Metaphorically Speaking

 

The cliche', the parable, and the metaphorical figure of speech are effective means of communicating a point to another individual...

I don't know what I would do if these did not exist. Once I incorporate the use of a particular phrase I tend to practice its use until one that is more fitting enters my mental collection.

Of late, one of the more popular phrases that has become common is "When it Rains it Pours." This truth has been true of my own life as well as the lives of many of the patients I treat. The storms of life can at times become quite turbulent and a true test of ones faith. Many will question if they are being punished or if there will ever be sunlight again.

The unpredictability of a situation is what makes it an authentic and genuine life test. I have grown to believe that God and Nature cleanses us spiritually by sometimes allowing a cascade of negativity to occur in a manner that allows us to clear out all of the garbage and allow us a fresh start. The toxic people and circumstances are faced before falling to the wayside, the pain is felt followed by new opportunities and situations to deal with. Nietzsche writes "That which does Not Kill Us Makes Us Stronger." The Bible teaches us that God will never place more on us than we are capable of enduring.

I view life as a series of peaks and valleys. Always push forward when in a valley for the next peak surely lies ahead. You only lose if you quit trying. Suicide and addiction are the truest forms of surrender. There is no such thing as failure but only new experiences where things don't always turn out the way in which we planned or expected. Learn from your mistakes so not to repeat them.

Make the welfare of your children your top priority and you will be blessed. Placing other personal desires in this position of priority is one of the roots of misfortune. Go as far as you can with a problem then turn it over to your higher power. Learn your personal limits. Anger and fear are life saving mechanisms when used as intended but when misdirected and disproportionate to the circumstance take on a destructive effect. Suppression of emotion is equally as harmful as over-expression.

Tomorrow isn't promised so live each day as if it were your last. Because you feel bad doesn't necessarily mean you are doing badly. You may just be responding appropriately to unpleasant circumstances. The problem is not within so do not look for flaws in oneself but ask what can I do to alleviate the effect of that which stresses me. I can rationalize it or remove myself from it or ignore it or assert myself in an effective manner and take that action as far as my limits permit. Repeating the same behavior over and over and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. Not caring about the outcome is learned helplessness.

Be part of the solution not the problem. If you can't say something good don't say anything at all. If you love something let it go and if it comes back it is yours. If it doesn't come back it never was yours to begin with. If you want to enter the Kingdom, sell your worldly possessions, give the money to the poor and come follow the Master. It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. Let he without sin cast the first stone.

spirituality and mental health