Sharing Too Much

 Someone in a group asked a question about how to get people in your life to listen to you about you and your struggles.  Here was  my response. 

My first recommendation is to try not to share too much or rely too much on people close to you unless they have suffered themselves.  i have found that people who have not suffered from anxiety, depression, etc.. just do not get it and it is really hard for them to understand.  I have "wore out" so many people in my lifetime because of my struggles.  Thank God for the internet and groups like this.  My suggestion is to come in this group A LOT to share when you need to.  I recommend journaling to get things off your chest as well.  Save your "in person" communications for just normal every day life stuff for the most part.  I could go on about this concept.. but it would be pages.  If you want to discuss this more.. feel free to message me.  ♥️

Is change slow or overnight? Yes!

 A lot of caterpillars are waking up changed today!

Here is a note that I sent to a friend who is going through a tough time right now. 

Hello,

 I read your post about healing. You know how it appears at a butterfly just comes out of the cocoon and is a new creature. Some people might think that it happens all of a sudden. But while that caterpillar is in the cocoon it is changing all the time. I am not even sure if it is aware how much it's changing. And then it appears suddenly totally free!

More times than not, I think that is our healing as well. We go along with our lives and it might appear that not much is going on. Little do we know or others know that there's a lot of work going on down in our spirit and down in our soul. And then, boom, we appear. To others it might seem like an overnight miracle.  But there has been a lot of work that has taken place in the dark undercover in order for us to walk in this new freedom.

Be blessed my friend! 

Faucets and Valves

 3/21/22

I have reached a high level mark today and it was very revealing to me.  I was having a very good morning.  Clarity of mind.  Gratefulness.  It seemed like the valve between my spirit and soul was really open and I was experiencing the benefits of this.

  A random thought came to me.  "I want to get together with Ray (not their real name) for coffee.  I wanted to share my gratefulness with them.. and how well things are going in me. 

That astounded me.  Because usually when I think about together with Ray.. it is because I still have some unresolved anger issues with him. But this time... it was different. 

I thought, "wow.. that is a new high water mark on my gauge."   

Thinking of high water marks.. I started thinking about what made the water deeper in order for that new high-level mark to be acheieved.  It wasn't anything I had done on purpose.  The thought of Ray came out of nowhere. 

 The connection between our soul and spirit has been in my thoughts for quite a while now.  So.. I realized that the deeper waters had to come from the opening between my soul and spirit... ie the valve.  

There are many references in the Bible that talk of this connection between the soul and the spirit.  John 7:38 says, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

Wow!  That resonated so strongly with me.  That yes.. I had been carrying unforgivness towards Ray.. but... I have been disciplining myself to to apply grace and forgiveness towards Ray for awhile in order to change my heart/emotions towards him. (see my blog on forgiveness to take practicle steps to make your heart forgive)

I believe because of the constant steps I have been taking towards forgivness towards Ray.. that a chunk of the corrosion in my soul broke off.. and thus a random thoughts of Ray came which resulted in from the high water mark.  

There are other features of the water flow between our spirit and our soul.   Like how open is the valve.  One would think that God would just keep that valve wide open all the time.  But I am finding that God likes to adjust that valve.  Not as punishment.. but as an ebb and flow.  Sometimes it is gentle.. like a fresh Georgia rain.  Some times it is just a moderate flow to help us get through the mundane lives that we sometimes have to face.  Then it might be turned off... that develops a hunger and thirst in me for more!!!  Thirst and hunger is a good thing.  It drives us to greater things.  Then there are times where the valve seems to be wide open.. and it splashes over on to those around us and refreshes them.   

But...we must do our part.  We must make sure that we are dealing with the corrosion that will impede that flow.  

Selah!

Say No To The Bunny

 You know.. it seems like I am in a good place for the most part.. But all those little rabbit trails that used to so easily get me off track and drag me down.. are still there..  I am just getting better at not going down them.  I have finally realized... they lead to no good.  But I have found some nice trails to follow that strengthen me.  #SayNoToTheBunny

The Blessedness of Loneliness

Reflecting on my healing process feeling with depression and how lonliness fit in that equation.

 1. Gives you ample time to process woundedness

2. Gives you ample time to heal

3. Gives you ample time to grow in strength

4. Gives you ample time to develop mindsets that keep you from being so easily wounded

5. Gives you ample time to truly develop empathy for others and what they struggle with. 

6. Let's not waste this lonely time. Let's use this concentrate downtime to find the answers to the questions that plague us and so many others.

7. Let's use this time to learn how to listen and truly hear other's hearts. 

8. Let's become healers ourselves