It has been a while since my last post on this website. A lot has happened, a lot of it was bad and unpleasant, but I’d like to think that the good and pure results out weigh the bad in how they have shaped me. There is a lot that I would like to say, but I chose to let this post’s title direct my thoughts. The other topics can all wait their turn in line. Recently I heard of a Jewish story about King Solomon. It’s not a Bible story per se, but it’s anecdotal value stems from God-breathed lessons and truisms.
If you are not inclined to clicking on links, the story tells of how Solomon asked a trusted minister to find a magic ring that would humble the proud and uplift the weary. Solomon, being the wisest man on Earth, believes that such a ring does not exist and the failure to find a ring will humble his minister, Benaiah. Benaiah eventually finds a gold ring that has “this too shall pass” engraved on it’s surface. When Solomon is presented with the ring his heart is humbled knowing that eventually all that he has will turn to dust.
Now, I heard this story referenced by Dennis Prager (an AM radio talk show host). Mr. Prager’s interpretation was that the human mind will always seek a balance so that if a person should drift too far towards ecstasy or depression, the mind will naturally overcompensate while trying to reach an equilibrium. The result is unrealistic (and unhealthy) fluctuations in moods and perceptions on events in one’s life. If you consider all that happens chemically in the brain, the theory makes perfect sense. What you see with manic depression, bi-polar depression and clinical chemical imbalances is the lack of ability for the brain to regulate levels of specific chemicals that alter moods and “feelings”.
I know there are those out there that prefer to remain under the false assumption that the above chemical deficiencies and imbalances are merely a lack of effort or self-control on behalf of the suffering individual, I plan on writing a post for you later. In my experience with my own emotions and moods, they tend to be within my control. The moral of the King David story pertains primarily to those of us with normal functioning brains. I’m not implying that chemical imbalances and clinical disorders can be cured through “mental toughness” or repeating “count it all joy” over and over. There are definitely words of wisdom in the Biblical writings regarding emotions and moods, but you wouldn’t tell someone with a migraine to “count it all joy” or “think positive and things will turn around”. No, you’d offer them some form of oral analgesic (pain killer) to counter the electrical/chemical signals that are creating the sensation of pain.
The only context of someone saying “this too shall pass”, that I can remember, is when someone is experiencing problems or is struggling with life. Oh, your loved on is sick/dying/injured? This too shall pass. You just lost your job and are tumbling out of control financially? This too shall pass! Don’t get me wrong, I understand the sincerity and compassion behind the statement. In most cases, it’s true. For the most part troubles and struggles have a way of passing on. However, when was the last time you heard someone exhort a fellow Christian who was unrealistically optimistic or euphoric in their actions by saying “hey buddy, might want to calm down… this too shall pass”?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I experience those feelings of euphoria and optimism I typically react in two ways. First, I have this relief of a burden being lifted accompanied by the notion that somehow, this new found nirvana can be kept if I remain strong and steadfast. The second reaction could be labeled “the optimism hangover”. It’s the nagging voice that methodically repeats “yeah, but for how long? You won’t feel this way forever.” That voice is the buzz kill soundtrack of my life. Without fail, the optimism does not last for ever and I fall towards another battle with depression and back-to-back problems.
Maybe hearing the story of Solomon’s ring led me to some form of an epiphany. For a while I just accepted this roller-coaster as a part of life when in reality I could have been setting myself up for unhealthy highs and lows by not carefully managing the highs. For me, the lesson from “this too shall pass” lies in it’s assumption that EVERYTHING is temporary. More often than not we work towards getting the satisfying inner peace of conflict free optimism. Somehow, if we can tweak our brains right and accept the bad we will increase the median value of our daily contentment. Instead we should we seeking to draw in the boundaries of our emotional extremes. Unrealistic feelings of contentment, optimism and euphoria must be reigned in and brought to a level where we can enjoy the experience while acknowledging their transient nature. Feelings such as these are not and can not be the goal. Just as over indulging yourself in bouts of melancholy can result in destructive behavior, gorging yourself on unmaintainable feelings of joy will eventually burn you out. Your brain will reel backwards towards stability and in the process risk overcompensating. You’ll burn yourself out.
And that’s where I have been for a while, burnt out. At times my passion and zeal would flare up, but I would fan the flames in hopes of creating a blaze only to wear myself out and resort back to smoldering embers. I am hoping now, that I can keep my moods in perspective, that managing and limiting the positive feelings will aid me in my quest for balance. You can’t be happy all the time, that’s life and in accepting that truth you may find you are more content more often. On that note I will leave you with this:
Below the smoke still burns a fire
A small spark lives ‘neath all these ashes
Promise me you’ll blow until I glow red,
bright fiery red
I’ve learned to smolder
All smoke but no flame
Ashes ashes we all fall down
(I long to glow like you
embers, bright halogen embers)
I will bear this cross
I will wear these thorns
But I know
All this dark won’t swallow
All the light I hide
But still host
Her I’ll learn to hold
She will grow and grow
She will shine so bright
Finding Peace in “This too shall Pass”
The Good and the Bad Shall Pass
It has been a while since my last post on this website. A lot has happened, a lot of it was bad and unpleasant, but I’d like to think that the good and pure results out weigh the bad in how they have shaped me. There is a lot that I would like to say, but I chose to let this post’s title direct my thoughts. The other topics can all wait their turn in line. Recently I heard of a Jewish story about King Solomon. It’s not a Bible story per se, but it’s anecdotal value stems from God-breathed lessons and truisms.
This Too Shall Pass
If you are not inclined to clicking on links, the story tells of how Solomon asked a trusted minister to find a magic ring that would humble the proud and uplift the weary. Solomon, being the wisest man on Earth, believes that such a ring does not exist and the failure to find a ring will humble his minister, Benaiah. Benaiah eventually finds a gold ring that has “this too shall pass” engraved on it’s surface. When Solomon is presented with the ring his heart is humbled knowing that eventually all that he has will turn to dust.
Now, I heard this story referenced by Dennis Prager (an AM radio talk show host). Mr. Prager’s interpretation was that the human mind will always seek a balance so that if a person should drift too far towards ecstasy or depression, the mind will naturally overcompensate while trying to reach an equilibrium. The result is unrealistic (and unhealthy) fluctuations in moods and perceptions on events in one’s life. If you consider all that happens chemically in the brain, the theory makes perfect sense. What you see with manic depression, bi-polar depression and clinical chemical imbalances is the lack of ability for the brain to regulate levels of specific chemicals that alter moods and “feelings”.
I know there are those out there that prefer to remain under the false assumption that the above chemical deficiencies and imbalances are merely a lack of effort or self-control on behalf of the suffering individual, I plan on writing a post for you later. In my experience with my own emotions and moods, they tend to be within my control. The moral of the King David story pertains primarily to those of us with normal functioning brains. I’m not implying that chemical imbalances and clinical disorders can be cured through “mental toughness” or repeating “count it all joy” over and over. There are definitely words of wisdom in the Biblical writings regarding emotions and moods, but you wouldn’t tell someone with a migraine to “count it all joy” or “think positive and things will turn around”. No, you’d offer them some form of oral analgesic (pain killer) to counter the electrical/chemical signals that are creating the sensation of pain.
The only context of someone saying “this too shall pass”, that I can remember, is when someone is experiencing problems or is struggling with life. Oh, your loved on is sick/dying/injured? This too shall pass. You just lost your job and are tumbling out of control financially? This too shall pass! Don’t get me wrong, I understand the sincerity and compassion behind the statement. In most cases, it’s true. For the most part troubles and struggles have a way of passing on. However, when was the last time you heard someone exhort a fellow Christian who was unrealistically optimistic or euphoric in their actions by saying “hey buddy, might want to calm down… this too shall pass”?
I can’t speak for anyone else, but when I experience those feelings of euphoria and optimism I typically react in two ways. First, I have this relief of a burden being lifted accompanied by the notion that somehow, this new found nirvana can be kept if I remain strong and steadfast. The second reaction could be labeled “the optimism hangover”. It’s the nagging voice that methodically repeats “yeah, but for how long? You won’t feel this way forever.” That voice is the buzz kill soundtrack of my life. Without fail, the optimism does not last for ever and I fall towards another battle with depression and back-to-back problems.
Maybe hearing the story of Solomon’s ring led me to some form of an epiphany. For a while I just accepted this roller-coaster as a part of life when in reality I could have been setting myself up for unhealthy highs and lows by not carefully managing the highs. For me, the lesson from “this too shall pass” lies in it’s assumption that EVERYTHING is temporary. More often than not we work towards getting the satisfying inner peace of conflict free optimism. Somehow, if we can tweak our brains right and accept the bad we will increase the median value of our daily contentment. Instead we should we seeking to draw in the boundaries of our emotional extremes. Unrealistic feelings of contentment, optimism and euphoria must be reigned in and brought to a level where we can enjoy the experience while acknowledging their transient nature. Feelings such as these are not and can not be the goal. Just as over indulging yourself in bouts of melancholy can result in destructive behavior, gorging yourself on unmaintainable feelings of joy will eventually burn you out. Your brain will reel backwards towards stability and in the process risk overcompensating. You’ll burn yourself out.
And that’s where I have been for a while, burnt out. At times my passion and zeal would flare up, but I would fan the flames in hopes of creating a blaze only to wear myself out and resort back to smoldering embers. I am hoping now, that I can keep my moods in perspective, that managing and limiting the positive feelings will aid me in my quest for balance. You can’t be happy all the time, that’s life and in accepting that truth you may find you are more content more often. On that note I will leave you with this: