Exploring the fabric of our stories one character at a time.

How do you like to be comforted?

I have been talking about reaching out to your loved ones and making sure they know you care. Even discussed about ways to care for yourself. But how about ways to comfort those that are struggling? What is comfort and how do you comfort your friends? Comforting a friend Your best friend comes to you crying because her boyfriend just broke up with her while degrading her. How would you handle a situation like this? Let me tell you how I would. (This is just how I would. I am not implying this is the best or only way to …

How can you help a friend if you hurt?

Lately I have had a heavy load of emotions in my life. Like a rollercoaster going through endless loops. One minute I am happy or relaxed, then suddenly I am fighting depression, sadness, and hurt. I have a few people in my life that I can reach out to, but there is always one thought that tends to stop me. “I don’t want to bother them with my problems.” There is something else that happens. My friends have their own lives and ups and downs. They know they can come to me at any time. But they don’t always reach …

What is your outlet in life?

We all have stress. Everyone has times of happiness and times of sadness. We all show our emotions in some form, whether out in the open or in little ways. But how are we coping through this stress? What do we have in our life that gives us the reprieve we need from the thoughts in our head? You know the ones. Those voices that are making all the racket and keeping us from focusing on ourselves and our loved ones. Voices You just received news that leaves you speechless. Your mind goes blank, and you don’t know how to …

We All React, Do You Know How to Respond?

We have all had times of someone reacting without thinking. I mean, just drive down the street for a few minutes and you will find more. But, right now I am focusing on more personal times. I have come across a few times just in the last few weeks, witnessing friends receiving reaction from others without thinking first. One of those times was at work. Why react at all Not going into too many details, a person unknown to my coworker replied in such a hurtful way to a message that was not really directed to that person. Many found …

What are your New Year’s Inspirations

It is the new year, a chance to re-evaluate things in your life. Maybe set some goals in your personal life, romantic life (or lack of), and for some a chance to try to be better. But instead of the resolutions that we all make and tend to break within the first 24 hours, maybe we should call them inspirations. To inspire to be better. Inspire a personal life full of happiness. Or inspire to work on having and improving your romantic life. Inspire for Health For so many years prior, when I was heavier in weight, I would always …

Does your anxiety control you?

I just got back from a recent trip to visit family in California and Idaho for the holiday. During this trip, I found myself consciously avoiding certain areas of my life due to my anxieties. One of the bigger ones that I fight is my need to have control of everything around me. What do I mean? I had to have my sister-in-law and niece take me to the airport in California to return home and as she drove, my fear built up because I did not have control of the vehicle. The constant need to hold my breath, close …

It is that time of year to be celebrate you

It is just two days away from the Christmas holiday here. A time filled with family and friends. Sending love to loved ones we have not seen or spoken to for so long. Some of us may be adding extra volunteering time so help the too many in our world that do not have enough food on the table. Or we are the many missing loved ones that cannot join us for the holiday and those that have passed on too early in life. Stressful time The holidays can also be a very stressful time. For me, I was juggling …

Sticks and stones (and words) can hurt us

I have been standing here at my son’s school waiting for him to come out, watching all of these other families and how they interact with each other. I have been watching the parent’s overall look compared to their child’s appearance. It got me thinking about my son and childhood in general. As a parent, am I helping my child, or are my words hurting his later years too? Have you ever said or heard, “comb your hair, it looks like a mess?” Here’s another one, “tuck your shirt in so you don’t look like a slob.” And one I …

Look how inspiration surrounds us

Since I started on this path about mental health, everywhere I turn I find inspiration. I go into Facebook, and I have post after post of quotes, tools to help sufferers battle anxiety, and companies reaching out to support anyone who needs it. Then I go to Instagram and TikTok, finding more quotes, videos, and complete strangers telling me that I am not alone in this world. Driving to work each morning, I have the radio up loud, singing to the song on my Pandora stations. Sitting back and really listening to the lyrics to my favorite bands, expressing their …

Is time ticking away from you

You have probably heard someone say, “a watched pot never boils.” Like it always seems that something you want to happen, takes forever to happen and those things you don’t, seem to always happen. A minute can take a long time to pass by if you watch every second tick on. But the one time you turn away, that minute has not only pass by, but so have others. Time ticking by slowly Here in Arizona, I have been enjoying some gorgeous weather. Clear blue skies with a scattering of little white clouds or no clouds at all. Temperatures are …