In a slump

Maybe it's the winter "blah's". Maybe it's cabin fever. I think that's probably part of it. But I've also been thinking a lot about my sister Melody's insights on her blog, in her "Closed for Restoration" posts. I let people into my life that bring with them a lot of drama and negative energy. I get caught up in it to the point that other people, who enrich my life and invigorate my spirit, don't have room. I want to change that. . . but without becoming closed-off or unavailable to those who need me. It's always been a really tough balance for me, which is why I attract those kinds of people, I think.

So instead of balancing things, I've kind of shut down, and now I find myself in a full-blown slump. I like something I read this morning:

"I remember hearing once a great analogy about the Dead Sea. I probably won't be able to put it quite so eloquantly as I heard it.... but the basics were that the Dead Sea is "dead" because it does not give,.... it only recieves. Because of that... all the salt comes in, etc. and remains and builds up, to the point that nothing living can reside there... no life... if there were water flowing out....and the sea were giving,.... , it would wash away the residue that resides, and life would be possible. It is the same in our lives. Lots of times when I feel in that slump.... I pray that doors will be opened so that I can make a difference in someone's life. Usually just little small ways,.... and its amazing.... a door ALWAYS does open, and yet often I feel that it has helped me just as much, sometimes more."



Serving and giving is important. I want to keep that. But not at the expense of my own well-being. Any thoughts?