Jennifer GobleAccording to Forbes, a global media company, we and our businesses have seven seconds to form a first impression. Similar thoughts apply to job or scholarship applications and submissions to book agents. Acceptance or rejection happens in seconds. Reputation, on the other hand, takes far more time. For example, hiring can happen readily, but it could take a long … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D?
Jennifer GobleStress is an emotion associated with anything, and these days, seemingly everything. Unless you are unconscious or in a coma, everyday living, plus politics, COVID, and mask-wearing, equals s-t-r-e-s-s. Stress is normal, and it looks and acts differently in each person. Fear is often at the core—fear of poverty, disease, injury, death, conflict, rejection, natural … [Read more...]
Somebody has to lose; everybody can’t win
Jennifer GobleWriting this before the election, I don’t know who is president or what political party controls the senate. I hope it is truly over, and we can check off one more event on my “Awful’s of 2020” list. Like many of you, I have been worried about our country. Very worried. I fear the election being over will not reset civility, compassion, or a sense of, “… love thy … [Read more...]
Enjoy your good in life
Jennifer GobleLike many women, my sweet mother-in-law had a china cabinet. On the west dining room wall, it had closed storage on the bottom and glass doors on the top. If I put my nose close to the glass, I could see stacked wedding china, etched water glasses, pressed glass snack sets, her mother’s crystal salt cellars, a variety of serving trays and bowls, and an assortment … [Read more...]
Fear is not always an enemy
Jennifer GobleQuotes have been on the “My Favorite Things” list for many years. When teaching, I wrote a different one on the blackboard nearly every day. When counseling, I shared fitting quotes with my clients. One-liners, especially when said by someone wise and respected, can have a lasting impact. For example, Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed, I have found 10,000 … [Read more...]
Autumn is a gift to open, enjoy, and say, “Thank you!
Jennifer GobleMy husband and I like to travel, and we also snowbird to Arizona in the winter. The weather is often the topic of conversation as we meet and visit with people. I hear, “I never want to scoop snow again,” “This dry heat is not as hot,” “I miss the four seasons,” and, “The sunsets here are hard to beat.” My comment to help shift the weather conversation is, … [Read more...]
An idea on how to combat crazy-making?
Jennifer GobleSince writing this column a week ago, I had a birthday, watched the first 2020 presidential debate, learned close family in another state tested positive for COVID (they are doing okay). Three granddaughters went back to college campuses, and the unfamiliar aspect of fall sports and schools makes me sad for our kids. In other words, my world seems full of … [Read more...]
Liberty and justice for all
Jennifer GobleI once had a job as a middle-school counselor, and one morning on bus duty, a sixth-grade boy bounced out of the bus, picked up handfuls of gravel and threw it at other kids. With a firm grip on his forearm, I took him aside and said, “Jeremy, what are you doing?” He looked up at me with his big brown eyes and quietly said, “Ms. Goble, sometimes my bad side comes … [Read more...]
I’m getting old—er
Jennifer GobleGetting older is surreal, at best. I am experiencing a conflict between my aging body and my younger attitude. It’s helpful to ask, “What was Mother doing when she was my age.” The answer anchors my thoughts, calms my fears, and guides my choices. Although it isn’t everything, I realize genetics runs strong. I lost both my parents in 2007, and memories of their … [Read more...]
Join me, and hang in here
Jennifer GobleI’m writing this on 9-8-20, COVID-19 is still alive, drought and winds fuel fires, temps are 60 degrees lower than yesterday, late-night lighting and thunder precede snow warnings, and worry about family, friends, and country occupy my heart. I watch people rebelling for freedom with offensive language and risky behaviors, and I’m tired of it. I want to throw a … [Read more...]
Musings and magic of weddings
Jennifer GobleI recently had a first in my life. I crashed a wedding party. Even though I felt slightly awkward, I believe things happen for a reason, so I relaxed and enjoyed it. I thought about the changes in weddings over the decades. At the seemingly adult age of 19, I married in the 60s and made my own Jackie Kennedy influenced wedding dress and all five orange and yellow … [Read more...]
The Five L’s of Friendship
Jennifer GobleI recently noticed a book title, “How To Be An Adult in Relationships” by David Richo, Ph.D. Even though being an adult isn’t always my goal, I was curious to read on. The author listed the Five A’s of Love as Attention, Acceptance, Appreciation, Affection, and Allowing. I thought they were reasonable and catchy. At about the same time, I had two back to back long … [Read more...]
A busy body calms a troubled mind
Jennifer GobleI’ve been thinking about fear in our world. A few examples could be getting the virus, sending kids to school, not getting to vote, the wrong guy getting elected, depleted savings, unpaid bills, losing jobs, being evicted, losing someone to death, or lack of healthcare. Fears are real, and the lists are long. Fear is reasonable and often keeps us from walking into … [Read more...]
The ups and downs of families
Jennifer GobleWhen it comes to families, how do we live with them? How do we live without them? It’s been said we can choose our friends, but not our families. George Burns said, “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” Maya Angelou said, “I sustain myself with the love of family.” I agree with all of the above. Families are diverse, and … [Read more...]
May he forever rest in power
Jennifer GobleYou might be tired of hearing about the legacy of Congressman John Lewis, but I’m writing this four days after his death, inspired by his life, and can’t think of another topic. If you are tired of hearing it, just don’t read me this week. Good mental health is complicated yet simple and basic. John Lewis’ tributes portrayed a man to model. What people said about … [Read more...]