I feel old, and my current self-talk includes: “Jennifer, STOP. You can’t change the process, so accept the fact and embrace the experience.” American journalist, Andy Rooney, said, “It’s paradoxical, that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” I agree. I’ve known forever that if I don’t die young, I will grow … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Tomorrow could be my best day yet
A nurse stood by the bed of her critically ill patient and said, “You fight so hard to beat this.” He motioned her close, and with labored gasps whispered, “I fight because tomorrow could be my best day yet.” A beautiful two sentence story. I blinked tears. I didn’t know the older man’s diagnosis, how long he suffered, or his family history, but I envied him. Either his life … [Read more...]
Big dreams + talent = success?
Jennifer GobleMerriam-Webster defines success as “favorable or desired outcome, and the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence (fame or superiority).” I agree, but feeling success is complicated. Take the person who earns success through a high salary. In the process of big dreams and talents, they might neglect their spouse, children, friends, and a healthy lifestyle. The … [Read more...]
Thank you, good work, and well done
Field days and graduations are over. May rains replenished the soil, 2019 Memorial Day pasted, and summer is blooming. As we yearn for lazy, hazy days, exemplary school events are in my thoughts. In April, I attended the Forum of Famous Faces, Author Edition. It was presented at the middle school auditorium by the Advanced Eighth Grade Reading Class under the direction of … [Read more...]
Make friends with perspective
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble Stress, drama, chaos; I had days of frustration. Let me explain. My driver’s license was lost. A few days later, my purse, housing my phone and cash, disappeared at a garage sale. The next day, my computer decided it’s operating system (like I know what that is) required reinstallation where I risked losing documents, contacts, and photos. In … [Read more...]
The power of kindness
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble Some weeks are—miserable. Merriam Webster defines miserable as, “Being in a pitiable state of distress or unhappiness.” Okay, I’m exaggerating, but, stressful days involving unpleasant happenings is not my ideal. Without sharing the boring details, trust me. Besides, the topic of this article is kindness. It started when I finally returned home … [Read more...]
When was your last family reunion?
Mental Matters By Jennifer Goble My husband’s mother had five sisters. Combined, the sisters had seven sons and four daughters born within ten years of each other. The eleven children were close growing up in southeast Nebraska. The aunts, uncles, and three cousins had passed away, and my sister-in-law, Doris, organized a family reunion for the remaining eight cousins. To … [Read more...]
Graduation can be tough on families
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble Many families will be celebrating high school graduation. After 18 years of growing together, parents and graduates will be experiencing changes that include separation. After the joy of ceremonies and parties, summer will end, and the class of 2019 will be off to college, full-time jobs, traveling, marriage, starting a business, or other … [Read more...]
Depression: Even famous people have it
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble May is the month of graduations; it often means good-bye to the familiar and hello to the unknown. Seniors supposedly, magically transform into adults. They should be prepared to leave home, succeed in college, land real employment, stick with a budget, find new friends, and make everybody proud. It is called pressure or stress and can lead to … [Read more...]
Storms make us stronger
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble Resiliency involves the ability to recover or bounce-back. Every person encounters challenges; it could be accidents, abuse, death, job loss, breakups, or illness, to name a few. Resiliency is the power to recover; it’s the strength to move on. Canadian poet Atticus wrote, “I’ve never met a strong person with an easy past.” I think he means we … [Read more...]
What authentic person inspires YOU?
Mental Matters By Jennifer Goble I had the honor of sitting front row center and hearing author, J. A. (Judith Ann) Jance speak as she promoted her new book, “The A List.” Two years older than I, she has published nearly 60 mysteries. She grew up in Bisbee, Az, where we lived for a while, so her Joanna Brady series about the first woman sheriff of Cochise County was especially … [Read more...]
Show yourself love; it’s healthy
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble My week has been uneventful, so I decided to clean the garage. Neat, clean, and organized improves my mental health. Lou Holtz, when speaking of his marriage, said, “Opposites attract, and then they attack.” When it comes to tidy environments, my husband and I are opposites. On that thought, he seldom attacks the garage, and he is not a happy … [Read more...]
Let’s improve our world
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble We control 100 percent of our thoughts. Therefore, we also earn 100 percent credit for our mental health. Thoughts are things, and when we scrutinize and manage what we allow in our mind, life improves. We are each responsible for our behavior; we can’t blame someone else. That being said, words and actions from others can enhance or decline our … [Read more...]
We’ve come a long way, baby
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble As Women’s History Month comes to an end, I reflect on the many inspiring stories involving the strength and innovation of women who have held a vital role in American history. Today, I want to highlight a few great females who forged forward, making a difference in Sterling and the surrounding area. Back around 1914, a group of women in the … [Read more...]
Make America healthy again
Mental MattersBy Jennifer Goble Bloomberg rated the world’s three healthiest nations as Spain, because of its public and preventative health care and the Mediterranean diet, Italy, and Iceland. The United States dropped one place to #35. I was disappointed by the U.S. placing, yet, I was not surprised. Anyone with eyes can see the state of American wellness. Obesity, obvious … [Read more...]