Comments on: Alone http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/ Mormon women blogging about the peculiar and the treasured Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:50:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Points of Interest, #40 « Mind, Soul, and Body http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-122367 Points of Interest, #40 « Mind, Soul, and Body Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:59:19 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-122367 [...] Blog Segullah, Justine relates her own personal life threatening health crisis, and an epiphany right in the Doctor’s office that taught her we are not [...] [...] Blog Segullah, Justine relates her own personal life threatening health crisis, and an epiphany right in the Doctor’s office that taught her we are not [...]

]]> By: Life Trekking Coach http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121571 Life Trekking Coach Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:48:39 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121571 "I am not alone." ~ These are some of the most powerful words ever spoken. They can also be translated into "I am loved." “I am not alone.” ~ These are some of the most powerful words ever spoken. They can also be translated into “I am loved.”

]]> By: Justine http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121488 Justine Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:34:29 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121488 There are so many ways our lives are so richly blessed by the people around us. I know that the church and the people around us can't "give us the dream", but in offering smiles, love, and attention, those people create an atmosphere that is certainly worth the pains of this existence. Everyone have a wonderful Christmas! There are so many ways our lives are so richly blessed by the people around us. I know that the church and the people around us can’t “give us the dream”, but in offering smiles, love, and attention, those people create an atmosphere that is certainly worth the pains of this existence.

Everyone have a wonderful Christmas!

]]> By: Lori http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121430 Lori Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:50:25 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121430 The holidays are filled with images of happy families gathering for feasts and festivities. Each year I struggle with the emotions these images evoke. Some years ago, I made the decision to cling to the Gospel and endeavor to walk in faith. The decision meant the unintended alienation of some extended family members who viewed religion as a crutch for the weak and thought I was a fool. I am still not allowed in the homes of some my closest relatives because it would be “upsetting” to those who disagree with my views. This year, as I again prepared to face the holidays without the relatives, I found myself feeling a little resentful. I know without a doubt what I have done—standing for what I believe in—is right. My integrity is intact. But it doesn’t erase the loneliness. Then, a week ago, my husband and I were visited by a man whose ward we used to be in. By worldly standards he has little if anything—he has suffered much hardship and pain—but he made the decision to help those who couldn’t help themselves. He and his wife spent several weeks making woolen hats for the homeless. Knowing we have helped at homeless shelters in the past, he asked us to take the hats and give them to those in need. My heart was touched, my conscience nudged by the spirit. It was a gentle reminder that, no matter the pain that simmers inside me, I too can chose to reach out to others. In doing so, I am always abundantly blessed. The holidays are filled with images of happy families gathering for feasts and festivities. Each year I struggle with the emotions these images evoke. Some years ago, I made the decision to cling to the Gospel and endeavor to walk in faith. The decision meant the unintended alienation of some extended family members who viewed religion as a crutch for the weak and thought I was a fool. I am still not allowed in the homes of some my closest relatives because it would be “upsetting” to those who disagree with my views.

This year, as I again prepared to face the holidays without the relatives, I found myself feeling a little resentful. I know without a doubt what I have done—standing for what I believe in—is right. My integrity is intact.

But it doesn’t erase the loneliness.

Then, a week ago, my husband and I were visited by a man whose ward we used to be in. By worldly standards he has little if anything—he has suffered much hardship and pain—but he made the decision to help those who couldn’t help themselves. He and his wife spent several weeks making woolen hats for the homeless. Knowing we have helped at homeless shelters in the past, he asked us to take the hats and give them to those in need.
My heart was touched, my conscience nudged by the spirit. It was a gentle reminder that, no matter the pain that simmers inside me, I too can chose to reach out to others.

In doing so, I am always abundantly blessed.

]]> By: Melissa http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121423 Melissa Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:33:31 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121423 Just wanted to say that I love you, Justine. Thanks for this. Just wanted to say that I love you, Justine. Thanks for this.

]]> By: Chino Blanco http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121417 Chino Blanco Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:02:02 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121417 Years ago, I'd have drowned off the coast of Taiwan if it hadn't been for a friend who bothered to swim out and teach me - there and then, on the spot - about how to patiently swim in to shore on the back of incoming waves (as opposed to exhausting myself fighting the undertow). Prior to my rescue, the overriding feeling was one of anger ... why me? why now? And my plea during those moments went something like this: <i>not like this, not this far from home, please?</i> I'm a self-reliant Missouri farm boy, for cryin' out loud. We don't die in eight feet of water on account of some stupid "riptide" ... we struggle and we prevail, right? Long story short, I was rescued by a Quebecois hippie who understood the sea. No doubt, I'll one day find myself truly alone and that will be that. Until then, I'll live with the conviction that we're never really as alone as we might think we are. Years ago, I’d have drowned off the coast of Taiwan if it hadn’t been for a friend who bothered to swim out and teach me – there and then, on the spot – about how to patiently swim in to shore on the back of incoming waves (as opposed to exhausting myself fighting the undertow).

Prior to my rescue, the overriding feeling was one of anger … why me? why now? And my plea during those moments went something like this: not like this, not this far from home, please? I’m a self-reliant Missouri farm boy, for cryin’ out loud. We don’t die in eight feet of water on account of some stupid “riptide” … we struggle and we prevail, right?

Long story short, I was rescued by a Quebecois hippie who understood the sea.

No doubt, I’ll one day find myself truly alone and that will be that. Until then, I’ll live with the conviction that we’re never really as alone as we might think we are.

]]> By: m&m http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121395 m&m Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:49:33 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121395 Blue!! I didn't realize you were part of my small world, too. Wow. Yeah, my mil is amazing. I'm very, very blessed to have her in my life. It sounds like you are having a rough time. I'm sorry. Hugs to you! (OK, I so totally need to meet you! Will you email me? :) ) Blue!! I didn’t realize you were part of my small world, too. Wow.

Yeah, my mil is amazing. I’m very, very blessed to have her in my life.

It sounds like you are having a rough time. I’m sorry. Hugs to you!

(OK, I so totally need to meet you! Will you email me? :) )

]]> By: Blue http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121373 Blue Mon, 22 Dec 2008 03:17:52 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121373 M&M your inlaws are a special part of my life. just today, i'd have to say the highlight of my day was the tender comments made by your remarkable mil...and it's not the first time she's noticed me and reached out with a "scrape me off the floor" kindness. I'm sorry about the loss of your grandmother-in-law. I also read the Maxwell talk on your blog...which was timely. Justine, this post and the comments it inspired has truly been heaven-sent at this time. i'm so sorry for the stress and strain you're dealing with right now. i don't know you at all, but can only say i'm grateful for you, and appreciate the perspective you've added to my thoughts. M&M your inlaws are a special part of my life. just today, i’d have to say the highlight of my day was the tender comments made by your remarkable mil…and it’s not the first time she’s noticed me and reached out with a “scrape me off the floor” kindness. I’m sorry about the loss of your grandmother-in-law. I also read the Maxwell talk on your blog…which was timely.

Justine, this post and the comments it inspired has truly been heaven-sent at this time. i’m so sorry for the stress and strain you’re dealing with right now. i don’t know you at all, but can only say i’m grateful for you, and appreciate the perspective you’ve added to my thoughts.

]]> By: Amy http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121297 Amy Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:47:04 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121297 Justine, Your post reminded me of a time in my life when I went in to see an infectious disease doctor, whose office was in an oncology clinic. While I was waiting for my appointment, a good fiend came in, scared to death, for her first chemo treatment. Although my proble am was serious, all my concern fo myself went away and I was grateful to God to putting me in that place at that time--for her. As I've dealt with other challengesover my life, i've found that if I can be honest with others and my weaknesses, they are more likely to open up to me about their fheir needs and allow me to serve th4m without making it a competition of who has it worse, but rather making a deliberate effort tomake the conversation mutually supportive, our friendships are stronger and I thinkd, for me, I can have the support I need and feel good about myself by not being too sick to give to other people. Justine,
Your post reminded me of a time in my life when I went in to see an infectious disease doctor, whose office was in an oncology clinic. While I was waiting for my appointment, a good fiend came in, scared to death, for her first chemo treatment. Although my proble am was serious, all my concern fo myself went away and I was grateful to God to putting me in that place at that time–for her. As I’ve dealt with other challengesover my life, i’ve found that if I can be honest with others and my weaknesses, they are more likely to open up to me about their fheir needs and allow me to serve th4m without making it a competition of who has it worse, but rather making a deliberate effort tomake the conversation mutually supportive, our friendships are stronger and I thinkd, for me, I can have the support I need and feel good about myself by not being too sick to give to other people.

]]> By: m&m http://segullah.org/daily-special/alone/#comment-121261 m&m Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:35:52 +0000 http://segullah.org/?p=1731#comment-121261 jendoop, if you are reading this, know you are truly not alone. I understand so much of what you are experiencing...the undiagnosed health problems, the difficulty of loved ones not being able to understand, the self-doubt. Hugs. Feel free to email me anytime if you want to 'chat.' I'm at hotmail, with the username mulling_and_musing (underscores included) Piggybacking off of what cheryl said, I think often of Elder Maxwell and his many comments about trials. The phrase "tailorized tutoring" comes to mind. It helps me consider that the trials I have really are mine for a reason, and therefore there is no benefit in comparing -- at least not in a self-defeating, 'Ah, it's not so bad' kind of way. For me, accepting my trials as part of my personalized plan helps me not get so stinking mad about them. :) jendoop, if you are reading this, know you are truly not alone. I understand so much of what you are experiencing…the undiagnosed health problems, the difficulty of loved ones not being able to understand, the self-doubt.

Hugs. Feel free to email me anytime if you want to ‘chat.’

I’m at hotmail, with the username mulling_and_musing (underscores included)

Piggybacking off of what cheryl said, I think often of Elder Maxwell and his many comments about trials. The phrase “tailorized tutoring” comes to mind. It helps me consider that the trials I have really are mine for a reason, and therefore there is no benefit in comparing — at least not in a self-defeating, ‘Ah, it’s not so bad’ kind of way. For me, accepting my trials as part of my personalized plan helps me not get so stinking mad about them. :)

]]>