Feeling Empty? Feeling Depressed? I Bet You Never Thought of This as a Solution…

My writings that address feeling EMPTY get the most activity…no other subject comes close.

Emptiness is a chronic condition in our society.  There are many reasons for this and those things need to be addressed, but I have decided to discuss SOLUTIONS, actually one primary solution, in this writing today and at another time, I will talk about and explain many of the reasons we feel empty.  For your information, this feeling of emptiness is experienced by all ages, all races. both men and women, married, divorced, rich, poor…you name it.

The Solution:  TRUTH

I need to explain.  When you decide that TRUTH IS NOT OPTIONAL in your life…in other words, when you decide that you will tell the truth regardless of who you are talking to or the subject you are talking about….you will begin to feel a sense of freedom that you have never experienced before.  Let me interrupt myself to say this:  we must use Wisdom as we live the life of truth.  There are times when we should say to someone, “I want to speak with you about this, but this is not the right time for me to tell you my truth. ”  Using wisdom, you will sense / discern those times when it is not the right time to talk about certain subjects.  There have been times when someone asks me a question about a sensitive issue and I have an immediate response in my mind; however, I know that it is the wrong time for me to speak…it is perhaps a subject that I need to think about more thoroughly or perhaps I need to wait until the circumstances are better for the two of us to sit down and discuss a sensitive subject.  Telling the truth does not mean that a person just blurts out whatever they are thinking!  That type of “truth telling” can cause more harm than good.  Again, use wisdom.  You can tell someone, “I want to think about this some more.” 

And what if someone you know confronts you with their truth about something you have said or done?  Isn’t your first response to throw up your defenses and justify yourself??  Draw back friend.  Wisdom, again, is your saving grace.  Swallow your pride (God hates pride!) and ask the person who has confronted you for some time to think about what they have said.  You can say, “I want to think about what you have told me for a while (you decide how much time…an hour…a day…a week) and then we will discuss it.”  If you feel hurt or angry, excuse yourself politely.  You then go to your “thinking place” and you get honest with yourself.  This is sometimes, often times, the hardest Truth…those things we tell ourselves.

I have learned to look forward to confrontations – that’s the truth!  I look forward to it because I know I may have an opportunity to see myself through someone else’s eyes.  A word of caution:  I do not dwell on just anyone’s opinions about me.  I contemplate only those opinions and viewpoints of persons I trust.  There are always people out there who will have a goal of merely causing you pain.  Be discerning and consider only those things from those persons you trust.

Don’t expect to find a great number of people who will join you on this lifestyle of Truth.  Sadly, most people walk around with “walls of defense” around them.  But when you find those special people who are like-minded – those who stand on their truth and integrity – hold on to them.  Honor and love them.

I feel so good and so “full” when I have had communication with someone “without walls.”  I feel genuine and I feel blessed.  Do not think that another flesh and blood person is the only way to experience this fullness of communication.  Dear friends, talk to God…tell Him all and I know He will lead you to others who also depend on Him – which is depending on the truth!

“And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”  John 8:32

May you know His Truth and find His people of Truth,

Macky

Beauty…Purpose…Eternity…what a life!!

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds (a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy), yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11

If you will take some time and think / consider what this Word of God is saying – you will be blessed and uplifted!!  I cannot be “beautiful” ALL the time…but I can be beautiful (this is not just beauty in appearance, but also beauty glowing from His presence from within our earthly bodies!) in His timing.  God loves us so much and He knows that there are times we feel down, rejected, ugly in looks or attitude…and He gives us the assurance that in His timing we have been / are / and will be “beautiful” !!  When we glow with inner happiness, when we know our “purpose” in life and are busy making this purpose happen – we are beautiful!  And only God can satisfy our deep inner longings…  Do not waste your time chasing “quick fixes” to feel good – what a waste of your time and the beauty He has given you.  Search out this scripture…in fact, read Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 11 and focus your attention on what this means in your life.

Have a BEAUTIFUL and blessed day,

Macky

Truth is not optional.

One of my random thoughts as I have gone through this day is this mantra (quote) that we used in our Treatment Group with the men who were/are incarcerated:  “Truth is not optional.”  There is only one other cornerstone that I believe preceeds the importance of living out this important “life instruction.”  We must begin by building our character on The Cornerstone – Jesus Christ.  I believe He is the Son of God and He is the Lord of my life.  His Word, the Holy Bible is my book of “Policies and Procedures.”  It almost sounds funny to me because we had rows and rows of manuals of Policies and Procedures when I worked for the Department of Corrections.  God’s book of P & P is much more to the point and requires no updates!

So, just to say this – starting first with Salvation – that is, accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord…some people say now what?  You must then build your Christian character and one of the major foundation pieces of your character is Truth.  Can you go through the day telling the whole and complete truth…without any minimization nor any maximizing…even a little bitty bit?  If you can’t…why not?  What is the worst thing that could happen to you if you spent the rest of your life speaking only T R U T H ??  To answer that, we have to ask ourselves why we lie to begin with…  Most people lie because they have a low opinion of themselves (even if they don’t realize it…even if they act arrogant) and because of this low self esteem – people make their stories a “little more colorful,” “a little more exciting,” or “a little more impressive.”  Why isn’t who we really are good enough?  Think about this.

My friends…Truth is NOT optional in a life of integrity.  God bless you.

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].” John 16:13

That’s quite an awesome word that Jesus left for us!!

Macky

Coming Home From Prison…Identity Lost?

As a licensed psychotherapist, I want to let you know (even if other therapists do not tell you); we don’t know everything!  But those of us who are called to a specific work and really care about what we are doing – we will do our best to put ourselves in your “shoes” in order to help you.  Then there are times when I become certain that a specific event has occured in my life so that I will be more understanding and better able to help you.  This would be a “God” event!

As I have referred to in past posts, the Department of Corrections in the state in which I live has been closing Programs in the Prison System.  Programs – in most prisons are a major light at the end of the tunnel…Programs have been one of the major tools with which a man can begin to reclaim his life as he walks out of the gate of his incarceration.  Within the next several years, men will be walking out of the prisons in my state without some of the major tools that could help him.  But all is not lost!  Stay with me…

As Director of one of the major Programs (Sexual Offenses), I lost my position about two weeks ago.  I admit to all who read these words that I am walking around in a fog.  I finally broke down today and said it out loud – “I don’t know who I am without my job.”  I spoke to a family member and then with a dear friend – bearing my soul…talking about how I feel and how I don’t feel anymore.  Yes, I have plans but I am caught in the middle right now.  I am no longer the Director of the Program…I no longer share lessons and listen to the internal and external feelings of the men I treated.  In short, I feel sad and lost.  I don’t feel that I have a platform to continue the calling that God has put in my life…which means I do not (at this time) have a way to reach out and offer the help that I used to do everyday.

I am thinking and comparing the way I feel with the way a man may feel when he is given his freedom.  Most people would think, “What could possibly be sad or depressing about FREEDOM?”  But, I know many men who are now free and I have spoken to them as they have plowed their way through the first few weeks, months, and even years of freedom.  Many have left behind very good friends in prison!  And in our state, and I believe in the whole United States, the men who have been released may not gather together – it is seen by society’s laws as a risky and a dangerous thing for two or more felons to be together for any reason.  Therefore, most newly free men are faced with old friends who do not know or understand them anymore.  The men who have had intensive Treatment can not risk getting involved in their “old crowds/gangs.”  They would be tempted to go back to their old habits…they would be jeopardizing their newly attained freedom.  So, I am definitely encouraging you newly free (treated/changed) men to create a new niche for yourself in society.  You see?  In some ways, you and I are in the same boat!

We are at a point in our lives where we must recreate ourselves!  Let’s go over a few things that can be helpful…things I am doing myself:

1)  Give yourself time to become accustomed to your freedom.  Be gentle with yourself.  If you feel panicy – it is okay to have a little alone time – but not too much or it will become isolation.  It might be good to keep a journal of how you are feeling each day, rating your feelings on a scale of 1 – 10 – “10” being the best you can feel and “1” being the worst.  Write down things you notice that are different and talk about or write down your opinions if the differences are things you like or don’t like.  Be aware that you may change your mind with time.  Share your journal with a trusted family member or trusted friend.

2) Maybe you don’t have any family members or trusted friends?  I can understand that too because I have moved to a different community.  I am the new person and am not close to anyone yet.  But I am going to a church and you can too!  I do suggest that you speak with the pastor of the church and let him know your situation so that he/she will not have any surprises and he/she will respect you for being forthright.  If one church does not want you to attend…go to another church.  Let me tell you something…I am preparing to talk to the Pastor of a church I am going to and tell him what my calling/ministry is (working with prisoners / men who have been in prison / men who have committed sexual offenses in their past.  He may not be pleased with what I tell him and I know that there is a chance that he will at least ask me if I intend to invite any of my “clients,” or friends who have been incarcerated into the church.  I will say, “Absolutely, I intend to invite them to church.”  If he lets me know that they would not be welcome – you can know that I will attend another church…and then another…until I find a Pastor who loves ALL God’s children.  I will be patient and I want you to be patient too.  I am facing rejection – not quite the same as you – but rejection nonetheless.  We can endure!!

3)  If you have to go to work right away, I understand – we need money to live!  Don’t look down on yourself if you work physical labor or fast food.  My friends – this is honest labor and it will help you to start a new schedule…a good schedule of working…making a living!

4)  Want to do different work?  Look into tech schools and some of you can go to college.  Hey – I didn’t start college until I was over 30!  And I have a friend who did not go to college until she was in her late 50’s.  She started working as a Therapist when she was 65 years old!  She was one of the best Therapists I have ever known.  The more mature students in tech or college usually do better anyway! 

5)  You won’t like this suggestion, but here goes anyway:  don’t be in a hurry to get involved romantically.  You are going through a lot of changes and this is not a good time to focus on a romantic relationship.  You don’t want to make a hasty marriage that may not work out…I have seen this happen.  Instead, let your goal be to make friends…good friends…both male and female.  Let the ladies know that you are not going to get involved in a romantic relationship for quite a while but let them know that you would really enjoy good friendships.  And who knows…later down the road, one of these good friends may be “the one” you will spend your life with.  This is the very best way to find a marriage partner – to be good friends first…knowing the good, the bad, the quirks, all those things that could drive you crazy later!  Find these things out in a good friendship.

6)  I think all men (or women) who have been released from prison require “aftercare” Therapy for a few months…while the newly free man is adjusting to life.  It is so comforting to know that you have someone who will tell you the complete truth and someone who will challenge you to live your best life…your Good Life. 

7)  Pray my dear friends and make solid goals for your life!  Live your life doing good for others and all will be blessed!

As you can see, there are many different situations that can make a person feel lost.  Let’s work together…encourage each other and find the joy and blessings in rebuilding your life.  I will be rebuilding my life and I will be happy to share my progress with you!

May God watch over all of us as we go through these changes!

Macky

Living Life Deliberately…

People who have made major life changes cannot live “in the shadows” of their old lifestyles.  There must be a deliberation as we go through our days, months, years…our lives.

How can we afford to do less?  If we “ad-lib” our lives, old habits will creep back in…if we are not thinking about the changes we have made and continue making obvious and noticeable  efforts to put our new changes into our lives – again and again and again – we could lose that for which we have worked so hard.  We must live our lives deliberately until the old man is gone and the new man is the new norm!

Have you created a new routine to start your day?  This is so important!  You must capture those first thoughts of the morning.  The enemy loves to “grab” you at the beginning of the day.  Why?  Because the start of your day sets the stage for the rest of your day…If your new morning routine includes Bible reading – be sure your Bible is set where you can see it when you first wake up.  Maybe you have an exercise routine…be sure to play Christian and/or positive music as you begin your day moving to good music and good lyrics.  Eat something healthy at the beginning of the day.  Again, when we do something this healthy and positive at the beginning of our day, we are giving ourselves the message that we are worthy of health, love, and all that God wants to give us!

Do you have goals?  Living your life deliberately requires that you become the guide of your life (as it is in line with God’s will!)  Some of us make daily goals…some weekly goals…some monthly goals.  I don’t believe a once a year “New Year’s Resolution” package will do the job for those of us who want to have meaningful, productive and joyful lives!  Write your goals on paper.  Mark off your goals as you achieve them – give yourself a “happy face!”  🙂

Here’s what I’m trying to get across:  A Good Life is not just “handed to you.”  You must work it out and work it deliberately…on purpose.  Share your Good Life plans with those people in your life – those people who are truly on your side…who want to see you succeed.   Some people want you to fail – now don’t be shocked.  There will be people around you who want to see you fail because they are not happy with who they are; therefore, if you fail too, they won’t feel so bad about themselves.  MISERY DOES LOVE COMPANY.  Be sure you are in the company of positive people who themselves are on the Good path.

Continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who are still in the prison system – a system which is now lacking in LIGHT…lacking in HOPE.  Our God reigns…we will see change in His timing!  Be sure of it!

Loving our Lord…Loving you,

Mrs. H

Depressed? Light Exists…

Dear Readers,

I have so much to say, but it is so much that I must do it in small pieces.  Please be patient.  Tragedy hits everyone’s life – no one wins that one!  Many Prison Programs are being cut due to the state of the economy of our nation.  The prison I worked in has done this thing…it has begun shutting down the Programs in the prison system.  Programs were one of the greatest “Lights at the end of the tunnel” to be found within the razor wire.  And at this time, our prison system is becoming a holding facility – with little to do with rehabilitation or habilitation.  The program I was associated with closed approximately one week ago and I have news that violence has already broken out on the unit of which I worked.

I cannot change the financial situation in our society – but I know the One who can…I know Almighty God and He can turn this country around and as a society, we can become people who care again…I know this is possible.

One of the last days I was on the yard, our Program Group had a “Sunrise Program,” to remind us that each day is a new day.  WE CAN MAKE GOOD CHOICES TODAY!  It was the first time during one of our Sunrise Programs that the clouds hid our view of the sun.  As it turn out – it was a very special day – it seemed to forecast that darkness may reign on the yard temporarily – BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THE SUN IS NOT THERE!  Though it does not always make a bright yellow appearance, we know the sun is there…the Light exists even if I cannot see its source.  It is the same with our lives and with our blessings or lack of blessings.  Light exists and is doing Its job whether or not I am can see what is happening. 

There is hope.  Hang on.  The Light exists and His name is Jesus.  He has not stopped shining in our hearts. 

God loves each and every one of us,

Macky

 

Much Needed Truth for Our Society…Are You Destructive?

carpenter workingHello Readers…I think you will really like this…..if you give the truth a chance!!

I have been thinking about a verse, Proverbs 18:9, that can open your eyes to some straight forward truth if you will be open to it.  When I was much younger, I remember thinking occasionally that God was sometimes so frank in the way He spoke His truth…well, I thought this truth might drive people away.  One of the reasons that I believed this way is that when I was growing up, my family did not deal with the truth openly.  My family, like many of your families, had many secrets and when someone simply and plainly told the truth – it seemed like they were being rude or trying to hurt someone’s feelings!  Thank God I have matured somewhat now (still on that journey!) and I see His brilliance and His love in the way God tells us His truth without beating around the bush…without mincing words.  He wants the best for us – so He gives us His truth boldly!  Here it is:

Proverbs 18:9a:   “He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer…”

Do you agree with me that those are powerful words?  This tells us so much about the character of God and what he expects of us.  

God wants us to know that the work that we do while we are on this Earth is really very important!  Do you know why?  Because (in my study and therefore in my opinion) God has a plan (a very good plan!) for each of our lives and that plan includes the work that we do while we are here.  Maybe you are saying to yourself, “Well, what could God possibly expect of me – my job iswaitress working only that of being a bookkeeper…or perhaps a waitress…or a construction worker…or a ______ (you fill in the blank).  Or let’s consider one other possibility, “I was just laid off or fired from my job – so what does God expect of me NOW?!”  I believe that God expects you to do your best at whatever you are doing.  Period.  If you are laid off, you can help your husband, wife, family, or friends in whatever they need while you are praying for God’s will and His blessing for your next opportunity to do work that brings glory to His Name!  Any job can bring glory to His Name if you have a righteous attitude and give your best efforts!  If you believe that you are not in His will in your areas of work, you need to get on your knees or your face before Him and ask for guidance.  Be open to His leading because His answers may come to you through family, friends, reading (like this humble writing), television or a Divine Knowing.  Our Lord wants to work through you.  Yes, YOU – I do not care what mistakes you have made in life!!  There is a specific job that only you can do in your own way.  Yes…he will let someone else do the chosen work if you ignore His leading, but you will miss your Divine purpose and a lifetime of joy and blessings.

To summarize the first part of this verse in our language of today, if a person performs his/her job in a “loose” way – it would mean that, that person is not “attached,” meaning that he/she feels no obligation to their employer and is performing their job without taking full responsibility of what is required to do the job well.  He/she is not respecting the rules and is lacking loyalty to the employer.  Looking at the meaning of “slack,” shows us that this worker is characterized by slowness, sluggishness, and without energy.  That sums up a man or woman who is not doing a good job and the Bible describes this person as a brother to him who is a destroyer.  Wow, there are those strong words again.  God tells the truth boldly!  In other words, to do a job poorly is the same as destroying the product of the work.

Is there any clearer way that God can tell us that we must be diligent workers?  I know that after this study, I will give my best to the people at work who depend on me.  Will you do the same?  If God is calling you to a different work field, trust Him and follow His leading.

May each of us give our best wherever we are. 

Walk in peace…work with honor..

Your friend,

Macky

P.S.  Remember…”Every man dies, but not every man truly lives.”

Guardian of Your Soul…

man in prisonHelpful hint:  I believe it would be most helpful if you read the story of Joseph in Genesis before reading this.  If you are familiar with his story, you will likely understand!

Consider this passage from Psalm 105 as the Psalm writer speaks of Joseph.  God allowed Joseph (of the Old Testament) to be captured…to be imprisoned and placed in chains.  God allowed this to test and teach His servant, Joseph.

“17He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant.  (NOTE TO READERS:  I just love this verse!  Joseph had no idea that he was being “sent on a mission” by and for God Almighty.  He only knew that his brothers had sold him into slavery!  Remember that old saying:  God works in mysterious ways…it is so true!)

18His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron,

19Until his word [to his cruel brothers] came true, until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.

20The king sent and loosed him, even the ruler of the peoples, and let him go free.”

Consider what the Bible means when it tells us that Joseph’s soul entered into the iron.   What a mind-boggling statement – what could it mean? I think those are a few words that should be thought about and examined thoroughly with our minds and hearts.  Because it is not only chains of iron that are able to bind us…there are many situations in life that bind us AND our souls enter into those situations as well.

I have been taught and believe as I read the Bible that our soul consists of our mind / our will / and our emotions. So, the state of my mind would include:  those things I think about, the plans I make and the fantasies and visuals  I allow myself to dwell on.  My will is my ability to make decisions – whether they are “good” or “bad” decisions.  Our God has given us free will and our future successes, failures and everything in-between is determined by the will.  My emotions are the feelings that I choose to express.  Therefore when we say “soul” we are speaking of a vital and large part of our existence.

SO WHAT DID THIS MEAN TO JOSEPH – THAT HIS SOUL ENTERED INTO THE IRON?

I believe this means that when Joseph was thrown into prison that his soul (his mind, his will and his emotions) was consumed by the conditions he was living in…the prison; the cruel and painful  iron restricting his actions.  Every dream he had ever had for his life, he was giving up…throwing in the towel.  There seems little doubt that his mind was filled with negativity, anger, fear and hopelessness.  The iron on his body and all around him likely caused him to lose his will to try to make good decisions about his life – a life he was thinking was basically finished.  As for his emotions, how could he not have been severely depressed?  Likely he was at times in tears over his physical and emotional pain.  Other times, he likely took out his highly emotional state in the form of anger and lashed out on his fellow prison mates.  Those things are what I think it meant when the Bible tells us that Joseph’s soul entered into the iron.  He could not or would not look beyond his circumstances when he was first placed in prison.  He did finally “break free” (no, he did not escape from prison…he was released) when TWO things came to pass:

1)  Until his word [to his cruel brothers] came true,

2)  and until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.

Joseph had prophesied to his brothers regarding things that would “come to pass” in the future.  All prophesies are from God; therefore #1 above indicates that God’s Holy Will…HIS PLAN for our lives must come to pass.  #2 was in Joseph’s own hands and he had to mend his reactions and responses to his circumstances in prison.  He had to heal and change the condition of his soul: his mind; his will and his emotions.  And THEN the combination was correct and complete resulting in Joseph’s release from prison:

“The king sent and loosed him, even the ruler of the peoples, and let him go free.”

This could be you.  Whether you are in or out of prison.  If you want to be free from an actual prison – you must first understand the Will of God for your life and then YOUR #2 is to change and heal your soul (until the Word of the Lord tries and tests you – and you PASS THE TESTS!!)

Please prayerfully read the entire story of Joseph in Genesis and you are sure to be blessed.

May you allow Him to guide and direct your life and may you be set free.happy free man

Walk in peace,

Macky

Pornography: The Journey of Death…

scary pathThis writing is intentionally biased against pornography and makes no attempts to cover what some people may consider “both sides of an issue.” A specific viewpoint is dominant and that viewpoint is Christianity.

Pornography – the carnal desire to depict the sexual act has been present on the Earth since mankind lost their innocence.

INNOCENCE: In the beginning, the human form was considered a beautiful and wonderfully useful creation and the difference between the animals of the fields and male and female persons was not that people wore clothing. Clothing was not necessary until Innocence was lost and with this loss came all kinds of suffering. One purpose of clothing was to protect the body from the destructive elements of weather and others dangers of nature. While people were still in their Innocent state of being, pain and danger did not exist. The desire to procreate was as natural and joyful as the enjoyment of a beautiful sunrise. Mankind had no need or desire to elevate the gift of sexual intimacy beyond any other gifts and blessings from the Creator.

With Innocence lost, people had to learn to survive on the Earth and they also started to focus on the pleasures of their five senses: sight; hearing; touch; taste and smell. When thinking of those five senses, it becomes clear how people lost their way and needed the Leaders that were “sent” to guide mankind back to a righteous path and back towards Innocence. With the Leaders and the commandments they delivered, the Creator allowed each of us to choose. He allowed people then and allows people now to choose their Earthly path…the path that will determine the path of your Spirit after it returns to dust, thus returning to his/her Maker.

GOAL OF DARKNESS: Without Innocence, the darkness grew in the Earth and mankind lost their Balance and their ability to walk with Wisdom. Therefore, not walking daily with the Creator, people made for themselves other “gods,” choosing all that darkness offered: carnal and immediate gratification; choosing exaggerated ways in which they could indulge their five senses. The darkness expanded and tried to destroy the Light. The darkness continues its attempt to turn off the true Light, but it cannot be done. Yet the darkness is satiated when it can swallow one man or woman at a time and increase its spread of blackness and filth.

If you study the word “pornography,” it tells this story (I will shorten it considerably): Pornography has a foundation in the dark and carnal world of prostitution and in the distribution of portrayals of mankind with their Innocence lost…in other words, in various forms of the destruction of one of the first gifts from the Creator – the beautiful physical act that was given to the children of the Earth in order to continue our generations of life….LIFE! The final defining feature of pornography that I will explain is that in its definition – pornography is a journey! One can only imagine and dread the ending point of this obscene path.

If you think or believe that pornography is not harmful; you are believing a lie of the darkness and the darkness is in the process of swallowing you as you walk on this dark, deviant and dead path. May the Creator show Himself to you…may He have mercy on your soul.

May God bless each of you,

Macky

The Wisdom We Struggle to Understand

two men talkingThis letter of comfort was written to an incarcerated man who had just found out that his father had died.  He struggles to share his burdens…  Sharing can bring comfort to our souls if we will share our hearts.

For Kristian:

The shadow within your eyes calls for comfort

And your pain beckons, though not deliberate.

Too often we choose to grieve alone

Even while knowing that Wisdom teaches that to share the hurt is to drain its ability

to create a deeper darkness to battle.

Without doubt, you would mourn with another who is besieged with great loss…you would be that comforting friend.

Yet you avoid much solace that awaits your gentle invitation.

Do not disguise the depth of your disappointment and confusion – these unwelcome emotions that have been ushered into the core of your life…wretched news from home that tears and threatens at the door of your soul.

Do not strengthen that part of yourself that seeks isolation and darkness – that part of you that feels helpless and hopeless at the suddenness of your loss.

May you embrace the pain and hold it tightly….as it will eventually release to you a profound knowledge that you will eventually pass on to others who need the wisdom that you are struggling to understand.

Blessings and tender regards,

Macky

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May God bless us all as we go through the good and challenging times in our lives.  May we love ourselves and others as God loves us.  Let us share together dear friends.