I could you all the details but they are so mundane as to be boring. Today is one of those kinds of days that I feel like doing two things. Eating. Moping.
Eating because that’s one of my life responses to stress and / or the ‘blues’. It’s a failing behavior that reinforces everything I want to escape in my life. It is a reminding behavior that leaves me later filled with regret and calling to mind that I have fallen this way many many times before. It’s a destructive behavior because when I climb back on Mt. Scales I’ll see that the result is quite opposite of what I want it to be. Not a good plan.
Moping because everything I really want to try to do just has no appeal to me. So much of what I do depends on being a self-starter, have my heart in creating and writing and planning… loving and serving … and it’s just impossible to do all of that half heartedly. I was looking for an image to go with this post and googled “moping” and saw an enormous number of pictures about “mopping”. That made me smile…for a minute.
Why write a blog post about it? I guess just because it’s the one thing I felt like doing. I know some of you will be tempted to post something perky and positive (especially now that I’ve opened that door!). I also wanted to say that Christians do not always have to be up to be righteous, cheery to be sanctified, and smiley to be Saints. And it probably doesn’t pay off to pretend that we do.
I hope your day is good. As that great philosopher Scarlett O’Hara said, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.” That sounds like a plan.
~John
Well said bro. Been there plenty myself.
No perkiness here. Just a hug.
Thanks sis! Love ya.
John
I can totally relate to the moping and blahs! I have been like that for a few days. Precipitated by cleaning out my son’s room after 3 1/2 years. I was and wasn’t ready to do it but nonetheless I did it. I had a delayed response to it all and a good cry fest a couple of days ago. I told a friend I felt like I was walking through a land mine/ quick sand field. You are walking along and all of a sudden boom! I fell into a deep pit. I sat in that pit for a while to determine if I was going to expend the energy to climb out or just stay there and let nature take its course. I slowly started to climb out and today I’m back to cleaning his room again! Geez this child has a lot of stuff…lol anyway I hope my reaction this time will not be as severe as the one I just experienced. All of this to say its ok if you are blah! You are entitled to it and no need to apologize for it.
Peace to you
Cheryl
Cheryl, I’m proud of you for doing a most difficult thing… and for not allowing it to conquer you. There was no time limit but when the time was right you experienced that yourself. Bless you…and thank you for your words.
I’ve learned enough about myself to realize, I will have those days too. I’ve done a lot of things to try and combat it, including being thank for for what I have and where I am, realizing most people in the world have it worse than I do. But most of the time, that didn’t help either. Being thankful and getting over the blues are two different things.
What usually works best for me is to embrace it. Realize these days will come, and soon will also pass. Those days I really have the blues, I don’t try to get much done. I see them as my mind telling me to rest and do nothing. So I grab some coffee and lay on the couch watching TV after giving myself permission to do so. I think its healthy because it dives me the rest I need, both mental and physical.
David, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you.
I wish you’d write for me. So I’m praying for a quick departure of your grand funk railroad.
Thanks Keith! We are grateful these are not permanent times!
“I also wanted to say that Christians do not always have to be up to be righteous, cheery to be sanctified, and smiley to be Saints.”
agreed. preach on.
reading a book on Abe lincoln really point out how our culture has changed, someone with a melancholy personality such as his, would NEVER get elected to public office nowadays. I also want to read about about how “optimism is destroying our country” or something like that,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805087494/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Interesting perspective on Lincoln. Thanks Brian.
Thanks for sharing, John.
Appreciate you and Tammi much.
No perkiness here. You know I get you, bro. I never even realized I turn to food when stressed, so at least you are ahead of the game by knowing that. I’m learning to ignore the scales and just focus on making good choices to please God… knowing that if/when I screw up, he is quick to forgive me when I ask.
Thanks Karen … I appreciate it much…I think you have a great perspective on that.
First, I shall go COMPLETELY against the grain — I shall call you “John” — maybe even “Pastor Dobbs” — but I won’t be calling you “bro” like so many others here did. Hope you’re okay with that.
However, like so many others here, I am completely with you. It’s one of the hardest things for me as I struggle to be a writer from home — my home is always yelling at me about stuff that needs to be done, so when I don’t feel like writing, there is always a great excuse. Or Pinterest. :-)
And winters are always particularly hard for me. I have noticed I can make it one day without sun before I’m in a full-on “funk.” Finally bought myself a light therapy box for Christmas this year.
Above all, I have learned to be kind to myself on such days — and go with that Scarlett motto…
Thanks Sarah… and you can call me anything you like. lol Good words … Pinterest… very hard to stay away!
I really thought this would be one of those ignored posts on my blog – kind of like the ones I think are very important but grow dusty in the comments. lol But it is gratifying to know that when we face gray days we are not alone. Bless you all.
John, your post don’t go ignored, people read them, they just don’t comment on them.
you think your posts are dusty in comments.
then mine, are like the desert! :?
Hahaha ok Jel… but you take awesome pictures!
I have been a wayward blogger…reader and poster…but I always, always read yours when I return….
The blues, the moping, the eating….all part of life, a natural phase that we fight to repel, but sometimes we need to just embrace…knowing we will be better tomorrow.
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