Here's to surrendering to the ebb so we can again flow <3

A visit from an old "friend" --

On the evening of this past Sunday, November 26, I began to experience headache, body aches and irritability. After a fitful night's sleep with those symptoms and "monkey mind" dreams, I awoke in the morning with the realization that my old "friend" depression was back.

Though practicing all my spiritual disciplines, including those related to keeping "him" away, he nonetheless will visit from time to time?! He comes unexpected and unannounced, but while he remains I've learned I must not only tolerate the visit but embrace it in the Lover of my soul by continuing to practice the disciplines and the Presence of God.

So, I take practical steps like upping my meds half a dose, but also staying the course that God has set for me; daily quiet time with Them, exercise, nutrition, etc. I also lean into relaxing bedtime rituals like "Sleepy Time" tea & honey, a little "vegetable" TV with Patti, then to bed for a Garrison Keillor story or two as my Anam Cara rubs my head with her calming/healing touch.

A key I've learned the hard way is not to give the visitor too much attention. Let his presence prompt deeper focus on God and my spiritual disciplines, trusting them to see me through and back "into the Light". Maintaining my daily routine in spite of the visitor, including simple, blessed time with my grandchildren (they are their own kind of medicine).

I am after all a wounded healer whose wounds have left "scars" of grace, mercy and compassion thanks be to God, Lover of my soul. In these times of sensitivity to pain and suffering, I become Prayer itself, surrendered and submitted to Divine LOVE.

}:- 💔>❤️

#darknightofthesoul
#practicepresence
#intothelight