mental health

Rise Above

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When you’ve suffered a major attack on your life and reputation, you can stew in anger and obsess over it, wanting to get back at the attackers, or you can double down on just doing you. Channel the anger into determination to show everyone around you who you really are. To thine own self be true. As long as you hold fast to that, the enemy has no power. I’ve learned this from personal experience in the last seven years.

In this world, minding your own business and just trying to make a living and be a positive presence in the world does not mean that no one will attack you or try to bring you down. Some people just aren’t happy unless they’re making someone else unhappy. I’ve seen very cold-blooded sociopaths who thrive on that, even pretending to be your friend. I have been overwhelmed by anxiety and cried when I’ve been hurt. I’ve struggled with anger even though I’ve determined not to let things get to me. I focused on just living my life and finding contentment no matter what’s going on around me and not only succeeded at that but encouraged others to do so as well. So the tormentors doubled down, many times, and made it impossible to ignore their extreme bullying and provocations. But they have not been able to change who I am.

They never will. They can poison some people’s perception of me, but I’ll just move on and rebuild. Anyone opposing you only has the power you give them. I’ve realized that I relinquished some of that power for a while, but I’m taking it back. I have the strength God gave me and the strength of the Holy Spirit in me. They have nothing. They’re hollow shells, lacking soul or compassion or purpose. Bullies are weak cowards.

I was reading a story in a devotional book about a teacher recalling a special student and she described him as one of those people who is just happy to be alive. I realized that I have always been one of those people. My dad was too. I love life and all things good. I appreciate the little things and the beauty all around us. I love the complexity of the human spirit and the mystery of the divine. I love the comforts of fond memories and the excitement of the future, both here and beyond this realm.

I love the written word and unspoken truth. I love deep emotions and light fun. I love the starlit night sky and the bright warmth of the sun. And I know that not every moment or every situation is enjoyable, but the things we have to just endure only help us appreciate the good things more.

I know I’m not going to feel good all the time, and I can’t say I’m never going to get angry about things again, but I know I can handle anything life throws at me. I had many dreams reassuring me of that when I was young. One of my late uncles was a Jungian analyst and helped me interpret those dreams. It’s as if the unconscious world, the Universe, the Holy Spirit or all of the above knew I was in for something very trying in my life and built in that truth early on. Someone was telling me, you got this. And I do, and I seek support and allies. No one is an island. We all need other people. We’re all in this together.

So, let’s not hate or resent, or add to the negative energy in the world. There’s quite enough of that.

Let’s love life! Let’s rise above!

An Overdue Walk in the Park

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It’s been a few weeks, but I wanted to share some scenes and reflection from my return to an oft visited place, Monocacy Park. I hadn’t been there all summer due to many time and energy constraints as my family has been dealing with ongoing issues with my sister’s health, my elderly mother dealing with that and her own issues, and even some unexpected health issues of my own that have come up in the last couple months. I stopped for walks twice in one week, and maybe one other time, but now the busyness is encroaching again. I shall prevail, though. Making time for things you enjoy is a priority.

I’ve learned that you can only do so much for others and you have to take care of yourself. If a person doesn’t make much effort themselves to improve their own situation, you can’t make things happen for them. Certainly, you do what you can, but it’s up to them to meet you half way.

I’ve also been reminded of something I already knew. that our reactions to things are just as important, or even more important that the actual events happening. That’s the part we can control. Life happens and things keep rolling along. Time never stands still. So, you have to decide how you’re going to react and deal with things. I’m thankful that I have my dad’s steady, calm presence. (I’ve been told that- that I have a calming presence.) It was a theme in all the remarks at his funeral service that, while he was a quiet, unassuming person, he was always there. I’m still reminded when I think of him to keep striving to stay centered, and to get back to your center when life sends those curve balls.

So, do those things that help you process things and stay centered, or return to center, whether it’s taking a walk, making time to read, exercise, journaling or whatever. I hope these photos can help bring a moment of peace in your day.

Late January check-in

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Well, we’re almost a month into the new year. I hope everyone is doing well with your resolutions and goals and renewal stuff. I ended up being sick the first week of the month and had a delayed return to work and everything else. I’m happy to report that I’ve continued my workouts that I’ve been doing for a year and three months now and my devotional time each day and my routines. I have to admit that getting sick right off the bat and being run down for a while after that put a damper on my goal to write more, but I’ve done a little journaling. And here I am back to the blog. I’d like to stake the claim that I’ve remained quite busy at a cellular level. 😉 It’s an oldie but a goodie as far as excuses go.

I’ve also taken my own advice and done a little minor redecorating and tweaking decor as the decorations came down over a couple of weekends. And I’m still working on that. Photos will follow. Speaking of photos, that’s one of the decor tweaks I’ve done. I’ve gathered quite a few photo frames over the years from my thrift shop trips and I’ve always been into photography, starting with my first camera, a trusty old Kodak disc camera. So, I’ve put out some of the many winter scene photos from the creek behind the house where I grew up and other seasonal shots. I also simply moved some things from an unnoticed corner or shelf to a more prominent place, creating a new look. You can do that when you have a lot of thrift shop knick knacks to work with.

Like much of the U.S., I spent yesterday digging out from a snowstorm. That left little time or energy for much else. I’d say that’s a good excuse for not writing. The important thing is to keep making the effort. So, back to normal today. I suppose one good thing about being sick at the start of the year is that I feel like the beginning of the second month is a chance to do a renew redo. It’s a chance to recapture the renewal feeling since I didn’t really get going the first time around. Wish me luck as mother nature unleashes the harshest winter in years. May all the writers and artists take advantage of time indoors this season!

On a lighter note, I hope the handlers on Feb. 2nd outfit Punxatawny Phil with a bullet proof vest because if he doesn’t give the answer people want this year, someone may take a shot at him. This is Pennsylvania, after all. Just kidding. But really, that’s not so bad, that we’re almost to Groundhog Day already. That’s one of the few Bill Murray movies I like. What would you do if you had to repeat one day over and over? Like Murray’s character, you could see it as a blessing or a curse. You’d have a lot of time to learn new things and make discoveries in the world around you, but that would be the most epically challenging situation to find ways to feel rejuvenated or renewed! Would you savor the extra time, or get bored out of your gourd? It’s an intriguing idea. I think we all kind of have that choice throughout our lives. It’s the essence of getting what you want out of life. It’s what you make it.

I think I may have to expound on this subject. Till then, keep writing and keep renewing!

P.S. Speaking of new things, the image above is AI generated and the first time I’ve ever used one.

2/11/26 A further thought on the Groundhog Day part: I think the worst part of repeating the same day would be not being able to say the best is yet to come. Will I achieve the best I can be? Realize my biggest dreams? Will any of us? We don’t know. But every new day is a chance to find out. A chance to strive for our best life. And if you feel you have seen the best days, that’s great that you had that! Now you can focus on encouraging, inspiring and guiding others to the best days.