Each morning I'd watch my type I diabetes-inflicted grad school roommate, Larry, perform his rituals before breakfast. Piercing his finger to take a blood level - measuring his glucose levels - injecting himself with a needle full of insulin.
I thought to myself, "What a pain! I could never do that!"
But, Larry soon taught me that his ritual no longer seemed burdensome. Why? Because he shared,
A day without insulin makes made him feel extremely crappy.
After just a few days without insulin, basically his body will have crystallized glucose in the blood-stream, and over time, they'll set in your extremities, causing black-toes/fingers, basically they'd start rotting away.
A few more days and he could go into a diabetic coma, and likely die.
I've come to believe that those of us who've ever struggled with, are struggling with or are prone to depression... also very much need to put our own rituals in place. Don't do them and at first,
We just feel crappy
Over time, we hurt others with anger, let negativity fester and start doing things that aren't good for us (over-eat, over-drink, over-emphasize all that's wrong, doubt ourselves, doubt God, doubt there's hope for change.)
In time, we feel lethargic, anxious and may well need medication to break out of the cycle.
Personally, I find that in any day, I must intentionally defeat depression before breakfast... Especially before beginning my work. THEN my day is positive, good, giving and rewarding.
Here are the rituals that work for me on a good day.
Mindy recently brought home a rare but incredible topical devotional book called Disciplines oft the Inner Life. Compiled by father and son Bob And Michael Benson, it's filled with really refreshing reflections from classic spiritual writers across many spiritual tribes. Weekly topics include things like Doubt, Distractions, Anxiety, Guidance...
And when I'm too busy to pray, I'm just too busy!
Lately, I've discovered the wealth of insight and wisdom through podcasts. Though books are still vital, I also realize can learn on a topic that stretches me. This morning, I learned about the challenge women in the marketplace face as they seek to address the gender gap in corporations, a TED talk by Susan Colantuono called the "Career Advice You Probably Didn't Get."
OK, so then time for breakfast.... (Best not bagels for this guy! Another addiction!)
Have a great day!
PS. Please Do Like or Share with others you know who struggle with this inner disease! We need to help each otherEach morning I'd watch my type I diabetes-inflicted grad school roommate, Larry, perform his rituals before breakfast. Piercing his finger to take a blood level - measuring his glucose levels - injecting himself with a needle full of insulin.
I thought to myself, "What a pain! I could never do that!"
But, Larry soon taught me that his ritual no longer seemed burdensome. Why? Because he shared,
A day without insulin makes made him feel extremely crappy.
After just a few days without insulin, basically his body will have crystallized glucose in the blood-stream, and over time, they'll set in your extremities, causing black-toes/fingers, basically they'd start rotting away.
A few more days and he could go into a diabetic coma, and likely die.
I've come to believe that those of us who've ever struggled with, are struggling with or are prone to depression... also very much need to put our own rituals in place. Don't do them and at first,
We just feel crappy
Over time, we hurt others with anger, let negativity fester and start doing things that aren't good for us (over-eat, over-drink, over-emphasize all that's wrong, doubt ourselves, doubt God, doubt there's hope for change.)
In time, we feel lethargic, anxious and may well need medication to break out of the cycle.
Personally, I find that in any day, I must intentionally defeat depression before breakfast... Especially before beginning my work. THEN my day is positive, good, giving and rewarding.
Here are the rituals that work for me on a good day.
Mindy recently brought home a rare but incredible topical devotional book called Disciplines oft the Inner Life. Compiled by father and son Bob And Michael Benson, it's filled with really refreshing reflections from classic spiritual writers across many spiritual tribes. Weekly topics include things like Doubt, Distractions, Anxiety, Guidance...
And when I'm too busy to pray, I'm just too busy!
Lately, I've discovered the wealth of insight and wisdom through podcasts. Though books are still vital, I also realize can learn on a topic that stretches me. This morning, I learned about the challenge women in the marketplace face as they seek to address the gender gap in corporations, a TED talk by Susan Colantuono called the "Career Advice You Probably Didn't Get."
OK, so then time for breakfast.... (Best not bagels for this guy! Another addiction!)
Have a great day!
PS. Please Do Like or Share with others you know who struggle with this inner disease! We need to help each other!
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