DO IT YOURSELF

Dr. Ray Guarendi

I don't know what life was like for the hermits of old, but I would bet there was a fair amount of depression, at times. People who devote themselves to the Lord do so as a vocation, not because they are perfect or because they have no needs or defects. Everyone is a sinner. Everyone has shortcomings, that is certain. Satan doesn't like to see anyone give themselves to the Lord in a strong way. He whispers disheartening things to them and attempts to throw them off their path. It is hard enough,, on a basic human level, what to speak of Satan interfering with his nasty ways. Satan is always ready to tell you that you are not able to give yourself to the Lord, indeed, that the Lord does not WANT you, that you are not worthy enough to present yourself to Him. Mother Theresa of Calcutta suffered depression for 30 years. It happens to us all.

My allergies have become so bad, I can no longer take anti-depressants. They make me terribly ill, which counter affects their purpose, so I must rely on natural remedies, as I do with many other types of medications. My medical insurance will no longer pay for my daily inhalation medicine, so I have to be even more careful to eat organic food and stay away from the pesticides than I was previously, otherwise, I could end up in the emergency room, or worse. It takes some organization and effort. If I eat very plainly, I can keep the expense down. I will manage somehow.

Dr. Ray Guarendi was on the radio yesterday and, I don't remember what he said, but I felt encouraged by his words. He was talking to a young girl and encouraging her that, despite the difficulties of life, there ARE people who want you to come to them and want to share your burdens, people who will pray for you and who will simply think well of you. There ARE many people who are sympathetic to those who struggle and to those who are in pain. It was very helpful to hear it.  In the background is the understanding that, most of all, the Lord is always here with us, which is where Dr. Ray ended up. Dr. Ray, thank you.

So, this morning, I woke early and was chipper and full of my typical plans and aspirations, my face newly turned to the Lord, so His light can shine upon me.

There are quite a few projects "in the hopper," so to speak. I have a number of "do it yourself" projects designed to get my needs met, since I can't afford to hire someone else do it for me. Many of us do not realize that Americans live as kings and queens used to do, with many servants at their disposal. Our servants are invisible, though. Every time you buy something at the store, in a package, already prepared, there are at least hundreds of people in that item.

Every time you buy a carton of milk for your kids, there are hundreds of people between you and the cow that created that milk in its body. Those are all your servants, but poor people cannot afford servants, which is why it is so hard for the poor to "make it" these days. The agrarian culture is gone, for the most part. The only way to GET milk if you live in a civilized place, is to pay for all those servants in that bottle of milk, but there are SOME things that one can make for oneself and do for oneself, and I am learning to become as good at doing that as I can possibly be.

I recommend that everyone try to imagine what life would be like if you had to create everything that you had, if you had to make all your clothes, raise the chickens, milk the cows, etc.

Grooming of my service dog is one of the expensive regular services that I can do myself, once I finish accumulating all the tools. I just need to get a special pair of electric clippers that can handle his super thick coat, and a table. I've managed to accumulate the other things, and regularly brush and cut his coat with some doggie scissors.

There are several side businesses I am starting: things I can do while reclining in my chair, such as crochet projects, home-made lace, baby blankets, and that kind of thing. The Victorians that lived in the slums used to spend ALL their time working like this, putting together decorative items to sell to ladies for their hats, making match boxes, and other things that you can see on that program VICTORIAN SLUM HOUSE, currently airing on BBC.

Gradually, I learn how to do many things, sometimes relying upon YouTube videos. I bought some dental tools and learned to clean my own teeth. Tools are important when you slide down the socio-economic ladder. I do the best I can to take care of myself. I get a little healthy food from church friends, when they are able.

This experience, of having to make do and make my own has ignited a good bit of interest in my mind to learn to do, make and invent ALL KINDS of things, so I have become an extremely busy person for a religious. The things that I am learning to make and do for myself are, fortunately, done in a solitary fashion and have enough repetitive work involved in the basic making of the things, that I can do it all for the glory of God and put a prayer in every stitch, blob of paint or glue, etc. It is peaceful work, not pushed beyond my limits, because I have no boss. It doesn't matter that it takes me a week to make a beautiful lace chapel veil with embelishments. Scrooge isn't standing over me, cracking the whip. One day, I'll make all the veils and jewelries and rosaries and paintings for sale in a big, Christmas extravaganza, the platform for which I've not yet decided. I will probably get an Etsy page online, as it is full of tradespeople, craftsmen, do-it-yourselfers, and artists like me.

The do-it-yourself "fad" is moving through our society at the same time that I am being put through my paces on this, and I am grateful that there is a lot of instruction online for all sorts of things. I am very keen to make hats, socks and shoes, especially since my feet are deformed and no shoe really fits them right. The shoes may be a bit beyond my reach, but there ARE some videos and articles about making one's own shoes AND I do know of a Tandy Leather Company that used to be here in Albuquerque, not far from my house. so at least, perhaps, mocassins would be possible? As far as the hats are concerned, I am going blind with cataracts and macular degeneration and have been told that wearing hat and sunglasses all the time will help retard the growth of these diseases. I always say that, just because I am disabled doesn't mean I can't be stylish, so I will also enjoy the hats.

With all these do it yourself projects in my imagination, I have a list on Amazon that I keep, to remind myself of the tools and materials I need to produce these things. I have several lists, actually. Some are for the regular shopping, some are for side businesses and one is for my tools and supplies. I am grateful for all help, if you would like to contribute something from the list. Everyone knows that start-up costs are difficult, but if you really would like to help someone rescue themself, as so many people claim they do these days, then I will welcome all contributions from the list!

Amazon has my mailing address and will send it to me directly. Please send me your address through Amazon, so I can send you a proper 'thank you."

Most hermitages rely upon income from a combination of small businesses, usually manual labor, and donations. I have a little social security and with that, and a little help from my friends, I survive, happy enough, and always grateful to God for the many blessings that we in America receive just by living here.

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Lord save us all.

Silver Rose