We're awaiting tropical storm or hurricane Edouard to hit the shores of Texas this morning. Life for us is running in a chaotic pace with much anxiety of the approaching storm. Even though I have weathered many storms during my life, each one that approaches the Texas Gulf Coast is waited with baited breath. People waiting in line seem to think it is taking forever. When a storm is not approaching they can stand in the same line and it doesn't seem as long. Everyone wants instant gratification.
My nephew has never been through a storm and is asking 20 questions about everything. So I've had to sit him down and show him how we get prepared. I realized it is much like the storms of life that come our way.
First we have to take priority of our basic needs. We make a list of what we have and what we need to do. Love is the most basic need in all of us. We can lose everything but as long as we love ourselves and each other, we will survive.
Then we must each find our light. In the mist of a storm, often times we find that we are sitting alone in the dark. We will stumble and fall without a light. Do you know where your light is? With a flick of the button or strike of the match our light is ignited. It provides a guide for us to find our way in the dark. You never know the beauty of a stain glassed window until the darkness falls and the light from within shines through. Is your light burning brightly?
Stay calm when chaos is all around. Staying calm in the mist of the storm is opposite of what everybody else is doing. It is choosing to stay focused, to keep your eye on the center of the strings of life's storm. Be still. Meditate. Think on good thoughts. Hold those happy moments. Take time to find your center. Take time to get control of your mind and stay focused. You will find peace and tranquility will sit quietly with you and give you comfort.
Our first aid kit needs to be near. In the mist of the storm it is common to get hurt. When we get hurt, recovery requires that we take care of the injured party - whether it is ourselves or someone we love. Just as we need a physical first aid kit, we need a mental health first aid kit. It needs to be complete with things in it to help us recover. It helps us get back on the track to healthy mental living. Do you know what's in your mental health first aid kit? Do you have one? If you don't have one, ask me.
Sometimes we get stuck in a rut. We need extra help when this happens. What invades our inner thoughts and become familiar with the way we operate on a daily bases? Whether it's being abused in a relationship, dying around food in one way or another, filling our bodies with drugs, shutting down all feelings, surrendering to violent rage, or isolating or hiding. These behaviors become our pimps, so to speak, and we jump when they beckon. What helps you get unstuck from these behaviors? Do you need someone to help pull you out?
There is a part that no one but you can do. Get up. The storm has hit. Now what? What are you going to do about it?It's not what has happened to you, it's how you react to what has happened. A few years ago when Hurricane Rita came to town, I wrote a song entitled, Get On Up. It means just that, when the storm hits, it doesn't matter how many times you've been knocked down, you have to get on up! It's the getting on up that renews our spirit and causes the passion in our life to flame again. So, just get on up! When you get on up, you find that you are not alone and there are others cheering you on. It's taking those first baby steps that are the most difficult. Taking those first baby steps makes all the difference.
Once you start taking those baby steps, you keep on keeping on! It's the trick that makes the difference. Take one day at a time. One moment at a time and you will make it. Together we can make a difference in understanding depression. Some days I may need you to walk with me. Some days you may need me to walk with you. Together we can do it! You want to keep walking and smiling until one day you notice, "Hey, we're out of the storm!" Life will be brighter then. Life will be happier then.
May peace and tranquility be with you today as we get ready for the storm!
2 comments:
I need help. I sent you an email too.
I'm glad I could help you. Together we can make a difference. Remember sometimes you need me and sometimes I need you.
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