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Often in life we are confronted in ways we find hard to handle or combat. Sometimes these are brought on by factors beyond
our control like; material loss, disease, loss of a loved one or suffering of someone we love, physical, mental or emotional
abuse, etc. Sometimes they have been brought on by our own weakness in giving way to a addictive and destructive habit, like
drug abuse or alcoholism.
Is it possible to get over these, is it possible to rise above the pain? Has anyone done it and how. How did they cope
with their loss? How does one live with a debilitating disease. Has anyone succeeded in giving up a drug addiction and gone
on to lead a normal fruitful and respectful life. Yes all this and more is possible and has happened. With determination and
courage and taking one day at a time, there is much one can overcome and rise above.
Here on these pages some of our members and others share their experiences. Here you can read about their battles and
how they were won... and how some are ready to face new ones each day.
How do they do it? Perhaps these words of the poem 'Openings' by Serenem under 'Battling Depression' say it best
"There is something that lies small and quietly inside us
which opens up like blossoms and rainclouds--
it begs for the recognition of our inner strength,
for the resurrection of hope, faith
and love--
most of all, love... "
Read on...
An Up for a Down
I've stood upon a mountain top
and shouted out my victory.
I've also wept and could not stop
while living got the best of me.
I've sipped the nectar from the vine
and gulped the bitterness of pains.
I've sat in corners just to whine
and I have conquered hurricanes.
I've tasted morsels of the rich
and reveled in the food of poor.
I've worn garments of finest stitch
and worn those that were owned before.
I have been used; I've been abused
but alas, I am still alive.
My heart and my soul have been bruised
but I possess a living drive.
I've known a fine and comfy home
and I've lived with no roof at all.
Through adversity I might roam;
but to despair I shall not fall!
I have been robbed of many things
materials as well as not.
The very softest voice still sings
because my spirit I've still got.
I have lost all I owned to fire
I've lost the American Dream.
Yet; I've not lost my true desire
to swim against a flooded stream.
I know each day that I awake
that things can take me by surprise;
but it's a risk I want to take
and to the challenge I arise.
I've met depression and I've won
and agoraphobia too.
I know the fight has just begun
but I'll battle to see it through.
Oh, life might push and make me fall
but I shall not lay still and weep.
I'll make it even if I crawl
for living is a gift I'll keep.
I ride this roller coaster still
and I refuse too take my leave.
I feed the fire of living will
because in myself I believe.
I know that just because today,
I might be sitting on cloud nine;
the glory can be stripped away
and that misfortune can be mine.
I know naught but the fighting way
defending this life that I love.
Oh, come what may within each day
I've faith in me to rise above.
All rights reserved, © genielassie
~ Hymns Of Inner Peace
i've seen
broken into pieces
come together again
in spite of the odds
or anyone's predictions
crippled puppets
cut their strings
and dance
like butterfly wings
painting a new
beginning
i've seen men
walk toward death
without complaining
hear sad songs
in their heads
in silent suffering
and still keep walking
guardian angels
weep above
because we're too afraid
to love each other
give each other hope
massage the heart and soul
i've seen man-made mountains
crumble
into pieces at my feet
watched smothered women
greet and smile
while they couldn't breathe
separate mind and body
pretend they can't see
what they're becoming
i used to believe
someone was coming
to make me feel complete
and all i needed
while i waited
was the possibility
but lately
i've been thinking
there's no fairy tale endings
no choirs singing
all the answers
hymns of inner peace
we've all kissed the curse
of feeling incomplete
and every time we breathe
we give in
count the beats
where we're guided in
for a soft landing
always landing on our feet
words on a paper
cancer is different for different people
how it's viewed and the way one copes
it seems to overpower
as if it has power of its own
its own dark presence
but it is so limited
in its scope and strength
I have been there
lived there for years
believing I would be swallowed
wholly incomplete
I know......
Thoughts go wild...
Doctors act Godlike
Nurses seem to lose their faces
in a never ending parade of grey
I was waiting somewhere
in yet another room
for someone.....
someone to finish my sentence
while sitting in a worn out chair
while waiting in the midst of despair
I found on a table
a worn refolded paper
words on a paper....
words -
- simple words
"you are not alone"
I read and re-read again
not quite comprehending
and so tired of believing
yet the words wore deep
crevassing down into my soul.
Who could have written it?
and why leave it here?
Would the person be coming back?
Maybe I should leave it
just in case they return
So there I left it on the table
just as I found it
just in case
for that person and others
'cause reading it took my mind
way far away from concern
once
for a moment one day
I pondered that phrase
as days turned to weeks
weeks became years...
during a time when
I was too tired and alone
when feelings felt empty
and life felt so fragile
I now keep the thought
continually abiding here
held close to my heart
"I am not alone"
and, my friend, neither are you.
~r.
All rights reserved, © astralshepherd.
Matthew:28:20: "I am with you always..."
Living with Parkinson's Disease
Battling Depression beside a loved one
Fighting Engulfing Depression
The Joys of Multiple Sclerosis
Loving and Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Understanding Alzheimer's
Coping with Loss
Surviving Life
Fighting Addiction
Be Grateful for Each New Day
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