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

Showing: 41 - 50 of 59 Articles

Are you getting too comfortable with comfort food?

A container of ice cream with a big spoon, a helping of chocolate fudge cake, or gooey cheese pizza full of your favorite toppings. How about a glass of wine, a cup of tea, or a tumbler of your favorite alcoholic drink? A plate of cheesy mac n’ cheese, a bowl full of spicy wings, or a platter of seafood placed in front of you. Do I have your mouth watering yet? How does all of these foods and drinks make you feel? How comfortable are you really when you indulge in comfort food? What is comfort food You have …

The beginning of the end of this chapter

The summer, beach weather is coming to an end. The holidays are approaching with all the rich food and celebrations. There are points throughout the year that seem to push us to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Am I happy?” Personal image, internal emotions, support from loved ones, and the desire to care are put on display. A deep look into our mind, body, and soul reflected and stripped bare. At the beginning At the beginning of the year, we believe that we need to be better than we were the prior year. It is no wonder …

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, …