Okay so I reached the end of my rope and tied a knot.Nothing happened

@Hatley (163781)
Garden Grove, California
September 22, 2008 9:59pm CST
hi mylotters I and my son are facing some tough times. I kept thinking about my dads old saying,when you are at the end of' your rope , just tie a knot in it, and hang on; So what happens when you do all that and nothing changes? your take on these musty old saws. Allof a sudden I just think I am 82, I am now useless, what the hell can I do now? Maybe its time I tried being postive what is your take on this thinking?
4 people like this
20 responses
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I have reached the end of my rope too with alot of things that are going on in my life. I just try to tie the knot also but it always comes undone and I have to deal with whatever comes afterwards. I try to stay positive and fix things also to make them better. It works sometimes and sometimes not. I wish it would all change some day but I am not sure if it ever will.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
hi stephcjh I know what you mean,its the unraveling that has done me in tonight tomorrow maybe I will be more positive.
1 person likes this
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
23 Sep 08
To tie the knot means to get married! Maybe that's what you have to do! I think you have to think positive too, I know everyone says that, and it sounds cheesy, but once you stop trying to sabotage yourself and just try to make changes, and plan out everything you want to change, things can get better, I promise.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
sheepie thanks for reminding me to think positive and hopefully thihgs will get better.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 08
My take is that you are fixated on your age, You are constantly referring to how old you are! For a change think how young you are and all that you have accomplished so far. I never think of what my real age (??) is because it is what it is and nothing can change it but I prefer to go though life being as old as I feel and that is not my calendar years.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Sep 08
EXACTLY!! You have to much going for you to be down in the dumps!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi whiteheather one yr later well I am a survivor and am hanging on here at Gold Crest while my son got into paidgov. housing for him and three other guys who are all unemployed as yet. not at all what I might have wanted but its what had to be for now. Anyway I now have my computer bAck and am on' the net. so thats really good.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
hi whiteheather you are right on,and I am pulling back out'of the gloom, and realizing I have accomplished a lot and I have a lot going for me too.
@gemini_rose (16264)
4 Oct 08
I am sorry to hear you are having tough times, and I hope things get better for you soon. I have never heard that saying before but it seems like a pretty good one. I am not much of a positive thinker but I think the more positive I can be then things do not seem to look so bad and something always comes along. So yes I think you should try to be positive.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi gemini rose one yr later and things got so bAd we had to ' split up so we both could have a place to stay. I am in a' retirement home Gold Crest while he is in gov.paid housing so he can live while he looks for work.we must make the best of it for now and hope things will get better for us.
@adoremay (2065)
• Philippines
23 Sep 08
Patience is a virtue. Hang for a while, most of the time we always let go when our prayers are answered. Be positive, life is what you make, so don't let your negative aura control you..
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Sep 08
adoremay thanks patience is a necessity and being positive'could change everything.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi adoremay well patience it is still as things were shot to' hell but maybe theres a silver lining to this cloud so 'wait and see once again.
@adoremay (2065)
• Philippines
25 Sep 08
Wait and learn our lesson well.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Sep 08
Your life experiences are valuable and I would suggest perhaps writing a book. How will that help you may think? This will engage you in a positive and productive activity and if it sells then you'll make some money too. If it doesn't sell you have a wonderful gift to give your Son. I like the quote from Albert Einstein "You can not solve a problem with the same conscious which created it" Positive energy breeds positive energy so by all means be positive. I was amazed at the story of a woman who was on welfare who wrote a book and is now a very wealthy Lady. Your Son will pick up on your positive or negative energy and vice verse so being the Father I would say it is important to be positive for your Son as well as for yourself. I was thinking just the other day I wish I knew someone who lived through the depression. That thought went on to I wish someone would write a book on how they survived the depression. I grew up in the instant age of microwaves and TV dinners. How in the world could any of us know how to survive the depression that is coming? Like what did they do for toilet paper when there was none or no money for it? How do you grow food in your back yard? What should you plant? How in the world do you can food? What is the best time to go fishing? How do you harvest seeds? How do you raise a chicken because eggs are getting expensive! I'm sure you know things I can't even think of. At 82 years old you are a wealth of information that could help many, many people who do not have your knowledge or experience. God Bless You Sir and your Son.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Sep 08
hi annacarra I am a maam but I do appreciate all you have said and I will start being more positive so it will rub off on my'son.
• United States
24 Sep 08
Annamcarra, my mother was 90 yrs old when she passed away a year ago last Feb.. She lived through the depression and told many stories about it.. The most heartbreaking one was going to bed hungry after having only a dinner of cold coffee and a piece of stale hard bread to dunk it in.. She never went hungry again after her children were grown and able to help her.. My husband introduced here to shrimp when she was 88 years old, she had never eaten it before and she loved it, so it was his duty and his honor to take her a shrimp dinner every week after she got too old to get out and go on her own.. She was also a regular at Shoney's on Friday nights, we took her every Friday since it was All You Can Eat Seafood Night!!!! She loved it and so did our dog, she always had a piece or two stuck in her pocket to feed our dog when we got home.. I am sure there are many books that were written about the depression but the words are so much better when told by someone who can give it a personal spin.. Have a great day..
• United States
24 Sep 08
Hatley, My most sincere apology for the reference to a Father when you are a Mother. I just wanted to offer some hope. I read a good book by Norman Vincent Peale titled "The Power of Positive Thinking" and it really changed my life. May I share a truth with You? Today is my Daughter's 18Th Birthday and she is living on her own. She lost her purse which contained more personal info then anyone should carry plus cash. She called me crying and I talked with her about the power of Prayer to God and the power of sending positive energy into the Universe. She just couldn't understand how this would work. She ended the phone call in tears. I did for her what she didn't understand to do and the person who took the purse had a change of heart and turned it in. Not all was immediately accounted for but the person did have a change of heart. This is the power of positive energy and Prayer and we are very Thankful to God. I just wanted to share this with You and let You know that I will send positive energy thoughts to reach you and enrich your life. All we need is Faith the size of a mustard seed and I have Faith that Blessing are on the way to You and Your Son. Sleep well, tomorrow is a new day.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
26 Sep 08
The fact that you are 82 years old does not mean that you are useless. You still have years to live. Think positive. Can you deal with source of the problem with your son? Can you ask for help to settle things between you two?
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi ronaldinu one yr later son still out of wo rk and I am inthis retirement center Gold Crest while he is in a govpAid ap artment so he and his roomates can look for work.not what I would like but what has to be done. my hopes are he will enventually find a good job and accumulate enough money to get us back together.
@AmbiePam (84664)
• United States
27 Sep 08
I'm so sorry Hatley. From what you've told me things are more than getting tough, they already are tough. Are there any food pantries near you? That might save you money on groceries. I wish I could be there to help you. Sometimes I feel so useless when people I care for are not where I can help them.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
Hi Ambiepam one yr later son outof work yet. he is in govpaidhousing with three other men all are out of work and have a place tolive wo they can look for work. I am in Gold Crest a retirement center for older p eople. not what I wo uld likebut what hAd to be done for now. hope still my son can get a good job. and we can get back together.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
23 Sep 08
[i]Hi Hatley, Being positive and plus prayer will always help us uplift our mood! I know you can do it and don;t ever think that you are useless, you've been working hard before and shared your life to others and help of course a LOT OF people for sure and now it's time to just relax and remember those days![/i]
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Sep 08
hi checapricorn yes I have to be positive and stay'focussed on prayer and good hopes.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
28 Sep 08
You're right, just try to think positively. We all ages but not nearing to the end yet. I do not want to think about the number of my age. As long as we are healthy and strong we still have the challenges to face in our daily life.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi Zandi one yr later things got worse and Are still really bad I am in this retirement place Gold Crest while he is in gorpaid housing so he cAn live while he looks for work.So I wait and am patient and hope this will one day turn out good again.
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
24 Sep 08
It is past time to be positive, you should never give up.. I do wish there was something that I could do for you to make it all better.. I am sure that your past 82 years weren't always easy, so show the world what you are made of and don't give up for anything.. My mother passed away at the age of 90 years old and she never gave up, I believe that is what kept her going to have a challenge and to conquer it.. I will keep you and your son in my prayers and I hope you will do the same for my family.. God Bless and show your stuff old girl, good luck to both of you.. Keep us up on your situation, I will worry about you until things get better for you..
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi DonnaLawson one yr later and my son is stillout of work but he is in paid for gov.apartment so he and three other men have a place to live while they look for work. i am in G old Crest a retirement centerr not what I want but what I hAve to do for now
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
24 Sep 08
Hatley..I'm so sorry things are still rough for you but yes you need to start thinking positive..not wanting to go off telling you things but if you keep the positive going you can make things happen and thats what is needed now right? So like the Song said from years ago..Connect the Positive..not for Mr in Between
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
5 Sep 09
hi rosekitty one yr later sAdder wiser son still outof work, as we were homeless we had to split up I Am in GoldCrest a 'retirement center, he's in gov.paid apartment with three other men. they had to haved a p;lace to live so they could look for work
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I think there are a lot of us, that is at the end of the rope without a knot. I used to be hum drum, but I realize that gets me nowhere. I have gone through as many crisis that I can take, but I know if I give up, I am not only giving up on myself but on others as well. I am now trying to be very positive in thinking that it will work out. Right now, I am at the lowest point I have ever been in, in my life. I take one day at a time and deal with it. I think you need to flip the script and start thinking positively on your current issues. It will work out, maybe not as fast as you would like, but in the end it will. I will pray for you, because I can imagine how you are feeling, I am also having the same feelings. I wish you the best.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Sep 08
sudalunt you are absolutely right and I am starting to lookat things from a positive viewpoint now.
• Canada
23 Sep 08
If you look up and be positive you'll see that you can tie another knot above the first, then another and another and you'll climb your way back up. Takes time, faith, patience and persistence but you CAN do it!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Sep 08
hi appleblossoms right I just need to keeptying knots til'we climb out of this thing. I can do it.
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I think I even threw that saw at someone yesterday myself. Your son is out of work, can he draw unemployment? Is he old enough to at least start drawing early Social Security? I am guessing he may be between my age and my husband's age, and I have seen first hand that getting a job at that age is the pits. My husband has probably lost more jobs in the last five years than I can count, and the stress of keeping some that he kept led to other health problems. I think I suggested independent contracting for your son, it would not be much, but it might surprise you. Or temporary employment. What kind of a job was he working at, when he lost it? My son and his wife work, but they are losing their house and have no where lined up yet.It is a tough economy. Let us know what we can do, other than our thoughts and prayers. If you can think of any action that you can take it will give you more of a feeling of power.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
he is forty nine a bad age to beout of wo rk, and his boss was so vicious he queered my sons unemployment insurance so my son has applied for reinstatement of unemployment insurance. He was a computer programmar, the loveof his life is computers. i would much appreciate your prayers. we are looking into various avenues and hope he finds a job soon he is applyintot the temp agencies too
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
23 Sep 08
Hatley Reaching the end and tying the knot and hanging on only to climb up again. I know you have all wisdom on earth and if you allow me to say this, I firmly believe that you are not useless no one ever be one. With all those years of experience, ups , downs, loves and not so loves, you are so precious! Pls share more of your stuffs here. We will be elevated. Good luck! Way to go Hatley...
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
mimipi thanks so much, you brought tears to my eyes.so I will hang on and get out of this mess.
@rosedust82 (2066)
• Philippines
23 Sep 08
Hi Hatley. I know you've been through a lot already and I guess somehow you've had to tie a knot on your rope a couple of times in your life. I guess this is one of those times. You may feel useless in some things but honestly, in other areas, you are priceless. Take Mylot as an example. I'm pretty sure you were able to help a lot of people out with your wisdom and experience. I've seen quite a lot of your comments and have always loved your straight forward but meaningful posts. If you feel that you're at the end of your rope. Think that things will always get better. If you feel that you want to let go, tell us and we'll help you hold on to that knot. Let's go and swing from rope to rope so we all don't see that knot at the end. My prayers are with you and your son. Take care.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
got it rosedust am going to swing from one rope to the next and eventually things will be looking up and I will once more laugh again
1 person likes this
@mjmlagat (3170)
• Philippines
23 Sep 08
Hi there! Always believe in positive things and events that come along the way, though they may take sometime to arrive and be seen by us, they surely are there. With your years of experience in life, I believe in yourself that you can pull through this...God loves you.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
mjmlagat thanks so much I know deep within ' God does love me but I wish he would hurrya bit.lol
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
23 Sep 08
Other than praying and doing your best to keep up that positive thinking, I cannot think of anything else to do I do hope that things improve for you and soon!!!
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
hi fwidman I am smiling at your shoes lol I am going to keep' on praying and knowing something good is going to happen
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
23 Sep 08
Oh Hatley, I am so sorry! I feel your pain right through my computer screen and I truly mean that. I really know where you're coming from because I too am in a very similar situation am holding on to a similar rope that is slowly slipping from my grip too and I don't know what I am going to do. I too could lose my home and end up in a really sad situation that I can't even bring myself to think about let alone talk about because I'd rather chew on glass! I know it's really hard to have a positive attitude when things are looking so lousy. I know that I try to force myself to pray and then I wonder if anyone is listening. But for you I am going to say that you must hang on and do just that because you can't give up. You have to believe that something somehow will come through! You have to believe that things will turn out alright no matter what! I do believe that they will. That's how I think, because they have to! So yes you have to think just like that! So if I can believe so then can you! I will pray for you as I pray for me! Just keep holding on to that rope and don't dare let go!
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Sep 08
hi opal you have given me new courage and that will help so much.