Where did this FOG come from? (Suicide ‘fog blog’)


1st let me say, i am fine and very stable with my mental health but having said that THIS TIME OF THE YEAR (winter and the holidays) many people struggle with mental health issues. Be aware, “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it is not there. Just because someone looks okay, doesn’t mean they are. Know the facts, fight the stigma.” If you or your family members all of a sudden seem to ‘be in the fog’ know that it is okay and there is help out there. (Thank you Andrea-Bailey Yates for posting this on FB).
Here is the best story that helped me come to an understanding:
While out on a boat fishing this thick fog rolled in and it got so strong we couldn’t see any land near by, couldn’t see other boats near by. It got so dense that we couldn’t even see each other in the boat if we were more than 3 or 4 feet way from each other. Then it grew to the point where we could not see our own hand in front of our face.
We started to panic a little bit. Our minds started to flood with, “how will be ever get back to shore?” “What if another boat hits us because their visibility it not clear?!” “Will this ever let up?!!” “Did i bring my lunch?!!!” “What if we are out here a really long time, did i bring enough water?!!!!” “I am getting cold, i knew i should have brought that wind breaker my wife said to bring!!!!!” “A person can only survive maybe 3 days without water!!!!” “Wait, is it 3 days or 2 ?!!!!!!!” “I should have paid better attention in school!!!!!!” “This is a stupid trip!!!!!!” “I will never go finishing with this boat company again!!!!!!!!!!!” “THEY should have known this was coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” …and it goes on and on and more and more exclamations go on and questions mix with statements and blame and confusion.
Then the fog eventually rolled away. We could see clearly again. We once again saw those in the boat smiling back at us. There were always boats near by. The land was still there, it didn’t move but when we couldn’t see it we freaked a little.
Friend, there are times when that fog rolls into your mind, and for some people, the fog rolls in very thick and dense and causes panic, confusion, mania, depression. It may even cause dementia or a psychotic episode (a time of being out of touch with reality – that is truly happening)
Be considerate with others. Remember, they may be going through something that no one else can see. A battle in their mind, regardless of how their heart and spiritual life are.
Physically, we understand when a diabetic goes into a seizure – we get that. But remember, in our minds, there are endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and a bunch of OTHER CHEMICALS.
There are neurons trying to find and pull into the neurotransmitting docks and electrical surges going on, trying to send all the right messages.
We are so complex, and yes, God helps us physically, spiritually and mentally, but that doesn’t mean we won’t have difficulty from time to time.
Love others as He loved you, in your darkest sinful condition.
Remember people are human (as silly as that sounds we need to remember how fragile we and others are) show compassion and understanding for you never know when the fog will roll in on someone next to you and if you have lovingly made your presence aware to them even in their confusion they may know enough and feel comfortable enough to call out for help.
The story above came from Major (at the time) John Needham, a Salvation Army Officer who was stationed in Clearwater at the time. Given at the funeral of my friend’s grandfather (who committed suicide).
Pressing on,
Staying balanced,
Calling for Help when i need it,
Tom “Beetle” Bailey
Back when I wrote this:
I worked at The Salvation Army of Saint Augustine, Florida
That was also my church. Visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Salvation-Army-of-Saint-Augustine-204243596357064/timeline/
And if you’re ever in beautiful Saint Augustine, Florida, visit
at 1425 Old Dixie Highway Saint Augustine, FL 32084
904-824-6956 Ext. 4407
If this blog post got a gut reaction from you, go to:
“You made me do it!”
ROLL CREDIT MUSIC:

Greg X. Voltz “Feelings”
(Audio) – Feelings
Album: No Room In The Middle (1989) by Greg X Volz
Thanks to http://www.petrafiles.com/petraspecti… for the invaluable support!
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Words and Lyrics: Dave Eden y Joe Grier
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Feelings come and feelings go
But feelings are deceiving
I’ll place my faith in the Word of the Lord
Nothing else is worth believing
I’ve been on this roller coaster too many days
Riding in a circus of emotion
I get up on the high wire
Then, down in the lion’s cage
My feelings have been ruling my devotion
I feel like a strong man, I feel like a clown
I let my feelings push me up and down
Who can help me off this merry-go-round
And tell me, what is real? Can I trust what I feel?
Peanuts and popcorn, and I’m feeling okay
I get excited when the dancing bear dances
But can I serve Him when the band doesn’t play
Will I trust Him through these changing circumstances
If it feels good, they say, “It can’t be wrong.”
But love is more than a calliope song
How can I get back to where I belong
And get off this ferris wheel
I’ve got to live what is real
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Let’s be patient with them and let them loving know we are there for them.
3 Things to do in The Fog go to: http://wp.me/p6Exj2-27d