffin as a finale to another of his "productions." And you??

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Postscript, Wednesday, 7/08, 3:00 AM: Can't sleep... so I browsed the Web. To my delight, I found an article that mirrors my sentiment. When I saw the title "Jackson's Final Act: Sainthood" I groaned and thought "God forbid." The title caught my attention, the article reassured me that I wasn't alone in my thinking.

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Square Peg in a Round Hole

In my humble opinion, I have always been upbeat in my messages. (What do you think?) Today I am feeling depressed and plan to explain why I feel like a "square peg in a round hole."

I've put a lot of time into preparing these blogs!! I want them to sound good, look good, error-free, etc. Hopefully the reader has a sense of who I am and what my values are. But family, friends and acquaintances never access my blog!! (At the bottom of my site, there is a feature called StatCounter. That program documents [elsewhere] my visitors.) ~~ My family, friends and acquaintances profusely forward messages; I read them before I delete them. I hate forwarded messages!! (I read theirs, why don't they read mine?)

I'm prompt replying to the e-mail messages of family, friends and acquaintances. They have a health problem..., I offer suggestions and tell them I will pray for them. My blog address is a live link in every message but they don't use it. ~~ Via the U.S. Post Office, I mail greeting cards and gifts but rarely receive acknowledgement.

I beg your indulgence because the following comment is not my usual vocabulary: Life "sucks" when we get old!! I bring so many talents to a job!! I'm a hard worker; I'm loyal; I'm honest!! But two employers rejected me in the last sixteen months. I wasn't working for the paycheck; I was at the location to serve!! Square peg??

I'm generous with my time, money and my possessions. How quickly a friend forgets who supplied the computer, printer, office supplies--and many hours of physical labor to open a health business. Love abused!! ~~ I "house sit" and "pet sit" (free).

Was I born on another planet?? Why am I a square peg in a round hole world??

"Square peg in a round hole
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"A square peg in a round hole is an idiomatic expression which describes the unusual individualist who could not fit into a niche of his society."


A Prayer for Resting in God's Love
Father God, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. Teach me today to love you more. Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child. In Jesus name, Amen

Source: Written by Sheila Walsh author of "Let Go"

Weathering the Storm
Father God, Today I am afraid. I look around me at this world that is changing so fast and I feel lost like a small boat in the midst of a storm. I am not built to weather the battering waves or the howling wind. So I wait now in your presence. You spoke the oceans and the four winds into being. You threw the stars in the sky and separated the sea from dry land. You took the hand of Peter who was sinking into the depths of the water and walked him to safety. I choose now to fix my eyes on you and not on the storm. I settle my heart on your love and not on the current that threatens to pull me under. Thank you that you are my firm anchor even through the darkest night, Amen

Source: Written by Sheila Walsh author of "Let Go"


God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Four Month Anniversary

"God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform." God could have called me Home during the winter. Apparently my "work" on earth is not done (at least until I conquer the clutter??)!! I was so sick; I am now healthy!!

Thanks to a Google search on February 9th, I found the clue to my recovery from acute ozone poisoning. I now extol the value of Google searches!! My inquiring mind wants to know.... Most recent case in point: Organizations that assist individuals struggling with Chronic Disorganization.

If you have been following my "blog," you know that I have been very busy. If you are new... take time to review my messages since May 9th. This message is brief because I prefer to direct you to yesterday's topic about Conquering Clutter.

Three Month Anniversary

If you have been following my blog, you know that I am recovering from acute ozone poisoning. I'm delighted to report that I am healthy again. I lack strength and energy but that might be attributed to "old age"?! Both should return when we eventually get beyond our unseasonably wet Spring. I look forward to long walks!! With 20/20 hindsight, I recognize that I could have used the treadmill at the Senior Center. However, during recovery I haven't wanted to be in a social setting.

I have no breathing problems. As far as I can determine, I have no allergies. I don't suffer when the gardener mows the three-plus acres of lawn at this apartment complex. No sneezing, no itchy eyes....

Not surprising, perhaps, the stress of the severe illness recently triggered Shingles!! All-in-all, I've suffered a miserable eight months!!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:28-29, 31 KJV

What Is Depression?

While sadness touches all of our lives at different times, the illness of depression can have enormous depth and staying power. Even the ancient Greeks noted how disabling it could be, and that it was more than a passing bout of sadness or dejection, or feeling down in the dumps. If you have ever suffered from depression or been close to someone who has, you know that this illness cannot be lifted at will or wished or joked away. A man in the grip of depression can't solve his problems by showing a little more backbone. Nor can a woman who is depressed simply shake off the blues.

Being depressed has nothing to do with personal weakness.... Read the entire article, and supporting information, by clicking here.

...Depression could be described as a lake fed by many streams. Its tributaries include traumatic or stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, and psychological traits, such as a pessimistic outlook or a tendency toward isolation. An episode of depression may result from one particularly powerful experience or from a confluence of several factors. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, during a given year approximately 1 in 10 adults will suffer from some form of depression. Each episode usually affects a chain of people. It can fray bonds between you and your family and friends by spoiling intimacy, sapping emotional resources, and stealing the joy of shared pleasures.

Very honestly, I have struggled with Depression and/or Dysthymia since I was a teenager. I received this article via today's e-mail from Everyday Health. Throughout my life, I have held fast to the scripture I claimed for my own (at 15 years of age): "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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As I have struggled to regain my health (from acute ozone poisoning), I've also read about depression. On 12/01/08, I "filed away" an article titled Depression Linked with Abdominal Obesity. I revisited that topic today because that may explain why I have excessive abdominal fat--and gained ten pounds--since I lost the job I loved February 13, 2008. Quoting from the article:
"This is the first large study to demonstrate that older persons with depressive symptoms accumulate more visceral fat than their coumterparts without depression, Vogelzangs told Reuters Health.

..."Depression roughly doubled the odds of gaining visceral fat, Vogelzangs said. An association with waist circumference was also observed, but fell short of statistical significance.

"As suggested, the increase was specific for visceral fat; no change in overall obesity was noted. This supports a biologic rather than dietary explanation for the findings, the authors note."

This is a plausible explanation because my diet is above reproach. No junk food!! I avoid Church potluck meals; I rarely eat in restaurants. I scrutinize product ingredients before I purchase, I buy $4. loaves of organic whole grain bread, organic salad fixings....