As I mentioned yesterday, we had a wonderful speaker at our luncheon.
The speaker gave us two mantras that she remembers when life hurts and brings her down. While she directed them toward teaching ministry, she also said they apply in all aspects of our lives:
"I can do this. This is not too hard for me."
"I am lovable. Especially in God's eyes."
Those two phrases can get us through a lot if we believe in ourselves.
The first reminds me of something I heard (and I may have quoted before:
"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
Attitude is everything, as I've said before. If I tell myself I can make it through the next hardship, whatever it may be, then I can most definitely get through it.
Changing medications and getting over the sickness that comes with it?
I can do it. It's not too hard for me.
Overcoming whatever the road of life brings next?
I can do it. It's not too hard for me.
Overcoming the dehydration and dizziness, even if it persists?
I can do it. It's not too hard for me.
Surviving further persecution?
I can do it. It's not too hard for me.
Staying healthy?
I can do it. It's not too hard for me.
Being loveable? That quote didn't take long to sink in as something hurtful happened yesterday in the waiting room of my psychiatrist's office.
I was waiting to go in, and another patient was across from me in the waiting room. She was talking to me non-stop about the moon, going on and on. I wasn't sure which mental illness she had, but it was apparent she had something.
Anyway, I sort of tuned her out, and then she said, "I'm talking about the moon so much, you probably think I'm crazy. Well, you're probably crazy too, that's why you're here to see a doctor."
I was really hurt. It may not have been her fault, if she doesn't have control over what she always says, but it still stung.
I may have some problems, but I'm not crazy.
And even though I have problems, I am lovable. Especially in God's eyes.
I've done some wrong as a result of my illness.
But I'm lovable. Especially in God's eyes.
People hate me because of my illness.
But I'm lovable. Especially in God's eyes.
I may not be perfect.
But I'm lovable. Especially in God's eyes.
And you know what?
Whoever you are reading this?
You can do anything. Nothing is too hard for you.
You are lovable. Especially in God's eyes.
Don't ever forget either of those things. Keep them in your head. Stuck on repeat.
Thank you for writing this. I remember last year I was telling this guy about the stuff going on inside my head, and he told me I wasn't a crazy person, and that I wasn't the only one thinking those things. Strangely, that made me feel so much better.
ReplyDeleteOh man, that's so hard. I'm sorry you had to go through that. Otherwise though, the rest of the post really made me smile.
ReplyDeleteYou CAN do anything, and you ARE loveable*
* I can't figure out how to spell this word :( You used both variations and spell check allows both variations. This makes me sad.
Also I think 'loved' would be better in that place anyway! Lov(e)able implies it's possible to love you but not necessarily that anyone does. LOVED is so much more powerful. In my mind. And just as true.