An apple blossom seems like the ultimate in fragile, useless beauty. It lasts for just a brief, lovely moment before the wind blows it away. But without the blossom’s power to attract, there would be no fruit.
How has something you’ve lost made possible something that you’ve gained?
Nothing that is beautiful is ever useless. It brings joy, even if only for a moment, and reminds our soul of peaceful singing.
As terrible as my mental illnesses are and as much as they’ve cost me, they are the reason why I have two wonderful dogs in my life. The older one was my psychiatric service dog while I was in the US. He learned to lay on me when I had to panic attacks (physical pressure calms me down, especially when its in the form of a soft, cuddly dog who loves me), touch my hand on command to help me dissociate less, and lead me out of buildings when I was too panicked/dissociated to do so myself. Those were just his trained special tasks. He also forced me to go outside in the sunlight and get exercise (both of which help a bit with depression) every day, no matter how I felt. He gave me a reason to hold on, knowing that it would hurt him if I died. His cuteness cause me to smile almost every day, even when the depression is intense. And so on. He’s amazing.
He’s getting old now, which is why I got a second dog. She was supposed to be my next service dog. Unfortunately service dogs that aren’t guide dogs don’t have nearly as much protection where I live now, so I usually can’t take her with me. She does help me at home, though, and there are places where I am allowed to take her.
‘Some fifteen years ago the membership of my Episcopal parish in Longview became so exercised about the National Episcopal Churches “liberal drift” that they worked to cut off monetary support from the National Church. After a time, I felt that I had to leave and moved to the UU Fellowship. I have found this group to be a much better fit for me in any number of ways! I felt guilty about abandoning the more liberal fellow Episcopalians in their reform efforts. The Seven Principles and Six Sources have afforded me sufficient focus to continue my spiritual quest happily.