I am not a “formally religious” person, however I follow a spiritual path and believe in a higher power.
Since I have been struggling with this illness, family and friends have told me with extreme sincerity, that they pray for me. They do this in a formal religious manner, a spiritual manner and a more non-religious or non-spiritual manner. Other people have stated that they maintain a daily routine of meditation or positive thinking for my relief from the daily pain of depression, anxiety and its related demonic cousins.
I appreciate the time they take to spend a moment or two sending good thoughts my way. Often days, I can feel the energy from their efforts. Other days, I’m so wrapped up, or taken over by the emotional problems that I can’t even carry on a conversation with Patty. Nonetheless, there is power in their efforts. The energy they put out is heartfelt and genuine. I am grateful and appreciative for their “blessings.” The thought that they are there for me is comforting and reassures me I have a team of people that are contributing to my fight for emotional stability and survival.
Then, there are my personal prayers, meditation and positive thinking. I use them all. I use these when I have the ability to do so. Sometimes, I am so overwhelmed by the pain of my internal struggles, that I can’t think of anything positive to apply towards my health. To the contrary, I can’t think of a damned thing, of a positive nature, that gives me any relief.
When I’m in the pit with the dragon, I’m IN THE PIT WITH THE DRAGON! There seems to be nothing I can think, say, do or otherwise give myself for comfort. That’s just the way it is.
The point of all this is to open yourself up to, at the very least, the gifts your family and friends send your way.