Rollercoaster of Life

Hi Sadsong,

I dont think he is much of a friend if he spends all his energy trying to convert you to Christianity rather than listening to you and having a friendship. Im not sure where you are in the world, but in the UK the Roman Catholics have a bit of a reputation for being very hard-line and strict. I think this comes from the teachings they receive, so your friend might not even realise what he is doing. (Please note This is NOT the base for a religious discussion of ANY kind) Try talking to your friend. He might be more open than you think.

As for your light therapy... I have seen the light boxes and they are really good. Well worth the money in my opinion. I hope it works for you.

All the best

Darren

Hi Sadsong,

Rhodiola rosea helped me with energy levels - I was living in a house I hated too by the way (it's better now, but hubby and I are moving anyway). Re. the rhodiola, since I started taking it about a month ago, it's much easier to get out of bed now, and I actually "bound" up the stairs sometimes. It had been so long since I had the energy or desire to 'bound.' LOL. Also, I don't feel like pulling the covers over my head like I used to before taking it either. There is a thread on here about it by sunnivara, posted about a month ago. Hopefully if you do a search, it will come up.

Re. the guy who felt he needed to convert you... it wasn't right how he approached things. It's his own loss if he doesn't question the church and it's doctrines. Personally, I'm a christian, and to try to answer your question, there are a few reasons why people sometimes lack sensitivity and act like this guy sounds to have. As christians, we have found something that has changed our lives and so we naturally want to share it with others. However, along the way, the church comes along and puts tons of pressure on us to 'convert' people and we start acting out of fear and pressure, rather than out of love and just sharing naturally with others. It's not right, but it happens, sadly. Personally, I have had to 'relearn' how to just be myself, and so you're right about the possibility of people coming out of the church brainwashed. Not in all cases, but it can happen. So you've made some solid observataions.

You'll find that within christianity there are many flavors - and that some have found religion, but others have found God. There is a difference, and my personal opinion is that most people who are turned off by the church, are not so much turned off by God but by who the Church institution (in some cases) in all its humaness has misrepresented God to be. In any case I feel there is a strong difference between religion and relationship with God. When you meet those coming out of christianity as a religion, they will often try to force their relgion upon you. The latter will allow you to feel free to choose, loved and called to think on matters, maybe even strongly impressed to choose one way, but not forced. You'll feel invited to explore the possibility of God, rather than forced to.

Hopefully, your next blind date will roll along more gracefully. Nonetheless, yes, I can imagine the conversations you two must have had! But maybe, though hard, there is a hidden blessing for both of you. Sometimes the people that challenge us the most also call us to dig down deeper into the soil of who we are, and grow all the more.

Hope you feel better soon and that things start looking up. all the best, mb

The light therapy is begining to work.  I was actually singing along with the radio and dancing around the house while I was cleaning it yesterday!  Plus, I've been much more alert and motivated than I have been in quite a while.  I'm still a bit tired, but I usually tend to get tired in the afternoon if I don't have an extra dose of caffine.  I think the US should really institute mandatory afternoon siestas to improve productivity!   

The thing about dating is, I live in a small "family" town.  There's not a lot of single young professionals around.  I've been contemplating looking for a new job in more of a "city", where there would be more young professionals, but I'm not a city girl.  Plus, I wouldn't be interested in dating a city guy, so I guess I'm kinda stuck here unless I take up on-line dating! 

Thanks for your sharing your view manyembers.  I guess what I had been struggling with the most was that I completely misread this guy.  I mean I thought he was totally into me, but come to find out he is looking for someone who shares his exact religious beliefs, whereas I'm not as fussy when it comes to that.  (I was really angry at being rejected and sad for not having my feelings returned.  But, I've gotten over it.  We've actually been emailing either other, but he still seems to be focusing too much on his religious believes if ya ask me.) I look for other qualities in a person and just feel that it's not important what religion a person practices, but what's more important is how a person lives their life and how they treat other people. 

HI SAdsong,

Im glad to hear that you are havng such positive results with your lightbox. I have heard many good things about them anbd have considered getting one myself. Dancing and singing to the radio is something I do as well so I understand how that feels!

I hope you continue to get great results from it!

Darren