It's instances like these that send us the "why try?" message.

And I know you know better than to think this. Your brain is playing those games again with your consciousnessmentationalism.
Let's challenge it.

The big picture says that losing some money and a chance to use a pair of awesome driving gloves doesn't lessen your worth.
You haven't gained anything, but things are the same as what they were yesteday, so you really haven't lost either.

And you may have another opportunity to find joy. It's always within reach.

As a metaphor for how fragile life feels sometimes, this is very powerful. I've read this a number of times and wondered whether the gloves were 'real' or not - but that's not really the point, is it? It's how life can feel. A sense of everything you touch being ruined, shattered, torn. A taking responsibility for all externals that 'don't go right' - as if you could make them go right. As if it's your 'fault'; as if you're not 'worthy' of anything good, so it will always fall apart. This is a great untruth of the human psyche - the way we torture ourselves. Perversely, we try to buy into the belief that we can control externals; that we are responsible for their outcomes, that they are a reflection of our true nature and worth. A great myth passed down from generation to generation.

There are other truths;
Most of what a person says or does is about him/herself and not you/me. This is hard to remember and keep in mind.
Sh*t happens - and it's random. As it's random, it's not equally distributed, it's not fair BUT people who get more of it are not more deserving of said sh*t.
Just because things went wrong once, doesn't mean they will again.
If your gloves (or whatever) were faulty, you have a right to expect the issue to be resolved for you. You do not deserve to put up with poor service (in any deprartment).
Stitching can be resown - sometimes, when something has broken and is properly mended, it's better than it was in the first place.

Go well and may you be able to glimpse your true worth and value today.

Thanks,



- no gloves,

You know, there are occasions when
I'm often needlessly sad
my mind wanders
almost all the time
more than anything!
more than a forest nymph
no focus . . . .
and
just like that ¡ it's gone
on to God knows what
I've started thinking of ways to
not think that freaking way
And it helps when digital people
like you and I show we care by just stopping in to say
" you do exist friend"

I'm happy you responded

Thank you StillBill - that is beautiful!
When your mind wanders,
may it find green pastures
and gentle flowing streams.
When the sadness
creeps coldly into your heart
May there be a candle flicker
of hope to warm it.
And when the night
seems dark and lonely
May love be your companion.

Go well Stillbill - my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am blown away by the insight, the compassion, the spirituality of this group. I am glad I am here. I have found some of the other groups are pretty sick & can't seem to see their way out or don't want to see that candle that awaits for them by the other door.
I once went to a workshop called "Dancing with Depression". It was about not seeing the depression as a fight and having to take up arms against it. Instead, the premise is to acknowledge the depression, understand that the deepest parts of it is temporary, so just veil yourself & dance around the room with it.Sometimes I can do that. It takes up too much energy to fight it all the time. If I use that same energy for the dance, I am automatically lifted somewhat and it is easier to dance the next day & I am lifted even higher. Now, please understand that I am In NO way saying this is a cure vs. therapy or meds or whatever else we need to address it. It just is another way to view dysthmia & depression. Besides, I am so anti-violent, the thought of having to fight just wasn't working for me. This is more peaceful. {Can you tell I am a child of the 60's?}LOL!!! I am interested in everyone's feedback about this concept....Deb