My Alter Ego's Lament: "Snoopy's" Discussion
My depression has always lurked in the deep dark disturbing days of December. My book The Stigma of the Mentally Ill: Bob Does Everything Backwards
[see book link at end of this essay] shows tendencies toward tries where trials are tested. This year I have matured into some changes. Answers had to be found.
I 'lighted' these days with sensual live music. All alone I attended the 'Candlelight Vesper's' -- a service by the choir of the Church of the Holy Child with the Mastersingers of Archmere Academy directed by David Ifcovits. It was beautiful lofty music with strains that arched in the rafters. Alone again -- two nights later -- I attended the Christmas portion of the 'Messiah' by G.F. Handel with other Christmas favorites at Concord Presbyterian Church in Wilmington Delaware. Matthew Pressley directed this classic performance. Beautiful again this time was more classical. It is possible for one to be satisfied with simple pleasures and therefore not be depressed. Expecting a magnitude of joy does not do as well in the winter as searching and claiming simple point to point high spots. Interest helps.
During this dark season my wife Leslie and I visited Longwood Gardens to enjoy the lights and the plants in their botanical beds. The ambiance down to each fragrance struck us as we visited each room in the conservatory. At one point we enjoyed backdrop music at a water fountain display. At another we sang Christmas carols accompanied by an organist playing a huge pipe organ in the parlor. Like a virgin I absorbed all of these experiences into my mind. Sometimes my eyes welled up and other times I smiled. In winter -- the starkness of the season is accented by the pruning efforts of late fall. I have to accept all of my emotions.
My solution to any difficult feeling or emotion comes when I make the choice to trust myself. Despite my feelings -- I still must trust myself. Even a roller coaster has the continuity of the track -- go through with the feelings -- follow them to the next one -- do not be afraid of yourself. Trust peace.
First however, I have to accept the fact that I am solely responsible for my choice of emotions. Then I must take action based on thoughts & feelings which is brave enough to make an honest expression. On many occasions just by taking a positive action one can also change emotions. All of this applies to me the individual and does not depend on the others around me.
I choose to be the active, playful, leading, and healthy Snoopy instead of the unsure, naively optimistic, and dependent Charlie Brown. If I am responsible for my feelings the code I live by is working and I am not an emotional slave in dependence.
What we have is today -- and that is all we can live with. I do not have to adapt to the acceptance of what will come next spring and summer. We do not know the future, but must live to the fullest today. Live! Act!! Be Healthy!!
See the link: amzn.to/1R1Oayq for other emotional quenching discussions.
Sincerely,
Robert N. Franz
[see book link at end of this essay] shows tendencies toward tries where trials are tested. This year I have matured into some changes. Answers had to be found.I 'lighted' these days with sensual live music. All alone I attended the 'Candlelight Vesper's' -- a service by the choir of the Church of the Holy Child with the Mastersingers of Archmere Academy directed by David Ifcovits. It was beautiful lofty music with strains that arched in the rafters. Alone again -- two nights later -- I attended the Christmas portion of the 'Messiah' by G.F. Handel with other Christmas favorites at Concord Presbyterian Church in Wilmington Delaware. Matthew Pressley directed this classic performance. Beautiful again this time was more classical. It is possible for one to be satisfied with simple pleasures and therefore not be depressed. Expecting a magnitude of joy does not do as well in the winter as searching and claiming simple point to point high spots. Interest helps.
During this dark season my wife Leslie and I visited Longwood Gardens to enjoy the lights and the plants in their botanical beds. The ambiance down to each fragrance struck us as we visited each room in the conservatory. At one point we enjoyed backdrop music at a water fountain display. At another we sang Christmas carols accompanied by an organist playing a huge pipe organ in the parlor. Like a virgin I absorbed all of these experiences into my mind. Sometimes my eyes welled up and other times I smiled. In winter -- the starkness of the season is accented by the pruning efforts of late fall. I have to accept all of my emotions.
My solution to any difficult feeling or emotion comes when I make the choice to trust myself. Despite my feelings -- I still must trust myself. Even a roller coaster has the continuity of the track -- go through with the feelings -- follow them to the next one -- do not be afraid of yourself. Trust peace.
First however, I have to accept the fact that I am solely responsible for my choice of emotions. Then I must take action based on thoughts & feelings which is brave enough to make an honest expression. On many occasions just by taking a positive action one can also change emotions. All of this applies to me the individual and does not depend on the others around me.
I choose to be the active, playful, leading, and healthy Snoopy instead of the unsure, naively optimistic, and dependent Charlie Brown. If I am responsible for my feelings the code I live by is working and I am not an emotional slave in dependence.
What we have is today -- and that is all we can live with. I do not have to adapt to the acceptance of what will come next spring and summer. We do not know the future, but must live to the fullest today. Live! Act!! Be Healthy!!
See the link: amzn.to/1R1Oayq for other emotional quenching discussions.
Sincerely,
Robert N. Franz
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