Updated Post: Emptiness / Sadness That Won’t Go Away? Seven Ways to Feel Better Now!

June 28, 2008 by emptynomore | Edit

Emptiness tops the list on all the posts that have been written (and that have been read) on this site. Emptiness…feeling empty is a common “sickness” with the majority of people I talk to. If it were a disease, I would say that it is an epidemic in our society. This feeling of emptiness is causing much sadness, increased clinical depression, decreased satisfaction of once loved jobs and hobbies, inability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, difficulty in communication with friends and work associates, and many many more difficulties.

In my work, I deal with this symptom every day. In previous writings, I have attempted to explain what is happening or not happening in the life of someone who feels “empty.” When we say the word, “empty,” it quickly lets us know that “something” is missing. Something is missing or the feeling would not be the sense that something important (something that it seems like most other people have) is just not there in your life.

I believe that in my writings the most accurate explanation I have given and what I believe is the core problem which causes this feeling of being empty is the lack of purpose in life. In other words, people feel empty when they are not sure of the direction their life is taking. Or they know the direction and are deeply disappointed about it – perhaps they have not reached this goal or are experiencing roadblocks along the way of achieving this goal. This lack of purpose and direction takes into account those BIG areas of relationships (family, friends, and romance); also job availability/educational options.

I do not normally “go in for” quick fixes; however, sometimes we need to get a little spark of “hope” to carry us through while we are making a plan that will lead to a fulfilling purpose(s) and to create more magic in the relationships that…yes…fill those empty spaces. Do not forget that this plan is the ultimate goal!!

NUMBER ONE: Reconnect with a family member or friend that you have lost touch with. It is better if you can reconnect with someone who is close enough that you can get together. Whatever the reason you disconnected…be willing to let the past be in the past. Do not rehash any old disagreement. Start new! Apologize if it is the right thing to do. Forgive if that is the right thing to do. Choose someone that you and s/he have connected well with in the past.

NUMBER TWO: If you have someone to do this with you – good. But it can be done alone and be just as effective! If you are not satisfied with your job – go get the want ads from the newspapers in your area. And depending on your lifestyle…you may even dare to consider a relocation!! If you need more education or training – go to the nearest college (or with relocation in mind) choose college or training in a different part of the state or country. Check things out in areas that you are truly interested in. By the way…I went completely through college and graduate school on scholarships..ending up paying for only ONE semester. IT CAN BE DONE!

NUMBER THREE: Everyone needs to define their belief system. Get comfortable and ready to put your mind in gear. Fill in this sentence as many times as you can: “I believe that _____.” These statements can be as short or as long as you want/need them to be. The goal is not how many things you can name…it is your ability to write down those things that you really feel strongly about. Remember that our belief systems grow as we grow – not many beliefs are “written in cement!” It is amazing how many people go through life not having defined the things they actually believe…things that are important in their lives…not having understood their morals and ethics. Starting to know these things about yourself will lift your spirits!  There are not many more things in life that are more important than defining who you are – not depending on what other people think or say about you.  Define yourself!!

NUMBER FOUR: Regardless of time of day or night…regardless of weather conditions (unless it would be dangerous), go outside and find the beauty in nature.  If you are in a crowded city…look up.  Look at the sky whether day or night…find the beauty.  Grass, trees, bushes, flowers…even bugs!  Contemplate two things that seem like opposites:  think how simple nature is and then…think how complex nature is!  As you allow your mind to dwell in these two places with Nature…your own troubles will become smaller in your mind.  Nature has a powerful healing force.  When I have a headache, I go outside and study nature and just breathe…

NUMBER FIVE: Take a long warm bath!   Play your favorite music while you tend to taking care of and cleansing your body – that living frame that carries you around on this Earth!  Depending on YOUR frame of mind, play the kind of music that will create the right atmosphere for you to cleanse your inside as well:  At times, I play music that is slow and even somewhat melancholy…these are the times I allow myself to cry.  There is no better place to have that cleansing cry than in the bathtub or shower.  Let the tears flow – get it all out.  Real men cry…women too.  Sometimes we release anger when it is actually despair / sadness that needs to be released.  Other times, I will play energizing music and sing along – even though I don’t sing well!  Make the music work for you…to release pent up sadness – or – give yourself a jazzy fix with energizing tunes.

NUMBER SIX: Move!  To the extent you are able to do it safely:  MOVE!  Get off your backside and take a walk.  Again…you will be out in nature and when you add movement,  you will actually change the chemistry in your body!  Weather too bad for a walk?  Walk around your house for 10 to 30 minutes!  Add music if you like…clean up around the house if you like – but MOVE!  If you are not allowed out of bed due to a physical condition…move whatever you can: arms, legs, fingers, or facial movements!  NOW:  after your movement – whatever it was:  look at yourself in the mirror and smile at yourself for at least one minute- DO IT !  Write your thoughts down after you have moved and smiled!  It would be interesting to write down your thought before and after your “move and smile” routine.

NUMBER SEVEN: I believe I have saved the best for last; though, you might hesitate to do this.  This is the most humbling of things to experience but can be THE THING / THE BEHAVIOR that can help you break through your feelings of emptiness:  find or make a clean place…a private place and lay on the floor on your face.  If you are uncomfortable, use a pillow, but the point is – to humble yourself before God.  The Bible tells us to “seek His face.”  Let your mind be quiet and listen.  He knows what you need.  Listen for the answer.  Answers can come in many different forms:  a thought may enter your mind; a “picture” may enter your mind; a course of action may present itself.  Again, the point is:  humble yourself…surrender all your “power and control” to He who does have absolute power.  You will receive some kind of answer – within yourself…from others…from something you hear or read.  God loves you.

I am sitting here…hoping that you will take the time and expend the effort to do these simple things. You are worth it. Let me know how it works out for you. I would be pleased to hear from those of you who get back into the stream of a life that brings fulfillment and joy.  Remember, we all have ups and downs.  Have these simple but powerful tools ready when your down times occur.

Daniel 10:12:  Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.

Micah 6:8:  He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? [Deut 10:12, 13 )

Romans 12:16:  Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. [Prov 3:7 ]

Wishing you fulfillment, humility, wisdom and peace,

Macky

Inherit the Wind?

I was reading Proverbs 11 this morning and came to verse 29: “He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind…”

Okay, first we know there are MANY different ways to “trouble our own house.”  And I believe that this verse does not just refer to the physical structure of the house but also the people we live with…our family and at times, friends are abiding with us!  I will make a list of things I could do to “trouble my own house” and you can add your own thoughts:  1) I could be impatient with my spouse or with my family members / friends; 2) I could start arguments and always think I have to be right!  3) I could isolate myself and ignore everyone; 3)  I could become physically violent or engage in other worse kinds of violence; 4)  I could be lazy and let my physical house become dirty, broken-down and an eye sore in the neighborhood.  The list is endless.  And what do I get?  For all of the above behaviors, the Bible says I will inherit the wind…  wow… not much I can do with that…in fact there is NOTHING I can do with that for God controls the wind.  Only kind, gentle and loving behaviors create lifestyles that will cause us to inherit what God wants us to have:  a loving family, good friends, a good attitude, optimism during those times that would otherwise sadden us.

May only the soothing breezes pass your way and may God grant you a gentle heart and good health,

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

Words From Prison…Looking Back & Looking Ahead With Hope

This topic was written by a man who is incarcerated at this time for sexual crimes.  He has transitioned the Sexual Offenses Treatment Program and is planning to live a good and productive life when he leaves prison.  I believe you will be deeply interested and moved by what he has to say:

WHAT IF I HAD?

by Michael

Have you ever let your mind wander?  Do you ever daydream?  I know that for me I do that quite a bit.  Some of my thoughts are of great memories of my grandmother, who has went on to be with the Lord, and sometimes I reflect on the places I’ve been and the things I’ve seen in my short time here on this Earth.  However, sometimes I look back at my life and I wonder, “what if I had…?”

I had many opportunities in my life to do the “right thing” but didn’t and the culmination of that has led me down a road of deviancy, and immorality that eventually landed me here in prison for the second time, just six short months after getting out of prison the first time.

Many times I reflect on my teen years and thought, “What if I had applied myself more in school, after all the teachers all said I was capable of good things.”  I look back now and see a lot of missed opportunities that were directly related to my poor behavior in school.  This is where, (age 13) I believe I started rebelling against everyone, doing only the things I wanted to do.  This is called immediate gratification. Do you remember a time in your past when you started doing what you want when you wanted it?  It is my opinion that everyone that is in prison has a problem with immediate gratification. In other words, we came to a point, in any given situation, that we were going to get what we wanted regardless of the potential consequences.

I continued on this path while in the Army.  I was drinking, drugging and many other illegal things.  I could have had a great career and seen the world all the while getting a free education.  I also participated in a part of modern history by serving in combat in Desert Storm and being awarded the Bronze Star not once, but twice!  However, I thew it all away because I thought I was entitled to walk my own path but the Army did not agree.  Therefore, I left behind a huge opportunity to be someone of integrity, respect and trust.  I was quite the liar.

You are probably getting bored with my story, but if you will just hang on, I believe you will find something that applies to you.  That is the reason I am writing this article – to help someone out there that thinks he is all alone.

I have squandered many job opportunities that I could have turned into careers and been able to provide for my family and myself.  Again, I ask myself, “What is I had just toughed it out at work and been thankful for the job I had?”  I was too busy doing whatever my flash desired regardless of consequences or who got hurt.  I have said many times, “I’m a grown man – no one can stop me from doing what I want!”  Maybe I am the only one who has ever thought or said that, but that is what I truly believed at the time.  All by myself, I ruined three marriages and damaged my relationship with my children to the extent that I can only pray that they still love me and want to be part of my life someday.  Every day that my name is highlighted on our prison mail list, I think, “Is it a letter from my daughters?”

My first trip to prison was for sexual assault in Texas.  I spent a lot of my time fighting and sticking my hand into every illegal activity that I could.  How crazy is it, that after arriving at the prison to do my time I continued to commit crimes within the prison!  There is that immediate gratification again.  How could I have been so blind to my behaviors?  I could justify by saying that I was just trying to fit in with the others, but the fact remains that I did the things I did because I wanted to.  Today I see this same kind of behavior from some of the men on our unit; it is not very surprising.  Men are put in prison for rebelling against the law and continue to do so inside prison for two reasons:  1) They are surrounded by people who are doing the same thing.  2) They just do not know how to be different.  I had to make a decision that I was tired of being locked up, tired of hurting my mother’s feelings, tired of beating my head up against the proverbial brick wall, and just plain tired of thinking that I was crazy.  Are you tired yet?

I got the rare opportunity to be a part of the treatment community in this prison and I completed the Program for men who have committed sexual offenses.  I can stay at this prison until I discharge and am trying to give back some of what I have learned to people like me who want to change.  I have to tell you the Program road was hard and hurtful.  I HAD to face the demons of my past and deal with the distorted and twisted way I was thinking.  You can do this as well.  Maybe you are thinking, “I got too much time,  I’ll never get into the right group.  You can start your treatment today.  Remember that true change is focused on the man, not the behavior.  First, make the decision that you are not going to be the same man you were when you walked in here, and that you are going to walk a new path that will lead you to the man that you want to be.  On the inside, I believe there is a place in the hearts of all men that cries out to be a man of honor.

“What if I had known then what I know now?”  We all look back on our past with 20/20 vision and ask ourselves “What if I had….?”  I do not think that it is possible to look back on our past with some regret, but I do believe that from the present time and on into the future we can make a difference in our own lives.  If we really want to take control of our lives, we have to stop the cycle of behaviors that we do that is illegal, against the rules, and harmful to others and ourselves.

I know that this was really a long and wordy way of getting to the point of this paper, but I thought that if I shared a part of my life with you,  maybe I could help someone.  Maybe some of you men will have the courage to step forward to a life of change (it takes loads of courage).  It will be hard, but the payoff if well worth it!  I am willing to communicate with those who need help.

Michael

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May God bless all who read and heed these words of wisdom,

Macky

Much Needed Truth for Our Society…Are You Destructive?

Hello 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 is 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…

Helpful 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.

Walk in peace,

Macky

Pornography: The Journey of Death…

This 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

This 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.

In The Presence of Change

Working with people who have been not only self-destructive, but have also destroyed the lives of others…working with these persons who are “testing the waters” of a new and peaceful lifestyle – this is a joyous experience!  Because I have never experimented with drugs, I cannot accurately describe a “high” as others might; however, I can state that – WITHOUT DOUBT – being in the presence of change is one of the most noble…one of the most honorable and blessed experiences of my entire life.

I am so humbly and sincerely thankful that I was called into this work and though I have heard stories that have stolen my rest and created a river of tears – it has all worked to the good; to so much good.

For this is true:  to the same extreme that sadness, disbelief and grief are expressed and experienced when an incarcerated man surrenders his immoral and vicious behaviors…to that same extreme in the other direction (in the direction of pureness and Light) the sadness, disbelief and grief give way (move aside and create a pathway)  to purpose in life, happiness, and an ability to tolerate the flow (the days of good as well as the days of challenge) of life.

The joy is nearly breathtaking when men who were once perpetrators of the weak become Protectors of the Vulnerable.  And not only protectors…but many (I have been honored to witness) have become (and are becoming) the teachers and leaders of those who have heretofore only lived to do harm.

I thank God for His gift to me…His gift to allow me to be the conduit of some of His Words and Teachings.  I thank Him for allowing me to witness some of His fruit as His children (these men locked in prison) break the chains and embrace the Change.

CHAINS OR CHANGE…It’s your choice.

Consider this passage from Psalm 105:  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.

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!!  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 bind us…there are many situations in life that bind us and our souls enter into those situations as well.

I will make that the next topic I write on…how our souls (remember your soul is your mind, your will and your emotions) enter into the things/situations that bind us and how this affects our lives.

CHAINS OR CHANGE??

May your souls find peace,

Macky

The Scarecrow Knew!

The Scarecrow knew Dorothy could go home anytime she wanted to, but he DID NOT TELL HER!

Let’s look at this story and see what is really going on!  Everyone that Dorothy became friends with had very serious problems!  Did you ever wonder why she didn’t make friends with at least one “normal” companion on this journey of hers?

Do you ever wonder why YOU seem to attract friends who have a great deal of chaos and trouble in their lives??  Well…I have one of the answers for you!  I am not saying this is the only answer, but it is definitely one of the reasons.

Didn’t you grow up in chaos and trouble?  I know you are out there…  You became accustomed to being around problems and used to having messed up relationships.  Did you enjoy this??  NO, of course not…BUT when you are used to something – you will continue to attract those situations…you will continue to attract those kinds of people into your life.  It feels “normal” to you. For most of us who grew up in dysfunctional families…we have had great difficulty building trust…difficulty keeping good people in our lives…troubled relationships.  I want to point out some wisdom at this point:  Anything you label as “normal” or “alright” in your life – whatever that “thing” is, you will not be able to change it.  You must recognize it as NOT normal in order to become determined to make the needed changes in your life in that area!  It takes so much courage to take a realistic look at your own life and it also takes a lot of time to think things through.

Back to the Scarecrow – just to help make the point!  He seemed lovable and appeared very loyal to Dorothy.  Probably he did care a lot for her…but he knew if she went home – he would be left behind!  He had been isolated all his life…an unattractive and weak “man” whose only job had been to scare other living creatures…not much of a life.  Then this lovely young girl comes into his life and she is so kind.  She was very open about the problems in her life and then those two characters (with their problems) set off on a journey to “find the solutions they needed.”  The Scarecrow had never felt such closeness in a companion and he did not want to lose it.

I believe he knew that Dorothy could go home anytime because he was the character in the movie that was supposed to be the smartest.  I believe he could have figured it out because as it turned out, he was much smarter than the “fake” Wizard of Oz.  The Wizard who turned out to be harmless but a fraud!

As it turned out, the Scarecrow gave in to his selfish desire to keep his friend Dorothy in his life and did not tell her that she could go home at any time.  He was afraid of being alone again…although at the end of the movie, we see that he had made other friends (Tin Man and Lion) and we are left with the hope that they had learned some valuable lessons together on the Yellow Brick Road (the Journey towards Wisdom) that all of us travel in our lives.  Some of us learn – we absorb the Wisdom…sadly…others do not and get off the Good Path.

I can sympathize with the Scarecrow but I cannot agree with his selfish decision.  Throughout the years of my life, I have learned that our Almighty God gives good things to his children who are generous and helpful to one another:

Matthew 7:12
So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.

Generosity is one of my favorite characteristics to find in people I meet.  It is a true gift of spirit.

God Bless you,

Macky

P.S.  This interpretation of The Wizard of Oz is my own creation and I make no claim that the author intended it to be interpreted in this way.