Monday, February 21, 2011

Sparkling Stars and Melting Snowflakes

We have only this moment,sparkling like a star in our hands...and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late.
Marie Benyon Ray

Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments.
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

Those moments are precious but often forgotten or overlooked. I work hard to live in each moment...to enjoy writing my blog, or in my journal with its random thoughts, mistakes and memories, its writing exercises with "quick writes" about coffee, washing dishes, or a favorite chair. I try reading a book from my "always wanted to or should have read list". Reading and writing are a therapeutic endeavor, which helps me focus, gives me purpose and reminds me of who I really am when those unforgiving moments are filled with depression, anxiety, racing thoughts and behaviors as well as the moments of feeling nothing. Feeling nothing is not the absence of laughter or of tears...it is for me the lack of the hills and valleys of emotion. I envision........
This sentence remains as it has for more than an hour...without an ending.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Let It Wipe Another's Tears...

"Have you had a kindness shown?
Pass it on!
'twas not given for thee alone,
Pass it on!
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears,
Till in Heaven the deed appears,
Pass it on!"

Henry Burton

A hand was extended to me in my darkest despair, at a time when I wasn't able to reach out to grasp it...when I couldn't breathe or feel or think for myself...the darkness wrapped around me like a blanket. My world didn't extend beyond the depression. I needed others to be my voice. As I began to find my way out, I held tightly to others until I could stand on my own. I needed help and I probably always will to some degree. I was difficult to be around because I could easily drag others under. I am a survivor every day in which I breathe, feel and think without help...when I've smiled, laughed and viewed the world in all its beauty.
I've recently been given the gift of "paying it forward", of being the one to extend a hand during someone's darkest moments...to become a lifeline when needed..."to wipe Another's tears". The old saying "by helping others we help ourselves" is absolutely true...so I guess mom was right...well I guess I better start wearing a hat in the winter or I'll catch my death of cold.