I Openers

tulips and daffodils

Hip Hip Hooray!! 

Spring is on its way!

We have reached the last installment of our series on ways to boost your mental health and maintain balance in your life.  Anticipation can be such a fun, joyful experience.
Knowing that the beautiful bright colors of the first tulips and daffodils are on the way
can certainly bring hope to a winter weary heart!

TIP #9: 
Refresh yourself…

Get plenty of sleep. A bedtime routine isn’t just for kids. Going to bed at a regular time each day can lead to better sleeping.  Sleep restores our both our mind and body.  However feelings of fatigue can still set in if you feel constantly rushed and overwhelmed when you are awake.  Allow yourself the gift of time even during your day time schedule.  Remember the old saying, “Stop to smell the roses.”  Slowing down can be a great way to refresh.
TIP #10:
Build healthy self-esteem…

woman praying

Self-esteem is more than just seeing your good qualities.  It is being able to see all your
abilities and weakness together, accepting them, and doing your best with what you have.  For example you may not play golf, tennis or cards well enough to be a star, but that should not stop you from enjoying the game.  Building your confidence is about letting our strengths shine and knowing we have the ability to work on our weak points which helps us mature, grow and feel engaged in life.
TIP #11
Get involved….contribute to your community…

Being involved in things that really matter to us provide a great feeling of purpose and
satisfaction.  You should always remember that you make a difference, no matter how big or small your efforts.  Read to children at your local library, help out a neighbor, work in a community garden, or do something nice for a friend.  There are many great ways to contribute that can help you feel good about yourself and your place in the world.  An effort to improve the lives of others is sure to improve your life too.

TIP #12
Have a spirituality to call your own…

Learn to be at peace with yourself.  Get to know who you are: what makes you really happy, what you are passionate about.  Learn more about what you believe.  Give yourself time to learn what “leaning into God” means to you.  Learn to balance what you are able to change about yourself with what you cannot change.  Read scripture, get out into nature, use daily inspired readings  — finding your way to connect to Divine Love is an adventure worth embarking on.

Sharin the Journey — A note from the Director

group hug

Just when you think you may have heard it all, someone comes along to remind you —  that what you have heard is only the beginning.   Sr. Caroline, Director of The Bridge Between Retreat Center, joined us during our staff meeting this month to share insights and stories related to the theme….”So, Who hugs the huggers?”  Our time together began with an invitation.  We were asked to close our eyes and breathe in the Divine and breathe out the Divine.  After a few moments Sr. Caroline had us open our eyes.  There she was sitting with a fur hat on her head complete with ear flaps and visor.   The room filled with laughter as Sr. Caroline explained that when she needs a hug she puts on this hat.  The next hour or so was filled with idea after idea on how to intentionally “on purpose” bring joy, love, gratitude, and emotional, spiritual and physical hugs into our daily lives.

Here are a few insights we learned or were reminded of……

Be kind to yourself.  Know when you need a hug and ask for one.  YES, ASK!  PLEASE ASK!  Scripture is always reminding us… to just ASK!                                       

Dream Big….Really Big….Even Bigger!  A favorite movie of mine takes place in Scotland.  Towards the end of the movie there is a scene where Ted Danson is kneeling by the bed of a tiny Scottish girl.  He says, “Sorry Lizzy, I have to see it to believe it.”  The little girl responds, “No, Mr. Demsey you have to BELIEVE IT TO SEE IT.”  Believing is a hug for our soul.

man hugging dog
lady hugging cat

Giving yourself a mini-vacation or what I call a “brain-break” is free but the results are priceless.  Sr. Caroline encouraged us to take time as often as we need to get outside and take a few deep breaths of fresh air or sit in a chair and just observe the view out the window.  How about closing your eyes,  imaging a favorite place and the just being in that place for a bit.  Let’s not forget how our pets can provide an instant mini hugfest.  The renewing power of any one of these mini-vacations is truly a hug for any hugger.

It is easy to see how our actions affect others and the environment.  We were challenged to be aware that our thoughts carry the same impact.  How different we would think (about others and ourselves) if we truly embraced just how connected we are.

Speaking of connecting…stories are a wonderful way to enjoy the oneness of our human experience.  So here’s a story Sr. Caroline shared and it’s our hug to each of you….

Sr. Caroline used to work at a local parish.  On this particular day she needed to make a phone call to a couple.  She dialed and instead of hearing the voice of one of the adults, she heard a little boy whisper…”Hello.”  Sr. Caroline asked, “Is your Mom at home?”  The little boy again whispered, “Yes, but she is busy.”   Sr. Caroline politely replied, “Would it be okay if I call back in about 20 minutes?”  Again with a whisper the little boy stated, “Yes that should be fine.”  Sr. Caroline went about taking care of a few other tasks she had on her to do list.  With these the tasks completed she was ready to make her return phone call.  She dialed and once again she heard a whispered, “Hello.”  She had reached the little boy again.  Sr. Caroline asked for his mother but was
again told that she was busy.  So this time Sr. Caroline asked the little boy if she could talk to his Dad.  To her surprise the little boy whispered, “I’m sorry he is busy too.”  At this point Sr. Caroline’s curiosity was peaked.  She engaged the little boy in a few more questions to which he answered each question in a whisper.  Finally Sr. Caroline to ask the big question… https://indipill.com/.”What are your parents busy doing?”  This little boy didn’t hesitate but rather answered proudly,

little boy on phone hiding

“They are looking for me!”

“I” Openers

yoga peace

We are sharing ways to boost your mental health and maintain your life balance.  To add to the 4 tried and true tips from the previous post we have 4 more ideas that can melt any humdrum mood.

TIP #5: Learn to deal with and manage your stress effectively…

Stress is a normal part of life.  How we deal with it depends on our attitude. It helps to know what triggers our stress.  This gives us a chance to avoid unnecessary stressors and prepare or manage others.    Winding down from stress can include relaxation breathing, yoga, or a mini-vacation — brain break.   To take a 5 minute vacation — each day set aside 5 minutes for a mental health break.  Find a spot to be alone and give yourself to permission to day-dream.  Enjoy dreaming about a place, person or idea, or think nothing at all!  You will feel like you have been on a mini-vacation.

TIP #6      Deal with your Emotions…

We are all challenged to find safe, constructive ways to express and share our feelings of anger, sadness, joy and fear.  How can we deal with our moods?  Share joyful news with a friend; “cry on a friend’s shoulder” when you feel blue.  Physical exercise can help you deal with your anger.  Keep a stack of your favorite funny cartoons or a collection of humorous stories or videos for times when you feel the need to laugh.

healthy habits

TIP#7             Take time to enjoy…

Set aside time for activities, hobbies and projects you enjoy.  Let yourself be spontaneous and creative when the urge takes you.  Do a crossword; read a book, sew, scrapbook, draw pictures with your kids or grandkids, play with your pet, bake, cook, or write a letter to someone special.

TIP#8    Participate and share interests…

Being part of a group of people with a common interest provides a sense of belonging and is good for our mental health.  Join a sports club; a band; a dance class; a theatre or choir group; a book or car club; or a bible study.  If you know your way around the internet, google  –meet up groups–.  Meet up groups can connect you with people who have similar interests to yours.  Recently a client shared that her Meet Up group took in a local art event.  Now that’s a great way to bring beauty into a blustery winter day.

“A NEW EARTH” and “STILLNESS SPEAKS”

“A NEW EARTH”   and    “STILLNESS SPEAKS”

Eckhart Tolle is an author some will recognize and some will not.  You can listen to his message on tape or dig into his writings — either way he is definitely worth learning from.  He has been around sharing his insights for some time…yet his message is timeless.

ECT
ECT2

Both books opened up a new world of NOW for us.  We like so many miss our nows and therefore miss a lot of life.  This pair comes highly recommended.

“I” Openers

winter wisconsin

Is there a better time in Northeast WI to talk about mental health than when we have been facing record snowfalls and
low temperatures?  We think before cabin fever has you in its grips – NOW is the perfect time to share some tried and true tips to keeping the spring in your step and the smile on your face.

Enjoying mental health means having a sense of wellbeing, being able to function during everyday life and feeling confident to rise to a challenge when the opportunity arises. Mental health includes striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental.  At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again.

Your personal life balance will be unique to you.

In the next three issues of our newsletter, WELLBEING, we will be sharing ways to boost your mental health and maintain your life balance.

TIP #1:  Receive as well as give

Many of us confuse having a realistic view of our good points with conceit.  We have trouble accepting kindness from others.  We often shrug off a compliment with a, “Yes, but…”  and put ourselves down.  Accept compliments — Next time someone compliments you, say, “Thank you! I’m glad you think so.”

TIP #2:  Take care of yourself

Be active and eat well — these help maintain a healthy body. Physical and mental health are closely linked; it’s easier to feel good about life if your body feels good.  You don’t have to go to the gym to exercise — gardening, vacuuming, dancing all count.  Feeding your body yummy healthy foods can keep you feeling good, inside and out.

TIP #3:  Challenge yourself

Learn a new skill or take on a challenge to meet a new goal.  Learning improves your mental fitness, while the process builds confidence and gives you sense of progress and achievement.  This formula adds up to be a boost to your emotional wellbeing as well.

TIP #4:  Notice the here and now

Take a moment to notice each of your senses each day.  Simply “be” in the moment — feel the sun, notice the air you are breathing.  It’s easy to be caught up thinking about the past or planning for the future instead of experiencing the present.  Practicing mindfulness, by focusing your attention on being in the moment, is a good way to do this.  Making a conscious effort to be aware of your inner and outer world is important to your mental health.

balance

Sharin’ the Journey — A note from the Director

heavenly heart

      The decision to have a third child was a difficult one for me.  A self-professed work-a-holic, I was content with our two daughters, ages 7 and 4, and the family life we enjoyed.  My husband, however, had a vision of a larger family.  Like with most challenges, I decided to give it to God.  If He wanted us to have another child, so be it.

        Much to my surprise, God not only wanted us to have one child, He decided to gift us with TWO.  As I sat in the parking lot after my first doctor appointment overwhelmed with the concept of twins, tears flowed freely in awe and fear of the road He had placed before me.  I wondered if in some small way I was feeling what a young Mary experienced in the wake of the visit by the Archangel Gabriel.  How would I get through the next seven months of worry for not just one, but two little beings dependent on me for existence?

        The answer was prayer.  One of the first gifts we received from a good friend and her mother was a promise of continuous prayer.  The pregnancy that followed was by no means routine, with unexplained rashes, bleeding, umbilical issues, the death of our beloved pet, early contractions, and eventual bed rest.  Through it all I was sustained by the presence of God we experience through prayer.  Every time the anxiety threated to be too much, I would hastily recite three Hail Marys one for each baby and the last for myself.  This practice reminded me that I was never alone in my worry, there were others pulling for me and with me every step of my journey.  Prayer gave me the faith to realize that, “This too shall pass.”

        Through the gift of prayer; my own, that of others, and the experience of Reiki I was able to carry my twins to 38 weeks.  This is a rare occurrence with a multiple pregnancy. In a very real way, the experience of my past year has demonstrated the incredible role prayer can play in our lives and in our world.  As I gaze at the two little faces of my healthy twin gifts, I invite you to pause and raise a few words heavenward the next time you or a friend are in an unexpected or unwanted situation.  It can make all the difference.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will  be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Luke 11: 9-10

twins

“Power in Our Lives”

“Power in Our Lives”

“Our Strength will be found in Charity”

I am always in awe of God’s power to use opposites to bless and teach us.

In God’s plan, we must lose our life to gain our life.  (Matthew 16:25) In God’s plan, we must give to receive.  (Luke :38) In God’s plan, it is in our weakness that power is perfected.  (2 Corinthians 12:19)

The truly strong people in life are those who do not walk in fear, but give freely of their time, money, and talent.  Such people show us great strength of character.  Just know such strength does not grow easily.  Romans 5: 34 tells us that it is through tribulation and perseverance that character and hope come.

Let us therefore, live our lives believing in God’s plan to empower us through all of life’s experiences, especially the tough ones eriacta canada.  (Romans 8: 28)

 

LOVE IS A VERB

LOVE IS A VERB

This is the time of year that many of us look for a new devotional as the new year is just around the corner.  Or maybe you are looking for a gift idea for someone special.  Here is an idea for both.

LOVE IS A VERB by Gary Chapman is a devotional that will help the reader communicate love more effectively and in turn build lasting relationships.  This all-new book with readings for every day of the year will show readers love in action. Each day’s reading includes a Scripture, real life story, along with the devotional thought from Dr. Chapman. The heart-tugging stories from everyday people displaying love in action encourage readers to give love a chance–or a second chance.

gratitude turns what we have into enough

“I” Openers Inspirations, Insights, and Illuminations

Gratitude
is a gift to the heart
of both the giver and receiver
       

Ways to say THANK YOU!

This small but mighty phrase,
which dates from the 15th century,
goes a long way in  acknowledging
kindness big and small.  The less
formal thanks appeared in Shakespeare’s
writings.  Before then, he
word thank was often used to mean “thought” or “good will.”

This Spanish word for “thank you” shares roots with the
English word grace in the form of the Latin gratus, which
means “pleasing” or agreeable.”

This is gratitude with a tropical flavor.  This Hawaiian word for
“thank you” is sometimes expressed as mahalo nui loa, the
Hawaiian equivalent of “thank you very much.”

This Japanese term for “thank you” was famously
set to music in the 1983 Styx song “Mr. Roboto.”
Domo arigato  — thank you very much.

A cousin to the English word mercy this French word for
“thank you” is often paired with beaucoup for emphasis.

Las Vegas star Wayne Newton put this German word for “thank you” on the tips of tongues with his hit “Danke Schoen. This German expression is often translated as “thank you kindly.”

  No matter how you say it, the message is: 
 “You made a difference and I appreciate it.”