John H Clark III
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Tuesday talk ...

6/9/2015

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"I will believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is." -- Macrina Weiderkehr

Trying to figure out what I would write about today, I happened upon a Facebook post from a woman I know who used to be a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh, Penn., and  now lives in a tiny village in northern Spain along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Her name is Rebekah, and I stopped by her house and had tea during my first Camino in summer 2011.

Rebekah writes a blog about the goings-on in and around her place, as pilgrims from all over the world pass through her village and sometimes stay overnight at her house. She does a lot of volunteer work for pilgrims and different Camino-related organizations and such, and was recently recognized for her efforts. In  her blog today, which I went to after seeing her Facebook post, she talked about being embarrassed and not feeling worthy of the recognition. "I am only myself," she wrote. "And myself is really nothing remarkable."

Then she writes: "... I have really impressive friends who love me. Not because I do things. They love me because I am me, and I inspire them to do good things. I need to learn to love myself the same way they do. I need to learn to accept praise without feeling I somehow don't really deserve it." Then she quoted Macrina Weiderkehr, an author of books about prayer and spirituality who also writes a blog that I now plan to follow.

Rebekah's words struck a familiar chord with me.

I have really impressive friends who I admire and respect and love -- and for some reason, they love me. Sometimes I ask myself why? The answer to the question is: they love me because I am me. No other reason. They don't want anything from me, except to spend  time with me, be around me, hang out, do stuff.

The problem is, I don't love myself. And because of that, I have a hard time understanding why other people would love me.

I don't know why I have a hard time loving myself. Something about the way I was raised, I guess. Like Rebekah, I need to learn to love myself the same way they do.
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A few reviews of John's books

The 30-Day Optimism Solution: 
“I just re-read this book for the third time. I have read several books by John Clark and this book, by far, is my favorite. So much of our everyday lives are impacted by how we think about it. We have the power to choose but so many times we choose the easy wrong versus the slightly more difficult right. John may feel this book helped him more than it might help me but I think the positive impacting, even in the slightest, of another person's life is a great gift. I am so pleased for John's journey of discovery and awareness, moreover I am pleased to have this book in my possession. I am excited to recommend this book to several people I know.”

“This was the right book at the right time for me. I have been struggling with some things, and Clark offers some wonderful information on how to turn things around, not to mention describing his own struggles with negativity. I think this book is going to help a lot of people.” –
Sgt. Ducttape
Depression Blues:         
“Part memoir, part informative text. You get both when reading 'Depression Blues' by John H. Clark III. Mr. Clark shares his struggles with depression in an honest and real way, and as the book progresses, so does his hope. Woven into the story as jumping off points are bits of information about depression and ways to "conquer" the sadness, loneliness, and despair that comes with it.

Mr. Clark becomes more than an author in this book; he becomes a friend who understands the pain of depression and provides light. I recommend this book to anyone looking for light or to anyone who knows someone with depression and wants to learn more.”
​– H
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