Emotions – powerful things aren’t they! I will confess, I am rather busy at the moment, however, I am taking a little time out (at the same time as I watch Masterchef: The Professionals) to write about emotional health.

Now I am no expert in the field of mental and emotional health – but I am human (sorry, was that a snigger?) and I have been through challenges (slandered, trolled by online bullies, shunned by friends, despair, violent sexual attack by a stranger in which I was left for dead, resultant issues due to head injuries sustained during attack, years of silence and estrangement from the man that had sparked all the gossip and slander – who happened to be the man I thought more wonderful than any other single man on the planet) and so I have a little useful perspective on what is involved in recognising emotional challenges and “dealing” with them. (If you are facing mental and emotional health challenges you may benefit significantly from availing yourself of the many avenues of treatment and support, so do not hesitate to ask for assistance in caring for your mental and emotional health.)
Don’t worry – this is not going to be too long a post – I simply do not have the time before bedtime!
I was invited to link one of my previous posts to a prompt on the theme of LONGING. That is such a provocative word and if I had the time I am sure I could say a lot more about it. Jack loves music even more than I do and recently he had a song on one of his many playlists that I found intriguing, When I googled the lyrics and saw the video on YouTube, I was not sure what to make of it. Partly it was very depressing. The key line is that the singer is longing for someone to die for.

I did not get it. I did not get it at all. The song is about loneliness and heartbreak. (I chose the picture due to the pink lemonade lyrics – when life gives you pink lemons – make pink lemonade or pink gin and tonic?) I do understand heartbreak and loneliness. I really do. But shouldn’t it be that we long for someone to live for? The song, though very touching, has perplexed me. There is something ghastly and immature about the lyrics (it is a nice song, just rather disturbing!)
Life can be challenging. When I was heartbroken and lonely there were moments when I did not want to wake up the next day. But there was something within me that was much much more powerful – it was a LONGING. I longed to see the universe at peace. I longed to see a clean earth. I longed to see a happy healthy human family. I longed for so many wonderful things, and although I had been crushed by mistreatment and being the victim of one of the worst of crimes, I was not going to let anyone take away from me the chance to see all that I was longing for!
It’s been over five years since the most intense of my challenges. I am still longing for a universe at peace, a clean earth and a happy healthy family – however, my life, my health, my self-esteem, and of course my relationship with Jack have all improved steadily. I am soon to marry the man of my dreams! The man I have longed for! That is super smashing great!!!

But you know what….I am living a full life on my own two feet and I was before Jack made peace with me. My joy in life is enhanced by Jack – yes, but not dependant on him. He is one of the greatest blessings I could ever have hoped for though!
I am living and I am longing for the things that contribute the greatest joy to my life – love, peace , joy, creation, smiles. There is so much to live for! There is so much you can contribute to making life wonderful for yourself and others. In fact, it is so often when you focus on contributing to making life wonderful for others and yourself (notice I switched the order there!) that someone comes along and notices your smile and notices your joy and realizes your are just the sort of person that they have been longing for. Keep working on being the kind of person you long to be (so long as that is a kind person!) and keep contributing to the lives of others around you. Even a little kindness can make a huge difference to another person. Work towards the kind of world you long to live in!
Whatever you do – CHOOSE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE, or whatever you are LONGING for, will come along, but you will only recognize and appreciate it if you are ready for it.

❤ You ❤
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Who me?
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Great post. Life is a matter of perspective, really. There’s always two ways to see the same problem, and if you’re standing on the right side of the line, then it’s much easier to choose life. Just need to nail those little tasks down though. Thanks for this!
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❤ Stuart – the way we see things makes such a difference to our happiness in life ❤
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I’m longing for my life back…
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I understand – but I would long for something even better. Long for a paradise earth with a happy healthy human family who show real love and are at peace. I am sure what our Creator has in mind is much better than anything we have ever had. I am convinced nothing and nobody can prevent him from fulfilling his promises.
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True.
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Loved this post – I know that song and agree with you – long for someone to live for. Some great advice here about mental health – you certainly have had your traumas – i think it is longing and hope that bring us back from despair.
If you can would you either put the 4thoughts badge on – so people can find the other ‘longing’ links from your post or add a link to https://4thoughts.ifsexmatters.co.uk/ – where you mention the longing prompt at the start.
Great post – TY for linking
May 😉
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Thank you May.
I worry about how many people suffer with despair. I work for the NHS and we see too many people who have become overwhelmed by stress and heartbreak.
I also think this commercial system has created a shallow fickle way of life that leaves many empty. People need real hope like never before. The prospect of a clean earth with thriving healthy creatures keeps my heart beating passionately.
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Oh we are so on the same page – i dont know i u saw but i chose you post as recommended reading in #4thoughts_fiction last week
https://4thoughts.ifsexmatters.co.uk/2020/12/longing-roundup-spotlight-163/
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Thank you May. ❤
That is so kind of you to mention my post.
Sorry for my belated replies. The NHS are keeping me busier than normal! I find it hard to keep up with my site sometimes.
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No worries Caramel – but u have a new follower in me lol
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What a thought provoking post, some wonderful points made and a very positive attitude generated, despite the many traumas and mistreatments you’ve been through. Brave and strong coming out the other side.
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Thank you.
It all came out in the wash in the end. But it was a very rocky journey.
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Hi, Caramel:
Thank you for writing this post. It could not have been easy.
It is hard sometimes, to choose life. I long for (and try to work to create) a world in which children are kept safe from all kinds of abuse, especially sexual, and where we all have enough food, clothing, safe shelter, and I even dare to long for a place with protected cycling lanes where most people, even the well-to-do, ride the public transportation.
Best regards,
-Shira
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