Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Daily trauma--you know what I mean

For those who will fight bravely and not yield,
there is triumphant victory over all the dark things of life.
-James Allen

Yesterday was just one of those hard days when it starts out bad and just gets worse. It seems as though there are times when practically every struggle you have jumps up in your lap for a cuddle and doesn't want to get down.

I usally love the rain. Living in the Pacific Northwest, you don't have a lot of options if you want to be at peace with the weather. The last couple days though it has poured and poured and frankly, I am not in the mood. I could really use some sunshine.

I'm really grateful for modern medicine and a country that has adequate access to it for many people (I'd be dead several times over without it), yet navigating the healthcare and insurance systems is so frustrating and exhausting. I'm at the end of my rope with it all, once again. It seems like when this happens (which is does with miserable frequency), a step appears at the edge of the ledge and I manage to press on and find the competent and kind doctors I need. So for now, I will try to just be still, take a step back and wait for a solution that doesn't involve me hollering and any of my current "providers".

It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out--it's the grain of sand in your shoe.
-Robert Service

I'll pose these questions for anyone reading--answer all or none. Totally fishing for wisdom & clarity here :)

1. What do you do to cheer yourself up?
2. What do you do when you like a doctor and the office staff is terribly difficult to deal with?
3. When a someone tells you that they need space (from you), how do you react?
4. How do you approach projects that appear to be elephant-sized?
5. Do you let others' insecurities, negativity or frustration change your mood or attitude?
6. What keeps you going when others question your goals?
7. What do you find most challenging about building a close friendship?

You and I cannot give up, no matter what the size of our struggles. We were not meant to be fear-haunted and defeated nobodies. There is something deep in our hearts saying that we belong to something higher.
-Paul H. Dunn

3 comments:

Jeremy Saunders said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pirate Princess said...

Can I just say I LOVE James Allen?

Here's my answers - I know you're already past this point, but I'll answer so you can future reference. ;)

1. What do you do to cheer yourself up?

Whew. Several things really, as no two days are alike for a BLUE personality. Sometimes I need a walk in nature - just be alone with Heavenly Father's creations. Sometimes it's writing poetry or on my story, and sometimes it's playing a game with my kids & letting their laughter effect me. Sometimes it's going to a bookstore and splurging on a new paperback treasure. :)


2. What do you do when you like a doctor and the office staff is terribly difficult to deal with?

Ditch him and find someone else. Seriously - there are other doctors out there - you should not have to deal with terrible service. OR - confront them. Tell the doctor. They are in a people business - they need to know how to treat people.

3. When a someone tells you that they need space (from you), how do you react?

Another Whew. Well, being a BLUE, my feelings would be hurt, but
I'd respect the request. That's a personality thing though.

4. How do you approach projects that appear to be elephant-sized?

I shouldn't answer this since I blew this last semester, but here goes.

Usually I take a nibble here and a nibble there until it's okay to deal with, or I ask for help. SOMETIMES though I get so overwhelmed I just disappear...

5. Do you let others' insecurities, negativity or frustration change your mood or attitude?

I used to. My personality class helped alot with this. I've learned how to recognize when it's about me, and it's about them. When it's about them, it's easy to let them have their own experience with life without involving me.

6. What keeps you going when others question your goals?

I smile and keep going. I've had to distance myself from family a time or two because they can be emotional vampires that will suck the dream out of you, even with good intentions. I just keep checking in with Heavenly Father making sure he and I are on the same page - I don't worry about the rest.

7. What do you find most challenging about building a close friendship?

Trusting that there is love enough in this world that people could really care about me, and like me for who I am. I know where this comes from though, and I'm working on clearing it from my belief window.

Lara said...

*****Hey, it's never to late for wisdom from a wise woman! Thanks for sharing your insight. I'm sure there will be another day when I'll need these answers!