MISERY LOVES COMPANY
Misery Loves Company
image courtesy photo bucket
That same perspective seems to work in a lot of settings, including scenarios on the lighter side of tears – especially if we have someone to laugh with… Lucky for me I do.
I sent a friend of mine a message steeped in satire, “I try not to toot my own horn, but occasionally find it impossible not to… this happens to be one of those times,” I chuckled, and continued with sarcasm. “I finished the post about the baseball cap… I know, around 600 words in one month. The tip of my pen has that bluish tint on it from the sheer amount of heat. I should probably get a fire extinguisher.”
My friend, the full-fledged writer, didn’t miss a beat and played along, “Wow!- When will it post?”
“I don’t know. I just wanted to share the news of setting a new record low for imagination and efficiency,” I admitted with true disdain for my writers trip through the Sahara Desert of my mind.
“Your pen has caught fire,” he acknowledged my plight.
I think anyone who’s ever tried to create something that uses their imagination understands. It helps to have company and understanding when you’re living in a drought. And all of us live through droughts. So it really comes down to, like all things in this life, our perspectives.
The things that brought frustrations and crocodile tears in our days of youth, we learn to cope with. With enough time and wisdom, we begin to realize just how powerful that gift of free will from God really is.
It doesn’t take too many disappearing decades to come to grips with the fact that “This ain’t no disco”, or the Garden of Eden.
“I’m gonna use that message I sent you about the baseball cap as material for another post,” I told my friend in person. He smiled knowingly and asked, “You mean the one I told you ‘your pen has caught fire'”?
“Yup.. Exactly, I laughed.
I’ve been stuck in days of droughts and ghost towns, creatively speaking, but like so many others, I’ve also been there in the days when the grip of melancholy around my neck makes it hard to breathe.
It’s amazing how a grasp at humor, when a smile feels like five pound weights are tied to both corners of your mouth, can begin to lighten things.
It is a gift when someone else who cares adds to the humor with the right heart and the heaviness is shared… the load gets lighter.
You don’t have to look far in our world to find someone in need of a lift, and little things mean a lot.
I guess misery isn’t the only thing that loves company.
Sunday, February 22, 2015 @ 6:11 pm
It always helps to have someone understand what you’re going through – i think writing is one of those things hard to understand if you’re not a writer. Which makes me think, maybe i should start going to the writers group that meets at our library each week!
Sunday, February 22, 2015 @ 7:01 pm
You may have misery my friend but you are NEVER alone.
Sunday, February 22, 2015 @ 7:49 pm
I love company! Yes, when I am sad, but especially when I am glad. It is so great to rub shoulders with another writer, who understands when we hit a slump. For myself, I have just about ran out of things to write. That is the reason for all the guest posts I have been doing, which are so good they bless me at least. I can’t imagine you in real misery because you seem to always view the glass half full. Thank you for sharing at Tell me a Story.
Sunday, February 22, 2015 @ 9:23 pm
There is definitely something special about a good laugh from a friend, especially when feeling down.
Monday, February 23, 2015 @ 4:57 am
Last evening we held a marriage enrichment mini-seminar at our church. During the sharing time one astute husband noted, “Humor really helps.” And it does. It can lighten the load and help us gain a better perspective. Don’t worry, Floyd. That pen with catch on fire again. You are just going through a wood-chopping stage to stock pile your fuel supply. 🙂
Monday, February 23, 2015 @ 7:33 am
Great post, Floyd. God tells us that a merry heart does good like medicine. I’ve sure found that to be the truth. Keep smiling. Keep the humor. Keep the ink flowing, because even when you feel like you have nothing to say, you do! Your words always speak to my heart.
Monday, February 23, 2015 @ 12:39 pm
I totally understand… I guess it is all part of a cycle.
I told God, unless YOU speak, I have nothing about which to write….
When there are no words , and there’s nothing to share
When thoughts elude us – God is still there
When focus seems blocked, know His purpose is sure
Be refreshed in this downtime – He’ll help your endure!
Monday, February 23, 2015 @ 2:33 pm
I do love my writing friends. We get each other. 🙂 Because sometimes misery does love company. The words don’t always come. Other times they won’t stop. I always love reading your words, Floyd. They’ve both entertained and educated me for a long time now.
Monday, February 23, 2015 @ 6:34 pm
Every, single time you send out a post, it is a blessing. I think one of the main and most important components of the effectiveness of your writing and ministry is that you are REAL. Genuine. Authentic. Not afraid to say what is true. Everyone is longing to find that in this world of fake pretense and reality hiding facades. It is a good thing to have writing friends to turn to, for truly only they understand these dry times. God is leading you beside still waters to restore your soul, to nourish you, to strengthen you, and in the process, you are encouraging us, your every reader, with every word you write. God bless you, brother, and continue to enlarge your coasts (as He did for Jabez) and make you fruitful in the land of your affliction (as He did Joseph).
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 @ 11:33 am
Floyd,
Oh, I’m so glad you got a post out of your interaction with your friend…and that you laughed as you wrote your comment at my blog…and this: “You don’t have to look far in our world to find someone in need of a lift, and little things mean a lot.”….Praying God continues to encourage you during this time of drought….God is still at work and God still loves you …and you’ve got friends 🙂
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 @ 6:04 pm
Floyd, you’re not alone. The Lord is with you, and so is this community of friends that surround you. I continue to find inspiration and encouragement from your words, even though they might be harder for you to write lately. Your heart still speaks, and I am grateful to listen.
GOD BLESS!
(Really hope you’re doing OK. Miss having you around in my neighborhood!)
Tuesday, February 24, 2015 @ 10:05 pm
HMM! Lots of thinking and sharing as usual. Made me try to re-concentrate what you were sharing. You grabbed thoughtfulness. Thanks, Brother.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 @ 3:29 pm
My dad loved to laugh…and he was great at helping others see the bright spots in the midst of trials.
I tend to be a bit too sarcastic at times when trying to lighten a mood.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 @ 11:08 pm
It’s so important to have people around us, through every seasons we go through, it’s especially helpful going through a challenging or trial. Great post!
Ps. A little while ago I tried to go to your site but it was down (coming up with an error), I tried it several times over the next day without luck. I tried again today and it worked!!!! Glad to start reading and commenting again:)
Thursday, February 26, 2015 @ 7:05 am
Floyd, isn’t it great when you can pat yourself on the back sometimes? Its normal, I do it all the time, because I guess I need it from myself. However, I know when you have that friend that can pick you up or just say something that ignites the fire again is a blessing to have.
Thursday, February 26, 2015 @ 9:27 am
As writers our words are our tools and when in a funk, at least for me, it’s like where is my stuff? I admire you for continuing on. When I get like this, my self esteem spirals down and takes me with it and I question if I can write at all. Melancholy girl entertains self pity and stops. I’m glad you wrote this post so that we can all tell you how much we appreciate your blog and all the great things you share from a warm and sensitive heart. So happy you have a support network, too. Awesome. Were you affected by the power outage yesterday? What was that about.
Thursday, February 26, 2015 @ 2:05 pm
I’m a bit of a loner, but when I’m laughing I much prefer someone there with me! It feeds something in you and expands it. A shared laugh is the best kind–builds a memory. Good stuff, Floyd. Keep on mining through the drought. 🙂
Thursday, February 26, 2015 @ 5:31 pm
Hi Floyd,
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Sounds to me like you have some pretty sweet friends. The valley can be a wonderful place and sand in the mouth will exfoliate. Always, there is a bright side. So glad you see that. 🙂
Blessings brother.
Friday, February 27, 2015 @ 3:22 pm
You have endeared yourself to those of us who follow you. And nothing does that more then laughter. Tears can help but laughter lightens a load, even brings clarity of mind when someone laughs with us. Makes us feel…well…as human as they are, that they get us. I have a couple of dear friends who I would want to walk through the valleys with me for they help me count the costs of what ever I am going through. Tears dry up but laughter can stay with a heart long after the laughter is gone. When we went to Bolivia one way I handled the transition was to think on my friend who always made me laugh, it would me laugh anew at the old laughter we shared. Praying for you my brother.
Saturday, February 28, 2015 @ 3:23 pm
Hi Floyd,
Nice new site. Where do you connect with other writers? Are you part of a writer’s group? You can do it! Keep writing, through the droughts. 🙂
Nice you have that friend to laugh and commiserate with too.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com