FROM THE OLD YEAR TO THE NEW 20170103.0101

Hello everyone!  And welcome to the new year.  Just as others make resolutions this blog is sort of a resolution for me. But let me give you some of the back story to explain.  For most of 2016 I was attending a support group on depression as well as I was receiving private counseling for my depression. Then along came bed bugs.  Yes I got a dose of humility and somehow got an infestation of bed bugs.  Because of those bed bugs I had to quite the support group.  But I was allowed to continue on with the private counseling.  Which I did. But it was in the private counseling that I made the most headway in dealing with and coming to grips with my depression. Luckily the bed bugs have been treated numerous times and I seem to be bed bug free at the moment. But I also had my last counseling session because my counselor felt that I was at a point where I needed to work on my own. This did come with a caveat. I needed to have a group of family or friends who could check up on me.  Well, one friend in particular has taken this position seriously and gave me an assignment of sorts before the end of the year.  And here is the assignment:

“Thinking about 2016, I would like you to find 3 to 5 points where you feel you made a positive impact on yourself or those around you and determine how to incorporate these points into the new year.”

Well, I have thought long and hard over this assignment because for me it was very difficult.  But I feel I have an answer.  And these points are as following

BLOGGING MORE:
In 2016 I started back with blogging and I have come to realize that, even if no one else reads this, it has been very helpful to me as a person.  And so , I intend on blogging more in 2017.  I am going to shoot for blogging at least once a month. And if I do more then the better I am for it.

READING MORE:
In 2016 I also started reading a book entitled “THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION” by Brenee Brown.  Although I am not done with reading the book, it has become somewhat life changing. And so, I feel another point that has been helpful for me is reading such literature.  And so, in 2017 I plan on reading more such books ... afer I finish with Brenee’s book, of course.

SLEEPING/RESTING WITHOUT GUILT
It may seem strange, then again maybe it isn’t so strange, that a person who has trouble sleeping should feel guilt about sleeping and resting during the day.  In dealing with depression, one is cautioned against sleeping too much. I have found, however, that sometimes I need to just go back to my bed and zone out.  Most of the time I don’t actually sleep, but I do put on my CPAP machine, close my eyes, and allow my mind to just be. Maybe this is my form of meditation. Maybe it is a time for my mind to simply play.  Whatever is happening, in about an hour, I open my eyes, feel better, and continue on with my day. So, in 2017, I am going to do this more often as I feel the need.  And I am going to do this without guilt. I don’t know exactly what is happening, but I think it is a good thing for me and so I’m going to keep on doing it.

VOLUNTEER WHEN AND WHERE I CAN
During 2016 I found myself volunteering to feed the homeless at a local church, help with the Alternative Gift Market (https://www.alternativegifts.org/) and help sign people up for food boxes for Christmas. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do, but the outcome of helping others is a major blessing for me.  And so, in 2017, I plan on doing this more and more. And, if there are others reading this and you have some ideas as to what and where I can volunteer, please include those in your comments at the end of this blog (or on my FACEBOOK page).

So, are these the only ways that I have touched myself or others for the better. No, but they are the points that I feel have made the most impact in my life.  I would be interested to hear from you all, if you can think of other ways that I may have made a positive impact on myself or others. And, of course, I look forward to hearing from my friend to see if she thinks I fulfilled the assignment as I think I have.  At any rate, may you all have a blessed and wonderful new year and please feel free to comment either here or on FACEBOOK.  Blessings always - David L.