Sometimes learning and growing sucks. Sometimes is downright hurts.
Yesterday, after having a fairly good day despite having anxiety over being so poor (I actually only had enough money to get me back home from campus and get me there and back today and then I didn't know what I was going to do), I decided to go to the gym. I love that my tuition includes a gym membership. I knew I wouldn't be able to buy a lock for a locker so I left my purse and school supplies in my locker on campus and therefore only had my gym bag and student ID at the gym. I put them in a locker without a lock.
When I got back from my workout, my gym bag was gone. Thankfully, I still had my coat, scarf, toque and gloves as well as my change of clothes. No gym bag with some of my martial arts equipment and most distressing....my student ID. I felt so violated. I was depressed. I couldn't afford to replace anything.
On the walk to the gym I had been thinking about how at least one of the benefits of being so impoverished is having so little to lose. I thought that if someone were to steel my purse, the joke was on them. They would get around $8 and a maxed out credit card. Not much gain for the trouble.
But then I was actually robbed. And I learned that I was so wrong. It's harder being robbed when you are so poor because you lose everything you have. You don't have resources to replace anything. What you do have is so much dearer to you than when you can have anything. I really loved that gym bag. It was really useful and I bought it because it was easy to clean which is important for a person like me who sweats a lot when they exercise. And I had a Christmas gift in there too: a hair product for people with curly hair that I absolutely loved and I knew was also expensive. My hand wraps, my mouth guard.....my student ID.
I think I needed to learn this lesson for the kind of work I'm planning on going into. I'll probably work with people living in poverty. Actual poverty, not the student poverty I live in. I need to be merciful, understanding. This experience has given me insight into the life of poverty.
Fortunately, God has performed another miracle in my life and I've just received my funding for school. I was told the earliest it could be in my account was tomorrow, but I have it today! And that is just when I need it. Otherwise, I wasn't sure how I was going to make it to my classes tomorrow. God is good!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Insecurity and Cruelty
I've just finished my first week at college. It has been quite an experience. At times I have felt really confident and at other times overwhelmed and overstimulated.
My best friend mentioned to me that I was sounding judgemental and she was concerned about it because it is not a part of who I am.
I wasn't taken back when she said that and I wasn't hurt by her remark at all. It just made me think and surprisingly, I had been thinking about this topic before she even mentioned it.
The majority of the people I've been encountering all week have been my fellow first year students. We are all wondering around like dear in headlights and suffering from information overload. I'm sure we all feel a great deal of insecurity from being in a new position. We don't know what the future holds for us. We don't know how we are going to make it through our studies. Some don't know that they are in the right program. We don't know who are friends will be even. So much unknown. It's a weird position to be in.
And, unfortunately, out of that insecurity can come cruelty in the form of judgement and gossip. I've seen it in my fellow students and I've seen it in myself as well.
I've heard some mean comments about other people. All in an attempt to feel better about oneself and feel somehow superior, masking our own insecurities.
What is particularly cruel about this behaviour, is it stings that much more at this time. We are all hoping to make a good first impression and establish a certain image for ourselves. Any mistake is heightened. It doesn't matter how small or insignificant. And our feelings are more easily hurt, we are more vulnerable.
Last night I prayed that God would forgive me of my gossip and judging. I prayed He would help me see people the way He sees them.
I'm in college because I want to work with people with mental illness, like myself. I am a compassionate and caring person. Judgement and gossip need to be the furthest things from me.
Of course I'm not perfect and part of my growth as a human being is stumbling and reflecting on those stumbles. I know that this tendency for gossip and judging is in me and I need to be aware of it. Able to nip it off before it rears its ugly head.
I shoudn't make it sound like I'm surrounded by a bunch of jerks and having a wretched time here at college because that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm sure the people in my program are amazing. They obviously have a heart for justice and helping people like I do to have decided to go into these studies. We're in a weird time right now. Figuring ourselves out, figuring out this new place and new stage in our lives.
In my sociology class, we learned about Bartol's hypothesis: "Persons engaged in any behavior are unique individuals trying to adapt the best way they know how to a particular set of circumstances." I've been seeing this concept at work this week. When people are insecure they will sometimes react by being mean to others.
I do really love my courses and professors. I'm looking forward to the semester and the whole rest of the program. It's only going to get better from here.
My best friend mentioned to me that I was sounding judgemental and she was concerned about it because it is not a part of who I am.
I wasn't taken back when she said that and I wasn't hurt by her remark at all. It just made me think and surprisingly, I had been thinking about this topic before she even mentioned it.
The majority of the people I've been encountering all week have been my fellow first year students. We are all wondering around like dear in headlights and suffering from information overload. I'm sure we all feel a great deal of insecurity from being in a new position. We don't know what the future holds for us. We don't know how we are going to make it through our studies. Some don't know that they are in the right program. We don't know who are friends will be even. So much unknown. It's a weird position to be in.
And, unfortunately, out of that insecurity can come cruelty in the form of judgement and gossip. I've seen it in my fellow students and I've seen it in myself as well.
I've heard some mean comments about other people. All in an attempt to feel better about oneself and feel somehow superior, masking our own insecurities.
What is particularly cruel about this behaviour, is it stings that much more at this time. We are all hoping to make a good first impression and establish a certain image for ourselves. Any mistake is heightened. It doesn't matter how small or insignificant. And our feelings are more easily hurt, we are more vulnerable.
Last night I prayed that God would forgive me of my gossip and judging. I prayed He would help me see people the way He sees them.
I'm in college because I want to work with people with mental illness, like myself. I am a compassionate and caring person. Judgement and gossip need to be the furthest things from me.
Of course I'm not perfect and part of my growth as a human being is stumbling and reflecting on those stumbles. I know that this tendency for gossip and judging is in me and I need to be aware of it. Able to nip it off before it rears its ugly head.
I shoudn't make it sound like I'm surrounded by a bunch of jerks and having a wretched time here at college because that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm sure the people in my program are amazing. They obviously have a heart for justice and helping people like I do to have decided to go into these studies. We're in a weird time right now. Figuring ourselves out, figuring out this new place and new stage in our lives.
In my sociology class, we learned about Bartol's hypothesis: "Persons engaged in any behavior are unique individuals trying to adapt the best way they know how to a particular set of circumstances." I've been seeing this concept at work this week. When people are insecure they will sometimes react by being mean to others.
I do really love my courses and professors. I'm looking forward to the semester and the whole rest of the program. It's only going to get better from here.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
I'm Breathing Again
God is so good!
I am right now at a Starbucks in Peterborough. I had to write an assessment at school for exemption from a course and now just killing time before I move my stuff into my new home.
I have been on tenterhooks waiting for my school funding to come through. I had no idea if I was accepted or what. And classes start Monday.
Last night I had been writing in my journal about how painful this waiting has been. I felt so scared and worthless. On top of that I was lashing out at people in my stress. My threshold for any added stress was so low. And then I would feel guilty about being so grumpy and bitchy. I've been a real treat.
I wrote a plea to God in my journal last night. I said, "Please God let me know about the second career stuff tomorrow for the sake of my sanity." And I had decided last night that I would just have to keep walking out in faith. Though canceling everything for this term may have been tempting for the sake of getting more time to figure out the funding, I knew I was following God and that He would make a way for me somehow. The only thing I could do was continue doing what I have been doing: preparing for school on Monday. So I came here today to write my test and move some of my things.
After writing down that prayer last night, I decided to read a Psalm. I was thinking that I needed to praise for the sake of my heart. I didn't want to continue in the mood I have been in. I didn't want to be anxious or angry.
I flipped open to Psalm 138 and decided to read it because I had a lot of it highlighted as praise verses. Psalm 138:
My purpose is here. In school again. Training for a new career.
Then just moments ago I got a call from a woman about my funding application. I have been accepted! The paperwork should be finished tomorrow and then I'm set!
God has brought me a miracle!
And then the icing on the cake is that just after getting off the phone, I heard "I'll Fly Away" playing over the speakers here in Starbucks. It was the version from "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" That is one of my most favourite hymns of all time. It was like a little extra hug from God.
I am so blessed.
I am right now at a Starbucks in Peterborough. I had to write an assessment at school for exemption from a course and now just killing time before I move my stuff into my new home.
I have been on tenterhooks waiting for my school funding to come through. I had no idea if I was accepted or what. And classes start Monday.
Last night I had been writing in my journal about how painful this waiting has been. I felt so scared and worthless. On top of that I was lashing out at people in my stress. My threshold for any added stress was so low. And then I would feel guilty about being so grumpy and bitchy. I've been a real treat.
I wrote a plea to God in my journal last night. I said, "Please God let me know about the second career stuff tomorrow for the sake of my sanity." And I had decided last night that I would just have to keep walking out in faith. Though canceling everything for this term may have been tempting for the sake of getting more time to figure out the funding, I knew I was following God and that He would make a way for me somehow. The only thing I could do was continue doing what I have been doing: preparing for school on Monday. So I came here today to write my test and move some of my things.
After writing down that prayer last night, I decided to read a Psalm. I was thinking that I needed to praise for the sake of my heart. I didn't want to continue in the mood I have been in. I didn't want to be anxious or angry.
I flipped open to Psalm 138 and decided to read it because I had a lot of it highlighted as praise verses. Psalm 138:
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
I cried and cried. I felt like these were the exact words I needed to pray. "Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon" me. He preserves my life in the midst of trouble. And especially,
"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me."
My purpose is here. In school again. Training for a new career.
Then just moments ago I got a call from a woman about my funding application. I have been accepted! The paperwork should be finished tomorrow and then I'm set!
God has brought me a miracle!
And then the icing on the cake is that just after getting off the phone, I heard "I'll Fly Away" playing over the speakers here in Starbucks. It was the version from "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" That is one of my most favourite hymns of all time. It was like a little extra hug from God.
I am so blessed.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
More Homework
This morning I went to church as I usually like to do on Sunday mornings. Still had all this stuff with my blow-out with my friend on my mind. Still do now. Still trying to cognitive behaviour therapize myself around it.
The pastor at my church spoke from Romans 8 today. Romans has got to be one of my favourite books of the Bible and Romans 8 definitely one of my favourite chapters. I had a few light bulb moments today and they honestly seem kind of stupid right now in their obviousness.
First I need to back up a bit to Romans 7, specifically Romans 7:24. "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" This is the way I think. This is the root of my turmoil. Anytime anything goes awry, I start hating myself and it complicates all my thoughts about the actual situation.
Who will rescue me? "Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!"(Romans 7:25)
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."(Romans 8:1)
I mess up. A lot. But my extraneous guilt and thoughts such as "I suck," "I'm a loser," "I'm despicable" are condemnations that are inappropriate and only keep me down, keep me from having the victory and freedom Jesus has given me through His sacrifice.
These revelations really do clear my head up even if they do seem like an abstraction. I am at least feeling like I can speak about the problem without screaming, yelling and crying.
The pastor at my church spoke from Romans 8 today. Romans has got to be one of my favourite books of the Bible and Romans 8 definitely one of my favourite chapters. I had a few light bulb moments today and they honestly seem kind of stupid right now in their obviousness.
First I need to back up a bit to Romans 7, specifically Romans 7:24. "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" This is the way I think. This is the root of my turmoil. Anytime anything goes awry, I start hating myself and it complicates all my thoughts about the actual situation.
Who will rescue me? "Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!"(Romans 7:25)
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."(Romans 8:1)
I mess up. A lot. But my extraneous guilt and thoughts such as "I suck," "I'm a loser," "I'm despicable" are condemnations that are inappropriate and only keep me down, keep me from having the victory and freedom Jesus has given me through His sacrifice.
These revelations really do clear my head up even if they do seem like an abstraction. I am at least feeling like I can speak about the problem without screaming, yelling and crying.
A Much Needed Break
My job at Chapters finished on the 31st and although I was a little disappointed at first in not getting the chance to earn a few extra bucks, I'm now thankful for the break before I start on my new adventure. I think without the rest, I could very well be headed for a nervous breakdown before school starts.
Lately I've been at the tipping point almost all the time. And I had tipped over the edge again today while talking to a friend of mine.
She had quite generously offered me the use of a bed for when I move since I gave mine away a long time ago. She offered it a couple months ago when I first new I was moving into a place that I would need to furnish. And I had accepted.
But I've been inundated this fall and winter with issues and urgent things to deal with such as Sam's hospital visits, figuring out how to pay my tuition installments, finding a temporary job, my uncle's injury, my mom and stepfather coming close to separating... It has been never-ending. And I think these things are hard enough to deal with as a normal person, but I'm sick too!
I'm working at taking care of myself with going to my Mood Disorder Support Group and taking Muay Thai. My sleep hygiene has admittedly been a mess and the last week has been difficult for having good, healthy regular meals, what with moving. (And, yeah, I had to move to a temporary place since we were all made to move by the end of the year by our old landlord and in a week I will be moving to Peterborough where I'll be going to school. How much upheaval can a person take?)
So I started crying today when my friend said it may be too difficult for me to get the bed. And she was angry with me for not communicating better about my plans. "Do you understand the week I've had?" "Do you understand the month I've had?" These were a couple things I said. And then she decided to end the conversation. That was a good thing because I probably would have been unable to speak at all anyway and we both would have ended up even more angry and upset.
I still feel angry. And I feel guilty that I feel angry. I feel like a big mess.
I'm trying to use this blog as my Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the moment. I'm finding it quite hard though because my head is swimming with thoughts and emotions.
Emotions:
I feel angry that she is not being more understanding right now when I've got so much to deal with.
I feel angry that she is making this more difficult than it needs to be.
I feel guilty for not communicating better about my need for the bed and my moving plans.
I feel guilty for being angry.
I feel scared.
Thoughts:
I suck.
I can't do anything right.
I'm angry but I'm probably wrong because I'm always wrong. I'm never justified in being angry.
I am justifiably angry. What is wrong with her cutting me some slack being that I've had way too much to deal with lately?
Why would she assume that just because I haven't said anything about my move for over a month that I decided to change my mind about the bed?
Nothing goes smoothly for me. It is always a struggle.
I'm a disappointment. Loser. Failure.
Distortions:
Labeling, all or nothing, catastrophization.
Challenging those thoughts:
Just an aside right now. This activity really isn't making me feel much better. I still feel pretty angry. :(
I am going to college. I got through being hospitalized and have made it through some pretty rough stuff in the past few months. Clearly, I am not a disappointment, loser or failure. I am moving forward in life and making gains.
When I have my mind a little more clear, I can talk about this more. I'm clearly not all in the right, but I don't think she is being all in the right either by making an assumption. Getting emotional is not going to help matters.
I'm struggling with apologizing for being angry. I know I should have made my plans and intentions more clear, but I still think given what is going on in my life right now, giving me a break is warranted.
This is all I've got right now. I'm exhausted. Maybe tomorrow I can finish my homework.
Lately I've been at the tipping point almost all the time. And I had tipped over the edge again today while talking to a friend of mine.
She had quite generously offered me the use of a bed for when I move since I gave mine away a long time ago. She offered it a couple months ago when I first new I was moving into a place that I would need to furnish. And I had accepted.
But I've been inundated this fall and winter with issues and urgent things to deal with such as Sam's hospital visits, figuring out how to pay my tuition installments, finding a temporary job, my uncle's injury, my mom and stepfather coming close to separating... It has been never-ending. And I think these things are hard enough to deal with as a normal person, but I'm sick too!
I'm working at taking care of myself with going to my Mood Disorder Support Group and taking Muay Thai. My sleep hygiene has admittedly been a mess and the last week has been difficult for having good, healthy regular meals, what with moving. (And, yeah, I had to move to a temporary place since we were all made to move by the end of the year by our old landlord and in a week I will be moving to Peterborough where I'll be going to school. How much upheaval can a person take?)
So I started crying today when my friend said it may be too difficult for me to get the bed. And she was angry with me for not communicating better about my plans. "Do you understand the week I've had?" "Do you understand the month I've had?" These were a couple things I said. And then she decided to end the conversation. That was a good thing because I probably would have been unable to speak at all anyway and we both would have ended up even more angry and upset.
I still feel angry. And I feel guilty that I feel angry. I feel like a big mess.
I'm trying to use this blog as my Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the moment. I'm finding it quite hard though because my head is swimming with thoughts and emotions.
Emotions:
I feel angry that she is not being more understanding right now when I've got so much to deal with.
I feel angry that she is making this more difficult than it needs to be.
I feel guilty for not communicating better about my need for the bed and my moving plans.
I feel guilty for being angry.
I feel scared.
Thoughts:
I suck.
I can't do anything right.
I'm angry but I'm probably wrong because I'm always wrong. I'm never justified in being angry.
I am justifiably angry. What is wrong with her cutting me some slack being that I've had way too much to deal with lately?
Why would she assume that just because I haven't said anything about my move for over a month that I decided to change my mind about the bed?
Nothing goes smoothly for me. It is always a struggle.
I'm a disappointment. Loser. Failure.
Distortions:
Labeling, all or nothing, catastrophization.
Challenging those thoughts:
Just an aside right now. This activity really isn't making me feel much better. I still feel pretty angry. :(
I am going to college. I got through being hospitalized and have made it through some pretty rough stuff in the past few months. Clearly, I am not a disappointment, loser or failure. I am moving forward in life and making gains.
When I have my mind a little more clear, I can talk about this more. I'm clearly not all in the right, but I don't think she is being all in the right either by making an assumption. Getting emotional is not going to help matters.
I'm struggling with apologizing for being angry. I know I should have made my plans and intentions more clear, but I still think given what is going on in my life right now, giving me a break is warranted.
This is all I've got right now. I'm exhausted. Maybe tomorrow I can finish my homework.
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