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...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
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...]
What are YOUR top-five highlights?
Jennifer GobleMy second oldest sister turns 80 this week. She lives in Arizona, and when I saw her two weeks ago, I asked, “What are your top-five highlights of 80 years?” She looked at me as if I had asked for an impossible answer, and immediately said, “My four sisters.” After much thought and laughter, she proceeded: 2) “As a kid, going to the lake with my family” 3) “Moving … [Read more...]
Add doing to your wish list
Jennifer GobleI try to make my life motto, Live while you live, and it closes my weekly articles because I believe wanting plus doing is positive behavior for mental wellness. Not to be morbid, but it is a fact we will die, you and I, and we don’t know when. Therefore, it makes sense we could, would, should give a little more thought to our bucket list. Too often, we put off … [Read more...]
God Bless America
Jennifer GobleFor your mental health and mine, I’m focusing on the Fourth of July joy instead of current craziness. I woke up this morning with what some people consider the unofficial National Anthem, “God Bless America” running through my mind. With the help of 1998 American founded Google, I learned the beautiful song was written in 1918 by Israel born composer, Irving … [Read more...]
We and They
Jennifer GobleIn the poem, We and They, by Rudyard Kipling, an English author, and winner of the 1907 Nobel Prize in Literature, wrote, “…All the people like us are We, And everyone else is They.” Much of life seems to be divided by We and They. “We go to NJC; They go to CSU.” “We are Presbyterians; They are Catholics.” “We live in Colorado; They live in Texas.” “We’re Denver … [Read more...]
From apprehension to sweetness
Jennifer GobleI stood in line (wearing my mask) to check out at a megastore. A chatty woman six feet ahead of me (with no face covering) told me she only social distanced with her bedbugs, not people. She proceeded to show me what she found to fight the nasty pest. I learned double-sided tape on the bed legs captured them before they discovered her mattress. Because the line … [Read more...]
For Once, Don’t Do It
Jennifer GobleI have referenced Nike’s ad, “Just Do It,” while counseling individuals to make a change, to say the words, and to dream big. It was the title of last week’s article on the topic of washing hands, social distancing, and wearing masks. This past week Nike released a new ad, “For Once, Don’t Do It,” calling on Americans to confront racism in our country. I’m not … [Read more...]