Tag: Christianity

Thankful Thursday (episode 9)

It’s been quite some time since I’ve shared a “Thankful Thursday.” Good things have been happening, and I’ve kept track of a number of them…but for a while I wasn’t putting as much importance on being grateful as I should.

But I’ve been reminded of its importance, and now I’d like to share my gratitude list. The list spans May, June, July, and some of August. These are things for which I give thanks to God:

  • We made some progress cleaning up our backyard
  • Even though I was feeling low and slept much of the day, we ended the day well by going to Barnes and Noble and then having a steak dinner
  • We are blessed to live in a rather small neighborhood
  • I made it through to the end of the SMARTER project as a Scorer at Measurement Inc.
  • God’s forgiveness
  • I saw a beautiful cardinal at our bird feeder
  • I didn’t have to cook or clean up!
  • We were able to get my car’s oil changed for a decent price
  • I didn’t go back to bed after getting up in the morning
  • Who God is – His kindness, protection, wisdom, grace…
  • Free coffee from the Wawa that opened near us
  • God kept us safe in a bad thunderstorm
  • I was notified that I was approved to have some of my student loans forgiven
  • Mom’s knee surgery went well
  • I had just enough money to pay for the groceries we needed
  • How my cat Misty reaches out for my hand with her paw when I pet her
  • We were able to help good friends move into their new apartment
  • God kept me safe while traveling to doctors’ appointments
  • My Dad had his workers put hardwood floor in our house!
  • My first TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) treatment went well
  • I was able to take care of our friends’ baby and I enjoyed it 😀
  • I’ve made it to my twentieth TMS treatment and I’m feeling somewhat better!

Thanks so much for reading, and feel free to share something that you’re grateful for in the comments! ❤

 

Photo by Wendy Rueter on Unsplash

In This Very Moment

Father, I need You.

Right here, right now,

In this very moment…

I feel overwhelmed.

My heart is racing;

My breathing is choppy;

My thoughts are out of control.

I feel like the weight of the world

Is on my shoulders –

But I know that it’s not.

Questions abound,

But no answers are forthcoming.

What would you have me to do?

Father, I need You.

Right here, right now,

In this very moment…

I need Your rest for my racing heart.

I need your calm for my choppy breathing.

And I need your peace for my out-of-control thoughts.

I know you are there.

I know you see and hear and care.

I know You are Who You say that You are…

And I need You. ❤

 

Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash

A Magnet and Mindfulness

Tock tock tock tock tock tock tock tock.

The magnet makes this repetitive sound as it works on my brain. It doesn’t hurt – it’s just a little uncomfortable at times. But I’m really hoping and praying that these TMS (Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation) treatments are going to help with my severe depression.

A good thing is that my psychiatrist uses the time that I’m receiving my treatments to help me work on mindfulness and meditation. He says that practicing these breathing techniques should lengthen the efficacy of the TMS treatments. Prayerfully this will be accurate!

So this is generally how the TMS treatments work. I enter my psychiatrist’s office and he asks me to make myself comfortable in the treatment chair. He positions my head in the correct spot, and then lowers the magnet to cover it. I must remain as still as possible during the treatment, as the machine has been calibrated to stimulate a precise area of my brain.

I remain this way for about forty minutes. The magnet makes the “tock tock” sounds around every thirty seconds (when the magnet is delivering the current), and is quiet in between.

While the magnet is doing it’s thing, my psychiatrist has me practice several breathing techniques. The focused breathing helps me to stay relaxed and to combat any anxious or obsessive thoughts.

I have had fifteen treatments, and so far I have seen some progress. My sleep is better, and my negative thoughts are more controlled. Regarding my depression, I have also seen some improvement – and it seems to get a little better each day.

Thank you for everyone’s prayers and support. I need them on this new journey! ❤

 

Photo by Lesly B. Juarez on Unsplash