This week I watched two movies: Elvis and Top Gun: Maverick. One left me sad and the other exhausted—both had exceptional acting and good yet opposite examples of tenacity and determination. Elvis had a true villain, and Top Gun: Maverick a hero, but both made me think about the fine line between success and failure. In Elvis, Tom Hanks played Presley’s manager Colonel Tom … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Kindness and patience—refreshing
Life’s lessons come to us often unexpected and uninvited. So do blessings. I received one recently in an hour, and all I did was show up and pay attention. It began after the usher guided me to a pew. A woman welcomed the congregation and said she especially wanted to include families with small children. She said, “Noise from our little ones adds much to our spiritual … [Read more...]
Summoned to honor
June is nearly over, and we celebrate the Fourth of July this coming week. I enjoy most holidays, but especially the day when red, white, and blue inundate my vision. Being in the presence of a high American spirit makes me smile all day. Between Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and now Independence Day, I get national reminders to elevate my levels of gratitude for the who, what, … [Read more...]
It takes courage to live
Walt Disney said: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” I might alter what he said and change the word all to most because some dreams can be unrealistic and therefore unattainable. I like the way Disney thinks, though. Mark Twain said: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” What takes courage is often … [Read more...]
Recognition and appreciation to fatherhood
George Washington, the first President of the United States, is revered as the father of our country. What made him such a great “father”? He was determined to be a great leader; he never gave up, took charge, served his country relentlessly, and put his country before himself. At eleven, he lost his father and became a ward of his brother, Lawrence. He did not raise natural … [Read more...]
Some gave all, all gave some
Jennifer Goble On Memorial Day, I listened to a song by Billy Ray Cyrus called Some Gave All. It touched me because I understood—my dad was a WWII Purple Heart, and boys in my high school class went to war in Vietnam. Many came home from the war but died from their action in the war. I didn’t walk the Bolder Boulder this year, but I missed having my dad’s name on the back of my … [Read more...]
Let’s laugh together as we begin this beautiful month
Humor is one thing I have found that helps my mental health—especially when I laugh at myself. As I get older, I find laughing is more effective than criticism, apologies, excuses, or trying to pretend I didn’t notice. On this first day of June, I thought you might enjoy a collection of quotes on the humor (or trauma) of aging. There is nothing wrong with crying, but … [Read more...]
People in concentration camps found hope—so can we
Jennifer Goble Hope is fundamental to our daily needs. Emily Dickinson wrote, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers.” Wings help a bird rise to safety, have fun, fulfill a purpose, enjoy friends, and gain a broad picture of the world. Hope does the same for us humans. Without hope, we risk its opposite, hopelessness—a shallow, disparaging place. People can feel hopeless when … [Read more...]
When someone shows you who they are, believe them
Jennifer Goble A phone client, in tears, presented this amended scenario: “I met a wonderful man a month ago, and we were immediately attracted. We have seen each other every day since we met. We were so happy! He invited me to dinner on my birthday and then made lame excuses and never showed up. He only returned one text, and I am confused and lost. I love him. Should I give … [Read more...]
Envy is natural—jealousy debilitating
I bought a painting a few years ago that shows a Victorian setting with one man and three women; all dressed as if going to a dance. The artist named the painting, Envy. It suggests the women compete for the one man. Jealousy and envy, often used interchangeably, are not the same thing. One feels envious if another person has a great haircut or warm jacket on a cold day. On … [Read more...]
Mother’s Day invites the topic of happiness
On this first Wednesday in May, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. THANK YOU to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, friends, and neighbors who love and contribute to raising productive, responsible adults. I hope Sunday brims over with calls, cards, and hugs! Thinking of the joyful celebration in honor of mothers invites the topic of happiness. I often hear, “I just want to be happy!” Forest … [Read more...]
Death comes to me and you—it’s built into life
April 29th, two days from today, 2022, is the first anniversary of my husband’s (Cal) death. It seems a grieving update is in order. Please remember everyone’s experience and healing after loss is individual. My process is no more correct or messed-up than yours—every path of grief has a story, and this is mine. May it help yours. As minute details of Cal’s cancer and death … [Read more...]
None is easier than one
I’ve never claimed to be an addiction counselor, but I have seen and experienced the hurt and destruction caused by addiction. Addiction can ruin, dilute, disguise and even kill a person. It can do the same to friends and family. It can make a person and the people around them feel dark inside. It is not a good thing. I can usually find good in anything, but not in harmful … [Read more...]
The vultures are back
Walking my little grand-dog on April 3, I saw Turkey Vultures playing in the sky. My neighbor said he first noticed them on April 1 and counted forty-something of them the day before. He previously told me their exact arrival date in the spring and departure in the fall. Maybe they contribute to the saying, “Creatures of habit.” The vultures are ugly with their featherless … [Read more...]
Maybe I need to rock a while
Getting old is like a gorgeous faceted diamond with inclusions and blemishes. Every morning is like a coin flip—I can win the bright, sparkling side or the side with a bit of damage. Either way, I can open my eyes, put my feet on the ground, look in the mirror and say, “Today is going to be a great day because I said it would.” I thought I’d figured out getting older by … [Read more...]