I just love my life

[Al the optimist]

Sometimes we meet and then enjoy good friends. Sometimes their kindness is overwhelming. Today I give thanks for a wonderful gesture from a mate. I have a smile a mile wide today. He one of the best. I am posting this because I just want to share a moment of pure joy with you all. Hope your day is as good as mine is today.
PS Flight day only 24 days away! Yeh! Life is so so good to me!

 

[wayfarer]

How one enjoys their life depends very much on how one approaches it and you Allan obviously approach it with optimism.
Long may you love life amigo.

 

[Al the optimist]

Thanks Pat. As you well know after your (not so) recent bad time the famous Emile Coue saying "Tous les jours a tous points de vue je vais mieux en mieux"!

 

[wayfarer]

Thanks Pat. As you well know after your (not so) recent bad time the famous Emile Coue saying "Tous les jours a tous points de vue je vais mieux en mieux"!

How right you are Allan, that phrase kept me going many years ago when I fought the Black Dog, and thankfully it does get better and better.

 

[Waka]

Buen Camino Al.

Part of my family are returning to Singapore tomorrow, so my day is not as happy as yours. Take the happiness where you can, you never know what's round the corner.

 

[trevorcc]

How right you are Allan, that phrase kept me going many years ago when I fought the Black Dog, and thankfully it does get better and better.

I agree whole heartedly, after years of dealing with the Black Dog after my first walk (well I must say when I decided to go) things started to look up and after my second I no longer take medication, though some days are hard I now know that I can over come all as I have walked the Prynne's and I have friends around the world along with this forum. I will be better still come 2016 when I walk to Santiago for a third time, so to all who have to deal with the dog just go out and walk the Camino or just try and talk to a friend.

 

[Leah C. O'Leary]

I agree whole heartedly, after years of dealing with the Black Dog after my first walk (well I must say when I decided to go) things started to look up and after my second I no longer take medication, though some days are hard I now know that I can over come all as I have walked the Prynne's and I have friends around the world along with this forum. I will be better still come 2016 when I walk to Santiago for a third time, so to all who have to deal with the dog just go out and walk the Camino or just try and talk to a friend.

what's the Black Dog?

 

[Kanga]

A good day? Al stop going on about the cricket! But seriously, life is wonderful. It remains so, even if we can't appreciate it sometimes. I looked tonight at the vastness of the night sky and marvelled at the miracle of being here, in this time, in this place. Go well, friend.

 

[AbbyDee]

what's the Black Dog?

The "black dog" is the term that Winston Churchill used to describe his depression.

 

[AbbyDee]

Sometimes we meet and then enjoy good friends. Sometimes their kindness is overwhelming. Today I give thanks for a wonderful gesture from a mate. I have a smile a mile wide today. He one of the best. I am posting this because I just want to share a moment of pure joy with you all. Hope your day is as good as mine is today.
PS Flight day only 24 days away! Yeh! Life is so so good to me!

Pass it on, pass it on!
Joy shared is joy multiplied. Walk in Beauty.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thanks for a great post, Al!
I just love my life also!
I wake up every morning so grateful to be alive, to be able to see, to hear, to smell, to taste, to feel.
Life is good!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

How right you are Allan, that phrase kept me going many years ago when I fought the Black Dog, and thankfully it does get better and better.

I never, ever thought I would have to deal with the Black Dog, but he visited me twice in my life. I kicked him to the curb in both situations, and learned that it's never a weakness to ask for medical help.

Happy to say that after two close deaths and a bad year following, I've been Black Dog-free for about two years now, and could not be happier to be back to my sunshiney self!

Turn, turn, turn, there is a season...

 

[Mike Savage]

Well said everyone and I couldn't agree more. Life is good!

 

[CaptBuddy]

Sometimes we meet and then enjoy good friends. Sometimes their kindness is overwhelming. Today I give thanks for a wonderful gesture from a mate. I have a smile a mile wide today. He one of the best. I am posting this because I just want to share a moment of pure joy with you all. Hope your day is as good as mine is today.
PS Flight day only 24 days away! Yeh! Life is so so good to me!

A wonderful description of what it means "to be blessed".

 

[Former member 42123]

What a wonderful thread,what a wonderful day,what a wonderful bunch you all are.Thank you and God Bless.

 

[Sailor]

Thank you.
Good conversation.
Thanks everyone for your inputs.

 

[trevorcc]

what's the Black Dog?

It in relation to Depression.

 

[trevorcc]

I never, ever thought I would have to deal with the Black Dog, but he visited me twice in my life. I kicked him to the curb in both situations, and learned that it's never a weakness to ask for medical help.

Happy to say that after two close deaths and a bad year following, I've been Black Dog-free for about two years now, and could not be happier to be back to my sunshiney self!

Turn, turn, turn, there is a season...

I hope you do walk the Camino as I know you will have a peaceful time.

 

[ricitosdeplata]

Just came home from a full day. Took a short walk, went to Mass, ate out and saw a fun movie with my 93 year old Mom. Life is good. Who cares if it's 105°F today. And 34 days till I'm off to VDLP.

 

[vgen5122]

For me, it takes too much work to be depressed. I have always believed that life is what you make of it. I choose every day to try and make my life as happy as I can. My life didn't start out good. It was poor and it was rough. I have always believed that if one day is not good, guess what? I have another to try and make it better. Today my church celebrated mass in the park with sunshine, music and joy. It was followed by a parish picnic. It was a good day. Soon I will start my count down to return to Spain and the Camino next year. Life is good.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

For me, it takes too much work to be depressed. I have always believed that life is what you make of it. I choose every day to try and make my life as happy as I can. My life didn't start out good. It was poor and it was rough. I have always believed that if one day is not good, guess what? I have another to try and make it better. Today my church celebrated mass in the park with sunshine, music and joy. It was followed by a parish picnic. It was a good day. Soon I will start my count down to return to Spain and the Camino next year. Life is good.

I am delighted that you are making your life happy yourself. I need to correct you though.

Depression is not just "I'm poor and I don't have a great house so I feel sad".

Neither is it "I can just put on a smile and make it better".

Depression is a chemical imbalance that can occur in a chronic, recurring way, or it is a chemical imbalance that results from a situation that causes huge stress and exhaustion. Depression is NOT "I am a pessimistic, lazy person who can't see my way out".

To be more precise, I don't think you know what some of us have dealt with. If you can't get informed about this, please don't make others feel bad with your implication that we are either a) lazy b) pessimistic or that we c) can somehow control it, but we just let it occur because 'we' have the time or inclination to let it run its ugly course.

Wish I could sound friendlier, but I was offended by your post, and I don't think you meant to do that to anyone.

 

[vgen5122]

I am delighted that you are making your life happy yourself. I need to correct you though.

Depression is not just "I'm poor and I don't have a great house so I feel sad".

Neither is it "I can just put on a smile and make it better".

Depression is a chemical imbalance that can occur in a chronic, recurring way, or it is a chemical imbalance that results from a situation that causes huge stress and exhaustion. Depression is NOT "I am a pessimistic, lazy person who can't see my way out".

To be more precise, I don't think you know what some of us have dealt with. If you can't get informed about this, please don't make others feel bad with your implication that we are either a) lazy b) pessimistic or that we c) can somehow control it, but we just let it occur because 'we' have the time or inclination to let it run its ugly course.

Wish I could sound friendlier, but I was offended by your post, and I don't think you meant to do that to anyone.

Sorry, but never, never meant to offend. I had a brother that suffered from deep chronic depression. His depression was so that it was hard for him to make it out the door every day.I hope you understand that when I write it is from my own experience when I have felt depressed and not anyone else's. I really can't speak about anyone else's battles with depression. I would never think that someone suffering from these struggles are lazy. That is really not the truth.It is very serious and a very hard subject for some people who may really need help. I can not begin to speak about people who have suffered from chronic depression in the past or present. I believe that is a whole different subject than the one I was trying to express.

 

[Griffin57]

Sometimes we meet and then enjoy good friends. Sometimes their kindness is overwhelming. Today I give thanks for a wonderful gesture from a mate. I have a smile a mile wide today. He one of the best. I am posting this because I just want to share a moment of pure joy with you all. Hope your day is as good as mine is today.
PS Flight day only 24 days away! Yeh! Life is so so good to me!

Hi Al I too love your optimism, it lifts me up!
My great day was Saturday when I became a Mother-in-Law for the first time! Always wanted a sister for my beautiful daughter. My daughter-in-law is just perfect for my son and he for her. I don't think there can be anything better than seeing your children truly and blissfully happy. Life is good to me too!

I hope you enjoy your second 2015 camino as much as your first.
Buen camino

 

[David]

Interestingly there is new research that implicates the stomach and bowel microbial balance - the gut flora - in many cases of depression. I know no more than this but it does make me wonder if these terrible mental attacks could be alleviated by altering that balance - a diet completely free of any processed and/or refined foods, plenty of live yoghurt, Manuka honey, and so on. Depression is almost unheard of in so called 'primitive' cultures where the diet is wholefood and unchanged for millennia. We know our minds affect our bodies and that our bodies affect our minds, perhaps, just perhaps this would make a difference? Is it possible that part of the improvement found by walking the Camino is not just the Camino effect - the exercise, the banishment of life's cares and woes, the community - but also the change in diet? I don't know but perhaps, just perhaps, there is an answer here?

As for the original OP - Al, you are such a Good man - look at your photo! I am glad that good things are coming to you. All is well Al, however the universe may manifest to us All is Always Well.
So ... you will be on Camino about the 4th/5th? Will you be on the Frances? I would like to share a glass of Rioja with you.

Buen Camino!

 

[Al the optimist]

I hope you enjoy your second 2015 camino as much as your first

So ... you will be on Camino about the 4th/5th? Will you be on the Frances? I would like to share a glass of Rioja with you.

It will be my eighth. I am revisiting the Ingles (which was my first one) in three weeks. I would love to share a Rioja with you David if the chance ever occurs. But there is a thread about us having a Camino get together in Birmingham. Interested?

 

[David]

Oh, not the Frances then! Birmingham? Have never been to Alabama but could give it a try!

 

[Travellingman]

what's the Black Dog?

The French have a word for it: Le Cafard - the cockroach.
As a long time sufferer myself, I agree with CaminoDebrita.
But, good on you, Al - may you have many more such days! and enjoy the Ingles, again.

 

[David]

Out there on Camino, and at home, we have to treat each day as it comes, it is the only day we ever have.

 

[Al the optimist]

Love it David

 

[CaminoDebrita]

Sorry, but never, never meant to offend. I had a brother that suffered from deep chronic depression. His depression was so that it was hard for him to make it out the door every day.I hope you understand that when I write it is from my own experience when I have felt depressed and not anyone else's. I really can't speak about anyone else's battles with depression. I would never think that someone suffering from these struggles are lazy. That is really not the truth.It is very serious and a very hard subject for some people who may really need help. I can not begin to speak about people who have suffered from chronic depression in the past or present. I believe that is a whole different subject than the one I was trying to express.

Thanks for your note. As one of those unfortunate "people who have suffered" I appreciate your taking another look. Because of your brother, I'm sure you've had a lot of discussions and time to think about what you do about "depression" (which is, in your case, just momentary passing "bad day"--there is a difference between the two). Family stuff is so hard, and influences everything that we say and do.

 

[JohnMcM]

[QUOTE="Griffin57, post: 331688, member: 27417".............I don't think there can be anything better than seeing your children truly and blissfully happy.
Buen camino[/QUOTE]

Love that sentiment Griffin57, simply love it.
Buen (children-loving) Camino

 

[Griffin57]

[QUOTE="Griffin57, post: 331688, member: 27417".............I don't think there can be anything better than seeing your children truly and blissfully happy.
Buen camino

Love that sentiment Griffin57, simply love it.
Buen (children-loving) Camino[/QUOTE]

Thank you JohnMcM!
Only one of my children, my youngest, Ben has walked the camino. He said it was the best experience of his life so far. Had his 28th birthday in Pamplona, unforgettable!

 

[trevorcc]

Just a thought that I read today, 'I pray, not wish. Because I have a God, not a genie.'

 

[Al the optimist]

Today I was reminded so I have scanned through the posts. They have brought a smile to my face and a feeling of happiness. Thanks people. Oh, and as I was doing it the sun came out ! Yippee!

 

[David]

Joy of the day to you!

 

[Al the optimist]

Nice one David. Love your humour. You give me many a smile. Thanks.

 

[bernhugo]

Hi Al. I'm glad that you love your life !
I saw a quote in a magazine today that I think that you might like
" Turn your face to the sun and all of the shadows will fall behind you"

Enjoy your walk!

 

[Al the optimist]

That would mean walking backwards to Santiago?

 

[bernhugo]

SDC is to the west of northern Spain, so by the afternoon surely the sun would be almost in front of you. No?
I guess that its half and half unless you start about 5 a.m

 

[hecate105]

Love the cartoons David and the post about possible contributing factors. This all comes up in TMS (google TMSwiki for info) I suffered for over 20 years but have found the help I needed through that site and books by Dr Sarno. The fact that I was physically and mentally better when on Camino - was one of the main reasons I looked for and found the way through. It would probably help a lot of people to have a Camino prescription from their Doctor...

 

[Al the optimist]

SDC is to the west of northern Spain, so by the afternoon surely the sun would be almost in front of you. No?
I guess that its half and half unless you start about 5 a.m

I tend to start at 7:30 and finish at 1:30 though.

 

[ratyoke]

I spent most of my 20s wishing I was dead. Now life is good. Who knows if it will stay this way, but when I was younger I never would have guessed my outlook would change so much.