Jennifer GobleFlying out of necessity to Arizona, convinced me Coronavirus is not an April Fool’s prank. The reality started as we returned the rental car. The lot was full of snow-covered vehicles, and the young man who took our keys said the business dire. Next to tears, the airport shuttle driver said he was the only driver still employed. He was worried about his friends … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
This too shall pass
Jennifer Goble When my granddaughter’s university shutdown for the remainder of the semester, when the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) canceled the state basketball tournament, and when hand sanitizer sold out, it hit me—This coronavirus is real. This article will likely be old news by the time it is published because I’m writing on Sunday, March 15, the … [Read more...]
Celebrating diversity
Jennifer GobleI know this comes to you a day after St. Patrick’s Day, but I’ve not written about this holiday, and it’s time. I’m not Irish, but I’m a wannabe—they seem to have lots of friends and a ton of fun. Besides that, I like green. I have visited beautiful Ireland and experienced the energy and joy of her people. A bus driver taught me to sing Dublin’s unofficial anthem, … [Read more...]
A lot up—a little down
Jennifer GobleSuze Orman, an American financial advisor, said on the subject of retirement, “Never do anything you don’t want to do.” I initially thought she was spot-on. Retirement is ideally about saying, “No” to drudgery and, “Yes,” to excitement and satisfaction—activities to help our feet hit the floor in the morning. On further reflection, I thought what she said was near … [Read more...]
It’s not about me
Jennifer GobleLast week, I spoke to the idea of saying or thinking, “Bad karma,” to deflect nasty or hurtful comments. My mother would say, “I hope they feel better,” or, “Bless them on their way.” Another quick response to put in your mental wellness toolbox is, “It’s not about me.” Has anyone looked you in the eye and yelled or inferred you were wrong or stupid? Have you been … [Read more...]
Just hang on
Jennifer GobleHave you ever stared into nothing and wondered how you got where you are? Have you ever asked, “Is this my life?” If so, you are not alone. Years ago, I was standing in a blizzard waiting for a city bus. My hands and feet were freezing, and it was scary standing there all alone. I remember saying, “Is this me and my life?” This winter, as the wind and dirt blew … [Read more...]
Good karma triumphs in the end
Jennifer Goble My sister, Zella, often says, “Bad karma,” when somebody speaks or acts unkindly. It is her way of excusing them because she believes what goes around comes around. Retribution is not her job—their treatment of others naturally returns to them. This past week I was reminded of her motto. Attending a sizable fine-art show, a particular watercolor painting caught … [Read more...]
“It just ain’t so”
A quote from “The Big Short,” a book by Michael Lewis, and made into a 2015 movie, sparked my attention: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” In my mental health counseling, if someone used the words all, none, always, never, everyone, and nobody, it activated my internal red flag. It was a clue to address … [Read more...]
Remember the power of one
Jennifer GobleStress is a common word. As an unpleasant emotion it can be associated with illness, parenting, exams, relationships, diets, employers, money, holidays, etc. It can trigger with high expectation events—even beautiful, exciting things can be very stressful. Also, one person’s stress could be another person’s joy. Our perception of what is happening contributes to … [Read more...]
For the love of libraries
Jennifer GobleI seldom travel without visiting local libraries, and last week in Omaha was no exception. The W. Dale Clark Library wasn’t architecturally spectacular, not like the one in Nashville, Boston, or NYC. Still, it was bright, spacious and clean, had comfy sitting places, and, most importantly, had kind and helpful staff. Unlike an overwhelming bookstore, libraries … [Read more...]
Don’t expect the ridiculous
Jennifer GobleToday, Jan. 15, is National hat, strawberry ice cream, and bagel day. Isn’t it nice creative individuals designated celebrations for the middle of this long slow month? Christmas Hallmark movies still entertain and help me escape reality, and show numerous lovestruck men on one knee presenting little hinged boxes holding sparkling dreams. We also had a grandson’s … [Read more...]
Leave the undesirables behind
We are lucky. We have lived long enough to start a new decade. I don’t know about you, but if I count the decade I was born, 2020 is the beginning of my ninth decade? What? I better start living faster. According to Professor Google, these next ten years will be a time of freedom and technological advancement. It will also gift us 5,256,000 minutes to maximize or waste. If you … [Read more...]
Make peace with regrets
Jennifer GobleAs 2020 begins, let’s do something different. Instead of resolutions, why don’t we face and make peace with regrets? Regrets are current situations which you perceive could be happier if you would have done something differently. We blame today’s problems or unhappiness on something we did or didn’t do in the past. For example, not walking away from an abusive … [Read more...]
Take time OFF
Jennifer GobleIt’s the day after Christmas. This article is for those of you who gave and did so much over the holidays. I’m talking to the over-achieving Santa Clauses and elves. I’m not a biblical scholar, so I don’t know what Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus did while staying in the stable. I would guess they kicked back and relaxed after the donkey trip, birthing a baby, and … [Read more...]
Help is just down the street
Jennifer GobleThe holiday season from Thanksgiving through New Years is often fun. It flows with family gatherings, social happenings, and wonderment. But for many, it is a time of loneliness, anxiety, sadness, and self-doubt. The culprit could be financial pressure, commitments, unrealistic expectations, fatigue, stress, or inability to be, or not to be, with one’s family and … [Read more...]