Life in Limbo

by Juliein Locations, Map of Goodbyeson Posted on

As a child, I was athletic and a fast runner.  Presidential Awards were given in PE to students who could master the list of athletic events, and every year I did so.  I also enjoyed it when we would play the limbo game - where two people would hold a bar or rope, and one person would bend backward from the knees and walk under the bar or rope without touching it or the ground.  If you do so correctly, they will lower the bar the next time, and you try it again.  I mastered that game at an early age.

Looking back at my life growing up, moving every few months, nothing was laid in cement. I lived in limbo for my first twenty-one years.  And I never knew what was next – where we would move to, which state, which town, what property would be found to rent – house, duplex, apartment, or mobile home.  Would the people be friendly? Would we see a welcoming community?

We each live in a state of not knowing what each day brings. Often, we are caught off guard, shocked, and perplexed. One occasion was when I accompanied my mom to the doctor’s office and was told she had Stage IV Lung Cancer with a prognosis of two to nine months to live.  Mom was part of an HMO, but with cancer patients at an all-time high in May of 2010, they referred her to another oncologist doctor.  It was a blessing because this doctor, Dr. Cook, administered chemo treatments, allowing Mom to live another three years.

When things couldn’t get any worse, God answered my prayers and allowed me to cherish three more years with my mother.  Mom passed away near the end of 2013, just a few weeks before her eighty-second birthday.

Limbo can feel like nothingness, hopelessness, insecurity, and unsure of what might be next.   With uncertainty about how you will handle things as they hit you, the art of meditation and prayer can assist you with overcoming difficult situations.

Aligning yourself with positive media, friendships, and music allows the mind to find solace and peace.  Uncertainty and doubt can only add to the feelings of despair.  Confusion, bewilderment, and unknown information can test a person’s patience – what should they do?

The unpredictability and stresses you encounter will not drain you emotionally if you have a positive attitude. The key is to change your mind to deal with difficult circumstances and face the unknown.  Have an attitude of gratitude to curb your anxiousness and uncertainty.

It is easy to be pulled down into despair with negative thoughts, but the most challenging thing is to look up and focus on the bright spots and events to come. To escape living in limbo, look at what you must look forward to.  Look to the future – you might be graduating from high school next month, standing up as best man for your brother at his wedding this summer, or accompanying Aunt Betty on that cruise to Alaska over the Fourth of July.  By stepping back and focusing on the things that make us happy, we can refocus on the positive things in our life.

Here are several ideas on how you can crawl out of those limbo-type days:

  1. Plan fun things to do instead of waiting for them to come to you.
  2. Draw up plans for a long-term project, such as
    1. Make a quilt for someone special;
    3. Take a photography class to become an expert at taking others’ pictures. I have a dear friend, whom I call a brother, who is just that.  He is constantly taking football, ROTC, and fireman pictures for others.
  3. Start an entertainment calendar – what interesting events can I plan
  4. Schedule regular healthcare visits to your doctors – stay healthy
  5. Start a Journal and write in it every day, no matter how short it is
  6. Practice mindfulness; begin with meditation

Being positive every day, rain or sunshine is often hard to maneuver.  But if we want to beat this downhill trend where our emotions tell our story, we have to bite our upper lip and choose happiness for ourselves and others around us.

This Easter holiday is a great time to reflect on our attitude and ensure it is an attitude of gratitude.  Be the bright light that someone needs today.

I’ve included a couple of websites that might be helpful.

A blessed Easter holiday to everyone!  And thank you for reading my blog.  If you know someone who might enjoy my blog, please pass it on.

All my best,

Julie

Throw Kindness Around Like Confetti

 

 

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