The wrong people will find you in peace and leave you in pieces. The right people will find you in pieces and lead you to peace This quote struck me as interesting and relevant. Enriching relationships is a topic for any age, plus many of us have grandchildren in the age group for choosing lifelong partners. First, using wrong and right people is simplistic, and … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Easter — a Christian holiday with traditions
I’ve been searching since mid-February for a powder blue necklace to wear with my Easter outfit. I have looked in big anchor stores, small boutiques, and garage sales. I found it today and bought it on the spot. I knew it was perfect; it was handmade by a local artist, looked nothing like what I had pictured, and was not blue. Could you not ask me to explain my impulse? I … [Read more...]
Know and be thyself
Forest Gump said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” We can substitute any word for stupid: smart, pretty, kind, fun, wise, sweet, etc. The point of the statement is to focus on the irony. Forest certainly knew he wasn’t like others, but he knew he wasn’t stupid for two reasons: his mamma told him, “Forest, you’re no different than anybody else is,” and he had the concrete, … [Read more...]
This is not pleasant, but it’s not going to kill me
When a person experiences a tight chest, rapid heartbeat, tense arms, sweaty hands, inability to focus, and even fear of dying, it could be anxiety. If you have these symptoms, go to your medical doctor to ensure a physical ailment is not the culprit. This will give you accurate information, not based on fear. It can also help alleviate the anxiety. If something physical is … [Read more...]
Good still happens
What do you do if something extraordinary happens to you–out of the blue? I ask because such an event landed in my checking account on March 10th. I don’t need to describe the boring details, but it involved Social Security. (SS) My reaction was similar to the loss cycle: bargaining, denial, anger, depression, and then acceptance. Initially, I thought, “What? This … [Read more...]
There’s power in purposeful repetition
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...]
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...]