Chasing Away the Winter Blues

With all the political drama from the news and several winter storms passing through our country, we need a little lighthearted pick up as daylight saving time starts and we move into spring. Sometime we need a break from the world and cannot always get away because of our situations.  

 

Back when I used to live in Alabama I remember on several occasions where I had to sit at home with seven children in our house enduring storms and not being able to leave the for over 24 hours.  One time we were stuck for three days while hurricane Danny swirled around the Mobile Bay and then moved on.

 

We have endured a long run of the flu with nine children and a husband all with bowls to catch the sickness coming out so they make it on time to the bathroom.  We’ve all been through something close to those kinds of difficulties and need something comical to lighten the mood.

 

I work full time now and I am learning to endure 40 hours a week at a time at the same desk doing my wonderful job for months and months. We all know about this very well. We love our jobs but sometimes we need something to break the monotony.

 

So here is something I found a long time ago somewhere and then added a few of my own to it to make fifteen statements.  It’s called “Fifteen ways to maintain a healthy level of insanity at work.”  Or maybe I should write fifteen ways to maintain a healthy level of insanity at home.  You decide and make it fit into your life. I am not responsible for any troubled bosses after following this list. You are on your own.

 

1. During your lunch break, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don’t disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it “In.”
5. Put decaf in the coffee pot for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
   
6. Finish all your sentences with “In Accordance With the Prophecy.”
7. Don’t use any punctuation in any of your writings.
8. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
9. At lunch time, order diet water with a serious face.
10. Switch the radio station to opera and sing along.
    
11. Put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.
12. Five days in advance, tell your co-workers you can’t attend the office party because you’re not in the mood.
13. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, “Rock Bottom”.
14. For your 15 minute break, sit under your desk and play tidily winks with sound effects.
15. And the final way to keep a healthy level of insanity……. (fill in the blank)

 

Beside comical relief there are spiritually calming writings and music to help strengthen ourselves when life gets us down. Here are 8 uplifting quotes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

 

“Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong.” James E. Faust’s talk from the LDS Church’s General Conference April, 1979.

 

“Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord. Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with Him.” Gordon B. Hinckly’s talk “Stay on the Road” from April General Conference in April of 2004.

 

“Individual progression is fostered in the family….The home is to be God’s laboratory of love and service. There a husband is to love his wife, a wife is to love her husband, and parents and children are to love one another.”  Russell M. Nelson’s talk from April 2008 General Conference.

 

“Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal, spirit daughters of almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens.  Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your once upon a time is now.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

“As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with more love and kindness to whatever might come our way.” Thomas S. Monson.

 

“I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, ‘Why?’ I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours.

 

While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time.” Russell M. Nelson’s talk from General Conference in October of 2005.

 

“To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His ‘more excellent ministry’ with a future of ‘better promises.’ He is your ‘high priest of good things to come.’ ” Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk “An High Priest of Good Things to Come,” from a General Conference talk in October of 1999.

 

“Every person who comes to earth is a spirit son or daughter of God. Since all love emanates from God, we are born with the capacity and the desire to love and to be loved. One of the strongest connections we have with our premortal life is how much our Father and Jesus loved us and how much we loved Them.

To read more of Valerie’s articles, click here.

 

Even though a veil was drawn over our memory, whenever we sense true love, it awakens a longing that cannot be denied.” John H. Groberg’s talk “The Power of God’s Love” from the LDS Church’s General Conference October 2004.

 

Reading uplifting words can do wonders to our spirit. Hang in there as the winter will soon end and the sun will be shining.