Spiritual Fitness

"Spiritual fitness seeks to answer important questions in life, the big questions like 'What's my purpose, what do I believe,'" said Chaplain (Capt.) Thomas Fussell, 354th Fighter Wing protestant chaplain. "Questions like those operate our daily lives and our beliefs; those beliefs in our heart of hearts will come out in our behaviors naturally.....Life happens and all that stuff tends to sit on us and we have to get it out somehow," said Fussell. "When we get the concerns and cares off of us, then we can be more focused, we can be more efficient and effective at what we do."

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. Yes this is all about me... and maybe about you and things in your life.I am new at this so I will teach you patience and endurance... hopefully a laugh along the way. I will try to make following me as easy as possible.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Mental Illness and Fighting Each Moment

I suffer from many forms of mental illness including severe depression.  It is a lonely place that no one understands unless they are going through it.  Just talking to someone who "gets it"  gives so much relief.  I could try and speak wisely on this but I found this article on it.  It says it much more eloquently then I.

'9 Things Only People With Depression Can Truly Understand
MINDFULNESS
There's been a lot of dialogue surrounding depression -- particularly in light of recent events -- as people struggle to understand why and how it affects people in the ways that it does. And for the 350 million people worldwide with the condition, it can be just as hard to articulate its effects as it is to understand it.

Depression can make people feel like their minds have completely rebelled against them. From a lack of will to physical pain, it can cause people to function poorly at work, in school and in social activities, according to the World Health Organization. Many people who experience depression can also experience symptoms of anxiety.

But those factors are just the start. Below, find nine things people with depression know to be true (and what others can do to help alleviate them).

The frustration that comes when someone suggests you can "snap out of it."
suck it up

The hard truth is, depression is not the sort of thing you can just wake up and be over one morning -- and suggesting such may be sending an unsupportive message. According to John F. Greden, M.D., the executive director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Depression Center, these phrases often stem from a lack of understanding of mental illness.

"When [loved ones] don't understand what's happening, their responses are 'suck it up' and 'stop feeling sorry for yourself,'" Greden tells The Huffington Post. "It's not understood that these are underlying illnesses and chemical abnormalities, so what they'll do is use these phrases. ... These comments are probably one of the worst irritations."

People constantly confusing depression with sadness.
It's a common misconception that depression is just a result of being overly sad. But as David Kaplan, Ph.D., chief professional officer of the American Counseling Association, stresses, the two are not one and the same.

"People throw around the word 'depressed' a lot," Kaplan previously told HuffPost Healthy Living. "Depression is a clinical term -- and a lot of times when people say they're depressed, they really mean sad. The words that we use are very powerful and it's important to make that distinction."

There is no such thing as a little victory.
victory

For those who deal with chronic depression, there are no little victories because every accomplishment is a big victory.

While everyday, routine motions come naturally to most people, for someone who is depressed, they are much harder feats, explains Jonathan Rottenberg, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of South Florida. "Why do depressed people lie in bed? It isn't because of great snuggle time under the blankets. It's because depressed people can't bring themselves to get out of bed," he wrote in a Psychology Today blog. "Almost any activity or task becomes a painful ordeal, even things as simple as taking a shower or getting dressed."

Lack of energy means more than your run-of-the-mill afternoon slump.
That 3 p.m. slump you feel when you need your third cup of coffee hardly compares to the drop in energy that occurs when you're in a depressed state. Because of this lack of motivation, depression can sometimes make you feel like your muscles don't work, Greden explains. "It makes it really difficult to go to work, to concentrate, to laugh, to keep your focus on assignments, when you're hurting in this way," he says.

There are physical symptoms -- and they're just as taxing as the emotional ones.
pain

"At one point, everyone considered depression to be a mood state, and that's a huge misconception," Greden says. "Depression, for most people, actually involves major physical symptoms. And as a result, people don't consider themselves depressed and they think something else is wrong."

When someone experiences depression, physical ailments you already have can be made worse, Greden explains. Other physical symptoms include restlessness, indigestion, nausea, headaches, and joint and muscle fatigue. "These physical symptoms as well as the mood symptoms affect their routine life patterns," he notes. "They're all tied together."

Things that used to be fun aren't quite as enjoyable.
Depression can impact even the smallest pleasures in life. Hanging out with friends, fun activities like golfing and even intimacy with romantic partners all seem less exciting than they were before, Greden says. "Depression makes your life dramatically different."

This lack of interest, coupled with the physical symptoms, are all major red flags when it comes to identifying the condition. To help someone who may be experiencing this downturn, Greden suggests approaching him or her with an open mind and continuous support, which includes offering to help find treatment.

The difficulty that comes with communicating your emotions.
communicating

When you're experiencing depression, it can be challenging to put into words what's going on in your mind when you know that not everyone around you feels the same way -- especially when there's a stigma around your illness. Only 25 percent of adults who experience mental health issues feel that people are sympathetic toward people struggling with mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Depression is a negative view of self, of the world and of the future," Greden explains. "Everything is sort of being seen through dark-colored glasses. ... It's pretty common, when people are depressed, for them to think that no one understands them -- and that's a really tough place to be."

The disorder is not one-size-fits-all.
faces

Each person experiences depression in his or her own way -- and because of this, experts recommend practicing empathy with loved ones who may be struggling. "Symptoms differ, causes differ, treatments differ," Greden explains. "Jobs, relationships, families -- everything gets changed by this illness."

As HuffPost blogger Hannah Sentenac explains in a piece on life lessons she learned from depression, everyone's journey is different: "For some people, medication is crucial. For others, long term psychotherapy might be the answer," she wrote. "Whatever works. I'm not suggesting that my path is best for anyone but me. But I am suggesting that everyone has a path to healing -- and the most important thing is to keep after it. Don't give up."

There are ways to help others break through the throes of depression, Greden says. That includes shedding any thoughts that could be perpetuating a stigma about mental health. "We need so much more openness, transparency and understanding that it's OK to talk about depression as an illness," he explains. "It's not a weakness. It's not a moral shortcoming. It's not something people brought on themselves. And understanding that is a pretty powerful beginning to helping a loved one with depression."..'

More tomorrow... God be with all who fight the good fight daily.... even when they are so tired of the fight.  Judge not...."  Walk a mile in my shoes, walk a mile in my shoes... before you abuse, criticize and abuse... walk a mile in my shoes   I dedicate this post to Linna.  My inspiration.  Love you girl!

Monday, August 18, 2014

The Tracks Of My Tears (Live with Stevie Wonder) by Smokey Robinson For all those that have Mental illness or unseen illnesses

Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams on Robin Williams

The loss of Robin is probably more profound to me as we had many things in common.  We both love laughter and used it to keep us going.  We both suffer(ed) from Mental illnesses and we are/were both introverts.  Many will find that shocking as most people do not understand what a true introvert and extrovert really means.  In fact, thanks to my oldest, I learned that about myself and it brought me so much peace.

It saddens me greatly the negativity people are handing out at Robin and they surely are walking in their shoes and not his or someone that has the severity of mental illness that many have like Robin.  No I never met him but through his films.  I could see the real Robin in them.  The suffering, that comes from fame.  I too have been judged harshly for years but I have kept people in my life that were not negative and accepted me as I am.  It is my journey not theirs and if it is my goal to get back to my Heavenly Father my choices have to be eternal.  I wish Robin had this but perhaps getting the news of Parkinson's Disease, which could be seen in the TV show "The Crazy Ones", was too much for him.

Robin Williams played the life of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adam. Who started a FREE hospital. This is what Dr. Adams said when he heard the news of Robin.  I think this gives us a clearer picture of Robin.  Upon hearing of the death of Robin Williams he released this statement.

  "The terrible news of the passing of Robin Williams reached me here in the Peruvian Amazon late Monday night with tremendous sadness.  Surrounded by over 100 friends and clowns on our annual clown trip, we mourn this tragic loss and continue to treasure his comic genius.
  Robin Williams was a wonderful, kind and generous man. One important thing I remember about his personality is that he was unassuming--he never acted as if he was powerful or famous.  Instead, he was always tender and welcoming, willing to help others with a smile or a joke.Robin was a brilliant comedian--there is no doubt.  He was a compassionate, caring human being.
  While watching him work on the set of the film based on my life--Patch Adams--I saw that whenever thre was a stressful moment, Robin would tap into his improvisation style to lighten the mood of cast and crew.  Also, I would like to point out, Robin would be especially kind toward my children when they would visit the set.  Contrary to how many people may view him, he actually seemed to me to be an introvert.
  When he invited me and my family into his home, he valued peace and quiet, a chance to breathe--a chance to get away from the fame that his talent has brought him.  While early in life, he turned to drug use and alcohol to escape, he replaced the addiction with moments of solitude to help cope with the stress that fame brought.  This world is not kind to people who become famous, and the fame he had garnered was a nightmare.
   While saddened, we are left with the consequences of his death.  I'm enormously grateful for his wonderful performance of my early life, which has allowed the Gesundheit Institute to continue and expand our work.  We extend our blessings to his family and friends in this moment of sadness.  Thank you for all you've given the world Robin, thank you my friend."

I invite all to learn about mental illness and be kind.  Watch the movie Patch Adams.  Above (Tracks of my Tears) is for all who suffer from any form of mental illness or disease that cannot be seen. RIP ROBIN!


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The love of broken bones

Well what a way to start off a blog but to say that your soon to be 13 year old daughter has to have surgery on her broken thumb tomorrow, if they can get her in.  She will have to have a screw or something out in.  She was ice block sledding with girls at church and tried to stop from running over a girl in front of her and put her hand down and that was it!  On the upside she will get out of chores and will have to go walking instead of swimming.  On the downside... Luke won't be happy because of that.  He really hates to see his sister hurting.  He will probably never leave her side.  Which may drive her nuts.

They both came into the world with health problems and we had 4 years of many things happening to me and them.  So PTSD is my friend.  Not a good one to have but when you aren't looking Life happens. My mother is in the nursing home and if I don't call her about this she will have my hide.  She can't walk but I learned as a child that is one woman you keep posted on things.  Band Perry  has a song called a mother like mine that is her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwuMfUjIBCc&noredirect=1


Here's to another day!