Are Your Problems Mud or Quicksand?

 I've been thinking about problems lately; both literally and figuratively.

All of us have problems.  Some of them are small.. some are big.. some are colossal.  Some seem insignficant to others but very significant to us and vice versa. You get what I'm saying. 

Well, lately I've been having some pretty colossal problems.  Problems that, for the most part, are completely and utterly out of my realm of comprehension and control.  First, there's the job issue.  I have none.  I left school feeling pretty secure and sure of myself.  I told myself that, even if I couldn't get a job as a PSW, I could always fall back on my admininstrative experience.  As it turns out, neither one is happenig right now.

Then there is the issue of my son who is moving to his dad's for the school year.  I know I have to let him go and adjust to being alone again but I truly don't want to.  I'm already lonely and he hasn't even left yet.  This is a very big one for me.  It cuts me deeply and is even affecting my sleep.. and believe me... sleep used to be my safe time and my dreams my safe place.

There are the financial problems.  We all have those.  Some big... some small... but I find financial problems a biggie.. and a common one, as I mentioned before.  I often joke about my finances.  I'm a bit overweight and I tell my friends that I will consider maybe selling my body but I will have to charge by the lb... but it is seriously not a laughing matter.  (nor are those derrogatory remarks about myself helpful for my personal growth by any stretch of the imagination).  Yes everyone.. the play on words is always intentional.

Now, normally, when I have a problem, I can get over it in a fairly short amount of time.. either by finding a solution.. or by giving the problem the credit it truly deserves and prioritizing it in my ever growing list of 'things to deal with'.   Of late, I have been finding the majority of my problems to be insurmountable.

I can see the problems.. but I can't see the solutions... and I'm becoming very easily overwhelmed and discouraged.. wondering if I will ever get out of the bind(s) that I am in.  My problems were mud. 

Mud is dirty.. it's gross.. (fun for kids but not so much for adults).  It's slippery and it's sticky.  Sometimes we get stuck in it an wind up losing a shoe or two along the road of life.   You know what I mean.  We've all been there.

Over the past couple of days, since my problems have been invading my dreams and my thoughts in a very pervasive way, I find that I've been focussing on nothing but.  They have become my topics of conversation with friends and loved ones.  They easily sway my attention from whatever it is that I happen to be trying to accomplish or concentrate on  at the moment.  They whisper negative thoughts in my ear and place pessimistic and defeating emotions in my heart.

You see, my friends, my problems have now become quicksand.  I've stepped in to them with both feet and I have become cemented in place.  I am slowly sinking deeper and deeper... almost up to my neck and soon.. right over my head.  Once my head is covered... I am a goner.  There will be no turning back.  I will be sucked into an abyss of wet, sticky quicksand and my name will be mud.  (I couldn't resist).

I guess what I'm trying to say is.. I may have caught this just in time.  I may be able to change my thoughts.. and affect my feelings and emotions subsequently in a positive and optimistic way.  I don't have to step into quicksand.  Mud is annoying and dirty. It might cost me a few shoes.. but it most certainly isn't permanent.

How about you? 

Are your problems mud.... or are they quicksand?

Just my two cents.

~~ Peace, LOVE and Happiness ~~