Every single day is a gift. Some of us realize it, while others just can't see past the fog. Depending on what you're going through, that "gift" can feel more like a burden, so we start resenting it---leaving a sense of ungratefulness. We may not even notice that we woke up with air in our lungs, a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in, and food in the fridge. We forget to even thank God for waking up at all. We trudge through the day in this mundane shuffle of everyday routines, and think to ourselves,
"What is it all for?" Sometimes, if I'm in a real bad funk, I'll ask,
"What's my purpose? Why am I even here?" There are some days when I can't even move due to my fibromyalgia. I had really bad flare ups these past two days or so. It usually happens when cold air meets the warm air, or if a weather system like rain is moving in. In other words---I'm old. Even though I sometimes get depressed about it, because I know it's not going to be a very productive day, I try my hardest to stay in the present moment and to enjoy whatever it is I'm doing. I don't want to be in this constant state of 'waiting.' As Eckhart Tolle stated, whenever you're waiting for something, or just getting impatient with the time it takes to get from point A. to point B., just saying, "I'm OK, I'm just 'in' joy' in' 'myself.'" I'm trying to adapt this attitude myself. I find myself impatient with how long it's been taking me to finally adjust to my new home, and to be temporarily without an office right now. But instead of complaining about it---
because to complain is to remain---I list a bunch of things for which I'm grateful for. I write out only the pros. Get rid of the cons. It won't do you any good to go over those.
You're Somebody's Answer
Although I tend to ask God, "What's my purpose here," I always find another example of why I should be where I am at this very moment. As soon as I start asking those questions, I'll either get an email or a direct message on one of my social media platforms telling me how much my articles have helped them. I never know who's reading my stuff, so I'm grateful when I get an email stating, "Hey, I know I never comment, but I've been reading your blog for years, and today it really hit home for me. This really helped, thank you." That to me, is the best feeling in the world. Knowing that through my own past and current struggles, that it may be of help to somebody else---that's golden. Think about what you do on a daily basis. In what way do you feel you may be helping somebody? Even just sharing your struggle with someone is helping. It shows that the person who is also struggling feels less alone in their daily battles. The reason why I'm so open about my 'issues' on this blog, is because there is such a stigma when it comes to mental health issues. I love to share what I'm going through, but to also tell them what may have helped me during that time. And sometimes, just sharing it alone is help enough. Your testimony can be somebody's inspiration and motivation. Never think that what you go through is not good enough to share, or perhaps you feel it's too embarrassing to share. People want to hear that kind of stuff because we all share some kind of embarrassing struggle from time to time. Please remember, that you are NOT weak for having anxiety or depression. You are NOT weak if all you can do is just get out of bed and shower. Be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself. Because as you continue to move through your own journey, you'll be able to relate more to people and tell them how you succeeded.
Watch Your Mouth
Words have power. Whatever you say can manifest in many ways. Things like, "I just can't do this anymore," (one that I am guilty of saying) or "This is killing me," and "My anxiety--my pain--my depression," ---they're not yours to own. Just as if someone says, "I'm fat." No. You're not fat. You may
have fat, but you are not fat. Don't label yourself with these tags. Don't claim your anxiety or depression. Don't say "my"---just say, "I feel anxious," or "the anxiety is overwhelming." Claiming an illness of any kind sets a tone for owning it. I'm learning that self-dialogue is just as important as how someone else speaks to you. You'd want someone to respect you when they communicate with you, so why not expect the same for yourself? I listen to a lot of Joyce Meyer when I'm getting ready in the morning. One of the things I heard her suggest was telling yourself, "Something good is going to happen to me today! And something good is going to happen
through me today!" Another one of my favorites is, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!" I say that about three times when I'm feeling overwhelmed.
“Words can strengthen the weak, words can rejuvenate the meek - words can breathe life into the dead, words can unite the divided - words can bring smile on the face of the unfortunate, words can encourage the hearts of the desperate – words can alleviate the anguish of humanity, words can sow the seeds of serenity.”
― Abhijit Naskar
Proverbs 15: 1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger.”
Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
So whaddya say? How will you speak to yourself today? How will you speak to others around you today? You can uplift and edify someone, as well as tear them down into tiny shards of broken glass. It's all up to you.
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