Responding To An Emotional Meltdown

Below is a recent post over at my new location.  This is address was were I once pounded away my thoughts. Not so, now. You can find me at my new digs by clicking on this link. Hope to see you there. You'll find out what you've been missing. I've written over six hundred posts there that you can't find here.

Here's the post.

"Like an earring of fine gold is a wise man's reprove to a
listening ear. " Prov. 25:12. The challenge is learning how
 to respond, not react and how to be loving instead of
spiteful, when we are frustrated. 

    Thank you, to my Russian and German guests, you have been dropping by, a lot.  Those who hail from the land of Tolstoy have been twenty-five percent of the readership for this month.  Ten percent of the visitors to this inn have been those from the land of Goethe.  I'm glad you're finding encouragement here.  A tip of my cap also goes out to those of you who hail from the United States. As always, you are the largest number who pass through the doors of this inn.

     This morning, I encountered an angry man.  No fun.  Even with all my training and experience, it's still

Saying Hello. Please Visit My New Address

     Hi there

How are you?  I'm posting the following post for those who haven't yet made the switch to the not-so-new address for the Attitude of Gratitude Inn.  I'd love seeing you there.

     You can click on this link, it will take you there.  In the meantime, I'm wishing you a great and grateful day!   The Innkeeper

     Good evening,

How you be?  My life is settling down after having a few things throw me for a loop in March.  Now, life is marching on (pun intended).

     I had two bad experiences three weeks ago.  Last Tuesday, I revisited one of them.  Not an easy task, especially when embarrassment and strong feelings of fear were involved.  However, ringing in my ears was:

"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by failing to attempt,"      Written by a guy named Will. 

      A crisis happened at the Alameda Library, a few weeks back.  Someone I was going to meet there, arrived early.  Being confused, she said something inaccurate, using my name.

      Her comments disturbed the head librarian.  No, she did not say she had a bomb. But, what she said would have disturbed me, too. Over the past year and a half, this librarian and I became friends.

     Well, Tuesday, I returned to the scene of the hullabaloo.  Uncomfortable and apprehensive I was, to say the least.  At first, I stayed on the first floor.  The event happened on the second floor.

      Grasping all of my emotional and mental strength, I strode upstairs to the reference desk, facing the man who was bewildered by what happened in early March .

      His comment upon seeing me: "Where have you been?"  Whew!  All of my fears were not realized.  The librarian was kind and concerned about my welfare.  What do you think of that?

      Wow.

My Gratitudes for Friday
1.  I'm thankful for resuming my visits to the Alameda Library. They have been a routine of mine, ever since I moved to this town a year-and-a-half ago.
2.  I appreciate the growth that happens when I face my fears, which were vivid and real. It wasn't easy, being in a situation that offered an uncertain outcome, possibly a negative one.
3.  Grateful, I am, I processed the crisis that occurred at the library, almost a month ago.

     I'm very appreciative that a dear friend, Stuart, helped.  He listened as I shared my grief with him. He allowed me to vent my thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.  I'm glad that I know I do not get my healing in isolation.

     My needs and vulnerabilities are not a design flaw, but a design feature created by God. I'm learning to welcome them. They extrude me into relationships with emotionally mature and discerning others. My needs help free me from the sin of self-sufficiency. (Safe People, p. 67)
4.  I look forward to the upcoming week. I have challenges I need to face. When I taste victory in one area, it emboldens me to move forward in other intimidating areas needing my attention.

How About You? 
Have you faced any fears, lately?  I'd love hearing what enables you to confront yours.