Monday, February 28, 2011

A Day Of Peace - Friday, March 4th

Time: Friday, March 4 at 12:00am - March 5 at 12:00am
Location: Worldwide
Created By: Stephen Danger Shoemaker

Please read the whole thing!
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I have an idea... for a day of peace. Wouldn't it be amazing?
Just one day in the year where we all held our tongues.
A day where we ignored others' shortcomings and made a valiant effort to be kind and understanding.
...A day where we all got along. It's sad that we are all at a point where we should do this, but it's even sadder to know that we easily could every day, but refuse to do so.

My proposition is simple:
One day, March 4th, we all stick to three simple rules that will make the world a little bit more bearable. Feel free to partake in this before and long after then; the only reason I have the event set that far into the future is because I want word to spread and allow this to have as big of an impact as possible.
This event is to take place everywhere we go in the world, preferably all the time.
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Rule #1.
Say not a single unkind thing about anyone or anything. If at all possible, try not to even think a nasty thought. If we do, reflect on why it was that we thought to say it in the first place.
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Rule #2.
Show everyone we cross paths with some genuine human compassion. Be it with a smile or kind words, just spread some love.
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Rule #3.
Make not one person the exception to the rule. Not everyone deserves to have roses thrown at their feet and have a holiday in their honor, but nobody deserves to feel alone. Reach out. Talk to someone new. Care about them, and we will be cared for in return.
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Please invite everyone on your friends list. Every single person, regardless of how often you talk to them, if ever at all. This can be done very simply and quickly by pasting this into your address bar and hitting enter. This will select all of your friends and you can then choose to send the invitation:

javascript:elms=document.getElementById('friends').getElementsByTagName('li');for(var fid in elms){if(typeof elms[fid] === 'object'){fs.click(elms[fid]);}}

There seems to be some confusion about this, so....
PLEASE ADD A PERSONAL MESSAGE TO THE INVITE TELLING THE PEOPLE TO CLICK ON THE EVENT TO SEE THE INFO.
Seriously, make sure you do that, because most of the "Not Attending" people didn't know to click on this and just dismissed it.
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Please spread this as much as possible, and please actually attempt to do this.
I know many of us will simply accept the invite with no intention to give this any genuine effort, but "Attend" anyway, not to look like a good person, but to look like we aren't a bad one. And for those of us who do that, please just remove yourself from the event.

This can be big. If we all band together, well, maybe we can all start living a little bit nicer lives. Maybe this won't work for more than one day; maybe it will. I honestly don't know what will happen, but what I do know is this: if we can get at least one day of happiness and peace out of this, well, I'd more than consider that a success.

This is not intended to be a "Let's be nice for one day and go back to our old ways the day after" kind of thing. It is meant to give us all a little more incentive to be better people.

This is not a hippie or a religious movement. This is just an attempt at brightening the world up a bit.

You have no reason why you cant do it. None of us do.
Thank you all for your kind words, support, and enthusiasm,
~Stephen Shoemaker

Please help this message spread to as many as possible.

Here is the event on Facebook: CLICK HERE

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Bonus Oscar Opening: Grease Tribute with Anne Hathaway & James Franco

The Oscars: Behind The Scenes with James Franco

I do not know if this is a first or not in Oscar history, but the host, James Franco is posting video live from the oscars from behind the scenes. The one below is from the start of the night, click more at the end to see all the videos as they are posted. Awesomeness!

Reactive Candy's Top 5 Best & Worst Dressed at the Oscars!

It is always exciting to watch the celebrities arrive for the biggest award show of the season, the Academy Awards. The red carpet is probably just as fun. Getting to see what everyone is wearing is just as big of an event for some, then the actual show itself.

Here are my top 5 picks for best & worst dressed of the evening:

TOP 5 BEST DRESSED

Mila Kunis was stunning in this lavender Elie Saab dress. She has come along way from the 15 year old girl on 'That 70's Show'

Halle Berry never disappoints. Breath taking in this drop-dead gorgeous Marchesa gown.

Anne Hathaway, this years host of the Academy Awards, was the lady in red, in this red hot strapless Valentino.

Helen Mirren always elegant in this silk gray gown by Vivienne Westwood.

Jennifer Hudson, showing off her new, sexy curves in this tangerine Versace gown. It complements her skin color perfectly.













TOP 5 WORST DRESSED

Jennifer Lawrence looked like she threw on her 'Baywatch' evening gown! Had no idea Calvin Klein had a 'Baywatch' line. Meh!

Melissa Leo, good thing she can act better than she dresses. Hire a new stylist, this Marc Bouwer dress looks like something my grandmother uses on her dining room table.

Cate Blanchett wore a Givency Couture dress with coral growing on it or something. I have no words for how I feel about this dress. It speaks for itself!

Marisa Tomei in this 1950 couture Charles James dress from Lily et Cie. When I first saw this dress, I thought the top was stunning, then it spanned down to the mess attached to the bottom of this dress.

Florence Welch in this lemon-yellow Valentino reminds me of a bad bridesmaid dress.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

James Franco Hosting The Oscars: Mmmmmm

Im a huge fan of Oscar night. I look forward to the last Sunday in February every year. I watch all the movies, make my predictions and patiently wait for this night.

This year is no different, except for one thing, JAMES FRANCO!!!! Yes,yes, yes...I love this guy. He is an amazing actor, super smart, very creative & artistic, and of course, SUPER SEXY! This will be the first time EVER that the host has been one fine piece of eye candy. It is going to be an amazing night! Don't you agree?

Oh yeah..Anne Hathway won't be too bad either! LOL

It's Almost 'Oscar Sunday' - Reel of 'Best Picture' Nominees

I am a big movie buff. I make a point of watching all the best picture nominees every year before 'Oscar Sunday'. This year was no different. You can click here to see my predictions for this years Oscars.

There were so many great movies this year, it is a difficult choice to just choose one. Im going with my heart and standing by 'The King's Speech'. This was absolutely this best movie I saw this year and it deserves all the accolades it is receiving.

Below is a great reel of all the 'Best Picture' nominees. Take a watch & then let me know where your vote for 'Best Picture' lies.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Bullying - Signs To Watch For (Pink Shirt Day 2011)

Bullying

Do you know if your child is being bullied? Here are some signs to watch for:

* Feelings of rejection
* Low self-esteem
* Poor grades at school
* Isolation, withdrawal from group activities at school and outside of school
* Agressiveness, nervousness, extreme sensitivity
* Fear or refusal to go to school

What is bullying…
Psychologists define bullying as a power relationship carried on by one individual or a group of individuals towards another person. Bullying does not necessarily need to be brutal or physical violence. Rumours, threats and hurtful words also lead to feelings of rejection.

What does bullying look like?
Teasing, hair pulling, pushing, pinching or touching without consent, insulting somebody by making crude, sexist, racist or homophobic remarks
Spreading rumours
Threatening looks, unsightly gestures
Writing unpleasant things about somebody (on paper or by email)
Threatening or scaring somebody
Stealing, “taxing” (extortion of money and personal items)

Targets for bullying:
Choice of clothing
Physical differences or faults (fast, slow, big or small development)
Distinctive characteristics of parents (different education from other parents of the region, religion, origin, language)
Nutritional habits
Speech impediments
Introverted personality, solitary person

What Should Children Do?
Do not answer back with verbal violence
Ignore the insults by walking with your head up high
If you witness bullying towards another student, it is best to immediately refer what you have seen to an adult.

What Should Parents Do?
Discuss the problem with your child and try to obtain the name of the bully
Discuss the problem with the teacher and the principal of the school
Advise the child, but try not to do everything in his or her place.
Guide the child towards out-of-school activities
Do not encourage verbal or physical violence as a suitable means of defense
Do not trivialize the problem. Take it seriously!

(Source: Mia Lambert, Jeunesse J’ecoute and Annie Fernandez, Le Journal de Quebec)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Depression: Common Signs & Symptoms

Depression is a serious medical illness; it’s not something that you make up in your head. It’s more than just feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. The symptoms of depression are much more severe and debilitating. Depression is characterized by feeling "down" and "low" and "hopeless" for weeks at a time. Many factors can contribute to the onset of depression, including the presence of other physical disorders, stress, poor nutrition, physical illness, personal loss and relationship difficulties. Depression isn’t always easy to detect, and people with depressive conditions do not all experience the same symptoms. It may be expressed through lack of appetite or overeating; insomnia or an unnatural desire to sleep; the abuse of drugs and alcohol; sexual promiscuity; or hostile, aggressive, or risk-taking behavior.

* Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
* Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
* Irritability, restlessness
* Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
* Fatigue and decreased energy
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
* Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
* Overeating, or appetite loss
* Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
* Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

Mental Health Illness: Fact vs Fiction

FICTION: People with a mental illness are often violent.

FACT: Actually, the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are no more violent than anyone else. People with mental illness are much more likely to be the victims of crime.


FICTION:
Mental illness is a sign of weakness.

FACT:
A mental illness is not caused by personal weakness—nor can it be cured by positive thinking or willpower - proper treatment is needed.


FICTION:
Only military personnel who have been in combat can suffer from PTSD.

FACT: While PTSD is prevalent in men and women who have seen combat, experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can trigger PTSD, including violent personal assaults such as rape or robbery, natural or human-caused disasters, or accidents.


FICTION:
People with a mental illness will never get better.

FACT:
For some people, a mental illness may be a lifelong condition, like diabetes. But as with diabetes, proper treatment enables many people with a mental illness to lead fulfilling and productive lives.


FICTION: Children don’t suffer from mental illness.

FACT: Millions of children are affected by depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. As a matter of fact, 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. Getting treatment is essential.


FICTION:
“Mental illness can’t affect me!”

FACT: Mental illness can affect anyone. While some illnesses have a genetic risk, mental illness can affect people of all ages, races and income levels, whether or not there is a family history.

To-the-Top Tuesday - Blog Hop

To-the-TOP Tuesday

Tuesday Twitter Hop





1. Add your Twitter URL to the Linky below: when you add it, it will automatically appear on everyone’s page that posts this Linky so you do not need to add it more than once

2. Click on the top 3 Twitter Names and follow them: The top 3 will be the hostesses; Shining2Save, Living on Love and Cents and Luxury Living Frugal Style, we will follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like: Be sure to leave comments or send them a message so they will know where to follow you back.

You do not have to make a post to join: but it is always a plus if you do so everyone else can see and join in on the fun!


Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

I have been feeling a little glum the last few days so I needed a little bit of happy, happy, joy, joy in my life. This video from Ren & Stimpy always makes me smile. I hope if you are having a bad day that this lifts your spirits a little. Enjoy!


Happy Happy Joy Joy
Uploaded by empiempi. - Watch more comedy videos and sitcoms.

2011 Pink Shirt Day - Anti-Bullying Day

On February 23, 2011 wear something pink to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere. Last year over 160,000 people on Facebook signed up for the event and we hope to add another 100,000 this year!
...
Wear a pink shirt, hat, scarf, glasses - or whatever! - while at school, work, etc.

Why pink? Click below:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2007/09/18/pink-tshirts-students.html

Feel free to invite your friends and ask them to get involved by clicking the INVITE PEOPLE TO COME link to the far left and slightly up.
http://www.PinkShirtDay.ca

Join the Pink Shirt Day Facebook Page!
http://www.facebook.com/pinkshirtday
Follow us on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/pinkshirtday


Friday, February 18, 2011

The Human Camera

This is absolutely amazing...AMAZING! Wow, just WOW, is all I can say. Thank you to Sarah for sharing this with me. It is definitely worth sharing with my readers. So here it is, let me know what you think:

Stephen Wiltshire from London is a star among savants. Stephen is autistic. He did not speak his first words "pencil" and "paper" until he was 5. Yet, when he was 11 he drew a perfect aerial view of London after only one helicopter ride. For this film we're testing the "Living camera" in Rome. (ColourField production)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Cops Should Knock Like Girl Scouts Selling Cookies!!

One of my favorite TV shows is 'The First 48' on A&E. I would watch this show daily, all day when I was on medical leave for surgery last year. I continue to watch it daily now while on my mental health leave.

It is a reality show about murders in different cities in the US, and just like the title states, it is the first 48 hours of the investigation. From the call to the murder scene to the arrest of the suspect.

I swear I could either commit a murder and get away with it or I could solve and murder case put in front of me, from everything I learned on this show. Totally kidding about the murder part..LOL..I couldn't harm a fly..ok maybe a fly, but not a human.

The reason for this post is that I notice in all reality cop shows that the cops have a very distinctive knock..very hard & very loud. No normal person would ever knock like this. Im not saying cops aren't normal. They just have a certain way of knocking. I am sure this knock is taught to them in the police academy and it is standard practice.


What I do not get is, have they not learned from experience that more than half the time, if not more, no criminal will answer the door when they hear that knock. Of course, they are going to hide, they know the cops are at the door, because of the knock.

Don't you think if you tapped on the door, like a girl scout selling cookies, you would more than likely get more success at having the people answer the door when searching for a criminal. They can't hide if they don't know you are coming.




Just my random thoughts.

Emotional Pain: 7 Keys To Finding Happiness

As you all know I am all about sharing. I wish I could take credit for the information I am sharing below, but once again this is something I came across in my research for transitioning back to work after being on mental health leave for the last 6 months.

My current mental health journey had a lot to do with emotional pain. Emotional pain that went all the way back to when I was a child. As you can see from previous posts I am doing everything I can think of to help myself overcome this emotional pain, including many of the things mentioned in this article I am sharing with you:

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Robert Moment is an innovative "throw the box away" inspirational life coach, personal growth strategist, speaker and author of bestselling book, The Path to Emotional Healing. Robert specializes in maximizing human potential for happiness, purpose and success. Visit http://www.howtobehappyagain.com

If we receive a physical injury, we know that there will be pain. We also know that the physical pain will eventually subside. Emotional pain is a much different experience. Emotional pain can be the result of the death of a loved one, divorce, losing a job...etc. With emotional pain, there is no physical injury so we often do not realize how harmful the pain can be if left untreated. That is, if we do not confront and resolve the pain, it can be very devastating and even affect us physically. Fortunately, when afflicted with overwhelming emotional pain, there are ways to find happiness again.

Below are 7 keys to overcoming emotional pain to find happiness again:

1. Be Honest with Yourself: It is essential that you acknowledge your emotional pain. Once you are honest with yourself and acknowledge that your pain is interfering with your happiness and ability to move forward in life, you will be in a better position to heal. Lying to yourself will only exacerbate your pain and cause more problems.

2. Take Control of your Emotions: Teach your brain to process your thoughts and emotions in a new productive way. When you train your brain to control your negative thoughts and emotions, you can develop techniques to fill your mind with positive thoughts. For instance, write down everything in your life that makes you happy, no matter how small. Read the list everyday and add to it when you think of more things that make you happy. As well, practice reciting positive affirmation statements and catch your self when you start to go down the tunnel of negativity. By working to eliminate the negative, you will train your brain to focus on the positive.

3. Laugh and Smile: Laughter is great medicine for treating emotional pain. Engage in activities the make you laugh and smile. For instance, watch comedy movies and television programs, listen to your favorite music, spend time socializing with family and fiends, engage in a fun hobby, participate in a recreational sport, and get outside and enjoy the beauty nature offers. Doing something you enjoy will keep your mind focused on positive things instead of sitting at home dwelling on the negative.

4. Gain a Positive Perspective: Think of the events that caused the emotional pain as a learning experience that challenges you, but will help you grow as a person. Ask yourself what you learned from the event and how it can help you become a stronger person. Perhaps you are carrying emotional pain of being bullied as a child. Have you thought that the child who bullied you was carrying a lot of pain too and was dealing it with it in an unproductive and self-destructive way? Is it time to forgive? Can you forgive? Remember anger and deep pain is very destructive and letting go can be very emotionally liberating.

5. Mind Relaxation: Achieving inner peace will help you overcome your pain. Meditation and yoga are two tools to achieving inner peace and letting go of the pain. As well, you can go for long walk to reflect on things, relax in a hot bubble bath, or relax in a sauna. Relaxing will help you rid yourself of stress, anxiety, anger, and resentment. Praying is another helpful way to achieve spiritual peace and enlightenment.

6. Turn Negative Action into Positive Action: Do things that make you feel good and give your life meaning. For instance, volunteering for a local charity is a great way to make you feel good. You could even do little things such as helping an elderly person put their groceries in the car or helping a neighbor clear snow from the driveway.

7. Visualization: Visualizing positive things is very helpful to overcoming pain. For instance, visualize sitting on a beach and watching the sunset. Visualize the warm embrace of the sun, the shimmering water, and the warm breeze brushing against your cheeks. Take deep slow breaths as you visualize. You will feel a sense of peace and joy flow through your body.

Emotional pain can be paralyzing and the mind can be very powerful during times of great pain. However, when you do deal with the pain in a positive and productive manner, it will not be long before you find happiness again.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Moment

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Possible Closure After Two Decades: A Families Worst Nightmare (PART 2)

Today the lawyers in the Candace Derksen are providing their closing statements and the jury is expected to deliberate tonight. There is a lot of concern that the jury will come back with a not guilty verdict due to the DNA evidence. This is the worst fear ever.

This man, Mark Grant, has turned so many peoples lives upside down. Including my family. This man needs to be kept behind bars FOREVER. His history of sexual violence against women is lengthy & he refuses to get any help. Can someone with this kind of violent history ever get help?

Here is an article I found online, care of WinnipegFIRST

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Mark Edward Grant has a history of violence against women.
Photo Credit: Manitoba Justice
• Posted: May 16th 2007, 17:38 / Written by: Kathleen Martens
• Tagged as: national parole board, mark edward grant, homicide, news
He blames his hatred of women on his mother and sister, and has a 20-year resume of crime to show for his anger.
Mark Edward Grant, who today was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of schoolgirl Candace Derksen, has served time for three rapes and choking to overcome resistance.
Grant, now 43, was 21 when Derksen disappeared on her way home from school in November 1984. She was in Grade 7, and froze to death while awaiting rescue from a remote shed on an Elmwood industrial property where she was left with her arms and legs bound.
Derksen's body was found six weeks after she disappeared. She was 13.
Grant was interviewed by police along with nearly 100 other people, police said today, as part of their initial investigation but was not considered a suspect. Since then National Parole Board documents obtained by winnipegFIRST.ca show Grant has been in and out of prison.
He confided to the board his anger toward women erupted as early as 14 when he sexually assaulted a young female although he was never charged with the crime. The board labelled him "predatory" and noted "unsophisticated and vulnerable post-pubescent female children" were at risk with him on the street.
"...The board concludes you are likely to commit an offence causing the death of or serious harm to another person...You have an established pattern of violent and sexually deviant behaviour dating from 1983," the board observed in 1995.
"The board is satisfied that, if released, you are likely to commit a sexual offence involving a child before the expiration of the sentence you are now serving," the board wrote in rejecting one of Grant's requests for early release.
Grant did not win early parole on any of his prison terms, and at one point the board revoked his full parole. But documents show he always served two-thirds of his sentence as required by law and the board had no grounds to hold him further.
Grant was resistant to sex offender treatment in prison, the document says, but did make strides in improving his literacy skills. He was diagnosed as a schizophrenic while behind bars.
A psychological assessment of November 1994 notes Grant had emotional baggage around the issues of anger control, rejection, emotional stability, loneliness and unstable relationships.
"...You admitted at the hearing that your hatred of women was related to behaviour of your mother and sister, but refused to discuss it further."
Nine days after serving one sentence, Grant re-offended and sexually assaulted an underage prostitute, the documents show. He was last imprisoned in 2001 and in 2002 the board wrote he was having hallucinations that encouraged him to be aggressive and sexually violent.
He has been a free man since 2004, although Winnipeg police had him under surveillance for a time because he was a sex offender.
Here is Grant's criminal resume:
*Grant was first imprisoned in February 1992 on a four-year sentence for sexual assault.
*He was freed on statutory release in March 1994 under special conditions.
*His statutory release was revoked in September 1994.
*He was to be freed in May 1995 but the Correctional Service of Canada took steps to keep him in custody until November 1995.
*Prior to the end of that term, he was convicted of sexual assault and overcome resistance resulting in an aggregate sentence of 12 years and 10 months effective November 1991.
*He was held in custody until his sentence expired on Sept. 26, 2004.

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It was in 1992 that Mark was sentences for the rape of my sister, as you can see he only got 4 years for that assault. It still makes me so angry that is sentence was so short. He gets 4 years, my sister gets a life sentence having to deal with the aftermath of this assault. To this day she still has issues in many facets of her life that all lead back to this horrible incident in her life.

My thoughts & prayers are with both the Derksen Family & my sister. I am sickened to my stomach that you both have to relive such a horrific time in your lives. Even if he is found not guilty, I hope you will have some inner peace and closure knowing what we ALL know, that this man is a killer. I am trying my best to have total faith in the justice system, but some faith will be lost if Mark Grant is found not guilty.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

ASW - Helping You Deal With Depression

I'm sure the first thing you are wondering is "What is ASW?" Well, the long answer, as you know I am doing a lot of research on transitioning back to work after being on a mental health/stress leave & looking for other ways to help with my progress. In my research I came across this workbook called 'Antidepressant Skills Workbook' and it caught my attention immediately and I knew I had to share it with you.

The 'Antidepressant Skills Workbook' gives an overview of depression, explains how it can be effectively managed according to the best available research, and gives a step-by-step guide to changing patterns that trigger depression. In this self-care guide, we show how to use cognitive and behavioural methods to make important changes in thinking and actions that help one to emerge from depression and make it less likely to recur. These methods can be used in combination with depression treatments, increasing their effectiveness. Note that for most people with serious depression, use of this self-help guide alone will not be sufficient to resolve the depression. People with serious depression should obtain treatment with antidepressant medication or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

I am hoping you will find this workbook as useful as I have so far. I will be sure to share my experience once completed, and I hope you will share yours.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

"Snap Out of It" - The Stigma of Mental Health Issues

I'm writing this today as it is "Let's Talk Day" with Bell Canada. Bell will contribute $.05 for every text message and long distance call sent to mental health initiatives.

As many of you know I have suffered from depression/mental health issues for several years now & I have always talked about it openly here on my blog. Being depressed isn't something I am ashamed of, but I know there are a lot of people out there that are, due to the stigma society has put on mental health issues. By writing about my experiences I hope people will not feel alone & will open up and discuss their mental health issues. It is time that we, people suffering with mental health issues, stand up to society and break this stigma of a disease that has remained silent for too long.

Depression, anxiety, mood disorders are serious illnesses and should never be taken lightly by anyone. I have come by many people in my journey with depression that are either uneducated or uninformed on what having a mental health problem really means. I have had people in my life that try to tell me "Snap out of it", don't you think if it was that easy I would choose to just "snap out of it".

When I have come across these people in my life I have tried to educate them on what it means to be suffering from depression. The problem with these kind of people is they choose to remain ignorant about the topic & don't want anything to do with the information you provide them. Obviously, these people are no longer in my life.

It is because of the stigma attached to mental health issues that causes people like this to say these kind of things. We need to educate society & share our stories to stop this misconception of what it means to be depressed.

Here are some great resources for those suffering from depression and for those that have people in their life suffering from some kind of mental health issues. Share these with your friends & family to help bring awareness to this very important issue:

Free Emotional Wellness Self-Assessment

Mental Health Services in Alberta

Understanding Mental Illness

Mental Health Test Your Knowledge

My Mental Health

Measure Your Mental Health Knowledge

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

My Second Home...If I Won The Lottery

Im not a big architecture buff, but when I first saw this building I was amazed. I came across this video in a old email last summer. Just re-watched this video again after dusting it off. Im still awestruck by the beauty of this building. I have heard rumors that it will not be built in Dubai due to their financial problems and that it will now be built in Hong Kong, but they are just rumors, as far as I know.

Check out this building and try to tell me you are NOT awestruck by it:

My Never Ending Mental Health Journey

I have now been on a mental health leave from work for almost 6 months. When all of this started I had no idea this journey would be as long as it has been. If you asked me 3 months ago how I felt about my progress I would have told you, I see the light & feel optimistic about returning to work quickly.

Today, I feel differently. Do not get me wrong, I have made ALOT of progress with this since it started, but just when I think I have dealt with it all, my therapist comes up with the next step. First, I had to deal with the event that started all of this. Second, I had to deal with the unspoken feelings I had towards my mother & how she has treated me my entire life. Third, I had to look at myself and I how I deal & categorize difficult people in my life, in an unhealthy manner. Fourth, it was time to get back out in the world. Needed to face my anxiety & get out and about. I'm still struggling with this one, I can have people over, but I feel overwhelmed when I have to go out. Fifth, it was time to make a plan. A plan on how I would deal with my mother if she were to contact me. I need to do this so I am better able to cope with the normal stress that comes from these contacts.

This is the step I am currently at. It is a difficult one for me, as I have always been on the edge of my seat or walking on egg shells wondering what is going to happen with the next contact from my mother. I feel, even if I have a plan on how to deal with this, that it won't alleviate the stress of the unknown I have with my mother. So I am working on this.

As you can see, there may or may not be many more steps to go for me. We still have not gotten to how I am going to deal with the stress I am feeling with returning to work. I feel I am getting depressed being off work this long, and that the transition back to work is going to be more difficult the longer I am off.

I miss the daily routine of going into the office. I miss work. But I understand I need to finish this journey to ensure that I am at my best before returning. I have complete faith & trust in my therapist.

I was doing some research on transitioning back to work after being off on a mental health leave and I came across this Free Emotional Wellness Self-Assessment and decided to take it. According to this assessment, I am still in great need of more therapy.

Want to find out if you are suffering from depression, anxiety or stress? Take this Free Emotional Wellness Self-Assessment and find out. The report they provide after is amazing, which also provides things you can do to help yourself. When filling out the information, I just used a fake business name to proceed. Let me know your thoughts on the assessment.

Let the journey continue!