“With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Monday!
I hope you managed to capture a few moments for yourself during the week or over the weekend. I know how tough it is to make time for refreshment, especially when there’s so much work to be done. It seems counterintuitive, but in reality, it’s a necessity. We have much more to give when we’re rested and can think clearly.
Today is the day we remember the life and works of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As we continue to recover from the devasting fires in SoCal, I’m reminded of a selection from Dr. King’s I Have A Dream speech.
Here’s what Dr. King shared:
According to the Oxford Dictionary, despair is the complete loss or absence of hope, and it can be challenging to overcome even in the best circumstances. Sometimes, giving up seems like the most viable alternative so we don’t have to manage the immediate pain of the loss. Distress often feels like an impassable roadblock, a mountain with no ready exit or way to move around or away from
In Scripture, I Corinthians 4:8 offers the following for our consideration:
“We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair.” (VOICE)
The idea is to continue staying the course to gain momentum and rise above desperation to a place of stability and hope. Now, I understand that people in many regions in this country and the world are struggling, but SoCal is my home, and I have friends and acquaintances who have to rebuild literally from dirt. This reality doesn’t minimize the pain and struggles of others, and I hope each can find solace and comfort, whatever the event or situation.
That being said, here are some things to consider as we begin to rise above and access resources to hasten recovery:
- Feeling overwhelmed is expected, as many crises are unprecedented.
- Life may be unstable for a while and quite possibly beyond anything that feels reasonable.
- Be empowered to face the implications of the crisis one step at a time.
- Normalize as much as possible.
- Be open to help, assistance, and resources.
- A caring and gentle approach is key, so extend grace wherever possible.
- Understand that grief is a normal part of the process and be courageous in feeling the emotions that surface ~ there will be many.
There are substantial resources to assist with mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as physical needs. You can begin with the Gottman Institute, look for the blog entitled Coping In Unimaginable Times, and then review Grief.com, which provides resources for the grieving process. Many counseling centers offer special rates to disaster survivors, so check out places like Worku Counseling Center, LaCanada Family Therapy, and c4mft.com. Most are equipped with telehealth so that you can access them remotely.
As we pay homage to Dr. King’s legacy, let’s begin to dream again about the future. It may be difficult to imagine, and plenty of obstacles are bound to surface along the way. We may get discouraged at times and want to give up. However, when we start chipping away at the mountain of despair, we’ll inevitably find a stone of hope ~ or maybe an entire quarry!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
