Category: Daily Life: Sharin the Journey

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.

      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

Recently I visited my daughter.  She lives in a corner apartment on the second floor.  Her apartment has a balcony, which because of its location is an adult version of a magic tree house.  Being on the second floor her balcony is surrounded by the branches of a flowering dogwood tree.

On this day the sun was shining and there was a warm but strong breeze.  Having never had a tree house as a kid or been one to climb trees beyond the very low branches, I was amazed at what I was watching.  I have always enjoyed the sounds of tree leaves dancing in the breeze, but from this nestled perspective I could see just how much the branches and even the larger limbs move, sway, and bend with the wind.  From the ground looking at a tree it is evident how sturdy a tree trunk is but from my view from her balcony tree house I had a new appreciation for the strength of a tree’s trunk and in turn how vital solid roots are to a tree’s wellbeing. At this time of year the first signs of the changing season were starting to appear as a few leaves had started changing color.

My magic tree house experience got me thinking about CCM, our staff, our community supporters, and our clients.  All of us need solid roots and we are aware of and grateful that God’s  love, light, and promises are what we are rooted in. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

I also recognized that the leaves on the trees have lots of company; they are not alone in their dance in the breeze.  As an agency, professionals, and people who face life just like our clients we know the value of “company” of a support system to help get through life’s strong breezes. “They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.” (Numbers 11:17) 

Maybe you too have noticed the changing of the season marked by the trees changing color.  Have you also noticed that not all the trees change at the same time or change to the same color?  I don’t think it is by accident that creation reflects our experience as people.  I think it attests to our oneness with all of creation.  We too do not grow and change at the same time or in the same way.

Speaking of changes we have changed our WELLBEING newsletter format.  Starting this month we will be featuring our Wellness practitioners.  In order to make this change we have renamed our inspiration section to “I” Openers.  In the spirit of changing seasons we have included a beautiful poem in “I” Openers.  The focus is relationships: A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime.

“Autumn” the year’s last loveliest smile.

 ENJOY!

        THIS SMILE IS FOR YOU!

Back to School time!  For some of us this time brings back memories of our school days.  For others “back to school” is experienced through the eyes of children or grandchildren.  For all those who support education, the teachers, administrators, aides, bus drivers, cooks, maintenance workers, crossing guards, etc. “back to school” is a new beginning much like the rest of us experience New Years.  It seems fair to say that pretty much everyone has some connection to or memory of “Back to School.”  Marcia and I were both teachers at one time so it is very natural for us to see this as the start of another year for CCM as well.   Around the offices of CCM we have spent the last few months thinking about and focusing on THE MORE.  THE MORE means exploring an experience, scripture, or relationships at a deeper level.  So what might be THE MORE to “Back to School”?

Truth is there are many answers to that question.  Let’s consider a couple of possibilities…  There is no argument that learning takes place all the time in every part of a person’s life.  “Back to School” is an annual reminder of the value of learning.  It’s easy though, to think of “back to school” as a call to those youngsters and people entering a school program BUT what if THE MORE is that “back to school” can be a call to each of us to make an intention to learn something new, renew an old relationship, step out into a new group, or deepen and enrich our already personal relationship with God.  In the spirit of deepening your learning we are inviting you to stop by CCM Counseling & Wellness and check out our library.  We have so many good books that can inspire, teach, or are just meant to be enjoyed.   The borrowing process is easy and the book can be yours for a month.

Another way to explore THE MORE of “back to school” is to consider one of the most important accessories to the “back to school” experience….THE BACKPACK.   Take some time to reflect on what you carry around in your – backpack – of life.  Have you been carrying ideas or habits that no longer serve your highest good?  Are there hurts and pains lingering and cluttering up your backpack?  What new supplies would you like to add to your backpack?  We have all heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.”  That’s why everyone’s backpack needs to include HUMOR tucked into one of its many pockets.  A client shared with us what was in her backpack pocket……

“My backpack is too heavy…it’s on the bus & I’m walking to school!”

“I’ve got more baggage than a “Mama’s boy” on his first day of school!”  

It’s your turn what does “back to school” mean for you?

Sometimes, as a person shares an insight or gives an explanation they will reassure those listening…”Hey this isn’t brain science.”  This comment is meant to reassure the listeners that they are capable of grasping what is being shared.  Today, as I write this I can guarantee you will “get it.”  In fact, you were wonderfully created to be able to fully enjoy what I’m about to share and guess what it is brain science.

This past weekend was the Outagamie County Fair.  My husband and I went to enjoy the sights and sounds plus take in the concert.  Before the concert, a young girl was introduced who only a month ago had lost her mom to cancer.  The young girl was a 4H member who was hoping to raise a $1000.00 from the sale of her pig in order to donate the money to cancer research in her mother’s memory.  Her efforts started out with disappointment when her pig did not win a prize, after all she was hoping that a “blue ribbon” pig would help her reach her goal.  Still determined to give it her best shot, she took her turn at the livestock auction.  The story of her mom’s passing and her goal to raise money for cancer research got out to those who had gathered for the bidding.  The bidding started and before too long thanks to a local business the pig sold for not $1000.00 but over $5000.00.  The young girl was so excited….but she did not expect what happened next.  The gentleman representing the business told her to keep the money for cancer research and he gave her back the pig so she could auction it again.  She was given the go ahead, so she let her pig be auctioned again.  This time the pig sold for over $3000.00.  Again the purchaser told the young girl…go ahead…take the money…keep the pig and auction it again.  The young girl explained to the crowd that by this time she was crying and very confused.  “I wasn’t sure what was happening.”  The pig was again put up for auction.  When the wonderful show of support for this young girl and the dream she had was over — just under $20,000.00 — had been raised for her to give to cancer research in memory of her mother.   The cheers erupted from the crowd gathered in the grandstands…

What are you feeling right now?  Maybe you have a few goosebumps, a lump in your throat, a smile on your face, or a sense of awe at the courage of one young girl and the beautiful response by her community to demonstrate support.  Whatever you are feeling…it is brain science.  We were created with this specific neuron that allows us to feel connected to others just by seeing or hearing their story.  In some cases we experience horror at someone’s pain such as in response to tornado destruction or random shootings.  In this case, thanks to our brain science we can celebrate the joy of a dream fulfilled.

What in our brain/body makes this possible?  It’s our mirror neurons and our Vagus nerve.  The vagus nerve has several jobs including being our compassion nerve.  Truth is we were not hardwired to operate under “survival of the fittest” but rather as “cooperation of the community.”  So today you are invited to activate a little brain science and share this story with someone in order to bring a spark to their day and celebrate the incredible oneness we share with each other.

While I’m thinking about it…”Lord here’s to one mom who — although in too short a time — raised a daughter who is magnificent.  May this mom be blessed in Your presence.”  

“Communication” has become a valued skill and buzz word in our society.  Parents want to develop better communication skills with their kids, husbands want better communication with their wives, co-workers want better communication between themselves, employers desire better communication with their employees.  Clearly the point can be made that communication is a key ingredient in personal and professional relationships.    

So the question we are posing to you is ….”How is the communication between you and your creator, God, going?”        

A friend of CCM shared her story….

Praying is my source of strength.  God is my confidant and my hope.  Most of all knowing God is always there gives me great comfort.  You might ask…”So how do you know God is there?”  My confirmation that God listens came through my deciding to keep a prayer journal.  In my journal I would write any prayer request I had for my needs or the needs of others.  I waited and when an answer came I would record it.  There were times I didn’t recognize that an answer had come until later.  In hindsight when I saw the answer I wrote it down.  What a faith building experience.  I learned that God doesn’t always answer the way I ask and usually it is in God’s time not mine….but there is no doubt that answers come.  I saw it in black and white.  As the pages of my prayer journal were filled my faith grew stronger and stronger.  Here is a glimpse into my prayer journal.  I was asked by a young girl to prayer for her as she had an eating disorder.  The entry was on June 19th.  I had encouraged her to tell her parents but she was sure they would not understand and so she was adamant about not saying anything to them.  My prayer entry included a request that God give her the strength to tell her parents and that her parents would be filled with compassion and understanding.  On July 30th the girl informed me that she had somehow found the courage to talk to her parents and that they were very supportive.  Her healing was able to move forward and my prayer was answered.  Another entry involved a friend who had lost his faith and made a conscious decision not to believe anymore. I prayed that my friend would find God in his life again.  Five years later my friend did reconnect with God and he was truly transformed.  I realize now that during that long time while I was thinking I had no answer that God was really giving me a gift.  The gift of learning to plant seeds of God’s love in my friend’s heart and with others.  This was a good lesson in never giving up on prayer.  Recording my prayers and God’s answers has been my way of communicating with God and living out these words…..

”Pray on every occasion.  Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit.  Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all.”    Ephesians 6:18

Prayer, meditation, and mindfulness all help to bring our minds, bodies, and spirits into balance.  There is no right way or wrong way to build on your Spiritual connection.  Truth is YOUR WAY, the way you choose is the most important way.
Prayer Offers Wisdom Expression Release
POWER to inspire and heal.