Plain in the city

A plain Quaker folk singer with a Juris Doctorate in his back pocket, salt in his blood, and a set of currach oars in the closet, Ulleann Pipes under his arm, guitar on his back, Anglo Irish baggage, wandering through New York City ... in constant amaze. Statement of Faithfulness. As a member of the Quaker Bloggers Ad Hoc Committee I affirm that I will be faithful to the Book of Discipline of my Meeting 15th Street Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

Friday, February 22, 2008

No hope, no future

There comes a time when there is no way ahead, no hope, no future ... what do you do then?

posted by Lorcan @ 2:31 PM

12 Comments:

At 7:33 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I usually sit down and have a temper tantrum, Pout, kick my feet and when
I have tired myself out enough, I
get up and go some where else. I
think the last time this happened I
became a Quaker. The time before I
started the business that I still am
in.

The problem is, it really seems dark
before the light comes out again. I have found the Quaker saying "way opens" as a truth as I take scary steps in unfamiliar directions.

Peace

Glenn

 
At 10:06 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wait.

(It usually means I am out of balance, not unusual for me.)

Almost always works...something reminds me who I am.

 
At 9:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, I think it would depend on whether or not a person were depressed or not. If depressed, seeing a doctor would be a good course of action.

If not, perhaps sitting and waiting and maybe asking "What do you want me to know now?" is a way to get past the moment when it seems there is no way out.

Sometimes Way doesn't open as quickly as we would want.

cath

 
At 9:26 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just realized that this scenario was posed as a hypothetical with no actual informaion. So, if the person who is feeling hopeless is, say, homeless or dying or running from armed guerillas, there might be a different thing to do than simply wait.

Although severe depression still requires a doctor's care; however, sometimes getting a bed for the night comes first.

I read the hypothetical through some pretty strong filters (e.g., it's about a person who **isn't** food/clothing/shelter-insecure).

Another aspect of such a hypothetical is that when it's presented to us, perhaps instead of giving advice, we should hold the un-described situation in the Light.

cath

 
At 7:18 AM, Blogger Taylor Giacoma said...

I write a song about it.

And then I sing it.

It doesn't fix the problem, but it feels good.

 
At 9:20 AM, Blogger Rich in Brooklyn said...

I don't know, but if the person who feels this way is thee (or "you" as "we" like to put it) then I can only point out that there is a way ahead, there is hope, and there is most definitely a future.
Keep putting one foot ahead of the other; keep an eye out for the birds, the sky, the people on the street; keep an ear out for someone singing or laughing or even crying; come to Meeting.

I know I make it sound easier than it is, but...I still think it's good advice.
love,
- - Rich

 
At 9:22 AM, Blogger Rich in Brooklyn said...

P.S. I just came over originally to tell you that I "tagged" you on my blog. Hope you'll check it out.
- - Rich

 
At 4:58 AM, Blogger Greg Dunn said...

Brainless exercise, mate, has helped me through massive work and life-related stress.

I wish I could buy endorphins instead of sweating, but that said, it helps enormously keeping the heebeejeebees at bay.

Lent is also a good time for me, as I kick caffiene and alcohol into touch for the 46.5 days, lose weight, go to bed early, sleep like a baby and feel generally purged.

But I could murder a buffalo steak in the Odessa right now!

Lots of love
Greg

 
At 3:35 PM, Blogger David Carl said...

I was in this situation last week. I didn't do this as as cure, but it turns out that going off and playing some drums with me band did the trick. - Dave Carl.

 
At 10:04 AM, Blogger Kerry Dexter said...

sometimes the only way out is through. not that that's easy, or necessarily direct.
for more on that thought, suggesting to you Carrie Newcomer's song The Clean Edge of Change.

 
At 8:40 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was there just last week and the only thing you can do is put one foot after another. Things have gotten a bit better, but they can just as easily go backwards tomorrow and I will still trudge on. The only question is what will happen when I no longer have the courage to lift my feet.

If this is not a rhetorical question on your part, then know that I look for your blog from time to time to see what you have to say and in that way, at least, you are valued.

 
At 8:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You trust and cling to faith. Even when it feels completely impossible, you look inside yourself, around yourself and in other people and find inspiration to keep that flame alive to get you through and prevail. You go within and muster up all of your determination, courage, and belief that things will turn for the better and then you hold on to it with all your might until the sun shines again. And allow family into your struggle with open arms of support and love. And then, take nice long bubble baths and spend peaceful days at the beach.

At least that's what I do when things get that bad. :) It worked pretty well so far ;).

 

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