Life since 2019 has been challenging for me. I guess loss, fear, frustration, and the unknown are everyday happenings as we age—at least in my experience. With what is happening in our country and worldwide, we all could benefit from daily habits or routines that keep us centered, balanced, and authentic. As I try to “Live while I live,” I find a morning affirmation helpful, … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Love is and always has been the goal and the prize
Sweet, compatible relationships are a gift in life. We might be lucky enough to have at least one trusted friend, a like-minded business colleague, a special bond with one or more of our kids, or, as I observed recently, a loving marriage. I was in a restaurant with my family, and a couple I hadn’t seen in a while was seated near me. From my vantage point, I could only see … [Read more...]
Everything from beaches to boulders builds our existence
As March rolls onto my calendar, I question how it arrived at jet speed. For most of my life, I’ve heard March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. I don’t know if that’s true, but the word March gives me hope that spring is nearing. Visions of tulips dance in my head. No matter the season, other visions dance in other heads. I have seven grandchildren, who range … [Read more...]
We are all human, and mistakes will happen
Have you ever made a mistake? If you answered, “No,” you are not being honest with yourself. If you answered “Yes,” you are healthy. We have ALL made mistakes—sometimes, many in one day. I can’t begin to count the mistakes I’ve made. Mistakes have much value. Big mistakes that cause emotions in our belly are the ones we learn the most from—the ones we remember. Mistakes … [Read more...]
Managing internal and external chaos
With all the political, economic, and global happenings today, I find it hard to express my thoughts and emotions in sentences. It makes “Say the words” difficult even though I know speaking what’s inside me is vital to my mental health. It’s not as easy as it sounds. The dramatic changes that could initially or permanently affect households across our 50 “United” States are … [Read more...]
St. Valentine – Patron saint of lovers and innovators
OMGoodness—It’s almost Valentine’s Day again. Although it’s promoted as a day of flowers, chocolates, kisses, fancy dinners, and romance, it is often a day of pressure and a set-up for disappointment. Domestic abuse is not uncommon on this day of love. On this Valentine’s Day 2025, I challenge you (if needed) to shift your thoughts and begin new traditions—those with a … [Read more...]
Tell the truth
Webster defines a lie as: “To make an untrue statement with intent to deceive” and “To create a false or misleading impression.” Jennifer Goble (Courtesy photo) We have all told full-fledged lies, little white lies, or left information out of a story. Yes, the omission is untruthful. Kids learn to lie because it keeps them from being disciplined, pushes the blame onto the … [Read more...]
Human-to-dog relationships
After another week of politics, it’s time again to write about Lucy. How would I maintain any level of equilibrium without Lucy? I wish you all had a Lucy to care for, make you laugh, walk with, spend money on, share your secrets, and love so much that Dog TV is a must when you leave her home alone. Today, she patiently waits for me to write this article so we can play. She … [Read more...]
I’ll never get to see them again
I’ve had a tough week—my second oldest sister passed on January 10th. She was in a wonderful group home in Arizona where she had loving caregivers and excellent care, but I wasn’t there when she passed. She had dementia, and they told me she died peacefully. She just stopped breathing. She was tired and ready and the kind of person who went after what she wanted. I tell you … [Read more...]
Laughter and crying heal the heart
Mental health is complex because it runs the gamut of one to ten, with ten being not good and one being the bottom of the dark hole. Topics on how to improve mental health are on the entire spectrum. But one thing that flows through it all is balance. If we can think, plan, and live with balance as a goal, most of the time, we have better odds of creating a life above a five—a … [Read more...]
Abuse is not love—love is not abusive
A friend recently told me a guy friend of hers went to an attorney because his wife filed for divorce, and he didn’t want a divorce. The attorney told him if he wanted her to stay, he needed to abuse her. Understandably, I was appalled. I couldn’t believe an attorney or anyone would suggest such an absurd action. Shortly after, I watched “It Ends with Us.” It was about a … [Read more...]
Be yourself, honest, and clear
I received a call early one morning and, unfortunately, said, “Okay, why not?” to a Hilton Honors smooth-talker offering a reduced-rate hotel room. All I had to do was listen to a fifteen-minute presentation. Fast-forward a day, another person called to explain what I committed to doing. I found out the presentation was two hours long, and the room provided was a Hampton … [Read more...]
My vote is YES for New Year’s Resolutions
Deepak Chopra said, “We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.” The quote made me smile, but we could all feel like that now. Our credit cards are bulging, and our bank accounts are starving. Christmas can be a time of giving and getting too much. New Year’s Resolutions come to the rescue! New Year’s Resolutions are commitments to … [Read more...]
Expect nothing but enjoy everything about holidays
Following is an unedited version of the first article I wrote for the South Platte Sentinel in 12/22/2010. Thanks to Delinda Korrey for saying yes to my Mental Matters column and to Cathy Miller for graciously editing many of my first submissions. It's funny how the basics of good mental wellness don’t change over the years. May you all create a blessed Christmas. I retired … [Read more...]
These are the days, my friend
Here we are in the middle of the holiday season, and kudos to the families and municipal crews who brighten our community with lights of many colors. We are so lucky to live where pride and high standards prevail. And isn’t it a blessing to feel our spirits rise? It’s hard not to think of Christmases past as I enjoy events and festivities this year. Growing up, we hung … [Read more...]