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

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How to breathe in from the day

We are coming to the end of September. The focus on suicide prevention stepping to the side…for now. But, with all the talk and ads of suicide, PTSD, depression, and more, I want to turn today into a positive view. A chance to see some more pleasant and happier thoughts. To breathe from the day’s events. Weighing Down I have been struggling with many areas of my life that have weighed on me. Family, friends, work, school, and personal. Strain and stress piling up that there were times I just wanted to shut down from the world. Turn my mind …

Through the looking glass at the other side

As the saying goes, there is always two sides to a story. Someone is struggling and suffering through life as we know it. Wondering if there will ever be a day where there is no pain, when they can feel happy, at least feel as if they are loved by someone. Walking through each day seeing no light at the end of the tunnel. Thinking that there is no other way for them to go on. Two stories But that story also includes all the people that have once touched this person’s life. The family members that could lose a …

Can you tell if someone needs help?

Look at the people around you. At their faces and the way they carry their body. Which ones are smiling, with a look of happiness? What about those that are not smiling? Are they sad, angry, or just a content expression? Can you tell which ones may be in need of help? Ones that are sad, depressed, lost, or that they may consider something drastic? You may be surprised on what you find. Can you tell? I go to work and talk with my coworkers with a cheerful tone and a smile on my face (most of the time.) Do …

Suicide Prevention-Not the End of the Story

Did you know you were loved, but didn’t feel it? Were you ever in a room full of people, but felt completely alone? Did you ever wonder if anyone would miss you if you were not around? Have you ever thought that you couldn’t be a bother anymore? Suicide Prevention Month September is known as the National Suicide Prevention month. On average there are 130 suicides per day. Every day there is someone that is thinking of ending their life story. A life story that should not yet end. Trauma, depression, anxiety, or any other mental health illness, the overwhelming …

What is your life role in the story?

When we are going through life, turning the pages in our stories, every person we meet is a character. That character adds shape to our story. When we think about our own mental health chapter in our stories, we need to not only think about ourselves, but all of those characters in our story. Characterizing As we focus on our health, we need to look at the people in our lives to determine their role. In my life story, I have people that are clearly in the supporting role and people that are in the story as more static roles. …

Do you have all of the support you need?

But who supports you? The feeling of the weight of the world sitting on your shoulders can be unbearable at times. Running around, trying to take care of everyone. Coworkers, bosses, friends, parents, and siblings. Don’t forget your children, spouses, significant others, and grandparents. Providing care and interest into their daily lives. Always showing each your devotion and love for who they are and what they do. Where is the support I am sitting here thinking that I am lucky in many ways to have the support I do have. Each person in my life supports me in various ways. …

A way to handle disappointment

Have you ever prepared for a test so hard only to not do so well? Or how about get ready to a trip only to not be able to go? We all know that it is easy to get disappointed when you are looking forward to something and not have it happen. But what if you didn’t really want to do something, worked hard because it was going to happen, then not be able to do it? How do you react to a sudden change and possible disappointment? Stress Affects Stress affects everyone differently and in so many ways, there …

Can you ask for help out of the darkness?

Why me? I hate the way I look. I wish I had what they have. Why does nothing good happen to me. Do these sound familiar? Have you ever thought this way at any time in your life? I have been talking about what we can do for our children and as parents to be aware of any mental health changes. But what about us as adults? When you are feeling down and in a dark place in your mind, who can you turn to and where can you go for help? When you are in this frame of mind, …

Parents Need to Talk to Their Children

Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding and yet the most stressful job you have in your life. Whether you have adopted, are caring for another’s child, or had children yourself, being a parent and guardian to a child of any age, can bring both worry and love at the same time. This week’s post is one the hardest I am having to write. I am sitting here, right now, thinking about my son and how he is doing at school. He is 6 years old and in 1st grade. These early years of his life are …

WANT TO TAKE A DRIVE THROUGH CHANGE

Something is burning inside ready to break free. A need. Need to prove, to show that accomplishment. A desire. One so strong that nothing can hold it back. It pushes and guides through tough terrain and dodges obstacles just to get to the finish line. Hungry for power and acceptance. It is a drive worth like no other. A drive to get one person through it all. DRIVE TODAY? So many times, I can remember waking up and not wanting to move. No energy, no goal in sight, pushing me to want to do anything. Those days I would rather …