I have heard that turkeys are possibly some of the most oblivious creatures around. They live their lives just wandering around, eating and quite frankly not giving a hoot (or gobble) about anything in their world. Man, there are times I wish I was a turkey!
I don't know about anyone else, but I am completely overwhelmed by all the evil, hatred, sliminess and just downright horrific things that I am seeing in the world lately. I can't log onto my computer or even YouTube without seeing news stories that make my blood boil, bring me to tears and/or at times, make me want to throw up because they are so abhorrent. Our world is getting worse and worse each day it seems.
Our family has enough drama in our own little world to deal with. We are so tired of the mind games and the more they play them, the more clear things become and the more answers to questions that have plagued us for years, seem to be coming forth, including when and why my health took a turn for the worse.
I really can't do the stress all this brings on. Stress is a huge part of what caused my Fibromyalgia and CFS and I know that now by tracing back to when I first started having really bad symptoms. When I have been at my worst health wise, is when I have been under the most stress. There is a direct link there. Just when I start to do and feel better, we are hit with more crap that sends me reeling backwards again. As much as I try to insulate myself from it, I really can't.
We have done what we can to step away from the extended family drama, but they just won't leave us alone. I try avoid reading news stories that I know will upset me and even "hide" them on facebook, but the headlines alone make me ill. Does anyone know if there is a way to hide that news ticker thing off to the side? I use facebook to keep up with and communicate with friends and family. Being limited in energy, I tend to stay home a lot and can feel so isolated, so facebook has helped greatly with that.
In a perfect world I would build a big bubble wrap cave and gather in my family and friends and we would all live there in perfect harmony, safe from the outside world, and just enjoy life and each other. My cave would have to have a greenhouse too and a small farm so we could grow our own food...that way I would not have to go to the store. A self sustaining bubble wrap family compound...now that is a great idea!
Deb without all the drama you would not realise how blessed you are to have such a wonderful immediate family. Sending you big cyber hugs that aren't too squishy and hurty.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane, I never would have thought to look at it from that angle. Thank you also for the big hugs...they are very appreciated! :)
DeleteI feel you, Debbie! I have purposefully stopped reading news stories that upset me and when I see something on facebook that I know will be disturbing, I scroll by as fast as I can. That would be abused children and animal pictures!!! I wish people wouldn't 'share' them so much! God's word tells us to keep our minds on things that are pure and lovely (Philippians 4:8) so that's what I try to do when I get in those moods, for sure! I give myself permission to not 'know' about those terrible things going on in the world, because God says I can dwell on the good things. I'm sorry you are having so much family drama and issues; I pray you can break away and make peace in those situations too.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand. I hate those kinds of posts too and end up "hiding them" so I don't accidentally see them again. :( I did take a 4 day break after I wrote this post to spend mainly offline and with my sweet hubby. :)
DeleteI visit Facebook on my phone and tablet. The side ticker doesn't show up 8th those.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should get a tablet....hmmmm. :)
DeleteThat really sounds like heaven, Debbie!!
ReplyDeleteWant to join me Debbie...there is always plenty of room for more friends! ;)
DeleteAlso sending big cyber hugs your way.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to stop the news feed - my 'solution' is to not look at it and/or not be on FB. As for posts from friends, I've unfollowed many people for that same reason. I'm still friends with them, but their posts and likes won't drop into my timeline.
Like you, I have to be vigilant about avoiding stress when possible. Choosing to be on FB or reading emails areboth things I can control to some degree at least. Also - I use my caller id on the phone and screen all my calls. I just let the calls go to voicemail if I'm at all tired or think the call could be stressful.
Take good care of yourself.
SJ
Hi SJ, I screen my calls too for the most part. I have been getting those dialers lately that are scam artists. I finally got fed up with my phone ringing off the hook though (while Jeff is trying to sleep) and told them to stop harassing me or I would be turning them into the FCC since my phone number is in the official "Do Not Call" registry.
DeleteI don't have Facebook, and I never have. If people want to get a hold of me, then they can call, text, or email.
ReplyDeleteI would go that route too but it is where I keep up with friends and family and see their pictures. :)
DeleteWell, I don't know if being a turkey would be a good idea, Debbie, because you might wind up on someone's Thanksgiving table! ;)
ReplyDeleteBut on a more serious note, the world is getting worse and worse each day, but Jesus told us " Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains." If you can, read all of Matthew 24. There, you will have the answer of why all of these things happen.
All we can do, is ask God to give us strenght and wisdom and to protect us and our family.
Ask Him to take away everything that hurts you and to keep all of those that want your harm, away from you. He's our Father and He protects His sons and daughters.
Be strong Debbie! We'll be praying for you and your family! :)
LOL Paula, thanks for the giggle and thank you for the reminder and the prayers. :)
DeleteDebbie, I found this step-by-step article, about hidding the news ticker on Facebook:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.simplehelp.net/2011/09/21/how-to-hide-the-news-ticker-on-facebook/
I hope it helps! :)
Thank you!
Delete(((HUGS))) Debbie. I don't know how to block unwanted news, but hope you find a way to do so. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks my friend, I am going to try what Paula above found on how to block the news on Facebook. :)
DeleteI know what you mean about stress. I have fibromyalgia and heart problems. Both of which get worse with stress. This has been a heck of a year not only for our family but for the country. Horrible things have happened in both for us but I have to trust that God has a plan or I'd be a crazy woman. I just pray that he keeps my kids / grandchild / mom safe and takes care of our country. Take care. Sorry so much is hitting you lately.
ReplyDelete(((((HUGS))))) Crystal. Praying for you too my friend.
DeleteGood Afternoon Debbie,
ReplyDeleteA few things I do to avoid stress include:
1. Philippians 4:8 "Whatever is True, Whatever is Noble, Whatever is Right, Whatever is Pure, Whatever is Lovely, Whatever is Admirable; ... Think on these things."
2. Watch only television and movies that are uplifting, contain a moral message, or are funny.
3. Watch the news no more than 2 times per week for only 20 - 30 min. I am VERY strict about this.
4. I have many friends on FaceBook but follow only a small few and if any of those become negative, I will keep them as a friend but unfollow them.
5. For some reason, my FaceBook does not have a newsfeed - HooRay!
6. Use the caller I.D. feature on my phone. If a family member or friend who tends to be a "negative Nelly" phones, I will often allow the call to go to voice mail. If I allow the call to go to voice mail because I am not in an emotional place where I can handle them, I usually mail them a short uplifting note or a "thinking of you" card.
7. I also must remember, Ephesians 6:12 - "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
8. We Christians must remember that we are called to go into combat on our knees.
9. A hot soak with a warm cup of chamomile tea or hot cocoa does wonders to relax my tense muscles. Note: There have been days when I've had to unapologetically indulge in a hot soak as early as 9 AM.
Hugs to you my friend,
Mrs.B
All good suggestions my friend! Thursday we went to a Christian concert and it felt wonderful to spend 2 hours just worshipping the Lord and lifting each other up. It was just what I needed. Jeff and I also used the hot tub a lot. ;)
DeleteI so wish I could give you a hug, my friend. I don't have the issues you do, but I suffer from anxiety, so I can understand the stress of dealing with family issues. I hope you're able to get away from it.
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
rue
Thank you Rue. Anxiety is no fun is it? I was able to take a break for 4 days and that really helped. Be blessed!
DeleteIt's hard to handle the stress for me, too. When I see the sad cases on the news, or hear about the problems all over the world, I want to fix everything, and both my husband and I want to save the world. But, we can't. So, I do what God puts in front of me each day--one thing and one person at a time. I tell myself constantly that God doesn't ask me to do it all, or do it perfectly, just to do my best. That helps me. So, when we felt God was leading us to adopt, we did. Again and again and again...... When He brings a family or person into our lives that He clearly wants me to help, I do. I have to believe that helping one person does make a difference, even though bringing a meal to someone, or taking them to a doctor's appointment, or even giving a gift to a stranger at Christmas seems insignificant, I have to believe it matters.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, we have suffered a lot of stress from outside forces. It's never fun, and there's not been a single thing I could do about it at the time. I can think of 2 times in our lives when I wondered how I would continue. At least, when Rob lost his job a couple of years ago, I knew I had faced worse, and survived, so I would survive this time, too! Sad to say, that helped, too. Each time, keeping my eyes on Jesus, and praying and actively looking for good things (blessings) each day--they all helped.
You hang in there. Do whatever it takes to keep you healthy--mind and body:) It looks different for each of us, but you will find your way!
Bless you Becky. I know that you have faced your share of "giants" and yes, helping whomever God puts on your heart really does matter and make a difference. Look at your beautiful family and all the love that you share with them. :) I would say you have made a huge difference!
DeleteI did take some time away to focus on my family and to spend time with God and it has made a huge difference. Thank you!
I occasionally yearn for something akin to a bubble wrap cave too, Debbie, but wishing does not make it so. I try to make the home where I live with my little family that cocoon. It's comfortable, I bring flowers from the garden inside, there are board games and books and playing cards, scented candles are often alight, I grow some fresh foods in the garden & there's always something homemade on-the-go. We hug each other often!
ReplyDeleteI also try to find, each and every single day, something in nature that makes me smile. Yesterday, after a day of rain and just before dusk, a beautiful rainbow spread right out across the sky. We all went out to see it, barefoot on the wet green grass. That arc in the sky reminded me of all that is beautiful. Take care.
Meg Xxx
Oh Meg, just reading your reply painted such a beautiful picture in my mind. :) Your home is much like mine. This morning I took great delight in watching the bright yellow leaves rustling in the breeze as I was cuddled up in my recliner looking out the window. I remarked to my husband how much I love the view out that window and how much joy watching the little birds who have been enjoying the sunflowers has brought me this year. :) Be blessed!
DeleteStress is definitely linked to disease, and it is good that you are taking steps to alleviate the most stress from your life that u can, we don't have tv and I think that helps so much to stay insulated from all the horrible events of the world around us. Praying for you that the lord will help you thru this stressful time!
ReplyDeleteHi Marilyn, praying for you too my friend and for healing for your hands. We don't have any of the local channels anymore so if I want to see the news, I have to actively seek it out on Youtube or go online and see it there. I do try to just watch shows that are uplifting. Lately my husband and I have been watching Northwest Profiles on the PBS channel that our Roku gets. I love the uplifting stories there. :)
DeleteAnother Hug to you, Debs. This world is definitely out of control, and now that we are able to see and experience everything that is happening everywhere, it's just too much. When really horrible things happen and are on the news constantly, I just turn it off. When 9-11 happened, I turned Mr. Rogers Neighborhood on! I've been limiting my time online, too. More and more I'm realizing that we do need to limit our exposure to these things to protect our hearts and minds. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy. I've been tuning out a lot of things lately to try and save my sanity. Be blessed my friend!
Delete