The Mind is a terrible thing to ignore

 


May is for mental health.  

There is so much to talk about.   Mental health is a personal priority for me. 

As a child, I grew up with a grandmother who was diagnosed with mental health issues.  I saw the effects on her life and our family first hand.  We were able to wrap her in a bubble of Jesus, love, supervision, and  managed healthcare.  Our tribe was able to stabilize her care and make her life more joyful and consistent.  Her disease created little interruption, but it was our normal, and we functioned. We were fortunate. 

What about the people who don’t have the community or resources?  How do they manage?  They don’t.  As a matter of fact, some people have all those same resources and community, and the roller coaster if violent and catastrophic.   They spiral out of control.  They have over the top highs and below the bottom lows.  Some people suffer in silence, with a smile on their face.  Mental health is a spectrum and we are all on it.

 

I recently attended a fundraiser for Mental Health Awareness of the Carolinas. We’ve made a lot of progress with mental health awareness, stigmas, and resources.  There is still so much work to do. At this juncture of my life, I’m listening to my thoughts a little more.  I’m advocating for myself.  I am leaning how to advocate for others.  Some days it feels like me protecting the world from me, and other days its me protecting me from the world.  Other times I get to share the burden and advocate for others.

I’m a firm believer that my life has no place for shame.  I know how crippling and depleting shame can be in our emotional health.  It is paralyzing and toxic.  I’m leaning to create spaces for others where they are free to be themselves. I’ve always felt self acceptance and external acceptance is so important.  We have to be aware of our own struggles, and those of others.  The mind is a terrible thing to ignore. I realize society teaches us to ignore the people who are considered shameful.  We hide those things we are not proud of.  We are ashamed. We hide in the shadows of our mistakes, inadequacy and shame.  HOPE is light.  Anything that brings us light and joy begins to limit the space we allow the shadows to occupy our mind.  When we ignore our mind and our thoughts, we forget to take inventory of what is occupying the space.  Is it Light? Is it Darkness?

This month, commit to being light in the world.  Commit to filling your world with what makes you come alive.  For those who struggle, make a small step towards just being consistent. A win is a win, and we should celebrate everyday as a winner.  Hold space for someone.  Let  them bend your ear a little.  Give them a smile and a hug and tell them that its already getting better.  Always validate others when you can.  Show them their own  magic that they are personally blind to.  Hold space for acceptance, and if asked, guidance.  Point people to help and hope.  At the very least, you will fill someone’s bucket with joy.  On the other side, you may discovered, you may have saved a life.

A mind is a terrible thing to ignore.  Listen to what yours is silently screaming, and when others are suffering in silence; see them and hear them.
Encourage others to do the same.

 

Abundance Always.  

 


For more information visit www.mhaofcc.org




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