Faith Meets Life: For the darkest of months
February, it is said, is the most depressing month of the year. It's still quite dark in the mornings and evenings. It's still cold. Spring is a long way off according to some of the continent's most esteemed groundhogs. Christmas bills are still making an impact on bank accounts and credit card statements. You may be in residence and not liking it. For some of us, the mid-term break can't come soon enough.
If you feel you are being harassed or abused by someone else, February can be particularly tough. You may be an international student and wondering if you are in the right place. And many in the college community are a little nervous about job prospects for the summer.
So, without any guarantees that the results will work for you, here are some things that I have found can make the month a little more bearable. And if you have other things that work for you, let me know and maybe I can share them in a future column.
If you have a good relationship with your parents or siblings, or if there are other relatives or guardians who are in the habit of encouraging you, it may be good to get in touch with them. Sometimes the right words spoken, emailed or texted can encourage you to get through a tough time.
Take a look at your circle of friends. Which ones make you feel good about yourself and are caring people? When you aren't feeling “up,” it can help to hang out with someone who is willing to listen and who has a cheerful attitude. Conversely, if some friends encourage negativity, gossip or have a lot of baggage they try to place on you, you might want to consider if you should limit your time with them.
Consider some of your weekly habits. If you drink a lot, you have to know that recovering from a night of intoxication involves being depressed (not to mention the headache). What about drugs? Highs are usually followed by lows.
What are your study habits like? In a college environment, poor performance can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Do you need to ratchet up your personal expectations concerning study, class attendance and the handling of assignments? This is not to suggest that everyone needs to be an “A” student. But people generally feel better about themselves when they are making a good effort, no matter what their abilities or the grades they earn. A “C” student who has done her best can be proud of her achievements — in my opinion more proud than an “A” student who does not have to make much of an effort.
What about your exposure to film, music, books or other arts? Do you gravitate to movies with scenes of abuse and other forms of degradation, hostile or angry dialogue, or infantile behaviour? Alternatively, consider how taking in forms of art that look for hope, reconciliation, and various forms of redemption can lift your spirits and shape your own disposition.
Do things that make you feel good. For me, that means playing guitar, kitchen parties, time alone in natural surroundings, getting outside whenever the sun shines, or cooking a meal with my wife. Not to mention milk chocolate. And supporting the local pub.
Remember the college counseling office. During my years on site at Fanshawe I experienced the counselors available to students as capable and caring people. They are there to help with questions related to career, disability concerns, learning challenges, self-esteem, substance abuse, or other issues. Fanshawe's First Nations Centre and Housing Mediation Office can help with other areas.
Among the services available to students, one specializes in being a place where you can be accepted and consider larger questions of life, often called spiritual questions. It is a place where you can learn about community, prayer and caring for others from what I see as a “God perspective.” The Chaplains Centre with its chaplains, volunteers and students can be a great place to regain some balance in life. Not a bad place to investigate, maybe especially if this is your most difficult month of the year.
Michael Veenema was a chaplain at the college from 1995 through 2004. He continues to write.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
If you feel you are being harassed or abused by someone else, February can be particularly tough. You may be an international student and wondering if you are in the right place. And many in the college community are a little nervous about job prospects for the summer.
So, without any guarantees that the results will work for you, here are some things that I have found can make the month a little more bearable. And if you have other things that work for you, let me know and maybe I can share them in a future column.
If you have a good relationship with your parents or siblings, or if there are other relatives or guardians who are in the habit of encouraging you, it may be good to get in touch with them. Sometimes the right words spoken, emailed or texted can encourage you to get through a tough time.
Take a look at your circle of friends. Which ones make you feel good about yourself and are caring people? When you aren't feeling “up,” it can help to hang out with someone who is willing to listen and who has a cheerful attitude. Conversely, if some friends encourage negativity, gossip or have a lot of baggage they try to place on you, you might want to consider if you should limit your time with them.
Consider some of your weekly habits. If you drink a lot, you have to know that recovering from a night of intoxication involves being depressed (not to mention the headache). What about drugs? Highs are usually followed by lows.
What are your study habits like? In a college environment, poor performance can lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Do you need to ratchet up your personal expectations concerning study, class attendance and the handling of assignments? This is not to suggest that everyone needs to be an “A” student. But people generally feel better about themselves when they are making a good effort, no matter what their abilities or the grades they earn. A “C” student who has done her best can be proud of her achievements — in my opinion more proud than an “A” student who does not have to make much of an effort.
What about your exposure to film, music, books or other arts? Do you gravitate to movies with scenes of abuse and other forms of degradation, hostile or angry dialogue, or infantile behaviour? Alternatively, consider how taking in forms of art that look for hope, reconciliation, and various forms of redemption can lift your spirits and shape your own disposition.
Do things that make you feel good. For me, that means playing guitar, kitchen parties, time alone in natural surroundings, getting outside whenever the sun shines, or cooking a meal with my wife. Not to mention milk chocolate. And supporting the local pub.
Remember the college counseling office. During my years on site at Fanshawe I experienced the counselors available to students as capable and caring people. They are there to help with questions related to career, disability concerns, learning challenges, self-esteem, substance abuse, or other issues. Fanshawe's First Nations Centre and Housing Mediation Office can help with other areas.
Among the services available to students, one specializes in being a place where you can be accepted and consider larger questions of life, often called spiritual questions. It is a place where you can learn about community, prayer and caring for others from what I see as a “God perspective.” The Chaplains Centre with its chaplains, volunteers and students can be a great place to regain some balance in life. Not a bad place to investigate, maybe especially if this is your most difficult month of the year.
Michael Veenema was a chaplain at the college from 1995 through 2004. He continues to write.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
