Tag Archives: #mentalhealth

Spirituality

Second Chances

There is a song by the group Shinedown that I really like. The song is called “Second Chance.” In the song is a lyric: “Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.” Perhaps there is something, or even someone in your life that it’s time to say goodbye to.

Everyone has a bad habit or two. They know it so you don’t need to point it out to them. They will break free when they are ready and not one second before. They will be doing it for themselves and not because of your nagging.

Sometimes there are people in your life who need to go. It might be a member of your family. It’s okay to say goodbye to them if they aren’t good for you. Maybe they constantly criticize you or cut you down. There’s a difference between constructive criticism which is done in private and criticism that’s designed to hurt you or embarrass you.

Do what you need to do to protect your mental and physical health. It’s your life. Make choices that bring out the best in you.

If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be any good to anyone else…

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Spirituality

Never Too Late

Are you one of the many people who are struggling right now? Mental health has been compromised while the cost of living skyrocketed the last four years, adding to the stress. People need hope right now like never before.

There is always hope, no matter how bleak it may appear to be. Don’t fear the future. There is something around the next corner, and you have to believe it’s something good. Keep taking one brave step after another. You will make it if you just keep going.

Surround yourself with good people. Read inspiring biographies and autobiographies. Turn the television off and go outside in nature. Tell God everything you are feeling. You can tell him if you’re angry with him, frustrated or disappointed. God can take a punch and he won’t hit back or hold a grudge. You don’t have to sound all spiritual or righteous. Just be yourself.

Believe in yourself, and believe that your future is bright. See the life you want. Pray for it. Keep your vision in the forefront of your mind.

You will make it happen if you refuse to quit…

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Spirituality

Offer Encouragement

The struggle continues for many of our friends and neighbors. Mental health was already compromised and then the pandemic hit. Isolation is never a good thing. Suicide rates reached levels not seen since 1941.

Encourage others. Don’t offer fake encouragement because people see right through it. Just take a moment to check on people. People need to know that someone cares about them. And guess what! You benefit, too. What we give out we get back!

We can be selfish by nature. Practice selflessness. Instead of thinking of yourself, think about others. By doing this you will be demonstrating a rare form of humility not often seen in today’s society.

In conclusion, if you are in need of some encouragement, reach out to someone. Anyone. Crisis hotlines are overwhelmed with incoming traffic, so hang on don’t hang up. Help is available. What you are going through won’t last forever.

Stay hopeful…

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Spirituality

Burned Out

When people tell me they are going through a period of burnout, most associate it with being overworked, overwhelmed and tired. Burnout is more than this. And it can be prevented.

People get burned out because the stressors of life are too much to handle in that moment. Work, obligations, unexpected challenges, the list of stressors never ends. This is just how life is, yet it’s manageable.

Setting healthy boundaries is the key to preventing burnout. Learn to say no. Take the time to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be any good to anyone else. It starts with your mental health.

Prioritize sleep, eat good food, real food not processed crap, and have meaningful conversations with others. All of these impact your mental well-being. Neglecting one or more and your life becomes unbalanced. You have burned out.

The better you are, the better you can be for others. Take care…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

May 2025

Since 1949, the month of May has been designated as “Mental Health Awareness Month.” It’s wonderful that we have a month dedicated to mental health, but it’s something we need to focus on daily.

The single, largest mental health diagnosis in the United States is General Anxiety Disorder. While we can look around us and see how stressed the world is, let’s not forget those who suffer in silence. People feel isolated and alone. Yet, we are living in the most electronically connected world that’s ever existed.

People need human connection. Even the CDC recognizes this. From their website:

KEY POINTS

  • Staying connected to others creates feelings of belonging and being loved, cared for, and valued.
  • Social connections are important to our mental and physical health.
  • Being connected to others helps protect against serious illness and disease.
  • People with stronger social bonds are more likely to live longer, healthier lives.

If someone crosses your mind, I encourage you to take a moment and reach out to them. Check on your friends and acquaintances you haven’t heard from in a while. They benefit, but so do you!

And if you are reading this and feeling an overwhelming sense of anxiety and dread, please call someone. You don’t have to go through life alone…

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Spirituality

Worriers

Are you a worrier? In 2024, according to the American Psychiatric Association over 70% of adults in the United States were worried about current events. That’s a lot of worrying, most of it being wasted energy.

Worry can paralyze you if it gets out of hand. Over 45 million Americans have been diagnosed with anxiety at some level. This number comes from pharmaceutical prescription data which suggests the real number is higher. Many people haven’t sought treatment and they are just “gutting it out.”

Mental health was shredded due to isolation during the pandemic. If you are one of the many people who have had increased anxiety post-pandemic, here’s some encouraging news: you can lessen or eliminate your worries. Here’s how.

Start an exercise routine, read great works rather than watching television, go to an art museum, get outside for some natural Vitamin D, and have meaningful conversations with your friends. Be patient in your progress. A true change takes time, but it will happen if you stay with it.

As a society, we have grown accustomed to seeking help from drugs rather than natural remedies. We are wired in our DNA to live and thrive, not to be full of anxiety.

And don’t worry, the pharmaceutical companies will be fine…

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Spirituality

Winter

It’s winter in Texas. This means we will have about ten days of cold weather and then we will be back in short sleeves. You gotta love it.

Personally, I like winter. I believe it’s because we don’t have a winter here like much of the rest of the world. Winter can be a difficult period for some. People don’t get out as much and socialize. Mental health can take a further hit.

Isolating ourselves from others puts us inside our own heads more than we should be. Podcasts are great to listen to and learn from, but we need interaction with other people.

If you have a friend who hasn’t been seen or heard from in a while, I encourage you to reach out to them. It will be good for both of you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Afraid

Over the course of our lives we develop fears, things we are afraid of. When left unchecked these fears can become irrational and debilitating.

Growing up in a violent home, I used to become fearful and I would shut down when people raised their voice. It triggered me. Even as an adult, I knew no one could harm me physically anymore, but inside of me the visceral reaction was real. Through my time spent with an excellent psychotherapist I was able to heal from my past.

Therapy is a good thing when you find the right therapist. I’m fortunate that God led me to the perfect person to guide me. The brain is a remarkable creation, resilient and powerful. We do the work. The therapist is the guide.

You don’t need to jump out of a perfectly good airplane to conquer your fears. You do need to take a leap into the abyss, the unknown, and work on yourself.

It’s an inside job…

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#inspiration

Wellness Check

People are struggling nowadays more than I ever remember or imagined. Many feel alone, like they have no one to talk to. Some feel ashamed because they have never experienced the emotional turbulence they are experiencing. If you feel like I’m describing you, I want you to know that you are not alone.

I encourage you to reach out to someone. Anyone. There are crisis hotlines you can call anonymously. Talk to someone. There’s something magical about talking things out. You get some peace, even for a short while.

If you haven’t heard from someone you normally would, give them a call. You might be their last, best hope…

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