What's on your mind?

[bèlla]

.

 

[HisGraceAbounds]

I've been going to counseling at least twice a month for almost 24 years now, and it hasn't done me a bit of good.

That's a realization that's hard for me to accept. 24 years of hashing and re-hashing the same stuff with different people through the years, and there hasn't been any appreciable benefit other than the fact I'm still alive (which most days I'm not grateful for).

 

[bèlla]

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[Rigatoni]

I came across a neat idea this morning in a book I finished. The author mentioned her previous journaling attempts and how they often resulted in complaints or recounts of negative experiences.

Her solution was a good things journal. It was a daily recounting of the positive things God had done throughout her day. I like that approach. It forces us to look beyond the irritations to see His grace and provision in the many ways we might overlook.

She recommended reading over the entries when we’re feeling low to remind us of His love and presence. I think I’m going to try it. I may share the practice with someone so we can motivate one another in our walk.

I think that would be admirable, and a highly beneficial practice.

Interestingly enough, a few days ago I had an idea to create a Praise thread, in which other members could focus on praising God for the good things He's doing, in spite of anything else that may be going on. It's based on the principle established in Psalms 34:1, about rejoicing in the Lord at all times, in both the good and bad. In this practice, I do believe we can learn to see God in all situations, and have unshakable peace - like an immovable rock.

I was debating whether or not to create it, but this may be confirmation.

 

[bèlla]

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[somebodysangel_88]

Needing a miracle before Sunday....

 

[somebodysangel_88]

Possibly have the miracle... please pray.

 

[SarahsKnight]

For a town as small as Magnolia, you could tell that a modern automated car wash business like Blue Wave is a rare luxury. And one such place finally opened just a few days ago. While I was outside conversing with the manager near the entrance to the wash, I could easily see and hear everyone pulling up seemingly unable to grasp the bare basic instructions of pull onto the track, shift the car in neutral, and take your hands off the wheel, as there is no need to do any steering through the wash yourself. There were also several unusual concerns from these folks as to whether their car was going to be badly damaged in the process. I ... guess the concept of a full-serve car wash business where you slide a credit card through a reader instead of scour the car's interior for blasted quarters and you do none of the work yourself really does seem foreign to people who never left such a small town all their lives.

30 dollars a month for endless wash and wax treatment is a small price to pay in my eyes. Early morning errand of utmost importance accomplished; I may now once again give my Claire the treatment of a princess as she deserves, just as I did when I lived in Houston.



(Claire is what I call my two year-old black Mazda.)

 

[bèlla]

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[SarahsKnight]

Note to self, if he spoils the car he’ll spoil me too.

It would certainly be difficult not to, I am sure.

 

[bèlla]

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[SarahsKnight]

Aww shucks.

I like to think I would be the kind of aspiring knightly husband who would dote pretty heavily on his future Lady Knight no matter who she specifically turns out to be. ^-^

 

[bèlla]

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[SarahsKnight]

Godly gentlemen are very attractive. The gallant man who nurtures and protects his lady is worth the wait. I’m certain she’ll cherish your character and appreciate all you do for her and the union.

If she consented to be shackled to me of all people for the rest of our lives, then I think all of that would be the least I can do for her to show my gratitude.


Until then, I guess I'll always at least have my Claire.

....

Oh, and my crush on Emily Kinney.

(What can I say? Raging cuteness just instantly wins the heart of one Sarah's Knight. ^-^ )

 

[bèlla]

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[SarahsKnight]

She’s cute. Just wait until He delivers a real crush to your doorstep. You’ll be giddy and swooning.

I intend for it to be that way.

 

[bèlla]

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[SarahsKnight]

somebodysangel,

I hope things have turned out as you hoped. Please keep us posted.

~Bella

Ah, that's right! I am sorry I had forgotten, Miss @somebodysangel_88 . Please let us know if everything is okay.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Last evening after work, while in my usual short period of relaxation and unwinding before sleep and having to do the same shift all over again the next day =/ , I just thought to pull up season 2 of the light-hearted (read: not disturbing or obnoxious) anime K-On!, which I recall not having seen since, well, strangely, a time over seven years ago during my time of sickness from religious OCD, in which I recall sometimes desperately trying to rid my overactive mind of all intrusive and evil thoughts through rituals such as this - losing myself in a work of fiction (be it reading, video games, anime, etc.) that seems happy-go-lucky and mildly comedic.

Revisiting the first episode of K-On! season 2 last night, my heart was put at ease, it seems, from the very beginning of the episode, seeing our main heroine Yui just enjoying some solace plucking lightly away at a favorite song of the series on her guitar, as a mood-setting backdrop against intermingling shots of the other girls in her music band meeting with one another again for another school year and another season of light-hearted and kid-friendly whackiness, and starting on their way to school where Yui was already waiting for them in their designated room for their little music club. With tender piano music accompanying the whole scene.

Suddenly everything just seemed all right with the world as I saw the start of this episode and from then onward, and I felt unusual solace and contentment settle within my chest. This anime - with very few ill or unpleasant moments - is just ... light and unintrusive to me, and often sweet. And yes, even as a guy I take joy in such things from time to time.

Hard to share the experience in words, of course, but I just felt compelled to say that my evening yesterday was pleasant and my sleep shortly after fairly undisturbed. ^-^

But here's one of many good songs from the show (a few others are, admittedly, way too crazy and frenetic for my personal liking, but for the most part I like the nice innocent "girl power"-ish rock anthems that dominate the soundtrack):

 

[bèlla]

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