Depression

Depression


Know a person as a person, not by their mental illness.

• They are your friends, neighbors and family.
• They improve and recover
• They are major contributors to life
• They deserve dignity and respect.
• They may also suffer from PTSD which they can learn to cope with but not cure.

Depressed people have a high tolerance for suffering and do not care for themselves.  Often, they can't sleep.  They're sick a lot.  Their immune system is compromised.  If you think you are depressed, seek medical help.

"He is mighty to save.  He takes great delight in me.  He will quiet me with his love.  He rejoices over me with singing." 

 Zephaniah 3:17

Anxiety

Anxiety/Fear


"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares."  1Peter 5:1




Scriptures are my first "go to."  But I learned this little tip for when you're in the middle of feeling anxious.

1. Look around the room and identify 3 things.
2. Take 3 deep breaths:  "in" to a count of 4, hold for 4 and out 4.
3. Take a drink of water.
4. Think of 3 things you love to do.

                              Energy


I used to have so much energy but as I got older and busier, I became over-whelmed by fatigue.  Here is a list I put in my book to remind me of what helps.

• Sleep, nap or power nap
• Eat healthy.  Junk made me tired.
• Hydrate....water, water!
• 
  
• Exercise, stretch and have good posture
• Drink green tea
• Include plants, bright colors, flowers, pictures and peppermint oil in your work area.
• Plan for fun:  paint, read, walk, play or listen to music, spend time w/ friends and dance.
• Breathe correctly i.e. deep, slow abdominal breathing
• Get some sun, daily and take extra vitamin D
• Rub your ears
• Splash cool water on your face
• Pop a peppermint
• Massage your feet
• Find out about "Flow" if you don't know.  Have a great day.

Faith


   I created a little song for myself.  The words are "God is walking with me, Jesus saved my soul, the Holy Spirit prays with me."
   God has pulled me out and lifted me up so many times that I have complete confidence in him.  He has been a father and a mother to me.  Since I repented of my sin and was baptized, I read the Bible every day.  I am blessed with a family of believers that are "THERE" for me.  We serve one another, encourage one another and obey the "Word" of God.  Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey."  In a world of such decadence, evil, greed, lust, war, genocide and disasters, God is our only Hope.  Hold to him with love, praise, gratitude and obedience.  

Visualization


   Visualize your day, your event, your future and your happiness in a positive way and with detail.
   Visualize your favorite things to do.
                                                                      Visualize your dreams!  
   O course, God never promised that it will always be easy or that we will always get what we dream.  I trust him to know what's best even when I don't understand it.  He has a plan and he is faithful! 


   I knew that I had an Italian half brother when I was 5.  He first started writing to me in my 20's.  In my early 50's, I was able to connect with an Italian school, teach there, and finally meet my brother.  My school taught free Italian lessons to staff members and by the time I went to Italy, I could "hold my own" in Italian.  My dream was to meet him and most importantly have him meet his father and finally understand that his father loved him.  "Not a day went by that I didn't think of you," my father told him.           And I wanted him to understand that poverty and circumstances kept them apart.  Here we are, finally together.  I was 60 and my brother 64.  Dad was 83.  Inspite of being born a poor coalminer's daughter, my dream finally came true.  Many others have come true but this was one for my brother.  To God Be The Glory.

A Meditation


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me sow love.  Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith.  Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  Where there is sadness, joy.  O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;  to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in giving that we receive.  It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.  It is in dying to self, that we are born again to Eternal Life.  Amen
Prayer of St. Francis
  When I meditate and pray, I stretch, breathe deeply, and relax.  I think that always helps me.  This prayer or meditation covers a lot of areas in my character. I hope you know that God does hear us.  "For if you seek Him, you will find him."

Today's topic from my book that I made for myself during a difficult time is:
                 Generosity

Give of my time, my talents, my money, my love, my wisdom, my smile, my faith, my compassion, my forgiveness, my knowledge and share the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.