[Trustandlove]

Hi,

I thought I'd start this thread for us to put, as the title says, "particularly good insightful bits" on.  When I read something someone else writes I'll often copy it and put it in a word file to read when I need; I thought this might help.  Does that make sense?

I'll start with one Mermaid wrote:

until they have addressed their deeper issues, AND seen that we have changed, they cannot envisage coming back, because this means going back to the issues which triggered their crisis.

[Mermaid]

I can't remember where I read this one:

We need to live our lives as if our MLCer was never coming back.

[LifeGoesOn]

"The LBS is the "lighthouse" "light of truth" "strength" "a draw"...and the MLC'er always gravitates back toward them from time to time for touch and go...mostly checking to see IF they are still there....and can get pretty upset when the LBS is NOT where they think they should find them.(this is because it FORCES the MLC'er to move forward within the tunnel, and MOST don't want to)"

HeartsBlessing to Eva.b, July 2010

[Mermaid]

From Trusting's thread:

"Some people succeed in spite of hardships. Others succeed because of them. The truth is, our problems help to make us what we are. Those who suffer often learn the value of compassion. Those who struggle often learn perseverance. And those who fall down often teach others how to rise again. Our troubles can shape us in ways a carefree existence cannot." ~ Steve Goodier

[Mermaid]

I have spent several chat sessions talking with a former MLC'er on www.midlife.com He is so open about his experience and it truly gives you insight into the mind of MLC.

He is very candid and basically says that nothing really mattered when he was in the worst of it. His MLC lasted 3 years, with the really bad piece being about 18 months.

He is now fully reconnected with his wife and has a wonderful relationship. He says no one could have told him how it would have worked out back then.

[MarkedandHealed]

A box full of hollow points and Lord willing a twinkie. Zombieland...

Oh, not what you were looking for? Sorry. 

[Mermaid]

  It'll do... 

[HeartsBlessing]

LOL, MH!

It is NOT the trial you face, but the ATTITUDE you face it with that matters.

I learned that while within my husband's MLC. 

[ForeverHopefulOne]

Not sure if this story belongs in this thread or not, but it was insightful to me and I wanted to share it.

Change Your Thinking

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking..

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.  One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.  His bed was next to the room's only window.   The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.  Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.  He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.   She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.  Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.   If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.  'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'

[Mermaid]

Yes, it's a lovely story.