Chatty and Princess, I just posted a rather emotional outburst on another thread (the one about what we do well). It was humbling to leave that and come here and read your beautiful words - humbling and VERY uplifting and comforting.

Chatty, I really like the way this place has changed me. Losing my brother (he was also my best friend) did send me spiralling back into dark and mangled places, but I've been working hard to keep my head above the oft-times crippling sadness and focus on what I DO have and all the blessings that ARE enriching my life. I'm on my way out, and on solid ground again, but still not where I want to be. And sometimes that feels like failure - and I don't have any sense of my purpose or ability or where to go from here - but when I read your words here tonight, it helps give me positive perspective - and gratitude for the caring love here that has indeed helped me make it safe thus far.

Thank you both for being much-needed blessing in my life tonight!

Eagle, you are like a painting in progress. Or Meredith's bead work. She says she does not always know what a piece will look like as she is creating it. That does not mean it is a failure, and I think you know that intellectually. You don't have to know the destination, you just keep on the path. Your purpose right now could be to just be. You worked so hard emotionally, physically, spiritually with and for your brother, hand in hand. Please rest and rest assurred that it is ok to have your sense of purpose lie fallow for a while. You know how farmers keep one field empty for a while, letting the soil rest? Then, the next season, the soil is fertile once again. Rest you mind, body, spirit. Bask in the love that is given to you, for you have given so much to others. LL, L

Lynn, this is amazing. Yesterday we went to church and the sermon was called "Here I am, but send Harry". It was all about purpose. There was a lot of emphasis on each of us answering God's call to go and do whatever He asked of us. It was well done, but of course, left me feeling this sense of failure with no sense of purpose or direction. But I prayed earnestly for God to help me put that sermon in the context of my situation, because He knows my heart and knows my circumstances. I distinctly heard Him say "Rest for now; you are where I need you to be. When it's time to move, there will be no doubt in your mind where I want you to go and I will give you whatever resources you need when you need them."

Why is it so hard to accept that "just being" has as much purpose as any other calling? God has made it clear, in so many ways, that it's okay just to be still for now.

Besides, it gives me all this time to be here - where else could possibly be a better place to "just be" than right here?

Not to interfere, but I must interject...That's beautiful, eagle...

Gimster, your voice and your insights are dear to me, and I always embrace your presence with joy and gratitude. (So I could never see you as "interfering").

Princess and I got into a bit of emotional healing here last night; she was very uplifting and I went to bed with such joy - and even better, woke up this morning feeling a "joie de vie" that I haven't felt in a long time. We didn't mean to hijack the thread - but together with a couple of other threads going on at the time, it was a very healing couple of hours for me...

I am nodding here as I read..going along with Mountain Ash´s suggestion in another thread..I am therefore saying, I agree. I agree. I agree. With all of you, Chatty, Gimster, PL and you, Eagleheart!