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Monday, June 26, 2017

When You Find Yourself Walking in the Darkness, Carry a Flashlight and Grab Onto Someone's Hand


A "flashlight" can come in many forms. For a person of faith, a flashlight might be their book of faith. I know for me, reading scriptures from my faith steadies me. My Bible is my main flashlight. There can be smaller flashlights to carry in the darkness, along with the main one.  In addition to having my words of faith to hold on to, I also am spending time with my thoughts, through journaling.  I recently began a very simple and brief journal.

What makes this journal effective is:

  • It is very brief, no more than 2 sentences in the morning and 2 sentences at night. In fact, they needn't even be complete sentences. I can use phrases and keywords in place of sentences, if that is all I have. 
  • It is a routine of twice per day, in the morning and in the evening. The routine works for me.
  • The morning entry sets up my day.  In 1 or 2 sentences, I write my hope for the day. It can be a plan for something specific that day, like ordering new socks, or spending an hour with a family member. Or it can be more vague, like trying to only say positive things for the day. Because the morning entry is so brief and simple, I can easily check with myself, as the day is progressing, as to whether or not I am or have fulfilled my hope.
  • The evening entry pushes me to reflect on the good from the day. In 1 or 2 sentences, I identify either a pleasant moment, an accomplishment, or a realization from the day. It's a gratitude entry.
Anyway, this is part of what I am doing to pull myself out of a dark place. Last week, you all reached your hands out to me, and I grabbed on. Thank you. 

26 comments:

  1. Just know since you grabbed on to all our reaching hands, we won't be letting go. Hope your climb out of the dark is fast and know you have love surrounding you on your journey. Peace and comfort; Lisa

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  2. Putting God first will never steer you...He says He will neverleave us! And we can count on that!! But He also wants us to do what we can to help heal ourselves and deal with "life". Life sure gets mucky at times. The journal sounds like a wonderful healing balm. And it is something you can look back on and see the blessings that do exist. And holding onto others is what we do for one another. We each need one another....after all, we are here to love and serve one another! You are valued, you are loved and so precious! I am here for you even if it is only over the internet. I hope you can feel the hugs and the caring! I will continue to keep the prayers going!!

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    1. Oops! Putting God first will never steer you Wrong! I should proofread...but I am not good about that. See, I am more than human. Please forgive me.

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    2. Hi Linda,
      Thank you. I so appreciate it. Wishing you a lovely day>

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  3. Lili, you continue to teach us in many things including this journalling method. I think this will be useful for most people because it is very simple and brief. I'm going to encourage each of my family members to try it to enrich their lives. You don't have to be in a dark place for this to improve the quality of your day.

    Also, as you try to live day by day the best you can, remember that we are always here anytime you want.

    BTW, I used your egg sub. post the other day. You are a gift to us that just keeps on giving. :)

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    1. Hi live and learn,
      I hope this method of tracking hopes and blessings is helpful to someone. Thank you. I appreciate the kind thoughts, prayers and friendships that I have found, here. I hope your day is off to a wonderful start.

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  4. So glad you have your faith and friends to hang on to during this time! Keep using that flashlight--the battery won't run out. ;) Still keeping you in prayer.

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    1. Hi Cat,
      Thank you. And you're right, these batteries last forever! Hope your week is off to a great start!

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  5. Lili, we are so glad that you are back. Know that we will continue to lift you up in prayer.

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. You are so sweet. Have a lovely evening.

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  6. What a pleasant treat to wake up this morning and find your post today. And to see that many of your readers have sent you support and encouragement. I join them in prayers and good thoughts that hopefully bolster your energy and progress through the darkness.

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    1. Thank you, Jayne. It is so encouraging. I can't express how much the kind words, thoughts and prayers mean to me. Enjoy your evening.

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  7. Happy for you that you have found a simple means to help you ride out this storm. ((Lili))

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    1. Thank you, Carol. Hope your week is a great one!

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  8. A journal is such a good idea, especially when not lengthy but a simple sentence, word or phrase done twice a day as you have described. Makes sense, the first entry for guidance and the latter for reflection.

    I am anxious to start and will suggest this to our granddaughter who will be staying with us for the rest of the summer, between 3x/wk boxing lessons. She's anxious to do some crafting with me, and I am glad to have her company. I am hoping it will not fizzle out should the results not be rewarding. YouTube is a treasure trove of craft tutorials. I am not as familiar with clay and paints, so this is a way for me to dabble and segue from fiber.

    We can only do the best we can, and that is all I want and expect from myself and others.

    Peace and love,

    YHF

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    1. Hi YHF,
      What a treat to have your granddaughter with you so many nights of the summer! My guess is that she is just as thrilled about the prospect of spending time with you, as spending time crafting. So I wouldn't worry if she might lose interest in the crafting aspect.
      Have a lovely evening!

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    2. Yes, I think she wants to stay with us for the summer because she doesn't want to be at home alone. I told my daughter I don't think it is healthy for her to learn the feeling of being depressed like this, not good for her developing brain. Our daughter recently started working again 60 hours a week (she said she has no choice, or will not be valued as a team player), so doesn't have time to be with her. We have to be her surrogate parents, and I don't mind working with her on some ambitious craft projects.

      YHF

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  9. That is a wonderful way to begin healing from a difficult time, Lili. Continuing to send prayers your way--
    Mary

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    1. Thank you, Mary. I hope your day was wonderful.

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  10. Life is a hard journey and trials are tough. Thinking of you...Hugs!

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  11. So wise. Hoping you are feeling loved and supported through all of this.

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    1. I do, Kris. I still need to hear how your vacation was!

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  12. Lili,
    That is a great idea.I like your flashlight :) Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
    Praying for you.
    Patti

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    1. I really appreciate it, Patti. Thank you.

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