You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in you.
~Augustine
I am very affected by climate changes. When it’s sunny and warm, I am happy and full of life. When it is cold and grey, I am lethargic and down. Actually, I get very depressed. Being that we are entering our winter here in Brazil, the temperatures are dropping, and sometimes it’s grey.
I love this above quote by Augustine. It reminds me that my deepest needs can not be met in the material, nor by me. It reminds me that I need to run to one that is greater than myself.
This poem was birthed out of deep depression and great need. I remembered something that the King of Israel wrote sometime between the 900s and 1000s B.C.
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?”
He spoke to his own soul. So I did the same. And I went to the one that is higher than I and poured out my heart. And you know what? I found rest. I found comfort. I found reassurance. My mind was no longer playing tricks on me. I decided I wasn’t going to be a prisoner to the screams in my mind and the tightness in my heart.
Are you affected by weather and climate changes? Do you suffer with depression? How do you deal with it?
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Published by stacilys
I’m just a simple girl that is passionate about being relevant and making a difference in this world.
World traveler, lover of bright sunny days, experiencing cultures, good friends and conversation. I love my God and love my family.
I don’t believe that I have the Truth, but that I have a relationship with Truth and want to be closer to Him.
Canadian, born and raised in Vancouver, BC. YWAMer since 2000 and have traveled and lived all over the world –Hong Kong, China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Turkey, Germany, Argentina, Australia and The USA.
I moved to Brazil in 2002, married an awesome “Baiano”, Daniel, and we have two adorable kiddies, Caue and Hannah.
I am certified in fitness and nutrition and conducted physical conditioning classes while working with an arts and evangelism team and schools. I am also certified in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners).
"A God Coloured Girl in a Grey World" is my blog where I write articles based on my faith, post fitness routines, recipes and other health and wellness stuff. You can also check out a bit of my music at www.myspace.com/stacilys
View all posts by stacilys
I only get very very tired when it is hot and I get more pains and aches in my body when it is cold. But I like sun, rain and snow. 🙂 I need the variety 🙂 Makes it a proper adventure!
Oh yes, I hear you. Variety is the spice of life, isn’t it. I think I have a serotonin problem. I get very depressed when the sun isn’t out. I am very affected by climate.
You know, I accidentally posted this before putting up the poem. Did you see this with the poem/picture or before?
Hugs and blessings.
🙂 ❤
Reblogged this on A God Colored Girl in a Grey World and commented:
I forgot to put up the photo/poem so am reblogging. Oops
Staci, this is great! From the heart. Keep going..i don’t read much poetry but i do like yours. Thank you.
Awwww, thanks Rob. From the heart it’s gotta be right. Authentic.
🙂
I find the darkness of winter to be what gets me down. The relentless onslaught of cold, coupled with the long nights is depressing for me. But, there are moments of happiness during those long months. I treasure sitting by a fire in my hearth, watching Christmas movies. There is always a silver lining!
Hey Rob, sorry for the delay is responding. I have been very lazy and low energy. Then my internet did me the favor of not working again. Ugh. Anyhow, yea I hear you. Whenever we go to Canada to visit my family for Christmas it is nice. Fireplace, coziness, Christmas events and all. I would probably have serious problems if we were to ever move there though. I just can’t handle days on end without the sun.
Have a great week, my friend.
🙂
Beautiful poem Staci🌹❤️
To answer the question yes I do feel depressed for no apparent reasons sometimes, not necessarily the weather
In the hopes of sunny days for you and lots of smiles and laughs ❤️❤️
Thank you so much May. I’m so glad you like it.
I empathize with you, because I too feel depressed often. Like today, it is sunny out (although chilly inside the house), but I feel so down and depressed. It happens often.
Have a great week, and thnks for the hopes.
🙂 ❤
Huge hugs Staci ❤️😘
Try something different today if you can and remember, tomorrow is a new day to start with a smile ❤️❤️
I think I just might do that. Thanks May.
🙂
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
❤ ❤ ❤
I am a sunshine girl. If it’s grey for too long, I’m in a great funk. We should be in the height of beautiful weather, but we’ve been weeks and weeks of rain.
It’s added to the lament of my recent job loss, family loss, and loss of myself.
I love those lines where David encourages himself in the Psalms. Or when he defends his ability to fight the Giant without armour. ‘I have killed the bear and the lion, who is this uncircumcised Philistine?’.
I get relief when I remind myself who I am in Christ. 1 John 4:10. As he is, so am I in this world.
Not easy, but definitely worth it. 😊
Have a lovely weekend.
I’m with you there Wendy. I’m a sunshine girl all the way. I’m also a warmth girl. I don’t like being cold.
I used to live (actually grew up in) Vancouver, Canada. It’s very normal to go days without seeing the sun, and days of rain. I could never go back to that. It would kill me. I’m having enough trouble as it is here with it being cooler, and even though the sun is out.
Yes, it’s definitely not easy (like you said), but it is worth it.
Have a great week.
🙂
Just beautiful Staci! Full of hope. Yes the weather here in the Pacific Northwest can get me down. Not so much the rain as the day after day of nothingness and solid gray skies, especially when it’s not raining. I just try to keep moving towards the light, even if it is only in my heart.
Ugh! The Pacific Northwest. I remember the weather there. I’m reminded everytime I’m back. I grew up in Vancouver, Canada, so I know what you’re saying.Those days upon days of no seeing the sun, and complete greyness. Eek. Yea, oftentimes the light is only in our hearts.
Thanks Mark.
🙂
Oh what beautiful words! I tend to be affected by weather too… Winters here are snowy, cold and often gray. But guess what no matter what kind of weather we have, there’s always sunshine above the clouds! 🙂
Ohhhhh, what a great way of seeing things Sibella, “there’s always sunshine above the clouds.” I need more optimism like you.
Thank you so much.
🙂 ❤
Hugs My Friend! 😘
Awwww, thanks. 🙂
The “there’s always sunshine above the clouds” thinking a very dear friend pointed out to me once when I felt really blue and now when I get in those moods I just remember that and I try to pass it on. That way it will keep spreading and how do we change the world: by changing ourselves first! Sending Love to you Staci!
Awwww, thanks Sibella. Yes, and you know that feelings can’t be trusted right. After the rain, comes the sun.
I just want it to stop raining for a bit in my mind and emotions though. Soon enough, right.
😉
It will happen soon I’m sure; just know you are not alone!!! 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
Awwww, thanks Sibella.
🙂 ❤
Staci, “The Need’ is a stunning poem, delicate and beautiful. The presentation of your poem is gorgeous, especially with the hibiscus image in the background. The narrative that accompanies your poem is so heartfelt. Wonderful post!
Please take care,
Pepperanne
Thank you so much Pepperanne. You always have the nicest comments, and for that I’m grateful.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this.
Take care and have a wonderful week.
🙂
I am praying for you sweet friend! Powerful poem – or should I say psalm.
Awwwww, thanks Kirsten. I certainly could use the prayers right now. I’m having a tough time emotionally, and physically. REally wearing me down actually.
I hope you and your mom are doing well.
Thanks again. You are such an encourager, and I really appreciate it.
Hugs.
🙂 ❤
Will keep you in prayer! Mom and I had a good time at the beach. Now, I’m trying to relax and create. I get so drained when I’m not creating something! It stinks that you are going through such a rough time right now. Don’t forget that you could Skype with one of our Prayer Ministers if you need to. They’ve helped me on numerous occasions! Blessings
Oh my gosh. I was just thinking of you. I hadn’t seen any posts from you in my Reader and was wondering. You know Kirsten, I think I would like to Skype with someone. I don’t know what my problem is actually. The docs don’t know if it’s anxiety disorder, hormonal problems, depression. I think it’s a mixture of hormonal problems and some type of chemical imbalance or adhd. The problem here in Brazil is that you go to a specialist for everything. You don’t have a regular gp or family doctor, which makes things difficult. At any rate, I would like to Skype with a female if that’s ok. Thanks a ton Kirsten.
🙂 ❤
I just posted for the first time today in a long time. It even has a poem…watch out now! lol I will be back to work next week and I think I have the perfect woman Prayer Minister for you. What is the time difference between you and Florida? She is available on Tues and Weds. I will look at her schedule and we will go from there. That must make it hard with no GP – geez.
Oh, that would be great. I believe we are just 1 hour ahead of Florida at the moment. For me, Tuesday would be best. Either during the early afternoon, or sometime after 8:00 pm my time.
Thanks Kirsten.
🙂
Early afternoons would most likely work best. I will look at Rose’s schedule when I return to work on Monday 🙂
Thanks Kirsten.
🙂
This is a brilliant thought. Our existence is not independent of nature, and the surrounding count on us and the way we live and work. The influence of climate change on us has grown at a rate faster than what we all have imagined to be. Lovely weather has a strong bearing on our thinking and creativity is subjected casualty in such extreme climate. There has been frequent and arbitrary change in the climatic conditions and this unexpected unpredictability has taken a toll on us. The heat spell are high and more frequent, cold is not in control and life has indeed is out of control.
Yes, if we can speak to our soul and elevate ourselves, life becomes better and we start thinking differently.
Lovely post!!!
Have a wonderful weekend.
😀
Ohhhh, thank you so much Nihar. Always a pleasure conversing with you here. Yes, my friend, I must speak to my soul and cry out to God. I don’t handle these weather changes well at all. I feel so lethargic and tired and down all the time lately. It hasn’t been very helpful when it comes to productivity. Not very productive lately either. I will not give up though.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you have a great week.
🙂
Not much difference here Staci, the temperature is pretty high and the heat wave is taking a toll, the moment you are out you feel totally drained out. It is indeed tiring both physically and mentally, and yes the productivity has badly suffered, not being able to think coherently nor able to do something constructive. Weather plays such an important role in our life and living that good weather lifts our soul and life is beautiful and the moment we face the persistent bad weather it is gloom and doom all around, don’t feel like going out nor feel like doing anything inside either. Our mood and emotions are directly influenced by the fluctuation and momentum of weather.
I know you have all the fortitude and the drive to break this drudgery and create magic out of nowhere and we all go through this phases and great soul like you come out with something new and brilliant in such adversity.
I am sure you will have a wonderful week ahead and lovely things are in stored for you.
Wishing you a lovely weather and a spirited soul of yours lifting you into your beautiful world of choice.
😀
Oh yes, I remember when I was staying in India and how hot it got. It really can leave one quite lethargic eh. As for me, Brazil is entering the colder season, and that leaves me down. I guess both extremes aren’t really the best. I’m best when the weather is pleasant and sunny.
Thanks so much for your encouragement Nihar. I really appreciate it.
🙂
This poem is beautiful, and your comments are so true. Restlessness marks the lives of so many people, myself included, a fair bit of the time. As for the weather, our long winters definitely drag me down, and it seems to get a little worse each year. I think I understand why my grandfather hated snow, especially in his older years. I hope not to get to that point, but I am always so thankful when spring comes around.
I need to come back and visit your blog more often, Staci. It’s been too long. 🙂
Heyyyyy Tina. Great to see you. Well, you know, I’m with your grandfather. It’s funny because a couple of years ago, my inlaws cam to Canada with me and my family to spend Christmas. It was their first time there and first time seeing snow. They LOVED it. She would cry and say that it was so beautiful. Meanwhile, every other Canadian is cursing it. Hahahahaha. I guess it was a romantic experience for her. Plus, she got to come back to summer in brazil and spend New Years.
I’m so glad you like this poem Tina, and thank you so much for appreciating and sharing.
Bless you.
🙂 ❤
I absolutely love this poem of yours Staci ❤ and yes cloudy days does make me feel a bit gloomy especially if it drags for too long …
Awwww, thanks so much Neha. I’m so glad you ‘love’ it. Oh yes, cloudy days… Ugh. They really do get me down.
❤
The words in your poem are heartfelt and the yearning is so sincere… I am sure He is listening.
In Mauritius, we are also heading into the “winter” season but the weather here has got me down for another reason… Every weekday, the sun is out and the days are beautiful, gorgeous (not too hot but blue skies)… but, I have to peek out from behind my office window. Then, every weekend without fail, the clouds gather and it becomes grey and drizzly… Now that is what gets me down!
Oh yes, I hear you. I remember when I was still living in Canada. It seemed like in the summer it would be beautiful all week. Then to weekend would come around and it would be cloudy and grey. My mom couldn’t stand that, because she would be working during the week.
I hope you’re weekends start looking up.
Thank you so much for your comment and for appreciating this.
🙂
There is a condition known as ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ in which sufferers tend to get particularly depressed during the winter months. Having depression myself, my darkest periods always seem to coincide with the darkest and coldest months of the year.
Unfortunately, when I am in a depressive cycle there is not much that I or anyone around me can do. It’s a great comfort to know that I have friends and family around me who will support and care for me in my time of need.
Hope you and your family are well, Staci ❤ ❤
Oh yes, this condition is very common in Vancouver (where I’m from). People actually take vitamin D supplements to help during the cold, grey months. And you’re right, there really is nothing others can do to make it better.
Thanks Heather. We are all well here. Hope you’re well.
🙂 ❤
What an amazing and honest poem! The quote you used from St Augustine is one of my favorites. It is amazing how when we bare our hearts to the Lord, He is faithful to hear us and respond. That’s why I really relate to the Psalms!
Awwwww, thank you so much. Isn’t that the greatest quote. I love it. I love that we don’t have to worry about anything, because He truly is all-powerful and all-knowing. I had an amazing revelation once about that. There is absolutely nothing that we can hide from Him. He sees and knows all. Like Psalm 103 (one of my favorites). And that best thing is that He completely accepts us and forgives us and loves us unconditionally, despite ourselves.
🙂