Those who have not experienced mental illness can not relate to a person with any form of mental illness, who struggles daily to get it done. What's the it? What is the root cause? How can we balance? Be still. Get clear, and geting focused is a place to start. In this place of evaluation are the keys to standing in upright balance.
Psalm 120:5-6 nlt says, The Lord himself watched over You! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, not the moon at night.
Get still. Everyday at all times many are consumed and distracted by cell phones, television, and worthless conversations and connections. Only participating in some connections as to not appear anti-social. Being still in the moment and ushering in silence reduces your heart rate. Being still will allow you to focus even if it is for a few minutes. Look around you, do you see areas in your home that you have neglected? Start there. Get your house in order, one room, one corner or closet at a time.
Get clear. How does one get clear when so much of the unimportant is taking up your time? Shut it all down. Disconnect and unplug. Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts out of your head. Write about how you feel and why. Write about your desires and jot a few things down, action steps if you will, that will get you closer to your goal. What is your goal? Where do you desire to be in 2, 5, or 10 years? Think about it.
Get focused. This one here is very hard for a depressive, but it can be obtained. In order to get focused, YOU MUST TAKE ACTION. If you don't do It, it won't get done. Take your mental health for example. Do you want to struggle out of control for the rest of your life? Do you want to continue to cut yourself as a distraction? Do you want to stay in your bed of emotional darkness for the rest of your life? Do you want to take medication as a never ending cure all, to only mask the issues? I shout No.
Here are a few of my many steps in getting balance, clarity, and focuse. I don't win everyday, but I do make every effort to keep myself in forward motion.
I say no. This is important because most times we say yes to things that don't serve especially for the good of ourselves or others. We do not have to a participant in everything.
I listen to music. This is my get out of my head card. Music lifts me up. I start to sing and the next thing I realize is that I’m dancing. Toe tapping and head bobbing.
I get quiet. I love the silence. I'm sure this is part of the cause of being an insomniac, I love to be up when the world has slowed down. With cell phones, television and a host of other distractions, we can not quiet our minds. Shut it all down and get quiet.
I read. Reading is my passion. I hear many say, they don't read. These people scare me. I’m like what knowledge do you have between your ears outside of word of mouth and social media? A very helpful thing you could do for yourself is to read books on your condition. You will be surprised at how much information and tools that are available to help you understand and use for your healing. I know it can be hard, like falling asleep while reading. Been there. But read anyway. One page or chapter at a time, read for 30 minutes to an hour. Just read. Trust me, you will be glad you did.
I journal. Yes. Yes. Writing is a powerful tool. Pick up an attractive notebook or journal. Grab a fine pen that is catchy to the eye and write. Write about how you feel. Write what angers you. Write about your day and what you’ve seen that intrigued you. The main point is to write your feelings out and get them out of your head. Trust me again, you will be surprised how valuable this small action can change your mood, especially if you read it and laugh. I love this one.
I stay active. Yes activity is important. Taking walks or running, get up and get busy. Get your heart rate up and the endorphins moving. The weather determines my activity. I try to get walking as mush as I can. Before I relocated to Florida from Tacoma, Washington, I was always on the move. I joined a walking group called Girltrek, and it was a blessing to meet like mined woman who are focusing on health and fitness. Who usher in unity. I miss that. I'm still looking for the connections here in Florida. Visit Girltrek.com for information and groups in your area. Sorry fellas, there is not a trek group for the men yet, but hey, you can grad your friends and get moving too.
I recently found myself in a situation that triggered the depression and anxiety in me. For weeks I fought the good fight until one day, the window in my emotional state cracked and the glass shattered. I took a position that was to be one thing and it turned out to be another. I wanted to win so I continued. And just recently an incident with the company’s client slammed me to my core, tears, diarrhea, and more. Still, I tried to win all the while my soul was screaming GET OUT OF THERE. I heard what I needed to hear. I learned where I stood and was shown how much I mattered. Still, I didn't want to quit. I’m not a quitter. I finally quit and I'm glad that I did, for me. Here is the point; our realities can be clouded by the shear fight to win over something that is not meant for us. We can become afraid and stuck. Stuck and afraid. God allows situations to get so chaotic, the only thing we can do if we listen is to GET THE OUT. It is called positioning. Are you in any situations that you know, that you know, that you know, that you need to get out of? Check mate that thing and get to the good part of your life. Elimination and Elevation. You may be dispensable to others, but you are forever indispensable to yourself. Remember that.
My brothers and sisters, I can’t stress it enough how important it is for you to do the work required of you to be healthy, happy, and whole. I can’t stress it enough that you are not alone in your journey even though you didn’t pick the ride. My desire is to encourage you with my stories of my journey with depression, anxiety, and my life as I live each day to be my very best. No, it's not easy and no I’m not wearing the mask of shame because of mental illness. We must raise our voices because silence only keeps us invisible. Remember this, it is not always about us. It is about who sees us. Someone is always watching, and they need you and your story. Live out loud one day at a time. Don't be afraid to take you seriously, because if you don’t, no one else will. You got this!
Be Encouraged
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