But... haven't we all? That's why some of us are stressed, right? Too much going on, busy body, busy head, busy life.
Why are you guys stressed? Is it your job? College? High school? Tell me in the comments.
What ever it is, just stop the spinning whirling tornado of thoughts in your head. Stop your thoughts and breathe. Let's take a minute and just breathe together. Breathe deeply, Slowly, in through the nose for 2 seconds, out through the nose for 4. (How ever many seconds you breathe in, double that for your exhale. It's called 2 for 1 breathing.)
Just relax, and breathe slowly for 1 minute. But... This minute is a magic minute. It can be however long you want it to be, because it can't be measured. It hides when you look at the clock and comes out when you take off your watch. Let this minute lead your canoe across the Amazon, or take your hand and lead you through the forest. This minute can be handsome, it can take any form, and today, for me, it's my sister. Holding my hand, leading me through, above, and on top of the rocks on the edge of lake Michigan, where we went a few weeks before she left for college. It's not a memory exactly, but a calming wish. something that did not happen, but can happen if I let the minute guide me.
Slowly come back to reality, blink your eyes to open them if they closed. Don't be sad because your meeting with your minute is over, but be happy that it happened. Your minute is always there for you, when ever you need it.
Did that help? I hope it did. I know it helped me.
Spread peace, healing, and love. (...and this blog :D) to your friends, families and enemies.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Topic of the day: Depression
Hi, how are you? I hope you're doing well.
I'm going to talk a bit about a trick to help keep depression at bay. And we'll have a little fun getting the tools ready. ;)
I want to know what makes you happy. That's right, make a list for me, write it all down. Chop chop. Don't just sit there! Find some paper, and there's that pencil from writing the grocery list over there. Go get it!
*insert a montage of both of us running to get the needed supplies, complete with a ticking timer here*
Wow, that was quick, you have everything? I can tell you're going to be good at this. Ok I'll run through the list of materials. I'm doing it too so check that you have everything as we go. Writing utensil? Yup, mine's a purple gel pen. :) Something to write on? Last weeks junk mail. Your brain? Yup, I've got mine, and I'm assuming you have yours as you are reading this. Good, good, good. I think we're ready.
Ok. We're gonna write down all the things that make us smile, laugh or whatever else makes you feel special and warm in your heart. (I don't believe in large categories such as "books" because there are many books that I read that make me sad, so I want to know the specific books that make you happy.) I'll do it with you.
Ready? No? Too bad! GO!
*Another montage of us scribbling things onto our paper faster than lighting, a can of monster, fast typing, and a few beads of sweat rolling down our foreheads*
Well, that wasn't that bad! (By the way, they got the wrong montage in there, that one is for NaNoWriMo. I think they got the tapes mixed up...) I bet you thought it would be harder. Well my friend, feeling better isn't always that hard.
Ok, here's my list:
My sister's advice
My mom saying she believes in me.
My dad's movie recommendations, (that 80's film really did rock!)
A clutter free house- no counter hogging mail or appliances!
Learning new skills (like knitting or how to work different software.)
Dancing to Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell"
Doing push ups and crunches to the beat in Lady Gaga's music
That smile or thank you right after you help someone with something
My youth group at my church
The Breakfast Club movie
Cleaning my kitchen floor
Crazy geeky crafts, costumes and cakes.
Singing along with my favorite songs, or belting it in the shower.
Animals! I love baby animals and all things adorable that has fur.
The unexpected gift or note from someone you didn't even know that well who cared that you were sick or down.
If you notice, I didn't just put names of people down. I would of course put my sister's name down in a heartbeat, because we love each other and she makes me happy. I really want you to think about what that person does in particular that make you happy. Is it their smile? Their really really bad jokes told at the dinner table? Their hugs? Their touch? What is it?
Feel free to list a bunch of them. Keep on going and don't stop until you can't think of anything to put down.
But now, you need to organize and edit your list into action items. (for instance, "my sister's advice" would turn into talk to my sister etc.)
Now, some of you will have a short list, and some will have a very long list. Both can surprise you. If you have a long list, your well on your way to feeling better. Short lists don't mean that you're not or that you're doing it wrong, it just means you should look out for this happy moments a little more. (Write them down right away!) I'm not going to define short and long lists, because I think that's up to the list maker.
Alright, now. rewrite it out on a nice sheet of paper. I'm making mine pretty and elegant with super hero's and doodles, so really, take your time. There's absolutely no rush. :) When you've made this shiny new copy, I want you to keep some place where you do know where it is. A spot by the computer, by your daily meds/vitamins or something like. Any will do quite nicely as long as you can remember where it is and run right up to it if you have that sinking feeling. Because that's what this list is for. Instructions follow.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HAPPY LIST: [Read before usage is needed]
1: When you start to feel down and don't know what to do because you're bored or lonely or sad, I want you to stop your thinking. Tell it to be quiet. Polite or not, that's up to you, if you need to yell, even out loud, do it! ;)
2: Jump up and do five jumping jacks. Now you have to race your imaginary friend to that list. You know exactly where it is, and they don't. You can beat them, but you better run fast!
3: Ok, you're all outta breath, but you won. Congrats, you are a fast runner. Now I want you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and stick your finger on that list in a random spot. Open your eyes.
4: Do the action on the list, no matter what it is. Even if you feel like it won't help, or you don't want to do it, JUST DO IT. And while you are doing the action, make sure to smile at least once, a real smile, no cheaters! This will help you not be so down.
(If for instance, on my list I got talk to my sister, I called her and she didn't answer or couldn't talk, then I would move down the list to the next action item. I usually like to have things that I can do by myself so I don't need to rely on others so much to keep me happy, but keep the people-related ones on there, just in case the timing is perfect.)
That's it for today folks. Thanks for reading, as this took over three hours to write. That's ok though because we had fun along the way! I hope you all have a good rest-of-the-weekend. :) Peace, Love, and as always, I am here for those who need me, feel free to email/message me. Keep on smiling!!!
Delia
I'm going to talk a bit about a trick to help keep depression at bay. And we'll have a little fun getting the tools ready. ;)
I want to know what makes you happy. That's right, make a list for me, write it all down. Chop chop. Don't just sit there! Find some paper, and there's that pencil from writing the grocery list over there. Go get it!
*insert a montage of both of us running to get the needed supplies, complete with a ticking timer here*
Wow, that was quick, you have everything? I can tell you're going to be good at this. Ok I'll run through the list of materials. I'm doing it too so check that you have everything as we go. Writing utensil? Yup, mine's a purple gel pen. :) Something to write on? Last weeks junk mail. Your brain? Yup, I've got mine, and I'm assuming you have yours as you are reading this. Good, good, good. I think we're ready.
Ok. We're gonna write down all the things that make us smile, laugh or whatever else makes you feel special and warm in your heart. (I don't believe in large categories such as "books" because there are many books that I read that make me sad, so I want to know the specific books that make you happy.) I'll do it with you.
Ready? No? Too bad! GO!
*Another montage of us scribbling things onto our paper faster than lighting, a can of monster, fast typing, and a few beads of sweat rolling down our foreheads*
Well, that wasn't that bad! (By the way, they got the wrong montage in there, that one is for NaNoWriMo. I think they got the tapes mixed up...) I bet you thought it would be harder. Well my friend, feeling better isn't always that hard.
Ok, here's my list:
My sister's advice
My mom saying she believes in me.
My dad's movie recommendations, (that 80's film really did rock!)
A clutter free house- no counter hogging mail or appliances!
Learning new skills (like knitting or how to work different software.)
Dancing to Avril Lavigne's "What The Hell"
Doing push ups and crunches to the beat in Lady Gaga's music
That smile or thank you right after you help someone with something
My youth group at my church
The Breakfast Club movie
Cleaning my kitchen floor
Crazy geeky crafts, costumes and cakes.
Singing along with my favorite songs, or belting it in the shower.
Animals! I love baby animals and all things adorable that has fur.
The unexpected gift or note from someone you didn't even know that well who cared that you were sick or down.
If you notice, I didn't just put names of people down. I would of course put my sister's name down in a heartbeat, because we love each other and she makes me happy. I really want you to think about what that person does in particular that make you happy. Is it their smile? Their really really bad jokes told at the dinner table? Their hugs? Their touch? What is it?
Feel free to list a bunch of them. Keep on going and don't stop until you can't think of anything to put down.
But now, you need to organize and edit your list into action items. (for instance, "my sister's advice" would turn into talk to my sister etc.)
Now, some of you will have a short list, and some will have a very long list. Both can surprise you. If you have a long list, your well on your way to feeling better. Short lists don't mean that you're not or that you're doing it wrong, it just means you should look out for this happy moments a little more. (Write them down right away!) I'm not going to define short and long lists, because I think that's up to the list maker.
Alright, now. rewrite it out on a nice sheet of paper. I'm making mine pretty and elegant with super hero's and doodles, so really, take your time. There's absolutely no rush. :) When you've made this shiny new copy, I want you to keep some place where you do know where it is. A spot by the computer, by your daily meds/vitamins or something like. Any will do quite nicely as long as you can remember where it is and run right up to it if you have that sinking feeling. Because that's what this list is for. Instructions follow.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE HAPPY LIST: [Read before usage is needed]
1: When you start to feel down and don't know what to do because you're bored or lonely or sad, I want you to stop your thinking. Tell it to be quiet. Polite or not, that's up to you, if you need to yell, even out loud, do it! ;)
2: Jump up and do five jumping jacks. Now you have to race your imaginary friend to that list. You know exactly where it is, and they don't. You can beat them, but you better run fast!
3: Ok, you're all outta breath, but you won. Congrats, you are a fast runner. Now I want you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and stick your finger on that list in a random spot. Open your eyes.
4: Do the action on the list, no matter what it is. Even if you feel like it won't help, or you don't want to do it, JUST DO IT. And while you are doing the action, make sure to smile at least once, a real smile, no cheaters! This will help you not be so down.
(If for instance, on my list I got talk to my sister, I called her and she didn't answer or couldn't talk, then I would move down the list to the next action item. I usually like to have things that I can do by myself so I don't need to rely on others so much to keep me happy, but keep the people-related ones on there, just in case the timing is perfect.)
That's it for today folks. Thanks for reading, as this took over three hours to write. That's ok though because we had fun along the way! I hope you all have a good rest-of-the-weekend. :) Peace, Love, and as always, I am here for those who need me, feel free to email/message me. Keep on smiling!!!
Delia
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
How You Live
I got the idea for this blog from a song my mother had me listen to in the car on our commute to work and school together. It's called How You Live (Turn Up the Music) and it's by Point of Grace. This song really made me think about my life, and the direction it's going. Down.
I have been diagnosed with Mood Cycling disorder. When the doctor told me that, All I thought was "Great, now all of this makes sense. The depression but not all the time, the anxiety stuff, easy fix right? Just a few pills and I'll be better, right?" Oh how silly of me. I had been taking medications for over six years by this time, and nothing seemed to really be the perfect fix.
I understand now that there will be no perfect fix. It has been about seven years since I started taking medications. Now I feel like I have accepted that my depression, anxiety and mood cycling, it won't go away by taking a pill. Yes, pills might help, but the truth is, it's up to me. All of this is up to me. The attitude that I bring with me every day to school, the friends I surround myself with, and the choices I make, every moment of every single day.
So why am I writing about my life that is headed downhill? Because I am going to stop it, and turn it around, bringing it to the top of the hill, and letting myself be happy. That's the thing, right now I am keeping myself from being happy. I am thinking about things that bring me down when I don't need to be.
I will start thinking more positively and be more centered, acting positively towards a healthier me as my goal for this week. :)
I have been diagnosed with Mood Cycling disorder. When the doctor told me that, All I thought was "Great, now all of this makes sense. The depression but not all the time, the anxiety stuff, easy fix right? Just a few pills and I'll be better, right?" Oh how silly of me. I had been taking medications for over six years by this time, and nothing seemed to really be the perfect fix.
I understand now that there will be no perfect fix. It has been about seven years since I started taking medications. Now I feel like I have accepted that my depression, anxiety and mood cycling, it won't go away by taking a pill. Yes, pills might help, but the truth is, it's up to me. All of this is up to me. The attitude that I bring with me every day to school, the friends I surround myself with, and the choices I make, every moment of every single day.
So why am I writing about my life that is headed downhill? Because I am going to stop it, and turn it around, bringing it to the top of the hill, and letting myself be happy. That's the thing, right now I am keeping myself from being happy. I am thinking about things that bring me down when I don't need to be.
I will start thinking more positively and be more centered, acting positively towards a healthier me as my goal for this week. :)
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