I’m writing this in Nashville, Tenn., while people-watching and enjoying my free Starbucks birthday pumpkin-spice-latte. Yes, it’s my birthday. I’m relishing phone calls and Facebook wishes; it is a great morning. A friend suggested I compare past and present birthdays for my column. With a looming deadline, I took his suggestion. What came to mind first was my mother, in her … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Happy October
Here we are, the second day of the tenth month — the sixth of seven months to have a length of 31 days. We look forward to five Wednesdays of falling leaves, football, and chilled mornings, plus goblins and jack-o-lanterns when it’s over. Jennifer Goble I was born in October, and lucky to not be named October Olly. My daughter was born the same day 25 years later. I can … [Read more...]
We reap what we sow
At a funeral, the pastor spoke endearingly about the deceased and how he loved farming, and especially harvest. He said things like, “To harvest, you must sow. You reap what you sow. You reap more than you sow.” He spoke of quality seeds, readying for a timely harvest, and growing seed for future crops. Jennifer Goble As we are in the heart of autumn, the pastor’s analogies of … [Read more...]
Think kindly and practice compassion
I asked the woman sitting next to me where she was from, and she said, “San Diego. I used to love it, but not anymore.” I asked, “Why’s that?” She softly said, “The homeless.” Jennifer GobleOn a quick trip to Portland, I noticed groups of colored tents inside tree groves along the highway. In Arizona, a mile from our house, there is a young man nearly always sitting with his … [Read more...]
Habits are first cobwebs, then cables
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 him/her feel dark inside. It is not a good thing. Jennifer GobleI can usually find good in anything, but … [Read more...]
Everyday heroes
Jennifer GobleSomeone holds the door, helps with a flat tire, shares a smile, makes you laugh, or stops so you can make a left-hand turn. I call them simple acts of kindness or everyday heroes. They are not only soldiers, policemen, or firemen, but ordinary people who, for whatever reason, show up and save me. They are serendipitous—not planned or expected—random. I am sharing … [Read more...]
The art of vanity
Vanity, according to Merriam Webster, is inflated pride in oneself or one’s appearance; conceit; something that is vain, empty, or valueless. Jennifer GobleJames Mason, author of “The Principles of Chess,” wrote in the 1946 guidebook preface: “But everything under the sun is vanity if pushed to extremes.” Vanity is not one of the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, … [Read more...]
Lessons learned vicariously
On a sweltering August Sunday, I treated myself to a three-movie marathon. With 18 choices I decided on “The Kitchen” with Melissa McCarthy, “The Other Side of Heaven 2” starring Christopher Gorham, and “The Art of Racing in the Rain” with Kevin Costner. Jennifer Goble Looking through the movie trailers, I chose “The Kitchen” because it was filmed in Hell’s Kitchen, the … [Read more...]
What’s NEW in your life?
As I wrote this article, two more mass shootings dominated the news. Again I heard blah, blah, blah, and listened while nobody took responsibility for contributing to the hate. I heard blaming but no suggested solutions. I thought back to Columbine, 20 years ago, when I was a counselor in a neighboring school system. The developing American story, spinning wrong upon wrong, … [Read more...]
Bodies and brains need a rest
No matter where I go or what I do, I notice people. We come in all sizes, ages, colors, and fashion style. We sit alone in contemplative thought or converse with laughter, but mostly, we rush. We seem urgent to see more and do more as if being on the move proves us to be important and successful. We have phones, earbuds or headphones, computers, TV’s, and Iwatches. A body in … [Read more...]
Off to college
Elizabeth Stone, the author of “A Boy I Once Knew,” said, “Making the decision to have a child- it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” I’m guessing parents of the estimated 2.5 million high school graduates entering college this August and September, understand the reality of Stone’s quote. My granddaughter, Paisly, … [Read more...]
We can disagree without being disagreeable
I have recently been aware of the imbalance between people who feel safe to share opinions and those who don’t. On several occasions, to avoid verbal abuse, I chose to stay silent. I learned years ago; if something happens to me, it happens to others. It’s a sad story, the war against those who speak loudly with vehemence while silencing people around them. Last week, retired … [Read more...]
Business success and mental health
Venture investor, Natalie Fratto, on TED Talks ( ted.com ), explained what she looked for in startup business individuals who requested her financial support. Respectable IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) were factors not to minimize, but what she valued most was AQ (Adaptability Quotient). During interviews, she didn’t ask what each had done in the past, … [Read more...]
Allow thoughts to shift
Thoughts are powerful. If you don’t believe me, think about a time when you were sad, feeling unloved or unlovable, and on the verge of tears. Remember your energy level, chest heaviness, and breathing rate. Discouraged, depressed, or hopeless could be words to describe how you felt. Now, imagine scraping your scratch-off ticket and winning $220. Suddenly life isn’t so bad and … [Read more...]
Memories and gratitude
The Fourth of July always sparks Sterling, Colo., memories. On March 14, 2001, the Sterling City Council approved my purchase of the Old Library, and on July 31, 2001, it was mine. Nearly one year later, on June 13, 2002, twelve days after I retired from my Denver Job, I hosted the grand opening of The Old Library Inn and Counseling Center. The Bed & Breakfast at the newly … [Read more...]