Every few days I water my house plants-over thirty of them. Every so often I check to see if they need new soil, growth, color changes, etc. I began to think about how if I didn’t take the time to nurture them, eventually they’d die off one by one.
They are all very special to me and I take meticulous care not to over water, placing them in the best light, pruning where and when there is a need, so no leaf is drooping or dried out. No one has to task me with the responsibility, like clockwork, maintenance is administered. Likewise in life, things we care about we nurture. We show love, respect and upkeep for whatever we deem as important.
Nurturing relationships are serious work-a lot of work. The breezy “how are you” when you see a person in pain is unkind. The last thing they or we need is to be left alone. Not because the first thought is always of a mindset to hurt oneself in that state, but the simple maintenance of really showing fellow feeling can heal before crisis arises. But you know what happens, we get complacent. Always busy with our own daily grind or the gesture comes with compromise. The avoidance, the fake smile, or the blatant disregard of others can leave one deflated. Some will shout from the rooftops about human rights but lack understanding of human kindness, all while the numbers of those depressed continue to rise.
Oh yeah, you’ll donate a raffle gift or go to a fundraiser, but make eye contact and genuinely reach out. That’s asking too much. Over the last thirty days amongst the many readers of my blog here and on my website, I have been contacted, as of this article, by over 30 professionals and a chord was struck. Now that doesn’t make me anyone special, but it does speak to the fact that people are experiencing hard times and we’re not talking economy here. Stories continue pouring in of those who could not take one more minute-more sad commentary. It’s never easy to hear and for those holding on please do not give up on the fight because it truly can become a rough road shrouded in darkness for the one who cannot see tomorrow, even when the sun shines brightest. There is hope by those willing to help you, help us, stay happy and whole.
This is not the moment for the well-meaning person to tell someone to snap out of it though, but a time to say more than hello. Even if you have tried on so many levels to keep the communication lines open, don’t give up on trying to keep the door open, a jar, something. It is not only the person who contemplates suicide that hurts. I can assure you the acute feelings of disbelief, anger, hurt, pain, frustration and loss are the wake of the living. We are left with the pictures, the memories. The what could I have done differently-the resignation after the last breath.
Feelings of being a burden might be what you carry on your shoulders constantly. Let’s work on that too. You are not a burden. Real friends and family or those who are ready and willing to help will never find you a source of contention. Some of the brightest stars come out of a dark place. Back in 2011 a new report highlighted that there were millions of Jupiter-sized planets discovered roaming around the Milk Way. The enhanced constellation was incredible. Whether they remained unnoticed in our stream of time does not diminish their value, efficiency or purpose and neither does yours or mine.
Checking ourselves from time to time shows we value our own self-worth. It’s only natural to want validation from peers, but know and accept who you are and what you can realistically accomplish. Working on the internal battles one minute, hour or day at a time is just fine. Goals are good but be careful of overdoing the timetables because they can inevitably set you up for failure. For now, we want you to feel encouraged about life. What you can accomplish in being you and learning your purpose. It will change and it should as we grow and progress and this proposition is ageless. For now though, I’ll share one of my Thurston and Lovey Howell moments with you, remember them from Gilligan’s Island?
Well, this is what I do sometimes when I have a blue moment. I have several pairs of slippers and though I am not a fan of wearing them in bed, if I have a blue thought coming on I take a pair of those slippers, use washable markers and write crooked smiley faces on them. I put them back on and lie back down, feet facing up and wiggle my toes in my slippers. Depending on how crooked I drew on the smile determines how interactive the expression becomes as I wiggle my toes. I have laughed out loud at those silly slippers but it works for me. Perhaps there is something more troubling, involving more help than a slipper can provide-I get it, and I hope your emotional journey to put one foot in front of the other prevails. Life is worth living with the flaws and disappointments. Each day is your new start program.
We learn to work on it because this is the beauty of being human and I am loving and living every minute of it. Now go get those slippers now!
Until next time~
They are all very special to me and I take meticulous care not to over water, placing them in the best light, pruning where and when there is a need, so no leaf is drooping or dried out. No one has to task me with the responsibility, like clockwork, maintenance is administered. Likewise in life, things we care about we nurture. We show love, respect and upkeep for whatever we deem as important.
Nurturing relationships are serious work-a lot of work. The breezy “how are you” when you see a person in pain is unkind. The last thing they or we need is to be left alone. Not because the first thought is always of a mindset to hurt oneself in that state, but the simple maintenance of really showing fellow feeling can heal before crisis arises. But you know what happens, we get complacent. Always busy with our own daily grind or the gesture comes with compromise. The avoidance, the fake smile, or the blatant disregard of others can leave one deflated. Some will shout from the rooftops about human rights but lack understanding of human kindness, all while the numbers of those depressed continue to rise.
Oh yeah, you’ll donate a raffle gift or go to a fundraiser, but make eye contact and genuinely reach out. That’s asking too much. Over the last thirty days amongst the many readers of my blog here and on my website, I have been contacted, as of this article, by over 30 professionals and a chord was struck. Now that doesn’t make me anyone special, but it does speak to the fact that people are experiencing hard times and we’re not talking economy here. Stories continue pouring in of those who could not take one more minute-more sad commentary. It’s never easy to hear and for those holding on please do not give up on the fight because it truly can become a rough road shrouded in darkness for the one who cannot see tomorrow, even when the sun shines brightest. There is hope by those willing to help you, help us, stay happy and whole.
This is not the moment for the well-meaning person to tell someone to snap out of it though, but a time to say more than hello. Even if you have tried on so many levels to keep the communication lines open, don’t give up on trying to keep the door open, a jar, something. It is not only the person who contemplates suicide that hurts. I can assure you the acute feelings of disbelief, anger, hurt, pain, frustration and loss are the wake of the living. We are left with the pictures, the memories. The what could I have done differently-the resignation after the last breath.
Feelings of being a burden might be what you carry on your shoulders constantly. Let’s work on that too. You are not a burden. Real friends and family or those who are ready and willing to help will never find you a source of contention. Some of the brightest stars come out of a dark place. Back in 2011 a new report highlighted that there were millions of Jupiter-sized planets discovered roaming around the Milk Way. The enhanced constellation was incredible. Whether they remained unnoticed in our stream of time does not diminish their value, efficiency or purpose and neither does yours or mine.
Checking ourselves from time to time shows we value our own self-worth. It’s only natural to want validation from peers, but know and accept who you are and what you can realistically accomplish. Working on the internal battles one minute, hour or day at a time is just fine. Goals are good but be careful of overdoing the timetables because they can inevitably set you up for failure. For now, we want you to feel encouraged about life. What you can accomplish in being you and learning your purpose. It will change and it should as we grow and progress and this proposition is ageless. For now though, I’ll share one of my Thurston and Lovey Howell moments with you, remember them from Gilligan’s Island?
Well, this is what I do sometimes when I have a blue moment. I have several pairs of slippers and though I am not a fan of wearing them in bed, if I have a blue thought coming on I take a pair of those slippers, use washable markers and write crooked smiley faces on them. I put them back on and lie back down, feet facing up and wiggle my toes in my slippers. Depending on how crooked I drew on the smile determines how interactive the expression becomes as I wiggle my toes. I have laughed out loud at those silly slippers but it works for me. Perhaps there is something more troubling, involving more help than a slipper can provide-I get it, and I hope your emotional journey to put one foot in front of the other prevails. Life is worth living with the flaws and disappointments. Each day is your new start program.
We learn to work on it because this is the beauty of being human and I am loving and living every minute of it. Now go get those slippers now!
Until next time~
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