We must seek the error in our own truth and the truth in our opponent's errorRichard? or Reinhold? Niebuhr
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013
Catching up
Where do I start? I quit writing in December. I had a lot of encouragement to continue writing. Several friends and family were delighted that I was opening myself and willing to share my thoughts and feelings. But all it took was a couple of comments to discourage me. It's interesting how one negative comment , or even a slightly disappointing one, can outweigh all of the positive feedback. So much for the strength of positive feedback. I vaguely remember in my college studies something about negative reinforcement being as powerful as positive reinforcement. Based on this one anecdotal experience, I could venture that negative reinforcement had more impact than positive reinforcement.
Then again, my energy and ability to focus for any period of time also diminished. The entry into the world of giving care to a loved one during cancer treatments was almost paralyzing. There is no way to sum up the experience in a short paragraph. I'd like to give it a go anyway. It's depressing, shattering, uplifting, sweet, bitter, angering, confusing, challenging, enriching, encouraging, hopeful, self-absorbing, humbling, gracious, ennobling and so on and on. It's a world of paradox. Your world shrinks to a microcosm, while also knowing intuitively that you are experiencing the universal great truths of life and love.
It's a life changing experience. I have been fully aware that I have changed and these changes are for the better. Yet, I would find it difficult to describe what has changed. I know that my relationship with my mother is sweeter, more intimate, more intense, more honest, and a gift that I will always treasure. The same is true about my relationships with my husband, my siblings, and my children.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart... I will sing your praise. (Psalm 138) I give you thanks O LORD for the blessings of loving relationships and family members who care for and support one another. Thank you for answering my call for hope and for increasing my strength within me. You have blessed us all and I am profoundly grateful ,O LORD, for your love that endures forever. Amen.
Where do I start? I quit writing in December. I had a lot of encouragement to continue writing. Several friends and family were delighted that I was opening myself and willing to share my thoughts and feelings. But all it took was a couple of comments to discourage me. It's interesting how one negative comment , or even a slightly disappointing one, can outweigh all of the positive feedback. So much for the strength of positive feedback. I vaguely remember in my college studies something about negative reinforcement being as powerful as positive reinforcement. Based on this one anecdotal experience, I could venture that negative reinforcement had more impact than positive reinforcement.
Then again, my energy and ability to focus for any period of time also diminished. The entry into the world of giving care to a loved one during cancer treatments was almost paralyzing. There is no way to sum up the experience in a short paragraph. I'd like to give it a go anyway. It's depressing, shattering, uplifting, sweet, bitter, angering, confusing, challenging, enriching, encouraging, hopeful, self-absorbing, humbling, gracious, ennobling and so on and on. It's a world of paradox. Your world shrinks to a microcosm, while also knowing intuitively that you are experiencing the universal great truths of life and love.
It's a life changing experience. I have been fully aware that I have changed and these changes are for the better. Yet, I would find it difficult to describe what has changed. I know that my relationship with my mother is sweeter, more intimate, more intense, more honest, and a gift that I will always treasure. The same is true about my relationships with my husband, my siblings, and my children.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart... I will sing your praise. (Psalm 138) I give you thanks O LORD for the blessings of loving relationships and family members who care for and support one another. Thank you for answering my call for hope and for increasing my strength within me. You have blessed us all and I am profoundly grateful ,O LORD, for your love that endures forever. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)