Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thriving Thursday
Whacky Wednesday
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Turn it around Tuesday
1. Recognise and acknowledge it.
Recognise that life is full of ups and downs and even though now you may be feeling unable to cope, it will not last forever. Know that you are not a failure for being depressed, you are brave for addressing it and wanting to overcome it.
2. Be aware of your thoughts toward yourself.
You will just add to your depression if you get up every morning and tell yourself how depressed you are feeling and how difficult life is for you. Focus on the positive. There is at least one good thing in your world. Maybe it's your family, children, hobby, job, friends or church. Think about it when you are feeling down and of how lucky you are to have it in your world.
3. Develop an attitude of gratefulness.
Many people feel depressed when they look at the negative conditions in their life. Learn to think and dwell on the positive. Get somebody to help you and pull you up each time you begin to complain about something. Find one thing every day to be grateful about.
4. Avoid substances that can cause mood swings such as alcohol, caffeine and high sugar foods.
5. Keep yourself busy.
When you are active, your mind has the chance to wander and focus on negative thoughts that cause you to become depressed. Find something that you love to do, something you are passionate about. Maybe cooking, making crafts, animals, web design. When you find your passion, get busy working on it and keep yourself busy.
6 Exercise regularly.
Outdoor exercise is a key element in recovery. If you are sitting in a dark room all day with the TV on and the curtains drawn, it won't make you feel good about yourself! Get out at least once a day into the fresh air. Go for a walk for 20 minutes or a jog. If you are on medication, always consult your doctor before starting up a regular exercise regime.
7. Go out of your way to do something for someone else each day.
When you are feeling depressed, usually all you thoughts and mood are focused on you. Turn your attention to somebody far worse off then you and then start to reach out to them. You can do this by volunteering for a local charity, taking a group trip to a 3rd world country, visiting a lonely elderly neighbor. It will do you so much good because it takes your attention off your own problems or grief and helps you practically help somebody else in the midst of your own pain.
In overcoming depression, remember that
“You haven't lost your smile at all, it's right under your nose. You just forgot it was there.”
Monday, December 28, 2009
Motivational Monday
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Thriving Thursday
Whacky Wednesday
10 Reasons Why Women Would Like to Be Santa Claus
- There'd be no more early morning decisions about what to wear to the office.
- No one would bother to ask Santa Claus for a ride to work.
- Buy one big brown belt and you'd be accessorized for life.
- You'd always work in sensible footwear.
- You'd never be expected to make the coffee.
- There'd be no need to play office politics; a hearty ho-ho-ho would remind everyone who is the boss.
- Juggling work and family would be easy. All your children would adore you; even your teenagers would want to sit in your lap.
- You'd never take the wrong coat on your way home.
- You could grow a tummy the size of Texas and consider it a job requirement of a funny Santa Claus.
- No one would ask to see your job description.
Santas Nicked?
A website called 'The Smoking Gun' has rounded up pictures of real felons who look like Saint Nick.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Turn it around Tuesday
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Motivational Monday
True Meaning of Christmas
Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.
"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .
"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!
Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."
He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.
Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."
Merry CHRISTmas!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Freaky Friday
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thriving Thursday
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Grinch
Who was 'The Grinch'? A Who down in Whoville who was born a little different? Someone with good intentions, who only became bad after he was treated so poorly?I watch this movie several times a year (thanks to my children) and always take the side of The Grinch.I remember a time in school, when my hair was cut short and permed...on top of the fact I was a short, chubby tomboy! I walked into the classroom and tried to hold my head up high. But it didn't matter...The kids laughed and pointed at me. I ran out of the classroom that day, determined to never go back.The Grinch ran away too. To the mountain tops in Whoville and became a scary legend. A Who, who would never fit in. I can't help but feel sorry for him. But that's where The Grinch seems "happy" (I would be happy there too, just to get away from everyone). I have had to deal with people making fun of me my entire life. Being stuck in the real world - I DID go back to school versus hauling myself away into the Santa Monica Mountains!
The Grinch learns, (thanks to the insight of Cindy Lou), that he doesn't have to be bad. Cindy Lou teaches the whole town to see The Grinch as a "Who", not as someone who is a green and grumpy misfit, but only after she teaches The Grinch to see himself as a "Who" first as well. Once he stops stepping on others in retaliation for their stepping on him, he turns around and saves Christmas after all (nevermind that HE was the reason Christmas needed saving in the first place). The town embraces their new citizen and the spirit of Christmas is learned by one and all.I wish it were that easy. But it doesn't have to be THAT hard. Who teaches us to make fun of things that are different? Does it feel good, to tear someone else down? It must, right? Or we wouldn't do it? Face it, it's easier to make yourself taller when you step on other people. That's the lesson learned by bullies of all ages.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I want to be like you....
Her eyes filled with tears and I just hugged her.She had no idea what she was really saying, she just wanted to be close to me. But her words melted my heart.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Christmas Party!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Freaky Friday
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Whatever Wednesday
Monday, December 7, 2009
Turn it around Tuesday
-- William Allin
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Keepin' it Real
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
Freaky Friday
Oh Holy Night...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thriving Thursday
"In Neurofibromatosis, a genetic defect causes these neural crest cells to develop abnormally. This results in numerous tumors and malformations of the nerves, bones, and skin." The Medical DictionaryI know about Neurofibromatosis. I know how the Medical books define it. But when I hear the word "defective" or "disease", I cringe. I don't label myself as defective! "Defective" is something you take back to the store for a refund!I refuse to wear that title over my head!Having Neurofibromatosis is challenging enough, wearing a defective sign around our neck is not something most of us should have to do...certainly not me. Next thing you know, you'll be walking down the street, and some Southern guy with a flannel shirt will come up to you and say "You're defective - Here's Your Sign!"I for one, have no intention being talked down to, felt sorry for, or defined by a 'Defect'. Call it a mutation (after all, my kids think I'm a super-hero). An alternative genetic alignment. But not a defect.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Everytime I 'Turn Around, Tuesday'
Motivational Monday
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Don't Turn Around Tuesday!
Last night, hubby and I went to see 2012! It was a very much needed "surprise", last minute date. I knew going into this movie that we weren't going for some deeply emotional drama, so I was excited.John Cusack rates number 5 on my all time favorite list....and as hokey, unrealistic, improbable, and poorly acted (outside of my sweetie, John) as it was, I really did enjoy the movie!