I wish you a Happy New Year—2023 is ending with good, bad, and likely a few ugly memories. 2024 is on the horizon—a blank canvas for which we can draw, paint, or imagine whatever we want. Isn’t that a lovely thought? What do you think about as the new year approaches? Making and keeping a budget, losing weight, exercising more, cleaning the garage, or taking a trip is the … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Recycled, repurposed, and renewed
I look at a blank screen today and wonder what to write about the week before Christmas again. I’ve written about this week for thirteen years and decided to dig into the archives. I chose a tad from many articles and summarized what remains relevant. Ponder these thoughts as we prepare for Jesus’ 2023 birthday party. Listed with no order of importance: Give more smiles … [Read more...]
Be authentic—it reaps the rewards now and forever
I’m writing this the morning after I attended a dear childhood friend’s Celebration of Life and also heard that my Estes Park friend, who chose in January not to undergo radical and invasive cancer treatment, passed. We all know death is a part of life, but it still hits hard. Two factors contribute: Finality and loss. Death is final—there are no do-overs, and it is a loss … [Read more...]
How do you deal with loneliness?
At 95, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, America’s most famous and least likely sex counselor, has a new career path: New York’s Loneliness Ambassador. She believes the United States has a loneliness epidemic. Loneliness is a problem. And it doesn’t just affect older adults—young people and couples can also experience lonely days and nights. I recently watched the movie Hope Springs with … [Read more...]
Get out of the way and let it happen
Around Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday, an interviewer called him the only unifying figure in this country. When asked what he thought could bridge what seems to be intractable division in America, Willie said, “I think you wake up every day and imagine what you want to see happen today, and then get out of the way and let it happen. It’s worked for me. I take it one day at a … [Read more...]
It’s hard to beat a win-win
Here we are the day before turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. For many, that is reality; for others, like me, it’s waiting for an invite to dinner or making a reservation. It’s also about sitting around a beautiful table, holding hands while saying grace, and then talking freely and laughing loudly. As it was for the Pilgrims in 1621, its primary intent is … [Read more...]
She thinks I’m a keeper
While at the post office, a pleasant man with a sweet smile stopped to pet Lucy. He said, “Hi, this must be Lucy, the one you write about.” I thought, “How sweet is that? Little Lucy Lou has another friend.” Also, every week, I post my article on Facebook, which transfers readers to my website. Sometimes, a dozen, give or take, people will write a comment or send a thumbs-up … [Read more...]
Think about it and do what you can
It’s challenging to find a mental wellness topic this week. I ask myself and you, my readers, to search for what we believe and want. What do you stand for? Do you want peace or war? Compassion or hate? Civility or combat? Democracy, Communism, or Monarchy? Do you want to tear down or build up? I’m worried about us. Sterling, CO, is not protected from suicide, homicide, or mass … [Read more...]
Heed the wisdom of Mother Nature
How can it be 11-01-2023? A few weeks ago, I decided I resembled Venus—like the planet of love, my days are longer than my years. I also realized that I’ve been in denial—I’m not getting old; I am old. I don’t feel so old, and then someone takes a photo of me and posts it online, and there’s no way to remain in denial. 2023 is old, too, so I’m in good company. The green … [Read more...]
Is there value in Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
There is a lot of hubbub about Artificial Intelligence (AI). I know zero about it, but I decided to pick a mental health topic, “Getting a good night’s sleep,” and ask AI. You be the judge. Mine: written 3-5-23—449 words: https://jennifergoble.com/may-the-devil-leave-you-alone/ Here is what I received from AI—350 words: “Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for … [Read more...]
Lying steals our Freedom
We often hear Freedom as a right: “Freedom of speech, to bear arms, of worship,” and so on. We also hear, “Freedom is not free,” “America the free,” and “Freedom for all.” I watched a movie called “Good,” with David Keith and Justin Etheredge. It was a rich story about death and forgiveness, but what I gained was the power and strength of truth. Much of what hooks or adds … [Read more...]
You are the chooser—be choosy
I’ve been thinking lately about friends. It’s common knowledge that true friends are a lifeline to improved mental health. Picture a target. The goal is to hit the bullseye, the small circle in the center. Now, think of the target as representing people in your life. The individuals in the bullseye are your closest, dearest, and most important. You trust and love them—you … [Read more...]
Smirk, smile, and belly laugh
Yesterday was my daughter’s and my birthday. As long as I can add and subtract, I will know how old I am because she was born the day I turned twenty-five. She was the best birthday present ever. As I add another year to my age, it is far too easy to look back and think what the heck—more than a half-century has passed since my mother, who had five girls, walked into the … [Read more...]
Talk, laugh, and cry about it
The other day, I was laughing with a friend over coffee about living long enough to experience the whole lifecycle. The conversation included going from diapers to diapers, which is what we usually hear. Still, we also agreed on similarities between being a baby or small child and being on the last leg of life. We laughed not because it was so funny but because it was … [Read more...]
When all else fails, try compassion
What is your reaction if your spouse yells at you, your child does or says something upsetting, your co-workers exclude you from after work events, or someone defames your character with gossip or lies? If you react within a normal range, you probably feel anger– fear, frustration, hurt, or unfairness. You might want to retaliate by hurting them in return or isolate … [Read more...]