LR
Find a theater with "The Meg" on for tomorrow. I will watch it here. Then we can share the shivers. Anyone else?

I have started and been stuck so many times....
Hugs T.

Gerry: I haven't been " stuck" for as long as 2 years but there are moments or days in my life where I definitely have lost perspective. I spend a lot of time driving during the day so sometimes when I need that extra push to change my perspective I listen to Joel Osteen. He never fails to provide a different way for me to think about things. His statements that God wants us to dream big and ask for everything our heart desires reminds me that a) I need to ask God for the things I need in my life, both large and small and b) NOTHING is impossible with God. Of course being human we get trapped in our emotions and limit ourselves that way. But even one small change( walking a new route) can bring a fresh perspective and the promise of change. I'm at somewhat of a cross road in my life in multiple ways and I feel Gods presence and trust that his guiding hand will lead me in the way that is right. And if I hesitate or stumble, it's ok, HE has always picked me up and led me each and every time. Forward momentum , one baby step at a time. Marybeth

Gerry, I came unstuck a bit after taking a three week vacation. I felt something had changed for me, at least a little. However, now that I'm back in my old routine again, I see potential to slide back into depression and hopelessness. I don't want that to happen, but what to do? I am not moving yet, if ever (I have to go back again to complete my mission). I don't feel like my kids need me, but some of my grand kids do. I am not one who can find total fulfillment in the grands; sorry. Nor do I believe God would have me choose between Him and a new relationship - although He is allowed to do the choosing. Right now I feel motivated to clean and decorate my home here, but I am still backed up with paperwork and yes, the headstone must get done. I think the key word for me is to do whatever necessary to not "isolate" myself.

Gerry I know that you will get UN-stuck because you have moved forward in so many deep ways already since being widowed. You have healthy patterns of living. You have successful history through this. I dare say that you are experiencing a normal slump which follows any great lengthy time of emotional and physical energy expenditure (all the moving challenges & now life in a new location, leaving familiar friends/things behind, etc. That is an enormous feat!
I am so stuck that it feels hopeless...daily wrestling with thoughts of how blissful death would be. I can read your examples of healthy steps but have not managed them myself.
Lord bless you my dear brother., I know He will. Thank you for your kindness.

Gerry you are in a new place without your spouse and maybe would never have moved to while she was here. So I think it's natural to backslide a little and let your heart have time to regroup. Now I have an odd suggestion. Buy a plant and care for it. Not sure why this helps but it certainly can.

Hi and glad to see you. How are the girls doing? Keep walking and you will find what you need and when you need it drops right infront of you. Sharon

Gerry: Thank you for your story. Every time I read someone else's I realize, again, that my own challenges are common. How come many of us seem to be doing the same things, but are so alone in the doing?
Stuck!? Oh my, yes. My husband left (moved to Heaven) almost two years ago, and just when I thought I was making progress, bam. I've had to bulldoze some of it right back to the dirt level.

I have just recently re-emerged from my hidey hole, which I willingly confined myself to because my behavior was so icky that it was not fit for the good people I was mixing with!

Closing my door one day I loudly declared to the Lord that I could not leave, again, until the black abyss of pain from grief was healed enough that it would not burn in me, keep my temper short, and tears hot. Fortunately, my Heavenly Father is very kind to me and Holy Spirit doesn't ever run off. It has been six weeks with prayer, conversation, communion, Scripture reading/declaring; pressing in .

Is it all over? No. But I have discovered a Presence that I can feel, that I can hear, that I can truly talk to and who responds in real time in real language. He even tells me private and personal things. I am falling in love with Jesus,all over again.

So, I've released myself from my room, but I haven't returned to my old church, where I cried too many times and failed to put the 'church face' on for longer than was acceptable. It's not anything on them, truly. My grief can be ugly and get old. And people remember first impressions. That's just how it is.

I've prayerfully sought out another local assembly to become part of. I hope to become a blessing there.

AniLo (I am His)

Hi Gerry, We know what we have to do when we are stuck. That of course is to get busy, Once you get out there volunteering you will start to feel that sense of belonging again. You are needed out there.
I'm a believer in exercise for the mind and spirit. Last but not least, turn it over to God and pray about it each day. You will remain in my prayers. Love and Hugs, Dolores

I can relate to the feeling of being "stuck". I call it being in a rut. I was feeling down even though I was doing everything to work through the healing process, I attended an alpha group. I met some wonderful new people who really helped me re-build my faith and relationship with Jesus. What came to me is that I need to remove chaos in my life and establish organization. I went on a major cleaning of my house where I removed the clutter. The act of declutter has made me feel "unstuck".

Antonella

Hey my friend,

It's been awhile since I have been on here. I can certainly relate to not having your wife to face the challenges. I still struggle with that after 3 years. And living in the same place. It's the small things in life we used to share and talk over. Now I'm talking to myself a lot of the time, or my little dog. But after 21 years of sharing life with that one person, it isn't easy to reboot. I have tried to get back in touch with the single guy I was before marriage. That helps at times.
But like you said, you rebooted before and I have confidence in you that you will find that path again. Staying in your faith is the best way and remembering that we aren't ever really alone. God is there in the darkest part of the night as well as the lightest part of the day.
Your going to make Gerry. Your a strong Christian guy and it'll happen again.

Peace, Tim

I am also trying hard to declutter, but oh, it takes so much time. I worked several hours in my garage today, but I didn't pitch much. I'm debating about having a Fall garage sale with some friends, but I seriously doubt that it will happen. So I am advertising some items online. I need the money. We have had some really awesome church services this month; I get recharged, but YET I have to come back to an empty house (empty of him). Everything is so mundane now, like I'm back to marking time. My vacation was kind of a fluke, but I guess it helped a little to have a change of scenery. My grief went along for the ride. I guess we just have to regroup on occasion. I lose motivation early evening and just shut things down. We are having revival services tomorrow night through Sunday night. I will absorb as much as possible from those, but then everything here is put on hold. I don't know. It's a catch-22. I really blew it on a dating site; I think I got scared.

Hi, I lost my husband 5 years ago. I cannot tell you how to get unstuck. I know the answer is not in keeping busy. It helps me to keep an eternal perspective in all things. Life on earth is temporary for all of us and our flesh will pass away but our spirit will live for an eternity. That is our hope and it is what strengthens me and keeps me from staying stuck. God is truly good. I wish you the very best.

Well, I am back in my rut since breaking my wrist. i have had one surgery, with one to go. I EVEN PRAYED BEFORE i GOT ON THE STEP STOOL. I know it could have been worse, but I still wish it had not happened. Definitely time to hire a handyman. i wasn't trying to leave or move at that point, so who knows?The old questions resurface, naturally. Like what is the plan?

The goods news is I am no longer stuck. Have I found exactly where I am going. No. I was recently given a good piece of advice. Find what gives you peace and focus on that in addition to trusting in God of course. That has been my mantra with amazing results. I have a saying that hangs in my livingroom I absolutely love that a dear friend gave me.

'Some beautiful paths cant be discovered without getting lost"

I know in widowhood we spend a great deal of the time lost. But I truly believe even when lost we are continually moving forward and yes there are beautiful paths still to be discovered.

To everyone here I truly not only unstuck is possible but beautiful paths in whatever form they take. God bless Gerry

I'm keeping you in my prayers Gerry. Hugs, Dolores