4/12 Something to think about...

[Billie]

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours. Ayn Rand

Sometimes mid month when we are working on challenges or just even the everyday ups and downs we can lost our spark of interest in the program. We can become discouraged about little things and we can slowly drift into different areas. Maybe it is not getting breakfast, or enough good protein, or making an effort to add more water, fresh veggies and fruits or fiber. Maybe it is exercise.

And while sometimes I really feel it is better to keep the daily thoughts very positive and uplifting, for many people, depression or lack of self discipline or many other issues is very real. So I wanted to acknowledge that not everyday and in everyway it is great or positive, that sometimes in our lives, it is dark.

However people manage to cope with critical life issues is really how they cope. For some people getting out in the public, getting out of bed, making an effort to get to work are problem areas. For others it is eating out of control or bingeing, everyone has issues and everyone must deal with them the best way they can.

The road you deserved can be won, it is real, it is possible and it can be yours.

Make it a good day!

[Gaelen]

Billie...we must have been on the same wavelength this morning. I kept finding things for the challenge that emphasized that, no matter what happens in and around and outside our lives, how we get through it all is really up to us. As someone who's battled with health-issue related depression for most of the last six years, and who hasn't always come out on top, I can relate to the idea that sometimes just getting out of bed IS the issue.

But one step out of the bed is the first step, and recognizing that we each control that first step, and all the steps that happen afterwards, can sometimes give us the motivation to keep trying, to keep taking those steps, and to keep going. When the quicksand starts rising (or we start sinking), for me the most consistently helpful method of coping has been to change one thing--you can't sink if you refuse to let the quicksand get higher than your head. ;)

[gitfiddle]

Wow! The hero in my soul. What a powerful quote this morning! I agree that in my younger years the object of the day was to get out of bed. Now I know that it was depression, but at the time it was quicksand. I'm getting better at keeping the spark glowing nowdays. With the constant renewal I receive from this board I can navigate the pitfalls of everyday life. You all give me inspiration.

[Billie]

You know Carol, you on many days are the hero in my soul! I know a lot of people read this something to think about's because I track the number of looks during a day, but you so often just write a few lines, I wanted to thank you for that.

Pat and Carol agree with that quicksand thing--we won't sink, there is always one thing higher than our heads--some friends here on the board for one!

[gitfiddle]

:o Well, Billie, I just seem to have an opinion on everything! You always provide food for thought. I feel that if you take the time to offer inspiration, the least I can do is let you know it works! ;)

[SherryJ]

"The hero in my soul" indeed! POWERFUL... wow!

You are so right, Billie, about not being happy ALL the time... I had a professor say if someone's happy ALL the time, they're ON something, lol!

This quote made me SO GRATEFUL that there ARE people (friends, docs, etc.) and avenues (therapy, meds, etc.) which can truly help get the HOPELESSNESS out of one's life, IF said one wants it... this, I know from EXPERIENCE...

Sherry
**off to get my super hero cape!**
:D

[Shadow]

I feel that if you take the time to offer inspiration, the least I can do is let you know it works! ;)
Well said, Carol :D! And now that I'm feeling half-way human again, I will try to do my share to let others know how much they're appreciated!

So here's one catch up post to all - I appreciate each and every one of you and your presence and participation here on the board :).

How's that :cool:?

[Billie]

Lita are those sinus' still bothering? YUCK! Get better, cause we need a whoopin' today!

[Shadow]

Lita are those sinus' still bothering? YUCK! Get better, cause we need a whoopin' today!
It's still bouncing between sinuses, throat, ears and overall fatigue - but I'm pretty sure I can come up with the strength to whip if I need to :p. Thanks :)!

[Bellgirl]

Lita, is it just me or has this been an unusually sick winter? Today I feel the best I have in weeks, but even now I still have a hint of something going on in my throat and chest. But I'm trying very hard to wean myself away from a daily nap!

The forsythia in the back yard are in full bloom... how's that for a visual demonstration of HOPE?

And Lita and Carol and Billie and Pat and Sherry, I do hang on to your every word and appreciate you all so much!

Sounds like a group hug is in order, huh? :)

[Ottawa]

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle. The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours. Ayn Rand

What a great quote. This woman had so many profound sayings yet the more you read the more you get hung up on "valuing" everthing you see and experience.
Atlas Shrugged is an incredible read and something you have to re-read every few years I find, to determine what your value to yourself really is and where you place your values.

"Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle."

What a great way to say it.

[SherryJ]

Randy, I KNEW this would get a response from you, my friend... :) This quote kinda reminded me of the "sliding into the grave yelling WHOO-HOOO" one...

Stevie! I was just thinking of you this morning as I was walking, and thinking about ALL the things we'd talk about if we were together... I also wondered WHERE you were, so I'm especially delighted to see you here today!!!

GF, I'm so sorry you're struggling right now... but, KNOWING how you love my little boy storys, I'll share one with you along these lines. The bus was running a bit late yesterday, and once I saw it stop at the corner, I knew Mr. Biggest was running a bit late as he wasn't in view when he was supposed to have been, lol! Well, just about the time I was going to yell, he popped into view, under some flowering trees, sneezing with every step, and with EVERY sneeze, he PUNCHED the air with his fists... just had to laugh, although I knew he, too, was struggling... Sending HUGS!!

Sherry

[gitfiddle]

http://bestsmileys.com/hugging/3.gif
Okay, here's a "group hug".

I didn't read all the rules here--not breaking any, am I?

Stevie and Lita, I'm wishing you better. Nothing like being miserable when the weather turns fine.

Sherry, you have just the neatest way of helping me visualize your boys!:cool: I can all but put a face on them!

[SherryJ]

Carol! Where I'M concerned there's never rules for group hugs... except (((((join in!!!)))))

I should send you a picture of them when I get one... they are pretty cool! :)

Sherry

[Shadow]

Lita, is it just me or has this been an unusually sick winter? Today I feel the best I have in weeks, but even now I still have a hint of something going on in my throat and chest. But I'm trying very hard to wean myself away from a daily nap!
Boy can I relate, Stevie :eek:! No, it's not just you - this is my first encounter with anything since '99. It's been a bad year and it just seems to linger on and on and on :(.

The forsythia in the back yard are in full bloom... how's that for a visual demonstration of HOPE?
What an awesome picture, Stevie - thanks for sharing it :D!

And Lita and Carol and Billie and Pat and Sherry, I do hang on to your every word and appreciate you all so much!
Right back at ya, Stevie :) :) :)!

Sounds like a group hug is in order, huh? :)
Absolutely - so here's a huge hug back to ya :D!

[Shadow]

http://bestsmileys.com/hugging/3.gif
Okay, here's a "group hug".
Back at ya, Carol :D!

Stevie and Lita, I'm wishing you better. Nothing like being miserable when the weather turns fine.
Thanks, Carol :)! The WP is just not used to not feeling well. It has not been fun (for me or anyone around me, lol :p )! Yesterday I was so tired at work I literally tripped over my boss's feet and almost fell on my face :eek:. Normally even the klutzy WP has more grace and style than that ;).

[Always]

I'm afraid to post here as I might catch what some of you have, although, that other thing...the friendship...is something we can all use a dose of. Stay out of the quicksand and take care of yourselves!!!

[hawk]

Well, my doc is here ( playing his guitar and singing radar love) and says that in about another hour I will not be contageous. Takes at least 48 hours on meds to get Strep out.
The hero in my soul is always ready to rescue me. He neither sleeps nor slumbers. Some days I don't feel like listening to his voice though and just go off and ignore what I should be doing. It's not that the strength is not always availiable its that I don't want to do it. It's my own dumb choice.