Do a little of something that makes you happy every day!
I enjoyed my Sunday lunch with the local dining group today. It was at a pub I first drank in over 40 years ago, it’s been extended but it still brought back plenty of memories. I decided to join the group when people suggested I get out and socialise more. I’m pleased I did and despite some initial nervousness I’ve found they are people just like me, we have the same problems and needs.
I took another look at my diary today. I still find it quite amazing how far I’ve come in a couple of months - people told me it could be done but at first I couldn’t/wouldn’t believe it. I’ve still a long way to go but having seen my journey so far I have more confidence for the future. The other obvious point is that I’ve let other people help me rather than proudly or shyly thinking I could do it for myself as I had done during previous crisis episodes.
As my confidence has improved and things are looking far more positive I’m going to gradually reduce my daily thoughts. I’ll still comment from time to time especially when anything major happens. In the meantime, thanks for your help and tolerance, it has been a greater help than you may appreciate.
We’re here whenever you want to talk, lovely
The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.
You’ll never know how much you all helped me in my darkest times. My rehabilitation continues and I’m pleased to say life is getting better every day. I’m settled in my new home (unlike some of my bills) and I really feel a new chapter of my life has begun.
My positive for the week is that for the first time in months I’ve listened to one of my favourite albums without getting upset and morbid. This may not seem like much but if you have chance to listen to Curtis Stiger’s ‘Let’s Go Out Tonight’ you’ll appreciate how far I’ve come.
Yesterday as a follow up to my contact with the Crisis Team someone called to ask whether I still needed counselling. I told them I’d tried to do this on my own before and failed so I was going to accept any help I was offered to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
If ever I can help anyone who is suffering in the same desolate place I found myself please let me know. A few kind and supportive words helped me and I’ve no doubt it will help others.
Tomorrow I shall be mostly spoiling myself. A lie-in, a late brunch followed by the sport on TV and grazing from the fridge. Sometimes ‘me time’ is just the thing to make you feel better. I’ll pay the price with abstinence next week. Feel free to join me just remember ‘everything In moderation, including moderation’!