#1570, Tuesday, December 29: Emotional help means empathy and support

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Post 1570, Day 363 of 2015
- 1,824 days since I started this blog -

Daily Comment

I'm having a difficult time finding a topic today.

Yesterday, I mentioned that I have a lot of friends going through hard times, mostly of the medically-caused variety. I include the ones with emotional problems in this category.

Today, a few of my friends' problems, of the emotional variety, are weighing heavily on me. I can so identify, having very much been, in most of these cases, where they are. I have done a limited amount of reaching out to them. Limited because I know how unasked for help, even sympathy, can have the opposite effect when received by someone whose inner dialog is negative.

Communication is difficult even when both parties are trying to communicate. Our inner dialogs can alter the very words we hear before analyzing, and when someone is upset and/or depressed, negative self-talk drowns out all outside voices.

I struggle with my inability to help. The best I can do is empathize, tell them they are not alone.

But I'm, again, counting my blessings, not taking my good health for granted. In fact, the opposite. I'm so grateful to have, somehow, been spared from a debilitating illness. Given my lifestyle, it almost seems unfair - until I remember that 'fair' is a useless concept.

I have had my fair share of emotional problems, and still do. But fewer now, and all manageable.

It doesn't help anybody knowing that I defeated my demons (I didn't say extinguished; I made them manageable). How I did it is not relevant. I am just extraordinarily lucky.

What I can do is let these people know the two things I know: They aren't alone, and they have my support.

It's not only the least I can do, it's the best I can do, without a specific request.

Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:                   204.0 lbs.

Previous Weight (12/28):          203.6 lbs.

Net Loss/Gain:                   +  0.4 lbs.

Diet Comment

Well, that smarts just a bit: I thought I would lose weight with what I weighed yesterday, but no...

Food Log

Breakfast
A Quest bar.

Lunch
At Core Greens and Grains:

Beef broth bowl with kale, spinach, broccoli, black beans, mushrooms, red and green peppers, chicken and bacon.

Snack
A Quest bar.

Dinner
Cheeseburger on Ezekiel 4:9 Flax bread with guacamole and cole slaw.

Snack
Celery with home-made mayonnaise, and a Quest bar.

Liquid Intake
   Espressos: 2  Coffee:  24 oz.;  Water: 92+ oz. Plus a shot of Jameson's Irish whiskey

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