THE KEY TO SERENITY
Dr. Miriam Adahan
DEVELOPING OUR SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
Dr. Miriam Adahan
Yes, darling, life is often very painful. Endless wars. Family conflicts. Physical and emotional illnesses. From early in life, we are told, "We don't hurt the people we love."
About 25 years ago, when I had difficulty getting to sleep, the idea came to me to make up a list of 39 "sanity cards" that would help me stay calm during crises of all kinds, both internal and external. I called this set of cards, "A Mishkan in my heart.
It is an almost daily occurrence. A young woman calls me to say that her doctor has put her on psychiatric medication and she is hesitant to take it. Typically, she is a working mother with three or four children under the age of five. The first thing I ask is, "How much sleep are you getting?" The usual answer is, "Three to four hours a night," broken up by a new baby or his sick sibling. The next thing I ask is, "What are you eating?" And she says, "I don't have time for proper meals. I drink coffee and nosh to get through the day." Third, I ask, "Is your husband supportive?" In most situations, the answer is, "Who has time for a relationship?"
STEWARDNESS (henceforth known as STEW 1): Welcome passengers to ANGST AIRLINES, especially the many who have joined our Frequent Fliers club since 9/11. The staff is trained to help you cope with the Plane of Pain – otherwise known as the Human Predicament. Actually, there are multiple Planes of reality. On this one, you will all experience an assortment of events, some pleasurable and some heartbreaking. The heartbreaks will include…let me see the list. Ah, yes: betrayals, loneliness, endless frustrations, abuse, about 300,000 disappointments, various illnesses and, ultimately, death. On the other hand, there will be flowers, sunsets and hand-holding sessions to help you forget the more painful moments. Your tour of duty will last as long as the Captain wishes, after which you will be released from this particular Plane of reality.
ARE YOU DEPRESSED OR MERELY MALNOURISHED?
Dr. Miriam Adahan
ANGST AIRLINES
Dr. Miriam Adahan