Sadness only lasts for a week

Today's post might be a little controversial, but I am going to talk about sadness. What I want to say is that, sadness only really lasts for less than a week. Please read on, and comment if you have any objections to what I say.

I thought about this topic, because yesterday for me was quite distressing. I felt sad, and just wanted to disappear from this world. It felt like I had a huge weight on my shoulders, and it was pushing me down into the ground. I couldn't look up and see anything good in the world anymore. However, when I woke up after a good night's sleep, everything seemed ok again. I was still sad a little bit, but not in despair, and I could see the good things in life again.

Some people might think that my day must not have been that bad, or I wouldn't have had a good night's sleep! But even the people with really bad days, like someone who found out a family member had died, or someone with depression, I think can still see the good things in life after a while. I am not saying that people like that will not be in grief of their loss after only one week, but I think they can still smile when they see some of the good things in life, not totally rejecting them.

Some things I think could bring someone to smile even if they were in grief are such things as the beauty of nature, the strength of some of their friendships, and most importantly, the love and care of God. Even though they might be in despair, these things give them hope, and can make them look forward to the better future.

As I thought about trying to get some hope in a time of despair, I came up with the idea of setting up a page with photos that give hope, or encouragement. I hope that they might encourage you whenever you are in the dumps, and you can be hopeful about the future, where you will get better. Here is a photo, just to show you what it will be like.

Thanks for reading this post! I hope that you were encouraged to think about sadness and depression. Please comment if you liked it, or not, so I know who I am writing to!

treebytheriver

Back to the roots...

Today's post will be me going back to the roots... Things that sustain me, things that never begin to bore even after most worldly things have broken, or lost its value, things I might take for granted sometimes, but I rely on as I stumble in the darkness. Things that God has given me, that he knows I need, better than any marketer, or sales person in the world.

1. Rain

I love the sound of rain. The pitter patter of rain falling on grass, the soft smell of nature wafting to your nose, and the clean natural air cooling your tongue. To me, rain is one of the best gifts of nature that still can be felt anywhere in the world. Many times a month I hate the buckets of water falling over my head as I walk to and fro outside, but even with the hate, I always get to the stage where I am glad that it rains.

2. Fire

Looking into the depths of a simple fire as often intrigued me for ages. I love the way the fire moves with the wind, giving light into any darkness. The wood seems to be breathing, as it changes colour every few seconds. Fire is a puzzle that I will never figure out, but will keep me interested for ages.

3. Grass

I know this might not seem like a stimulating thing to look at, but when I lie down on my lawn and just look into the forest of grass, there is so much more than first impressions. Flowers grow in unexpected places, making a smile on my face; ants scuttle doing their work, making me feel encouraged to work harder; and finally just the intense depth of roots and earth, where tiny organisms sustain the things that can be seen. It is just amazing seeing a tiny ecosystem just in a small patch of grass.

Three things that keep me occupied after all other toys, games, and technology go out of fashion. I can just imagine me being a grandfather, still taking delight in the small things in nature, even just the rain, fire, and grass.

Thank you for reading my blog. Please comment about anything you want, and tell me how you felt reading my posts. I hope that you were encouraged by the simple thoughts I have on life. I hope that you keep reading, and that you will be joyful in your life.

treebytheriver

What a tree thinks

As you should already know, I was named after a tree. As I was thinking about what I should write about, I day dreamed on the question, "If I was a tree, what would I be thinking?" These are some of the thoughts that I came up with.

In most books were trees can talk, they are portrayed as wise, calm, old, and slow to speak. So going from that point of view, I probably would be thinking not about petty human things, but just growing I guess... Every year, I would have come up with one thing worthwhile saying, said it, then gone back into the watching of the world. As a tree I would probably learn lots just from looking and listening, without having that much need to saying anything.

But, what would that once-a-year thought be? I just took a deep breath, so that counts as a year in my busy life time, and the super deep, profound, and wise thought I came up with was ...

"I am incompetent..."

In the end, as a human, I know that I will never be like that tree I was named after. I do get involved in petty human things, and all too often they take over my life! Nearly everyday, I seem to waste my day, and at the end of it I think, "That was pointless...!" The worst thing is, every time I try and fix myself up, I never can. In the end, my only worthwhile thought is "I am incompetent..."

But what about the river? Without the river, the tree will get withered, it will lose its majesticness, and fall into ruin, becoming a dead log. So, it isn't the tree after all. It is the river that supports it. If the river goes, the tree goes with it.

And what is the river in my life? You might be able to guess from my other posts. He made me with his own hands, he always is there for me even though I reject him so many times, and he doesn't care how incompetent I am, he is supporting me throughout my life. God.

So even though I will never be that tree with my own strength, with God's power, he will grow me up taller and taller, and keep me from falling.

Thanks for reading my blog! Please comment about what you think, and I hope that you can find God in your life, and reach out to him for the stability you need!

treebytheriver

The meaning of deep

Sometimes, I just feel like, "What is the point of thinking deep?". Usually, after a profound thought crosses my head, I might ponder on it for a moment, and then it will fly away, never to be found again. Deep thoughts never really go to my heart, they just stay in my head for awhile, and then go somewhere else. I sometimes think that if I will forget whatever supposedly "profound' and "insightful" thought, why bother to think about it, and why bother to make some deep conclusion from it?

When I feel this way, I usually remember why I started thinking deep in the first place. I say that I have 3 reasons for looking into life to get more out of it.

1. The meaning of deep

The meaning of deep in my mind is something that far below the surface. Although, this is usually meant with things such as the sea, I think it also shows what a deep thought is. A deep thought is also something that is below the surface. it has to be dug up to be found. It might not be quite obvious to start with, but as you dig more, you find the treasure under the vast expanse of the ocean. This always makes me feel like it is worth it to keep digging deeper, and finding the treasure in life.

2. The feeling of deep

What also makes me keep going is the feeling of knowing what is behind it all, being able to understand the feelings and background to a situation. This also keeps me wanting to think deep, and to try and understand.

3. The God in deep

Ultimately, it comes down to what I think is the most important. God made humans to be able to think deep. It says in the bible that he made humans be able to understand eternity (which is a pretty deep thought). Plus, as the 1st reason shows, deep is the thing that is in our hearts, deep under our outer appearance. I always put God deep in my heart, where he changes me. Like the sea. Even things deep in the water, can still affect the surface.

In the end, I am always amazed at the things I find by thinking deep. It shows that God is everywhere, and that he is behind everything. By putting him in my life, I know that he will take care of me.

Thanks for reading my blog! Please comment if you were struck by something, or if you just want to talk. I hope that you liked it!

treebytheriver

When you just feel weighted down.

This movie really shows some good themes, and I hope you like it!

This video was done by the skit guys. They do lots of skits which show some deep and meaningful stuff. If you liked this video, check them out at http://www.skitguys.com.

I hoped you liked it! If you have any comments, are angry that I didn't actually write anything this week, or just have some questions, feel free to comment.

treebytheriver

As life goes on

2 weeks into a new year, after a nice holiday, you come back to your home and you feel like everything is back to the usual badness again. You have work to do, things to stress about, changes to make in your life, and big events that seem to get closer to you, when you are sure you are not prepared for it. To me, I get so down about what bad things are going to happen in the next year, that I just feel like I want to just stop time and just stay where I am.

When I get down like that, it is hard to remember the good things that come with life too. Life is more than just a bunch of events, there are people, relationships, and emotional experiences that make up life too. If I don't live life, why else was I born?

To die? Of course not!

So why should I be scared of living my life? It is a god given gift, I should be grateful to God for it, and use it! God wants me to!

When I feel down about how life goes on, and nothing seems to be good, I need to remember all the other things that make up life, and live life to the full, as God wants me to.

I hope you liked my post, and please comment if you were encouraged, and I hope you will keep reading.

treebytheriver

Joy. How it has changed!

I just finished reading Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo, and it was very good. Although sometimes boring, he has many quotations that are very, very deep, and he puts his ideas to words very well. One quote that struck me was this.

"Children instantly accept joy and happiness with quick familiarity, being happy and joyful by nature."

What do you think of it? Does it make you happy, or sad?

What I thought was first that he explains children very well. They always seem to accept everything as good, and even if something bad happens, once they have had a cry, they soon get over it, and still keep a good outlook on life. A child then brings that joy, and shares it with others. It is hard to be mad at something when you have a beaming child next to you.

However, there is a sad aspect to this quote too. It implies that all children grow out of this joyful nature. Slowly, the world erodes away the joy in a child's heart. It is a sad but true reality, that shows the brokenness of this world. People still say they are a child at heart, but a hard, cold wall of cynicism, and reality, bar that child from freely expressing itself. Is is also a sad fact, that even if that child manages to express itself, people around that person think he is crazy, further pushing his inner child into darkness.

Another point about joy, is that it is something that humans really need. Imagine a world with no joy, it is like a world without any sunlight! It is sad when people turn to man made things for joy. They will never satisfy a mans inner most yearnings. It is amazing though, to see someone who has found the proper source of joy; in Gods love. Once a person understands that, they know their life is filled with joy. They do not have to search for it anything more.

I hope you liked that quote, and again, I really recommend you reading that book, it is one of the most deep and emotional books I have ever read.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please comment about your thoughts and any suggestions you would like to make.

treebytheriver