Thanksgiving

Greetings,

While slacking I found a little post on Facebook which is relevant to the season, well it should be relevant and something we think about all of the time.....

"It's important to remember that not everyone is surrounded by large wonderful families. Some of us have problems during the holidays and sometimes are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. And, many people have no one to spend these times with and are besieged by loneliness. We all need caring thoughts and loving prayer right now. If I don't see your name..., I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy, paste, and share this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. I know some will! I did it for a friend and you can too!"

 

Everyone is so consumed with shopping, pies, and all of those wonderful things that go along with the holidays, we need to remember not only are some people hungry but they are alone and sad. What could each of us do to make some ones day a little brighter? Sharing our time is just as valuable to some one as donating a winter coat or some canned goods to the food bank. Truly giving of yourself embodies what the holiday is about, do you have room at your table for an extra someone who might otherwise be alone? A simple note or phone call letting some one know that you are thinking of them, a plate of cookies to the neighbor. Share your time. The holidays statistically are a horrible time for depression and suicide, make sure you take that moment out of your busy life to reach out to some one who might otherwise be alone, let them know that they matter!

 

Remember to give thanks. I know in my life I am truly blessed. It may not be with tangible items, like shiny new cars, or exotic vacations, hell I am on the cusp of insanity! However, I have a wonderful son, amazing friends and family. A place to live...and love. Above all I have love.

 

Count your blessings and share them.

Love and Light!

Sage Wisdom from my crazy ass

Greetings,

I am probably too exhausted to be writing this, but it is on my mind, so here it goes.
A word on forgiveness and letting go, or not trying hard enough....giving up.
Once upon a time I was married to John, it wasn't always easy, but it wasn't always so bad. We had a lot of good times. We went on road trips, camping, concerts, we laughed. His friends called him Bird man because his laughter was like a cackling bird (and he loved eagles).
He died in November, November 6th to be exact, when my son was 5 (he will be turning 18 this year). I have just been sitting here listening to some music from concerts we attended before Michael was born, or songs he would sing to me as we were driving around. Holidays are hard without him, he brought joy to the holidays. I wish Michael knew that. I wish Michael knew him when he was well. I wish Michael knew him outside of that hospital bed. I wish John were here watching him grow up, teaching him about being a man. John should be the one teaching him how to drive. I still get very angry at this God who takes away Daddy's and babies that just didn't get enough time.
I guess I should get to the point...
Today people just don't take relationships seriously. " To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." That means something, do whatever it takes to make it work. If you can't make it work at least learn to be kind, and learn forgiveness. So many people spend so much time being bitter and being angry at their ex. Let me tell you, it isn't worth it. For as much as that man pissed me off, I miss him and wish he were here being Michael's Dad. If you don't have kids I guess maybe you can just walk away, but if you do have kids you need to learn forgiveness, as long as that child is alive that person you created him or her with is going to be a part of YOUR life. Learn how to deal with it. It is a process, it is painful, but you are forever intertwined. You will have confirmations, communions, graduations from high school, college, your child or children, whatever the case may be, might just get married (and you might actually have to dance with your ex), you might become Grandparents...you are forever intertwined (think before you breed-this is a long term commitment). You need to learn to let go of that anger and that pain. I would do just about anything to have Michael's Daddy here with him. Just because we didn't make it as a couple doesn't mean he doesn't hold a special place in my heart...forever in my heart.
Make each day count and treasure every moment.

Dear  John                                                            
Written by Tommy Shaw


Dear John I knew you
About as well as anyone
We were the wild ones
So sure those days would never end
Now they're only memories my friend

Dear John I'll see you
Some day again

I swear I saw you
On a crowded street today
I almost called your name
Thinking of all those yesterdays
Heaven help me
How I miss my friend

Dear John I'll see you
Some day again

There'll be a celebration
When all will be revealed
We'll have a reunion
High on a hill

Dear John how are you
God know it's heaven where you are
Find some peace there
May it never end

Dear John my heart knows
We'll meet again
Dear John I'll see you...
Some day again


                                                                 Fly with The Eagles!
                                                                   Love and Light

BLAH-November

Greetings,

Hope all is well in your world. Today is a cold and rainy day and I am not feeling motivated. I have a paper I need to work on but until I hear from my Professor I am on a stand still. I finally got Inferno from the library (Dan Brown), which you can see my quandary here...paper/Dan Brown book. Dan Brown is really not something I can knock out in one day.

Well what am I doing to make me better and work on my agoraphobia, I am trying to push myself a little more out after dark. I generally do very poorly after dark, like I am a reverse vampire-hold the glitter, but when the sun goes down I have a melt down like the Wicked Witch from the West after some one hosed her down good...I am melting I am melting!

So on Halloween (yes I closed my doors and did not hand out candy-perhaps another Elphaba move) we went to see a movie, usually the movie theater tweaks me enough as it is-but we went after dark. It was a nice change of pace and I didn't melt or anything, went out to dinner at Culvers the other night after dark too, no melting. I mean I do feel agitated and uncomfortable but nothing has killed me thus far.

I went to my Cousin's housewarming party on Saturday, I was looking forward to going, but I dipped into the liquid courage(Southern Comfort and Miller Lite) and had a very enjoyable time. I went to McDonalds with my parents afterwards as my Mom wanted French fries and ice cream ( she had a little Miller Lite too) and I did fine. If only Southern Comfort came in the form of a pill that I could take every day. I guess that too would wear off, but it is nice to be free and not care for an evening.

Feeling Scrooge like and not overly motivated, between school and the holidays right around the corner I just don't know which end is up. I didn't even have my children/family Halloween party or any kind of Samhain gathering...my wood is still sitting in the back yard getting wet. Maybe next year will be better? Maybe I can pull myself together for Christmas. Whatever the case I hope you are doing something to move forward. No matter how small the step may seem, take it!

Love and Light!

Mission Accomplished

Greetings,

Hope all is well in the cyber realm : )
Today was a pretty good day. Crisp fall weather, the trees turning color. A little success story for Agoraphobia Gurl.
All week I have been dreading down the hill, all the way down the hill. This was given to me as an assignment by Dr. Hook (yeah, she does have sexy eyes) "Life Coach". I figured since I was going to go all the way down the hill(remember the last post where I got trapped 3 blocks away at the Salvation Army) I should be able to cross the busy street and go to Walgreen's to get my meds. Well I just couldn't do it. I would start thinking about it as soon as I got up and I would just psych myself up so bad I would panic before I ever left the door.
Today I was going to go to the end of the street (agoraphobia is so lame). Dr. Hook gave me a mission and I needed to complete it, plus I wanted to take a picture of the guitar statue down the hill really bad! As I left the house I said good bye to Dean and I slightly misunderstood what he said to me (which naturally I didn't figure out till I got home and asked him for clarification...however this ends up being a good thing) I was a little pissed but I put my head phones on and started walking, it really was a beautiful day! I got to the bottom of the hill! I took the picture! I kept going...
As I hit the clock tower my heart started to pound, it felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest! But I kept going. I walked over to the Celtic Gypsy to see if it was open yet (nope). I crossed at Main and going straight would have been the quicker option however two more guitars were further up Main, so I continue. I am strutting up Main and take my pictures. I kept going. I turn on to East, yes my chest is still thumping but I am kind of on the home stretch. I swing up Arcadian, strutting again and jamming to my tunes. My Mom and Dad's house is in view, my sister is pulling into the driveway and I make some strange hand symbol some where between Bender's fist in the air at the close of The Breakfast Club and some thing Jeff Spicoli (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) would do. I don't know...it is my story okay Mr. Hand. I thought just a little bit further. I went down Beechwood. Home to Robby and Terri, The Scarces, Trish, and of course Tammy...and I turned around and went back to my Moms and sat on what's left of my Parents front stairs. It was a good day. Thanks for the ride home my Sisters : )
Thanks for the assignment Dr. Hook : )

Love and Light!

Facing Fears and Facing the Past

Greetings

Tonight I made plans with Dawn to go hiking at Lapham Peak. This challenges me on several levels. Dawn is extremely fit, she does 5K's for fun.  I know I can't physically keep up with her, and she knows it too, but I need to try. I need to try for Dawn. I need to try for my health. I need to try to concur my fears. I just need to do it...period. I will be bringing my camera.

The last time I was at Lapham Peak is when Rob and my little boy proposed to me on bended knee. My son even helped pick out the ring. Lapham Peak was a significant place to Rob, myself, and my child. If you know me, you know all the heinous details of my story. But the quickie version is shortly after the proposal and MANY countless promises to my little boy, he bailed. He bailed on both of us. I could personally forgive him and let it go, but he really mind fucked my kid-that is unforgivable. Rob left me for a 23 year-old named Janette. Pretty little thing. They didn't make it either. Rob has some issues. The fact that HE is a therapist now mortifies me. Any how-tomorrow morning I finally go back and revisit that part of my past. I have to admit I am feeling pretty good about it. I am up for the challenge!


So we did it! Well, I knew she could do it but I wasn't so certain about me. She figures we went about a mile. Which I think is a pretty good start for me. I can visualize maybe, just maybe being able to do one of her full hikes in the future, with a little practice.

I had a few moments being in the depths of the wooded area where my chest thumped bit, however the company was good and the scenery was beautiful. Today was a success. Went for coffee afterwards at   Cafe de Arts, first time for me. Great atmosphere!

Thank you for the amazing morning Dawn, and the yummy coffee! FYI you do help people on a deep and meaningful level, you just don't get paid for it!

Love and Light!

Oh Yeah....Rob who?

A day in the life of Agoraphobia Gurl

Greetings

The crushing weight of fall embarks upon me. I have mentioned before, plenty of times I am sure (as I can be a bit redundant at times) the dark months really kick my ass. This is not a normal trigger for other agoraphobics generally speaking. I guess it is just one of those "special" me things. As I was writing, yes I start my blogs with pen and paper a lot of times and transfer later, it was the first day of fall officially. The beginning of the "dark months".

I am so sick of being dependent on others, reality is everyone is so busy I really hate to even ask. The harsh reality is I have very few people I can actually count on and I have to have a certain comfort level with that person otherwise I may as well be by myself. I morph into this being that is some where between a very low functioning autistic person and some one with Tourette's. This is not the coolest "Transformer" at all.

I need to run some errands and no one could help me so I tried to walk downtown by myself-epic fail! I made it as far as the Salvation Army, I sat on the stairs for a few moments trying to determine what to do. I checked my blood sugar, which was fine. I thought about calling Annie, who lives across town because I have morphed into my lame Transformer and I am trapped like 3 blocks from my house. I sucked it up, took some deep breaths and turned around and went home' like I said, epic fail.

Why are you reading this? Are you passing time? Do you just have nothing better to do? Are you agoraphobic like me and looking for a little solace?  Do you suffer from anxiety and my pathetic life makes your seem just a little bit better? Do you love some one like me, or at least care for some one like me? If that is the case, if you have a special person in your life like me and you are seeking ways to understand that person or perhaps help that person....just ask. Simply offer. Give a call and say 'I am running to the store do you want to go along?" You could also offer to pick something up for them, but hopefully that special person will go with option one and take that step outside the house. Offer rides to church or out to lunch.

The thing for me that is the hardest in all honesty is the lack of normalcy I provide for my son. I would love if some one would just call and ask him if he wants to go out to lunch or to a movie, just normal people stuff. McDonald's makes him happy. A trip to the book store, Christmas shopping, a trip to Summerfest. Just normal people stuff, as he does not live with normal people, he lives with me. I would imagine some aspects of me being his mother sucks, which he would never say that, EVER. I am however a realist.

So if you know a person like me, and maybe even more important, if you know that kid  reach out, include that kid like you mean it, or even better ONLY if you mean it. Half baked, half assed people don't bother. No additional brain twisting is needed. Said kid has probably got enough issues dealing with said parent. If you mean it, reach out, just do it. That would be my biggest suggestion if you are looking to help some one like me.

Love and Light.


Just incase, as I never know who might actually see this...Jamie Wilfahrt I hope life is treating you well. You are missed, loved, and appreciated. You taught my son that goodbyes are not always bitter, hurtful, or intended. You restored his faith in random acts of kindness and goodness. You taught him about being a good man and a good father. Thank You! Namaste Sir.

Not much to say....but that is what I do.

Greetings

I just returned from the hospital, just the Professional Building, nothing MAJ so no worries. I went to see my amazing endocrinologist Dr. Crelin.  If you are local this man does miracles with regulating your diabetic numbers. I had a thyroid appointment. He informs me that even though I am on enough medication for a baby elephant that it is okay, and it is normal for some one of my circumstances. He even went as far as to tell me I am normal. That doesn't happen too often let me tell you.

Since I was in the building I went into Doctor Bob's office...to make my "spring" appointment. I realize we are embarking upon fall, but better late than never right? I need to get some head shrinking time in. I know I am making the attempts to do what I am supposed to be doing. I have been getting out of the house some. I have gone out to lunch with friends, went to the movies with my son, I even went to the Farmers Market. I am trying. I have been journaling and trying to spend more time with friends and family which is therapy in itself. I would like to get a few laps in around my block. I only made it once. This started as I made it! I did it! The idea of going around makes my chest pound and puts me in a tizzy. Here enters Dawn. Dawn is so athletic and health conscious, her body is so toned, if I didn't love her I might just have  issues with her. I think we need to lap my block, in my defense it is kind of a long block....yeah that was lame. I feel very empowered when I am with her. I feel a lot of my old youthful exuberance where I could do anything(with the exception of scaling out her bedroom window and down the wall) She is always wanting to walk or hike, so maybe we can do some Agoraphobia Gurl walking. This helps too. Sharing my experience and sharing my journey with you. Not that I have a huge following but it is always fun looking at your stats and seeing that people in Poland, Russia, Malaysia, and here at home in the states are reading what I have to say.

Today is the 12th "anniversary" of 9-11. I really wasn't going to go here but I am compelled as I see all of the posts on Facebook, on the news, all of the tributes to the lives lost. To all of the amazing people who were in the thick of it helping. No doubt that this is a historical life changing event however does this allow for the families left behind to heal? As the Mother of a Child who lost his father at age 5, just because it was his time, he still has not healed. He is not whole. I am not sure what it would do to him if every single year he had to relive the date his Father died and share it publicly with everyone. 9-11 changed many lives forever and people will never forget, but perhaps we need to look at it from a different perspective. I am no therapist, I am a crazy person if you want to be technical, I just wonder about the babies left behind that will never know Mommy or Daddy. Or the parents left behind that had to watch a child die too early...are we allowing these people to heal?
Bless you all.

Love and Light!

Girl Code-Rated R

Hello Friends

I have been back in contact with a very Dear  friend, which I am sure I have mentioned. After our last visit I had the realization that she was the only one of my friends back in the day not to break girl code. We discussed this a bit and it would seem her beautiful" mini me" encounters these same issues also.
It is so funny how some women just bitch and bash men when we can't even be nice to each other. Men oppress us and disrespect us, when the truth of the matter is we do it to each other. Some of us eventually grow up and grow out of it, sadly this is not always the case. I can still run into some girls from high school, shout out to Bonnie, and the little mean girl posse orbs together into the mean girl huddle and look and point and it is high school all over again-yes I am 44, pretty sad.
When we are little girls and we start out going to school we are all friends. I remember every single girl from grade school sleeping in my living room for my birthday. We could all get along, share our crayons, barrettes, and lip gloss. Some where around  middle school things start to change. New and "exotic" people are introduced into our lives and the fragmenting begins, just a little bit at a time, very slowly. I know this happened in several of my relationships, the most predominant  being me and TJ. She was my BFF from 5-middle school, by high school our relationship was crap. My fault, but none of this was boy related. Today we are Facebook friends, really nothing more nothing less. I still love her and would drop anything for her at a moments notice if she ever needed me.
Patsy was the control freak and a major code violator. It seems to me she was not happy unless she was imposing some form of control or misery upon some one. Back to direct girl code violations. I would say I really like that boy and the next thing I know her tongue is down his throat. I would meet some wonderful new friend of the opposite sex that I was intrigued with and "POOF" here comes Patsy. Pretty much I think this was just a fun activity for her, hurting people.
Me and Renee, I would be kind of curious to know how her life turned out. Her ex boyfriend who had this beautiful David Coverdale mane, and well he was just damn hot. He was so into me, so into my eyes, so into what I was thinking, but I couldn't. He was her ex and that would be breaking girl code. He goes in for that kiss-and damn it I wanted it. I wanted to take it and taste him and roll around on the hood of that car like Tawny Kitaen, but I said NO. I could not do that-Girl Code. When I took her to see one of my beautiful drummer boys who was one of my "special friends", which by Girl Code standards means back off, some how they ended up in bed, which I was invited-but I passed on that. I waited on the couch till they were done-MAJOR GIRL CODE VIOLATION! I didn't kiss Coverdale, C'mon!!! I could just keep going. The list is horribly long.
Dawn NEVER broke Girl Code and I never broke Girl Code with her. I love her, present and past tense and I am grateful to call her my friend. So what the hell is wrong with the rest of them? If we cannot respect and trust each other, who can we trust? If we can not be kind to each other, how do we think others are going to be kind to us? Where the hell does that leave us as a people? As a gender? People man bash all the time, the vagina does certainly not qualify us for Sainthood or even sisterhood apparently.
The last story I am going to share with you for now is probably the most hideous violation of Girl Code I have personally lived. Once upon a time this boy tried to put something in my mouth that I didn't want inside of me. Was I a victim? No...not because of him. I took care of business. I bit him, yes I bit that and drew blood. I was kind of a kick ass ninja back in the day. I turned that boy into the victim. I won. I made him bleed and I made him cry. Girl Code....three of my friends felt sorry for him, my girlfriends. One was "seeing" him. I was the bad guy? They actually tried to run me over one night in a car and tormented me for a very long time after. What he tried to do was considered rape. I defended myself with victory, and they were mad at me....something is pretty messed up with Girl Code. Perhaps the handbook needs to be revamped and reassigned.
Thank heavens for being a grown up! I have sisters, one of which is probably a little upset after reading this, you didn't need to know~you were too young. In the land of grown ups  I have some really amazing friends. Tammy, Karen, Eileen, And my Dawn....just to name a few. A few really good friends is all you need. I could call any of these women at the drop of a hat and in a heart beat they would be by my side. All knowing how to follow Girl Code too : )

Love and Light!

Menopause or just pure Mania

Hello Dear Friends

Always straight up emotional, my sister may even step out on a ledge and question the possibility that I might just be bi-polar, however that is one diagnosis I don't actually have. The tears just come so quickly and insignificantly. Hell, The Bella's Final, that will even do it. When Don't You Forget About Me and Anna Kendrick's fist hits the air. I got to suck it in. The tears come, but I have to suck it in before it turns into a full on "session".
So what the hell is going on with me? Finally I drag myself in to the ob/gyn, this may want to be where you tune out, as per usual I might just be over stepping. TMI...I won't lie. I own it.
So my old ob/gyn retired, this bites. Agoraphobia Gurl does not adapt well to change. Should I go see my regular MD, Doctor McSexy....No! No! No! That is simply awkward. I don't want this really attractive brilliant man giving me a pap and pelvic, that is like totally sending mixed signals to  my vag. Dr. McSexy good! Pap and pelvic bad. We don't need to confuse my vag. I have enough confusion in my life.
So who do I see? A man, a woman...well it is going to take me 6 months to get into see a woman so I take that guy I can get into see in a week. As it turns out Dr. McSexy likes the guy. He delivered his son. So if he is good enough for Mrs. Dr. McSexy he is good enough for me.
Is it just me, but when you see a new ob/gyn do you feel compelled to do a little extra "landscaping"? Not too much, just a little. Yeah, the crap I worry about.
The dress theory...I saw this on television or a movie, but I found it to be brilliant! If you wear a dress to the pap/pelvic all you would have to do is take off your panties, hit the stir ups, and pull up your dress. This seems less awkward to me. I am all about less awkward. So I am going to try the dress theory. SNAP....in theory this works but he has to do a breast exam, so I am all nudie in the paper gown. As it turns out, as most things in my life do. I have to go back. They saw a little something something, which I am trying hard not to think about too much. The bonus being I should be able to actually use the dress theory when I go back for the follow up. Could anything ever just be normal?
FYI they moved my hospital around, why was my blood pressure high? The panic attack I had walking down the long stupid empty skinny hallway that looked like something out of The Shining, nice people. Bonus...it took a little work but I found my coffee kiosk. I deserved that coffee!

Next time I promise not to write about my vag!
Love and Light!

He Has Risen!

Hello Dear Friends,

Been busy with babies and school but I wanted to take a moment to talk about my weekend. On Sunday my church Pastor for 30 plus years had retired. When a Pastor leaves the church, at least the Lutheran Church, the Pastor literally has to leave the church. Find another place to worship. I guess I understand the need for this. This carves room for the new Pastor, so he can lead the congregation. He can come back after a year to visit. A lot of build up and anticipation led to this moment. I obviously don't go to church like I should. I don't go any where like I should. Plus I usually need an escort, the joys of agoraphobia.

Once upon a time I was very active in the church. All of the Rally Day Picnics, singing in the children's choir, fellowship pot lucks, even spring cleaning the church. We met amazing people over the years like Janet and Gene, people which I still love very dearly.

I remember very clearly Pastor Janzow's first day at Ascension, I had the opportunity to watch his family grow. I remember being very young and singing Morning Has Broken (by Cat Stevens) during service and asking Pastor Janzow if he wrote it (he wrote many beautiful pieces) after the service, he chuckled and said 'I wish". Having memories of him lunching in my Parents dining room for Theresa's (my sister) baptism. I think it must be very hard being a Pastor, how much time and love he gave to us, his congregation, how much did he have to miss with his own family. He didn't mind questions or listening to problems and now it is time to let him go. Now I watch him say good bye. It is time to let go.

A Farewell Party was had at the Country Springs Hotel, which I would have loved to go to, but not something I could afford or probably handle for that matter, but the service on Sunday was a bitter sweet farewell. I was afraid my emotions would get the best of me. Which really was a non issue, after his final sermon the whole place was wiping away tears and sniffling. From beginning to the end he was with us. He wiped tears, shared in joys, made hospital visits, he spread a message of love.

One of the sweetest sounds is the sound of that mans voice. I love listening to him speak. I love his sermons. He loves to talk. He is not just a Shepherd but a story teller. He has walked with us. He has baptized us and our children. He has given our first communions, married us, and buried some of us. You walked with us in each precious moment.

Pastor Frank and Deaconess Jan thank you! Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Thank you for being a part of ours. You are parts of the most magical moments in the lives of us all. How does one say good bye? How does one let go?

He has risen,
He is risen indeed! 
Hallelujah.

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy the rest of your journey.


Love and Light,
Agoraphobia Gurl

MIA-little bitty back slide

Hello

Hope everyone is enjoying summer. I am crazy busy and not doing so great.
My anxiety has just been crushing. The thought of leaving just brings on an attack. I am not getting out of the house like I should be. Next week should be a challenge. My babies birthday is Monday, so we will do movie, dinner, a little shopping. I have to do this. Not many of these moments left where he is mine on his birthday. Wednesday I will be going out with my sister to see that new movie with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock. I really want to see it....so keep your fingers crossed. Send out some sanity energy for me next week.Is sanity energy even a thing?

July birthdays are kind of a big deal in my family, we have 3 just on the 15th. I guess I should say summer birthdays, but the summer birthdays will be celebrated here on Saturday. This  being said I need to get off my tush and get some stuff done.

Love and Light!

Keeping it real

Hello Friends,

I am really trying to make an attempt at keeping up with this blog and doing my "activities" getting out of the house. I am not sure what is going to happen when Algebra starts, but I hope I will stay on path.

The weekend, Saturday night we (Dean, myself, and my son) went to The Texas Road House at dinner time. I feel as if I deserve trumpeting or something. It actually was not too busy. We got seated pretty much right away, which gives me less time to freak out. I looked at the drink menu, and I was tempted but I didn't drink any alcohol. I really don't drink much but the whole liquid courage thing that I tend to lean on from time to time is not a great idea for several reasons, so we rocked it sober. Dinner was very yummy and I am glad we went.

Sunday I went with Dean to The Father's Day Parade. My sister and niece were with us, my niece gets a kick out of the truck. It was kind of a long day, but having them with made it better. Unfortunately they had to leave. It is kind of natural being in a parade. I am in the vehicle, so the people don't freak me out and every day in that big green bronco is pretty much like a parade. I have learned one thing about myself. I am totally unable to throw candy. I almost impaled a woman with a Tootsie Pop. I finally stopped throwing candy, I kept injuring people. People if I injured you at the Father's Day Parade in Mukwonago I am so sorry!

The car show wasn't bad. I pretty much parked my ass in the chair and sat by the truck. I wandered over to the Porto Potty independently (sad that I am even mentioning that, but if you have anxiety issues or are agoraphobic like me, it really is a big deal). Lily and Family showed up which was a very nice surprise. It is always wonderful to see them and I got to kiss that baby. Baby kissing is a huge bonus!

After we wandered around for a bit (yup, I wandered) and it was time to go home. Dean met up with his son and his girlfriend for a bit. He didn't hear from his daughter at all, I know how shocking. Dean's sister was kind of in the same boat. I mean Dean is loved, and I am so grateful to those of you who show him that love; my family, Annie, well, you know who you are. Thank you, your love is appreciated beyond what words can actually express. Some people don't have that. Some people would rather live in the past, live in denial, maybe live in lies, but what it comes down to is we have one shot people. I was not always the best daughter, best sister, best Grandchild, and I have to live with that, but I would like to think that who I am now makes up for it. Really what is the point of holding on to hate, you are going to end up living your life filled with regret. We get one shot. You have a Mom and a Dad, love them. They will not be around forever, no one is with us forever. Don't live with regrets and remorse. Let Go! Love. Forgive. Live in the moment. You can punish someone until the day that they die, and once they are gone you are going to have to live with that. Make damn sure you can live with that.

Just by chance if you are reading this, as I suspect you do from time to time, that man is your Daddy and you are his Pumpkin. No matter how big or grown up you are you will always be his Pumpkin. That man would buy you boxes of chocolate when you got your period. FYI that is really not a Dad thing. You have successfully hurt him. Your goal has been achieved. Just remember he loves you. It is time to let go, he won't be here forever.


Love and Light

Weekend is here again.....

Hello my Blogosphere friends,

   I spent another Friday watching the people walk downtown for the Freeman Friday Night Live activities. Not that I was left with a lot of energy after my week, but this new ritual of watching the people walk down the hill to "fun", I am not sure if I like it so much. I know it is crazy busy but I am going to go down next week. My friend Chuck is playing with the band Cover2Cover and they will be at the Hannon's Stage next week. I need to do this. I am sure it will require ample amounts of Southern and diet, but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

   I have errands to run today~Saturday errands. BOO HISS! I don't know how this happened but I am simply not pleased about it. Not really the day I had planned, or thought I had planned, but hell I guess I should be used to that.

    Tomorrow is Father's Day. I am supposed to go to the parade with Dean, the truck, and my niece. Afterwards is a car show/festival/carnival type of thing. I went last year but I never actually left the side of the truck. I guess I have mixed feelings about going. I don't really like leaving my son home by himself on Father's Day, it is a very somber time for him, being that he lost his Dad when he was 5, Father's Day is just another sucky reminder for him. He had attempted to invite Dean to do something several times. I hear this with my own ears, and each time he was "shushed", Dean was "too busy"....this does not please me either. That kind of makes Dean sound like a tool. So that is where we are today. My household is disgruntled....shocking.

   I hope you get out and do something fun today. At least try and get outside and enjoy some of this nice weather. Just do something for you even if you can't get out, take a bubble bath or paint your nails. Enjoy a good book. Try not to be disgruntled!

LOVE AND LIGHT!

Pridefest

Hello my Blogosphere friends,

     I had an amazing Sunday. I actually went to Pridefest at the Summerfest grounds. I know some of you want to hate on that, but before you do please remember God loves all of his children!

    I got to see my brother in law play again. My brother in law is actually this phenomenal guitar player, Steve Vai even said so, which is kind of a big deal (he has sold over 15 million albums). My Steve, the brother in law, was playing with a band called the Dianna Jones Trio. Wow, that lady can sing and play the guitar! Worthy of checking out. Steve was so in his element, I had moments trying to suck back the tears watching him up on that stage. He looked so happy and sounded so good. I don’t know how you can walk away from the stage and hop back on sounding like you had never left. The music industry is really about luck I think. Steven is so talented he just never got that break at the right moment with the right people. He has mingled with Big and Rich, and they thought he was pretty impressive too, I drop Vai’s name first as I find that more impressive.  He was wonderful, Dianna and the rest of the girls were great, and a shout out to the Sandman too. I just can’t leave the drummer out, how rude!

    So, my agoraphobic self made it to the Summerfest grounds. WOO WOO let’s hear it for me! I have to say I have not been to a lot of festivals or concerts over the last several years due to my issues but this was the nicest group of people ever. Everyone we spoke to was just kind and friendly, this does not happen at Summerfest. I actually really didn’t want to leave, it was nice being around joyful people.  It really started from the moment we arrived. We sat next to a nice guy and just started chatting and joking, he could have hung with us all day. As we were standing in line a man said, “Is any one feeling lucky?” My sister of course responds…but he was just a nice man who had an extra ticket so he wanted to pay it forward and bought both of our tickets. Where does this happen? Disney is supposed to be the happiest place on Earth, I think perhaps it is actually Pride.

“Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.”

                                                                              -Jim Morrison

LOVE AND LIGHT

 Shout out to Johnny V's 1650 S 84th St, Milwaukee, WI

Excellent soup and bountiful burgers!

June is here

Hello Lovely People of the Blogosphere,

I keep thinking about taking some time to sit down and blog but I have been so busy with school and life. I guess the reality is I am really not where I should be right now and it displeases me greatly. I am not doing the things I am supposed to be doing, like seeing Doctor Bob. I have not really been working on my goal of making it around the block. I am not moving forward the way I should be.

I still take care of the kids, my physical health has been improving, I am still doing well in school. Spring Deans List 2013. Deans List again! I wasn't sure I was going to make it this time.

The car show season has begun. Dean has gone to two shows and won first place trophy's in both for his class. I went to the first show with him. I did okay.

Last weekend my God-daughter and her friend were in town for a visit. We went to some rummage sales, went shopping, and had a very nice visit. Today I have to go check out an apartment for her that she really wants. It kind of kicked in last night. I have to go by myself. I hate by myself...

Last night it was really beautiful out. I sat in my bedroom watching reruns of Special Victims while I watched all of the people heading towards downtown. Friday nights in the summer they have live music playing at various venues, drink and food specials, shopping specials...in all honesty I am not sure what all goes on. It seems like it would be a lot of fun. I have never gone. Today is the Farmers Market, that is crazy busy. I love going but have not gone in a long time. Like years...so I feel like I am heading back deeper in my fish bowl instead of getting out of it. Which is one of the reasons I need to blog. I know I have said it before, but to some degree it helps me stay a little more accountable. If it is here for all of you to see I feel like I have to try a little bit harder.

I hope you are all doing well and are enjoying your summer. I hope you are stepping outside of the house and getting to enjoy some of the summer fun and festivals that seem to be going on every where.

Love and Light!

Anderson on Anxiety

Greetings

Some days I feel so normal. I recently watched an episode of Anderson Cooper Live and they had a woman on who has an extreme fear of cats. It is so extreme that it effects her daily life, she will not go into places where she thinks she may see a cat. She has lost a job and friends over this extreme fear. When asked how cats make her feel she responded , " I feel scared, and I run, and I scream" this is not just cats in real time, pictures of cats in magazines or on the television trigger her. She feels as if they look evil. She by the way has a name by the way, which is Staci.
When Staci was in 2nd grade she woke up from her top bunk bed surrounded by strange cats, just purring and sleeping. Her bed was located next to a window and the cats got in from digging out the insulation in the window, it was cold, they were cold. This is when she became afraid.
Staci was working in a photo lab developing pictures, and was prone to random melt downs due to cat pictures and she eventually lost her job.
Anderson brought on Mike Dow MS PsyD. Dr. Dow said a phobia is the minds way of saying this is dangerous. Over coming a phobia is a gradual process unteaching this thought pattern is slow baby steps.
Dr. Dow took Staci on the first step of her journey by simply introducing a picture of a cat. By all practical means your average person would find this cat to be adorable, it was a little fluffy kitten with big eyes. She didn't like it, She thinks cat eyes are evil. Dr. Dow took her to the next level and brought an actual cat out on stage, she is at a level 10 anxiety level. Lulu is an older sweet rescue cat. From five feet away Staci quakes in her sisters arms.
Dr. Dow is going to continue to work with Staci over the next weeks and months to overcome this extreme phobia.
Dow proposed that she think of the worst case scenario. What is the likely hood that is is actually going to happen? How bad will the outcome actually be? Maybe this is something we all need to think about in dealing with our stress and anxiety, those three simple queations:
Whatis the worst case scenario?
How likely is this actually going to happen?
How bad will the actual  outcome be?


Good luck Staci on your journey to wellness!
Love and Light!

What would Jesus do???

Greetings,

I have been pondering this an awful lot as of late, I guess with Easter coming up it is starting to bother me a little more.
Being agoraphobic one does not necessarily get out as much as they should, or function properly when they are out for that matter.
I was paging through my churches directory and found I was no longer in it. I thought how odd? As other people who I know that have actually left the church and joined other churches are still listed in the directory. I had my Dad investigate this, which was a bad choice, I should have just left him out of it. Any how the office secretary informs my Dad that I was with drawn from the church in 2001, interesting news to me, now mind you had I not picked up that directory I would not have known. I had moved out of town and worked weekends. I had always worked weekends however. The church secretary said that after being "inactive" for so long I was withdrawn. Here is the thing of it, even when I was out of town I come to church just as much as the next Christmas Catholic, now I should not be "proud" of that, and I am not, I am simply stating a fact. Within that time frame we had some baptisms, a funeral, your random holiday services....I had gone. I didn't stop going, and even if I had maybe stop a second and check on the woman who lost her baby daddy, or check on the kid himself!
I am agoraphobic, I do my best. Maybe a little out reach would have been nice from them, maybe toss me a prayer shawl. When I moved back to town they had a wonderful Monday night service that was very small and intimate, and I went, my son even went. He has a hard time sitting in the church that is where the funeral service for his father was, this Monday night service was in a separate room.
I felt much safer in the smaller setting, and I went. Well they stopped having that service and I try to go Sundays but it is very hard. Too many people freak me out. I am agoraphobic, going up for communion freaks me out, and the hand bells really freak me out BAD. I guess all of these times I had been going to church they had a book I was supposed to be signing, being that my son or a nephew is usually who signs me in, I guess "Mommy" or "Auntie" are not very good for keeping score. I do on occasion sign in myself, and I keep filling in "member", maybe some one should have said something.
 The thing of it is, I never stopped considering it my church, it kind of makes me sad that they just stopped considering me.
I was informed I can rejoin the church, which again, I never actually thought I had left and we all know how well I would do in a class with strangers...I thought when I was baptised in that church, when I took communion in that church, and when I was confirmed in that church I was a member. Not to mention being married in that church and baptising my son (and husband) in that church, now I have to take a class to become a member.
Next week is my favorite church service, I love the Easter Service. From all of the pretty dresses, to the flowers, and the music(horns don't freak me out)to the scripture....HE HAS RISEN! I love that service and I am not sure if I am going to be going, at least to "my church".
Before you dismiss some one maybe you should actually see what the circumstances are.

Love and Light

One Little Picture

Greetings,

I have been pondering many things these days, between juggling school and babies my brain is working on over load. Sometimes I get into a place of self pity. It is an ugly place that I am not really fond of, but it happens.

My parents were not raised in a generation where therapy was acceptable, it is not like this was beated into out heads or we had debates about it over Sunday dinner, it is just something I know to be true. I don't really like talking to them much about it, it makes me feel weak and like less of what I am supposed to be(I know I usually don't go here).

Today I signed on to Facebook and my Mom posted  this on my page:



When I saw it a tear streaked down my face, one little picture for me. My Mom gets it. Maybe I am not weak, maybe I am not lesser, maybe I have just tried to remain strong for way too long...
Thank You Mom. I love you!

Love and Light!

My Head is Shrinking My Head is Shrinking

Greetings,

It is that time of year, well it is supposed to be but it does not feel like it, spring is right around the corner which means that it is time for this agoraphobic gurl time to come out of hiding. Not that I have actually been hiding, so some progress is being made, it is more of a coming out of hibernation for me. If you follow me, you know I don’t do particularly well in the “dark” months. Well the days are getting longer and staying brighter so pretty soon it is time to be stepping out a little more. For example I need to make my appointment with Doctor Bob (my therapist), I know I know, I still have not done it. I probably should make an appointment with my OB/GYN too, but that is a whole different ball game that you probably don’t need to know about. It is just getting close to my time to venture out on my own. That is the REALLY hard part, the on my own.

I was talking to someone today and I  realized that a certain amount of progress has been made in my life. I reflect back to the point  a few years ago when I would hide on the floor if my landlord, or the Schwan’s man were outside, so progress is being made. Not quick progress, but at least we are heading in the right direction. One should not be hiding from the Schwan’s man, he has products containing chocolate!

I think it is time to revisit some “technical” stuff. What is the cause of agoraphobia? Well,  experts are not completely sure what the exact causes of agoraphobia are. Most believe that they are a result of physical and/or psychological factors. A “rouge” complication of a panic disorder gone wrong.

According to the DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Agoraphobia, a patient suffers from agoraphobia if:

·         The person is anxious about being in a place or situation where escape or help may be difficult in the event of a panic attack, or panic like symptoms. Examples are being in a crowd or travelling on a bus.

·         The person avoids these places (described above).

·         The person endures these places (described above) with extreme anxiety.

·         The person endures these places (described above) only with the help of a friend or companion.

·         There is no other underlying condition that may explain the person's symptoms.

We need to remember that anxiety disorders come in different forms. So what is an anxiety order EXACTLY? They can be a couple of things, none of which are fun.

 

·         Generalized Anxiety Disorder

·         Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

·          Panic Disorder

·         Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

·         Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)

I might be missing something here, please remember I am not a professional, I have just been trying to educate myself in my personal journey to insanity…and back.

A person with Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a person who worries A LOT!

• Worry about everyday things
• Have trouble controlling their worries
• Know that they worry much more than they should
• Not be able to relax
• Have a hard time concentrating
• Be easily startled
• Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Feel tired all the time
• Have headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches, or unexplained pains
• Have a hard time swallowing
• Tremble or twitch
• Be irritable, sweat a lot, and feel light-headed or out of breath
• Have to go to the bathroom a lot.

The bathroom thing is a reoccurring theme with all of your anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia. My old therapist told me that the term “scared shitless” did in fact come from somewhere.

People with A Panic Disorder may:

·         Sudden and repeated attacks of fear

·         A feeling of being out of control during a panic attack

·         An intense worry about when the next attack will happen

·         A fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred in the past

·         Physical symptoms during an attack, such as a pounding or racing heart, sweating, breathing problems, weakness or dizziness, feeling hot or a cold chill, tingly or numb hands, chest pain, or stomach pain.

·         Have to go to the bathroom a lot.

Not everyone who has panic attacks will end up with a panic disorder, so don’t freak out too much if you have had a panic attack. Women are actually more prone to panic disorder, but this is not gender specific. It can happen to anyone. It is really a pain in the ass, because you don’t want to go out and have another panic attack, because you feel ashamed or embarrassed.

People with a Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder may:

• Be very anxious about being with other people and have a hard time talking to them, even though they wish they could
• Be very self-conscious in front of other people and feel embarrassed
• Be very afraid that other people will judge them
• Worry for days or weeks before an event where other people will be
• Stay away from places where there are other people
• Have a hard time making friends and keeping friends
• Blush, sweat, or tremble around other people
• Feel nauseous or sick to their stomach when with other people. (This falls into that bathroom thing).

Post Traumatic Stress happens when something life altering happens, a really big change, a really horrible change, people who come back from war often can get Post Traumatic Stress, people who have been sexually abused, physically assaulted. A lot of people who witnessed 9-11 ended up with Post Traumatic Stress.

I often joke about wishing I was OCD, and I probably shouldn’t, as it has to suck for those who actually have it. It would be horrible to be  germ a phobic! But my house would be so sparkly clean.

People with OCD may:

• Have repeated thoughts or images about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or intruders; acts of violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly tidy
• Do the same rituals over and over such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping unneeded items, or repeating the same steps again and again
• Can't control the unwanted thoughts and behaviors
• Don't get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause
• Spend at least 1 hour a day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life.

 

I do not believe the “bathroom thing” is one of the traits of a person suffering from OCD. However, I don’t really know for sure. Really ever one can vary, it depends on the case. It depends on you!  The most important thing to remember is TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! The longer you wait to actually  get some help the worse off you are in your head, and the more “shrinking” you need…like me.

I guess that is where I leave off for the night. Almost 3 am and I have a baby too watch bright and early.

 

Remember you are not alone!

Love and Light!

 

 

“Even though you cannot control everything that happens, you can control your attitude toward what happens. And in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.”-Unknown

 

Amazing People

Greetings,

I had the television on for background noise and something, or I should say some one caught my attention. Kevin Michael Connolly, that is an amazing man. Kevin was born without legs, and he sure does not let that stop him. Student, athlete, world traveler...nothing holds this man back. Oh yeah, he won a silver medal at the X-games too.

His preferred mode of transportation is a skateboard. He can get around quickest with the skateboard. He had prosthetic legs but compared them to walking around on stilts all the time, which yeah that would suck. I can see that. He does have a wheel chair he will use occasionally for cooking and a few other activities, but he prefers his skateboard.

As we are all aware most people lack a filter or common sense, so naturally he gets a lot of questions and a lot of strange looks.  therollingexhibition.com Kevin has put together a pictorial I guess you would say, yeah he takes pictures of the way people respond to him. Culturally people respond differently. Some people try and hand him money and some people think he is a Holy man. I am pretty sure he just thinks of himself as Kevin, but what an amazing man. From New Zealand to Romania this man gets around (I am proud when I make it to Wal-Mart).

Kevin has a reality show coming to the Travel Channel called Armed & Ready. He has also penned a book called Double Take, which I plan on adding to my reading list (it might take me awhile to get to it, my new class load is killing me).

I would say courage, I am pretty sure for him it is just a way of life. Again I have to say this man is simply amazing!

Shout out to Kevin-You Are The Man!

Love and Light!

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."
Anais Nin

STIGMA

stig·ma

Definition of STIGMA

1

aarchaic: a scar left by a hot iron : brand

b: a mark of shame or discredit : stain <bore the stigma of cowardice>

c: an identifying mark or characteristic; specifically: a specific diagnostic sign of a disease

2

astigmata plural: bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of the crucified Jesus and sometimes accompanying religious ecstasy

b: petechia

 

Related Words

black eye, discredit, disesteem, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, guilt, ignominy, infamy, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, reproach, shame; corruption, debauchery, depravity, immorality, iniquity, licentiousness, sin, unscrupulousness, vice

 

(http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma)

Mental illness is common. It affects thousands people.  It affects their friends, families, and  work colleagues. One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.

• Around one in ten children experience mental health problems.
• Depression affects around one in 12 of the whole population.
• 450 million people world-wide have a mental health problem.

Many people’s problems are made worse by the stigma and discrimination they experience – from society, but also from families, friends and employers.

"People with Mental Illness Enrich Our Lives"

 “Abraham Lincoln
The revered sixteenth President of the United States suffered from severe and incapacitating depressions that occasionally led to thoughts of suicide, as documented in numerous biographies by Carl Sandburg.

Virginia Woolf
The British novelist who wrote To the Lighthouse and Orlando experienced the mood swings of bipolar disorder characterized by feverish periods of writing and weeks immersed in gloom. Her story is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.

Lionel Aldridge
A defensive end for Vince Lombardi's legendary Green Bay Packers of the 1960's, Aldridge played in two Super Bowls. In the 1970's, he suffered from schizophrenia and was homeless for two and a half years. Until his death in 1998, he gave inspirational talks on his battle against paranoid schizophrenia. His story is the story of numerous newspaper articles.

Eugene O'Neill
The famous playwright, author of Long Day's Journey Into Night and Ah, Wilderness!, suffered from clinical depression, as documented in Eugene O'Neill by Olivia E. Coolidge.

Ludwig van Beethoven
The brilliant composer experienced bipolar disorder, as documented in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb.

Gaetano Donizetti
The famous opera singer suffered from bipolar disorder, as documented in Donizetti and the World Opera in Italy, Paris and Vienna in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century by Herbert Weinstock.

Robert Schumann
The "inspired poet of human suffering" experienced bipolar disorder, as discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.

Leo Tolstoy
Author of War and Peace, Tolstoy revealed the extent of his own mental illness in the memoir Confession. His experiences is also discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Inner World of Mental Illness: A Series of First Person Accounts of What It Was Like by Bert Kaplan.

Vaslov Nijinsky
The dancer's battle with schizophrenia is documented in his autobiography, The Diary of Vaslov Nijinksy.

John Keats
The renowned poet's mental illness is documented in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Broken Brain: The biological Revolution in Psychiatry by Nancy Andreasen, M.D.

Tennessee Williams
The playwright gave a personal account of his struggle with clinical depression in his own Memoirs. His experience is also documented in Five O'Clock Angel: Letters of Tennessee Williams to Maria St. Just, 1948-1982; The Kindness of Strangers: The Life of Tennessee Williams by Donald Spoto, and Tennessee: Cry of the Heart by Dotson.

Vincent Van Gogh
The celebrated artist's bipolar disorder is discussed in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb and Dear Theo, The Autobiography of Van Gogh.

Isaac Newton
The scientist's mental illness is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr and The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb.

Ernest Hemingway
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist's suicidal depression is examined in the True Gen: An Intimate Portrait of Ernest Hemingway by Those Who Knew Him by Denis Brian.

Sylvia Plath
The poet and novelist ended her lifelong struggle with clinical depresion by taking own life, as reported in A Closer Look at Ariel: A Memory of Sylvia Plath by Nancy Hunter-Steiner.

Michelangelo
The mental illness of one of the world's greatest artistic geniuses is discussed in The Dynamics of Creation by Anthony Storr.

Winston Churchill
"Had he been a stable and equable man, he could never have inspired the nation. In 1940, when all the odds were against Britain, a leader of sober judgment might well have concluded that we were finished," wrote Anthony Storr about Churchill's bipolar disorder in Churchill's Black Dog, Kafka's Mice, and Other Phenomena of the Human Mind.

Vivien Leigh
The Gone with the Wind star suffered from mental illness, as documented in Vivien Leigh: A Biography by Ann Edwards.

Jimmy Piersall
The baseball player for the Boston Red Sox who suffered from bipolar disorder detailed his experience in The Truth Hurts.

Patty Duke
The Academy Award-winning actress told of her bipolar disorder in her autobiography and made-for-TV move Call Me Anna and A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness, co-authored by Gloria Hochman.

Charles Dickens
One of the greatest authors in the English language suffered from clinical depression, as documented in The Key to Genius: Manic Depression and the Creative Life by D. Jablow Hershman and Julian Lieb, and Charles Dickens: His Tragedy and Triumph by Edgar Johnson.”

(http://www.nami.org/)                              

It is time we detach the stigma that is attached to mental illness. It is time to embrace the people around us who may in fact be different.

A few thoughts for the day…

Be brave even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.

Never give up; miracles happen every day.

Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.

Remember that nobody makes it alone.

Don't miss the magic of the moment by focusing on what’s to come.

 

Love and Light!!

 

Reference

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigma

http://www.nami.org/