Hugs arfie

That sounds hard, especially that feeling of despair I know all to well myself. Comes in random waves sometimes. I like your optimistic idea of uplifting quotes.

I read this on a book in Chapters one day and it just calmed me down, hope it does the same for you. " The Universe has Your Back"

Hugs

"The best part of today is that it comes one day at a time." - Abraham Lincoln

Hugs, line from a Billy Joel song, "the good 'ol days weren't always good, and tomorrow's not as bad as it seems".

"It's hard to see the rainbow when you're in the middle of the storm." I'm not sure who wrote that quote it's just on this little picture I have in my phone that I try to look at when I'm having a hard time. I'm still having a hard time but some strange reason that little quote always gives me hope
Sending a hug

I'm not sure this is anti-despair, Arfie, but first, the adult Leo shares this from Albert Camus: There is no love of life without despair of life.

From seven (or so) year old me? "Now through a glass darkly but then! Face to face...." (Saint Paul, 1 Corinthians). Being me, I took this rather literally to mean, now we don't see God clearly, but someday, face to face... I get to punch Him! He made me bad and made my sister hate me!

I matured out of that to see the message of hope in it (someday, this shit clears up and we "get" the big "it", whatever it is), but I figured you could appreciate the child-Leo version of that one, too. Oh, I planned to have a full-on crying slap-fest (which, oddly, evolved to end in my being embraced with love, and darn it, stupid spiritual growth, Mom strikes again!)....

Thanks guys.

Leo, sugar and spice never once helped me out of despair. It hits my senses like sugar coated vomit.

There is, indeed, no love of life without despair. It be the despair which defines the lines in which to color. In Arfian Metaphor, anyway. Romance fan I ain't. Not unless I write the novel myself, of course. 'Sides. . . Don't the world's great romances carry adversity and tragic notes?

Meant no offense, Arfie, and I apologize.
I see despair as the dark spaces in chiuroscuoro (sp). Thus my mangled progression. Again, I di not mean to cause harm.

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.

Mahatma Gandhi

I thought of you when I saw this one today, arfie, since I know you have such depth in 12 Step wisdom & the Serenity Prayer:

"Nothing in the universe can stop you from letting go and starting over."
--Guy Finley

Prayers and support to you, my friend.

I hope the holidays lift your spirits

Yummy collection of wisdom. Thank you, all.

Especially you, Leo. I meant it as a compliment that your contribution embraces the despair with hopeful intent. Too much sugar rots the proverbial teeth. You have given no offense to apologize for.

I am back in the Urban Homestead, embracing my first attempt on a family Christmas since I gave up on the Mister and Missus Surname Christmas Show around 30 years ago. Between the remnants of the flu bug and my beloved looking so much like his daddy these days, I had to push myself pretty hard to make the four hour drive, but I am glad I took the Leap of Faith. We still look pretty pathetic trying to re-invent the event without the traditional orchestrators to take charge, but I am feeling that's to be expected. At least we aren't doing the same old thing while expecting different results. Small steps, big faith and lots of prayer.

Fall seven times Stand up eight

It's great that you're back home sweetie... There's no place like home at Christmas and I hope you'll have a peaceful Christmas....
Big hug....xo

You asked for uplifting quotes and the first one that popped into my head comes from the Bible…I use my faith a lot to help lift me up. The quote is “Cast all your cares on him (Jesus) because he cares for you.” There’s a song based on these words that I’ll sing over and over again when I feel the anxiety setting in: “I cast all my care upon you, I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime I don’t know what to do, I just cast all my care upon you.” I hope you’re finding encouragement in all the kind words shared with you on here!

Thinking of you and your family tonight Arfie. No advice, no comment or really anything to say, just wanted you to know that someone was thinking of you and wishing you the best,
Patti