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December 2005 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: Being Well Taking Stock By Toby Laping Ph. D., C.S.W., Private Care Manager
This has not been a great year. Our national life has been difficult. Regardless of political leanings, none would argue that natural disasters and intense political disputes have taken a toll on our national psyche. Personal lives have been disrupted and tragic deaths have occurred. There have also been joys. At the risk of sounding trivial, the White Sox won the world series and hockey is back at HSBC arena. This past summer was warm and dry, and Buffalo weather is light years better than dealing with the floods and hurricanes that bedeviled so much of the country and the world. But ultimately most of us focus on our own worlds. We look at our personal joys and sorrows where the most basic assessments of our lives come into play. Those of us who are mildly lonely or depressed can manage pretty well most of the time, but if we’re barraged by images of happy people surrounded by smiling multi-generational faces, our feelings of loneliness are only heightened. It’s so easy to fall into a morass of sadness that feeds itself. If feelings of sadness are overwhelming or if there is any thought of harming yourself, immediate action is called for. Call Crisis Services at 834-3131. If that’s an overreaction, don’t worry about it. On the other hand, if you’re feeling blue but not seriously depressed, then you should take assertive action that is healing and to others as well as to yourself. It’s hard to summon any energy when you’re down, but try nevertheless. There’s value in specificity, I think, so here are some concrete ideas. If you’re alone, please know that there are many, many others who feel at least as alone and lonely as you do. Call your apartment manager, call your minister, or call your physician and ask to be put in touch with one or two other people who would enjoy some company for a holiday dinner. Then, invite those folks to your home. Make it a pot luck supper so everyone gets to contribute something. Call an organization in town that operates every day, regardless of holidays, such as hospitals, nursing homes or shelters. Volunteer your services on the day of the holiday. You’ll allow others to be with their families making you a hero to the staff, and the residents will be grateful. You’ll help others and feel good about what you’re doing — one of the goals. Call the Red Cross to find out how to welcome the folks who have moved here from New Orleans because of Katrina. Call Children’s Hospital and ask if you can read books to sick children. Call the Veterans Hospital and see if homemade pastries on Christmas would be appreciated by any of the patients. You get the idea. Doing things for others is therapeutic, and the value of having people appreciate you is beyond measure. www.wnycaremanager.com back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
