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

Respect is not as easy as it looks

My son just asked me what mental health is and why is it so important. This question got me thinking. Many of us are moving through each day just surviving. Get up, take care of the family, go to work, only to come home and take care of the family until it is time for bed. We push ourselves to care about everyone else in our lives, that we are not leaving much time for us. I was recently reminded that my mental health is very important and taking time away from work is necessary. So why is it so …

Ever wanted to be someone else?

I bet that many of you have, even if it was only once, looked in the mirror and thought it would be better if you were like other people. I know I have. Well, there are times when I still do. Watching others live out (what appears) to be happier, more successful, and better lives than we have. I don’t have a bad life. But there are times when I wish I had more. I wish I had a better grasp on who I was growing up and maybe I would have made something more of myself earlier in life. …

The first step is wanting help

Every day we see ads for healthier foods. Or maybe we see a new fitness facility opening down the street. There are numerous commercials for new drugs to help with ailments. But we don’t see very many ads or programs about depression. What about abuse, anxiety, and PTSD? Too many people are struggling against mental illness, not knowing how to get help. And on top of all of this, our kids are going through school having to fight against profiling, bullying, discrimination, and school violence. Is there anything that can help us get through? Ignoring the problem Mental health continues …

We need a support group for overthinkers

Do you think it would be a good thing or a scary thing to have a group of overthinkers in one room? Do you know if you are an overthinker? (Signs you are an overthinker) You may be saying that thinking about a situation will bring clarity and possible solutions. And you are right. But that is where most people would stop thinking about the problem. We overthinkers, well we can go to another level. And if you are anything like me, you go to extremes. A Disorder? Overthinking is the excessive time used for thinking and worrying about situations. …

You are truly worthy of love

Picture this…a child is seen running around the schoolyard laughing and playing around. You see them playing with other children. All appear to have the same large smiles on their faces. But there, on the side, is another child that is just sitting there. This little one is all alone watching the other children. You can see the longing in their eyes. The silent cry for attention on their face. You can picture all of that, can’t you? So, let me ask you, is that child worthy of love? Do they deserve to be cared about, appreciated, and made to …

We are much more than Mars and Venus

Everyone deals with some form of mental health in their life. Whether you are healing from a childhood trauma, experienced a life-altering event and now working through PTSD, or your everyday life has become so stressful that you are working through burnout. Every person processes their mental health differently. There is no bigger difference than how men process their stress and mental wellbeing than a woman does. And if you have read the book by John Gray, Ph.D., “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” you will understand that it is not just one or the other anymore. Men …

Trying to discover the process to recovery

Well, it happened again. Another moment in time that takes my mind on a roller coaster filled with drops and loops. I have been spending my days working, talking with friends, and laughing. Feeling good just in general. Still living in chaos, but the days were beautiful. It took one moment in my life to derail it all. I have had messages from friends, phone calls from family, pictures from my past, and even a stranger’s conversation send me into a spiral. And each time I find myself mentally, emotionally, and physically working through a process before I can say, …

Are you willing to go the distance for yourself

I have discovered something about myself and others as I have walked through this latest journey. About 5 years ago, I walked around admitting to myself that I was placed on this earth only to care for others. Only to bring them happiness and have their needs met. I looked upon my life from childhood to adulthood, wondering if this was truly my purpose in life. That was the case until I chose to focus on me. I chose to go the distance for myself. Are you? As Kids As we all grow up, there are times when we are …

When words fail you

Did you ever have a day that felt like every emotion was running through your body? So many emotions and thoughts that you almost run on autopilot? Friends and family see a physical change in you. Everyone is asking you if you are okay. But you are so absorbed that there are no words to properly describe what is really going on. When words are just not enough for you, the result becomes, “I’m fine.” Too many emotions We all go through stressful times in our lives. Some of us are trying to heal through past trauma. Others are directly …

LIGHTING THE FIRE OR BURNING OUT

I have been watching my friends lately with the consistent activities with the kids, working during the day, and socializing at night. I have friends that are working day and night to get things done on time. Since when does working harder and longer mean you are successful? Especially if you don’t give yourself time to shut down? Are you lighting the way to success or just burning yourself out? Daily Push I go to work every day, Monday through Friday. Then there are times that I work from home and in the evenings. I might get requests or situations …