Up, Down, Up, Down

Yeesh, talk about a bummer post yesterday.  All I could focus on yesterday was my negative feelings.  I felt like I was chained down under their weight with no hope of getting out from under them.  What a yucky feeling, and how horrible for the people around me.  I struggle with keeping my feelings at bay.  When I'm up I'm up, when I'm down, I'm down, and when I'm only half way up.... well actually that pretty much never happens, I'm usually one or the other.  Over the years I've learned that feelings are just feelings and I don't have to let them control my actions or words, but that is easier said than done.  Feelings are such tricksters, whatever feeling I have at the moment seems so real and like it has eternal bearing on my life.  If I'm happy I feel like nothing could ever go wrong ever again, and I feel like I have it all together and like I'll never be sad again.  When I'm down and out I feel like nothing will ever be good in my life again and why even bother to try to see the positive things.  It is a vicious cycle, and actually quite exhausting.  I take vitamins to help combat the peeks and valleys and to try to keep my emotions more hilly and less mountainous.  I try to get enough sleep, but my self discipline really lacks in this area.  I try to read the Word and remember that life isn't just about me and my particular mood.  And last of all, though I should really make this my first defense, I count my blessings.  There are so many that I can't even get to the end of them all before I start to feel better and see my life from a new perspective.  Here are some of the blessings that make me smile each day...

Healthy, Easy Going Kids

Messes Creativity All Around Me

A Close Knit Family

Life Long Friends

Warm Clothes

Yummy Food

A Vibrant Heritage

Countless Luxuries

Unconditional Love

Help and Encouragement From Loved Ones

 

To name just a few.  There I feel better now.