Sunday, March 02, 2014

THE MAMMOTH CAVE

When I first started Mildred Ratched Memoirs, it was as an assignment from my therapist who I always lovingly referred to as a "yoyo inspector". She wanted me to keep a daily journal and the only stipulation she made was that each journal entry had to end with a gratitude statement. The topics could be of my own choosing. Instead of doing a conventional hand written journal, I decided to do mine in blog form since I had been blogging since 2004.

Although I've kept Mildred Ratched Memoirs alive long after stopping my visits to the yoyo inspector, somewhere along the way I stopped doing my gratitude statements. I have to be honest and admit that I miss them. They made me end each blog post on a positive note. When a person is struggling with an emotional upheaval or maybe just tying up some loose ends that have been dangling for far too long having to find things to be grateful about isn't always an easy task. I remember I ended one post with a gratitude statement about being grateful I didn't have hemorrhoids. That one made my therapist laugh.


Reposted and edited from CAVE LIFE 101 (February 22, 2010)

People with alternative lifestyles or who have a different sexual orientation than the rest of mainstream America may reside in a closet until they decide to emerge, but depressed people dwell in a dark, dingy cave many times filled with items of convenience so they won't have to ever emerge. A few years ago, I purchased a small refrigerator and a microwave to put in my bedroom, so I wouldn't have to leave it. That was around the same time as I bought a 52-inch HDTV for my bedroom. I should have seen the writing on the wall, but like most things, I ignored the warning signs until the damage had been done. I simply didn't care that I was a cave dweller.

Hey, people I live in Florida and in an area where the beaches don't suck. As described in the following quote: "The gentle breeze is still soothing just as the crystal-clear waves roll in from the emerald sea. The flawless white sand is just as soft as before, and the sea oats still dance for a glowing sun". Pensacola boasts to have the whitest beaches in Florida. So why does a person who once was a sun worshipper no longer even venture out into the light of day? No, I haven't joined the ranks of the undead! Not yet, at least!

I think it has to do with having an addictive personality and being self-destructive. I always loved to binge and then I'd grow bored with the object of my addiction. This behavior held true in every aspect of my life even the small ones. For example, I loved to read, but unlike a normal person who would read a book and then go onto the next or perhaps take a break between books, I would read 10 books in 2 weeks and then be done for 6 months or more. I buy books now and never read them. I sit and look at the cover or maybe read the first page a few hundred times, but I never finish reading the book. I guess the same holds true with the beach. I burnt myself out on being sun burned beach bunny. Actually, that's probably a good thing!

Tomorrow, I have my next yoyo appointment. I know she wants me to start dealing with issues I'd rather just leave in the cave. I'd rather discuss how I've spent the last 2 days cleaning and rearranging my cave and how good that made me feel...physically drained, but mentally better. I'd rather talk about why I feel the need to throw something away if I haven't used it in 6 months and why I have so little in which I assign sentimental value. Material objects have never meant very much to me...easy come, easy go! I'd rather discuss anything other than sexual abuse and being self-destructive. I think I may be in a horribly foul mood tomorrow!

Gratitude statement: I'm thankful it's today and not tomorrow.

I read my words now and ask myself, "What’s changed?" and I have to admit that I'm still a troglodyte and the rut I was in has widened over time. I really don't know where or how to begin to stop this abyss.

Gratitude statement: I'm grateful for the self awareness I possess and hope that it eventually kick starts some motivation to change my life while I still can.

18 comments:

  1. Ouch. This is closer to the bone than I care to admit.
    Your hemmorhoids statement made me chuckle. For some years now I have wished painful hemmorhoids on people (often of the medical persuasion) who displease me. Acutely uncomfortable, undignified - but not fatal.
    Love today's gratitude statement. It sounds like you have the foundations on which to build - when you are ready.

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    1. It helps to know I'm truly not alone.

      Shame on you for wishing hemorrhoids on people! LOL (I use a voodoo doll for the irritating twits in my life.)

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  2. Brave, well-compiled post --and a helpful one. Sure reached me.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how words have the power to reach out and connect people together?

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  3. Replies
    1. What color is your cave? Mine's a shade of red called Bohemian Red.

      I think all us cave dwellers should collaborate on a piece called The Ideal Cave.

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    2. It is green. I need a TV, a sound system, a fountain, a deadbolt, haha.

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  4. If it wasn't for the hubs I probably wouldn't leave the house from one week to the next.....I guess I"m grateful that something pulls me out the door whether I want to go our not. My cave is green.

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    1. Green is a lovely color for a cave. I've been thinking about repainting mine. It's been Bohemian Red for about 6 years now and I think it's time for a change.

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  5. I've long talked about getting a fridge for my room...Now that I'm moving, I think I'm going to make it happen.
    Never thought about a microwave in here, though.That's such a good idea!

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  6. I have to ask.... where do you buy voodoo dolls?

    Thanks for following my blog, nice to meet you.

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry I never saw that you came to visit me and of course, I make my own voodoo dolls.

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  7. Thank you so much for your full knowledge that we hope you will bring forth such new facts in front of us. Thank you very much once time again. mental disorder

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for visiting my blog but why did you pick a post that was written in 2014 to respond to? In fact, I've had 3 responses to this post on 7/6/2020 and I find that odd. Oh well!

      Delete
  8. Thank you for visiting my blog but why did you pick a post that was written in 2014 to respond to? In fact, I've had 3 responses to this post on 7/6/2020 and I find that odd. Oh well!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for visiting my blog but why did you pick a post that was written in 2014 to respond to? In fact, I've had 3 responses to this post on 7/6/2020 and I find that odd. Oh well!

    ReplyDelete