Hold on! Editor: Kit 
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Who or what do you turn to when times are tough?
We all need something to hold on to. That is why this week's Spiritual Newsletter is all about what helps us when life gets difficult.
Kit |
Do you ever feel like everything's just... too much? If you know me, you'll know I haven't been as active on this site as usual this past year. Life's become a lot to cope with. My sister-in-law passed away from cancer. My dad got cancer for the third time. He's survived, thankfully, but his Alzheimer's got worse. He's at that stage now where he sometimes calls people by a different name. My mom's had cancer herself, and a lot of other illnesses. After three strokes her personality's changed and that can be difficult to witness. It's not her fault, of course, but sometimes it hurts. My sister's been unwell, my nieces have had health issues... Yeah, it's been tough. And on top of that my own health has left a lot to desire. I spent months very ill. I've got tumours in my mouth and throat. I've got dysphagia. I've got a hospital appointment tomorrow to discuss tests and surgery. I've also got De Quervain tenosynovitis affecting my right thumb and wrist - which happens to be my dominant hand. And that's aside from trouble with the house. So yes, sometimes life feels like a lot.
It's in times like these that it can be difficult to push forward. To believe that things will get better. There are all these worrying - even scary - events looming over me and I don't always feel very brave. It's what people expect of me, I know. To face everything bravely. Don't complain, don't hide away from what frightens me, keep on going. That's what people respect. Sometimes I do want to hide away, though. I know it doesn't solve anything. I know I have to face what scares me. But the urge is there.
I try to remain positive, I really do. Something that helps me is to find things to look forward to. Recently I went to the cinema. I enjoyed that. Depending on when my surgery gets scheduled I'd like to do something fun before that. There are some cool options in the area. Looking after highland cattle for a day, going on a picnic with alpacas, I'd like to try clay pigeon shooting, but my hand needs to be better before I do that. Maybe I'll go to the coast. When everything in the future looks daunting, it's important to seek out some joy.
Even tomorrow I've given myself something to look forward to. The appointment is scary and I am not keen on the several hours of travel there and back - a downside of living in the countryside. But there's a farm shop near the hospital, and there's also a shop where they sell these plush toys I like. I might get some nice food. I might get myself a plushie as a reward for being brave. When life is scary, it's important to find what helps you. We all need something to hold on to.
I pray, of course. Not as often as I should and perhaps not as well as I should, but I pray. That's not always easy, either. My dad's always been a man of faith, but when he was diagnosed with cancer for the third time he confessed to me that his faith was shaken. Because why him? My dad's a good man. Solid. reliable. Kind. Funny, too. He's always worked hard, looked after his family. The kind of guy who never hesitates to offer a helping hand. He's done many years of voluntary work alongside his own job, and even after retirement he volunteered at a care home a couple of days a week, taking people to appointments, organising activities, spending time with people, taking them for walks. So why him? I can understand his doubt. His fear. Life can feel deeply unfair. I don't think he's completely given up on his faith. He's trying to hold on. I hope he can.
We all have these questions from time to time, I'm sure. There's a lot out there in the world that can make people question their faith. A lot of cruelty, a lot of unfairness. It can feel like the most horrible of people keep on getting away with their actions. That they have the most wealth, the most power, the most success, and they're never ever held accountable. Some of them claim to be people of faith, but they sure don't act it. Not according to any faith I know of, anyway. Good people often end up suffering. Innocent people too often end up as the victims of those with no remorse. How do we hold on, then? What is there to hold on to?
For me, it's my own sense of justice. My own view of how the world should be. Even if everyone around me were to give up on making the world a better place, I can't. I know there's not much I can do to actually make it happen, but I still have that conviction deep inside of me that we, as human beings, can do better. That we can be better. That we can bring about peace, and work together to improve the environment, and that we can be good to each other, and kind to each other, and give everyone a good quality of life. That belief may seem way too ideological, yet it lives within me, unshakable. I believe that most people are decent. That, when given a chance, they'd strive for better. One day it will happen. I keep on holding on to that.
I believe that everyone has something at the core of their being that's unshakable, unbreakable. Something that, when everything else is stripped away, remains, and defines them. That can be a religious or spiritual faith, or a moral code, or whatever other belief that lives at their very center. No matter what we face in life, no matter what gets us down, it will remain. Even when we stumble, and threaten to fall, it's always there to hold on to.
But it's not just that inner core that is there to hold on to - there are other people as well. People who you can reach out to when you need them. Family, friends, neighbours, community members, and yes, professional help as well when you need it. There is no shame in that. It doesn't make you any less brave. When you struggle to hold on, it's important to have those in your life who will hold on to you.
Too many people suffer alone - if that's you, please reach out. You don't have to face whatever is troubling you on your own. It's okay to be sad. It's okay to be frightened. It's okay to need help. It happens to all of us. That's why we've got to stick together. As said, most people are decent. There will always be someone there who will listen, and support.
So hold on. You are not alone. You can do this. And so can I.
Kit
|
| | | Grill a Christian (13+) Consider 4 pillars of science: Are they in conflict, complementary or irrelevant to faith? |
| | The 7/7 Forum (18+) Message Forum to chat and Interact with fellow WDC members 7 days a week |
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! 
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
un: 
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Community Feed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Writings
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Sheets
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
Workspaces
Spiritual: July 01, 2026 Issue [#13825]
