Mental Health Monday

Milestones + Melancholy ... GOMER Returns ... Cat Popularity

It was a blessing to attend a Milestones of Ministry event at Christ Norfolk yesterday. Seven faculty & staff were honored for their retirement. I think another 6 were recognized for anniversaries of service. It left me feeling somewhat melancholy, however, because I still can't shake the feeling that my retirement from Lutheran education was bittersweet. I can't shake the feeling that the circumstances be which I retired from LHNE in March 2017, signaled my departure under a cloud. After all, I tell myself, I went on an indefinite medical leave-of-absence in Nov. 2014, which turned into a medical disability, which turned into a decision that it would be in both my best interests, as well as the school's, for me to depart. It seems to me that I should have gotten over it by now.

From NDN (4/27):  "Are you red or blue in the face? UNL study finds that conservatives show less emotion . . . new research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has demonstrated a correlation between political ideology & facial expressitivity:  Conservatives have better poker faces, while liberals may allow more tells."  COMMENT:  I think I do a fairly good job remaining expressionless despite feelings of depression & anxiety, which I continue to think my depression is somewhat atypical. Then again, I may just be having a pity party. SEE comments above.

G.O.M.E.R. *

NDN (4/27):  Schools extend year for snow. Some South Dakota school districts are being forced to extend the academic year because of days they missed over the winter & spring due to snow storms. The Aberdeen School District has added 5 days to its calendar to make . up for days missed due to bad weather. The last day of classes has been moved from May 17 to May 24."  DEPT. OF IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS:  School official #1: We know how productive those last weeks of the school year are. Official #2: Yeah. You might as well shut down school on May 1. Official #1:  Let's extend the school year by a week to make up for snow days. Official #2:  Yeah!
* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants

From Parade Magazine (4/29):  "What People Earn--Animal Edition. Nala Cat. The 7-yr-old Siamese/tabby mix w/3.5 million Instagram followers & deals w/Google, PetSmart & Purina can earn more than $7,000 per sponsored post. Kitt-size bandanas & bow ties ($12), Nala phone cases ($35), a Nala Cat tree ($124) & more are sold . . . COMMENT:  This is mildly depressing. Nala the Cat is more popular on social media than I?

Dept. of Shameless Joke Stealing

From Norfolk Daily News late laughs (4/27):  "Apple's new futuristic headquarters, Apple Park in Cupertino, CA, is having some problems. The bldg is filled with so much clear glass that employees have reportedly been walking into glass walls. I guess Apple shouldn't have installed windows. (The Late Late Show with James Corden).

Thought for Today

ASKING FOR HELP

“Ask, and it will be given you.” Matt. 7:7

“ . . . one of the most miraculous aspects of human existence is the ability of people to come to each other’s aid. Asking others for help when we are ‘in over our heads’ is a way to access that very miracle.” At the Crossroads: Devotions for Lent, by David Kehret, Creative Communications for the Parish, 2016.

Wit & Wisdom of Cal Thomas *

NDN (11/13/17):  "The Washington Free Beacon reports that Annette Clark, the dean of Seattle University's Law School, has revoked the school's sponsorship of a Federalist Society event. The reason? The proposed debate on immigration, hosted by the school's Access to Justice Institute, might be 'harmful' to minority students & undocumented immigrants,' aka people who broke the law to get to America, though we are not supposed to talk like that these days. At first I thought it was a joke played on those elites who claim to believe in tolerance, academic freedom, & inclusion. Dean Clark's edict reflects her & the school's intolerance, academic propaganda & exclusion of any view that does not conform to the . university's imposed ideology. Isn't this the stuff of re-education camps & gulags?

* One of my 2 favorite pundits