I have another, related one:

It would take me an hour to explain this correctly, but here's another one that is kind of related.

I did a huge remodeling project once. I kept messing up this one thing in the project. About 10 times. I couldn't get it right. It actually stopped me in my tracks for a few days.

As it happened, I had a contractor over at the house on something unrelated. We started shooting the shit about life in general. Then I said "I've got a problem here and I don't know how to fix it". He asked me to show it to him.

He looked at it and simply said "Well, first, take a good look at what you have here". That's all he said.

I said "I've been looking at it for days".

He just repeated...Take a good luck at what you have here, you'll figure it out.

Then he sid "study it".

So I did. And I figured it out. And it took him saying "take a good look at what you have here" for me to figure it out.

I called him and said "How did you do that"?

He said "You were looking at it wrong, and I knew you would figure it out".

So that's another quote: "Take a good look at what you have here".

Basically, he was telling me that I wasn't seeing the forest for the trees.

Many of us are facing challenges and difficulties now, and these words of hope and inspiration are a blessing.

Peace and joy to you, friend.

There are a lot of people who are going through some things right now, and the holidays magnify bad situations.

I'm going through hell personally, but as they say "When you are going through Hell, keep going".

Also..."The only way out of it, is through it."

When I am feeling low, I try to encourage others, because God knows, there's a lot of us.

I also try to remember that none of us are truly alone, because we have ourselves.

Also, if you think that nobody understands what you are going through, it's alright, because YOU understand. And that's all that really matters. You have yourself, and you are important.

I wish you and yours peace and happiness, Grim Chieftain.

You are a beacon of light and hope. I'm here for you, as you have been for so many of us.

I rarely hear in real life what you just typed. I'm not sure why, because I'm the exact same in real life as I am here. To me, it seems like real life friends don't treat you as favorably as online friends. I think that's an interesting phenomenon.

I just looked at your profile. I went to both Community College and University. I was Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and, then President's list at a major university. I look back fondly at my time in academia. Those were the days in my life when I felt really accomplished. I look back fondly on those days. I always wanted to be a teacher, and I looked into it seriously during my post-college career, but I never pursued it.

I had such a love for my professors...I thought they were the coolest people ever. I maintained relationships with a lot of them for many years. My sister is a retired teacher. I'm betting you are very proud of your career.

Are you doing alright, Grim Chieftain? How's things?

They come with an expectation of family, friends, and joyful gatherings, yet that is not the reality for many of us. It can be challenging. Honestly, the good, compassionate people here at DU have been a source of comfort to me during some tough times in my life. It's good to know friendship and support is often just a click away.

I'm here for you, CloudsPassing. Feel free to send me a private message anytime.

But don't feel bad.

I just ate 14 home made Christmas cookies that were brought to my front door.

14.

Like a lunatic.

Ooops!

I knew I shouldn't have had a Jameson before posting. Please forgive me and have a holiday cookie or two for me.

Seriously, you are a blessing to many of us, LuckyCharms. Please know that.

Love to you, friend.

You want me to eat MORE cookies?????

I ALREADY HAD 14 COOKIES!!!!

Yours Truly,

CloudsPassing

(Don't feel bad, I've called people the wrong name more than once...and I wasn't even having a drink)!

You have really been my LuckyCharms.