tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59393527634665354412024-03-27T02:36:38.813-04:00 Depression Getaway with Wendy Love Encouragement, information, inspiration, humor and hope for all of us who are challenged by mental illness, depression, bipolar, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger396125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-8206461776347610502023-07-09T18:56:00.000-04:002023-07-09T18:56:11.767-04:00Sending a Hug of Help<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0NLhrKWYz-NGbMPUykrM2UEu77zrd4w-SJxc2wY21zq9SxSEx-NANFZc0_tv1EmTMtFQI_noYO32O3iC3xEo2_sct_iaPVRP5Of8O5q0-iWmqyWSRVVpI8rxB9yNQWVUSsIE7pNJIWDw56L7SnWzTvfjeMqvHbRNG9GKIwgDZ8vMHyfdzYQ7I0riXrrr7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0NLhrKWYz-NGbMPUykrM2UEu77zrd4w-SJxc2wY21zq9SxSEx-NANFZc0_tv1EmTMtFQI_noYO32O3iC3xEo2_sct_iaPVRP5Of8O5q0-iWmqyWSRVVpI8rxB9yNQWVUSsIE7pNJIWDw56L7SnWzTvfjeMqvHbRNG9GKIwgDZ8vMHyfdzYQ7I0riXrrr7=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In just a few days I have become aware of several people I care about suffering from depression. It is depressing....I just want to help but all I can do is pray. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you, or anyone you love is suffering from any kind of mental illness, get help. It makes a difference. Start with your family doctor. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Untreated depression only gets worse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Get help.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Medication can and often does make a difference. Yes, some medications may have side effects you won't like but try another one. What have you got to lose? You try out something and quit if it is disagreeable. But maybe, just maybe, you will find a medication that makes a difference. And even a little difference can make a big difference when it comes to mental illness.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Get help. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Any kind of mental illness can make you feel all sorts of terrible things. One of my favourites is 'I hate people!' Really, when I am at my worst I feel like I hate everyone! And that makes me feel even more depressed. I feel guilty. I wonder 'what kind of person am I that I hate people?' But that is just the depression speaking. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Get help.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is not your fault. Depression is an illness, a disease like any other. Diabetes, cancer, parkinson's, ms... do you blame any of those sufferers for their symptoms? Of course not. And like some of these illnesses, mental illness can be terminal. Suicide rates are higher than ever. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Get help.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Do it for yourself. Do it for your loved ones. They are suffering right along with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">You are important. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Get help.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't give up! There is hope for depression. I am living proof of that. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, and a dog may help too! It sure helps me. xoxo</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtkGnN1wuD6UAfATdLWOmUbb-j6TPtOYYGbwq4vh_oiSnOSclQBbWXnlJuPCsZaJjdHAvdC6F-OTDJtH-xwjY8O1jXXwSPPggFPI7j9nd2f37JUnfelMbqFTXB6Hl12j-KdGBQKHdxOp1mRccHKQyWF-3yNoLknN3Tp2nX2ahhnM9BKI0C8kvkxlMs724S" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="253" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtkGnN1wuD6UAfATdLWOmUbb-j6TPtOYYGbwq4vh_oiSnOSclQBbWXnlJuPCsZaJjdHAvdC6F-OTDJtH-xwjY8O1jXXwSPPggFPI7j9nd2f37JUnfelMbqFTXB6Hl12j-KdGBQKHdxOp1mRccHKQyWF-3yNoLknN3Tp2nX2ahhnM9BKI0C8kvkxlMs724S" width="305" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-21673868394656115682023-03-29T17:25:00.003-04:002023-06-30T11:03:28.455-04:00'This Beautiful Fantastic'<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAc4UNlmmx_gL7EXm_4kA5dl1is68HovybBTQejABViC9aYctaa5_juelyIcMlathg9Dkw0NNo2nZyqePlhesR3EW8zObZhzpWM_Xhrb-6XFFaIvFVfft5xIoi75O6iBeDoIaWhBK3fYXTDOadPN5CRVGnOvSeMo1u26vsnqJO5QEtp9vHYpZYl8WBWg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="713" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAc4UNlmmx_gL7EXm_4kA5dl1is68HovybBTQejABViC9aYctaa5_juelyIcMlathg9Dkw0NNo2nZyqePlhesR3EW8zObZhzpWM_Xhrb-6XFFaIvFVfft5xIoi75O6iBeDoIaWhBK3fYXTDOadPN5CRVGnOvSeMo1u26vsnqJO5QEtp9vHYpZYl8WBWg=w458-h640" width="458" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">'A charming tale' pretty much sums up this precious, gentle movie called <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4560008/">'This Beautiful Fantastic'</a>. Please ignore the PG warning about 'mild course language'. Every so once in a while, I come across a movie that is so gentle, so slow-moving, and so unoffensive that I am totally comforted. This is such a movie. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When you battle depression you must be kind to yourself. If 'yourself' is someone who loves violence and fast-paced stories, then so be it. But if you are like me and you are super sensitive, easily offended and annoyed, and have a moral standard seldom regarded in so much of today's entertainment, then this delightful movie is what you need.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I probably identify with the main character in this tale, as she is a bit of an introvert, a little peculiar and she is a writer. But more than that, I just enjoyed watching something where I wasn't thinking thoughts like 'what a waste of time', or 'I'm better than this'.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes, I watch things to be entertained, even to escape but if that has a negative effect on me then it can bring my mood down, not raise it up. We must avoid that sort of thing. Our state of mind is more important than our entertainment whims.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The thing is, with depression you have to not only be kind to yourself but find kindness in the world. It is out there if you are open to it. Often with depression, our thoughts are not kind, or uplifting and so we need to seek them out around us. Whether that be a gentle movie like this one, a precious novel or a beautiful garden, or just a walk in the park, it is worth seeking out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">You are worth it. Treat yourself well. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't give up. I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpdMOMKg90nUA80mepaYlwKg9WlC1XReDvJRl93OoKsmKplFiVp9DSnV0-EeMWkFW6-nfWHDbRBmunl10XpaanFbRw7sE8mGA7BsusJ2sGscUuIBIBGK4VPR_E1FG1CtM61wrZaTsq2q0uwGXhRVvmUOSoZtG9c2rqbptAhDXvBPUF_u6rj7ibtWfeuQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpdMOMKg90nUA80mepaYlwKg9WlC1XReDvJRl93OoKsmKplFiVp9DSnV0-EeMWkFW6-nfWHDbRBmunl10XpaanFbRw7sE8mGA7BsusJ2sGscUuIBIBGK4VPR_E1FG1CtM61wrZaTsq2q0uwGXhRVvmUOSoZtG9c2rqbptAhDXvBPUF_u6rj7ibtWfeuQ" width="188" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-58237801529740949702023-03-20T17:26:00.000-04:002023-03-20T17:26:48.691-04:00My Little Helper<p> <span style="font-size: large;">My Little Helper Casey Writes a Book!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBacY5sJK0GbQi45qywDkMxqZz2cLt2-ssxiEbUEKRs6wGkFBCMKfJiev8NqJSKZrydhbBUJ_6j6LCjBWaDcWZtMOf-U_5aMj_q-ltSfo5Uvtme-7lGozz7KtGKaDyK143mOy6nUnQ7vXeauKb7Y9s9OLNrtRBmTgyK0sjK8uMH803Q1M87oUTSzSJMA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBacY5sJK0GbQi45qywDkMxqZz2cLt2-ssxiEbUEKRs6wGkFBCMKfJiev8NqJSKZrydhbBUJ_6j6LCjBWaDcWZtMOf-U_5aMj_q-ltSfo5Uvtme-7lGozz7KtGKaDyK143mOy6nUnQ7vXeauKb7Y9s9OLNrtRBmTgyK0sjK8uMH803Q1M87oUTSzSJMA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am writing another book! This time it is a Christian devotional and I am looking forward to sharing it with you when I am done. In the meantime, just for fun, I googled 'yorkie writing a book' and this is the picture that came up. It's a beautiful picture, isn't it? Actually looks like a painting to me, what do you think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyways, that reminded me of how much you can find on the internet just with a few words to google. It's amazing, isn't it? And that got me thinking about how much information I have found over the years about depression that has helped me.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the early days of my journey through those dark times, I was on and off more medications than I can remember. That part was as hard as the depression. Every time I hit yet another low point, I would get on the computer and start searching again. That is how I found out I was bipolar. There were some diagnostic tests for bipolar and I had never even considered it before and yet there it was, clear as day, I could check off all of the boxes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That started me towards research specific to my personal situation and led to much healing and wholeness. And the last and final tool in my arsenal was my little Yorkie Casey. He adds comfort and calm that no amount of medication or therapy could accomplish. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Don't give up. I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And here's my little guy below. Seven pounds of comfort and joy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzINuQji6TuU108ml3UFRAnnlB2sQnwpPszpZXhSOK0c7FxS14d1MT5d2Z6luIeoF8Oe1A8rGMca9WahTShZtyuvzuma0ZV48DuFN8DMwyLEESmEm2n_MPNKNOWDCjYrWaPS8fiCkUdzjZXEX-nwxUuoX6iVXqk6Pl4I8SK4cx4CB3qcSg_Mqu_sAjrQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzINuQji6TuU108ml3UFRAnnlB2sQnwpPszpZXhSOK0c7FxS14d1MT5d2Z6luIeoF8Oe1A8rGMca9WahTShZtyuvzuma0ZV48DuFN8DMwyLEESmEm2n_MPNKNOWDCjYrWaPS8fiCkUdzjZXEX-nwxUuoX6iVXqk6Pl4I8SK4cx4CB3qcSg_Mqu_sAjrQ" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-78487364602528161272023-03-06T12:36:00.004-05:002023-03-06T12:40:52.604-05:00Joy and Sorrow - Together?<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Joy and Sorrow - At the Same Time?</span></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifpV0YEM4PosHOo4GIFojkz4zilONL4lIj-27PxEa9Cw647GI9B49za5aGtbA4VWxHIMtDWISqCW6FOkC51mpqUUjlsYTTigmQhYh9DvIxXJSJgwxWagnD_bMbuLg0xPPA2J3ok4fpPaKxNGQQRu7lLqtFB79y0SfKvFyN6fWZgVBryCHU--8YJ0aXcw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifpV0YEM4PosHOo4GIFojkz4zilONL4lIj-27PxEa9Cw647GI9B49za5aGtbA4VWxHIMtDWISqCW6FOkC51mpqUUjlsYTTigmQhYh9DvIxXJSJgwxWagnD_bMbuLg0xPPA2J3ok4fpPaKxNGQQRu7lLqtFB79y0SfKvFyN6fWZgVBryCHU--8YJ0aXcw=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Have you ever experienced joy in the middle of sorrow? I have. My father died suddenly at the age of 59. I remember the moment. I was at his funeral, sitting in the front pew holding my mother's right hand with my sister on the other side holding her left hand. The three of us were drenched with tears. The big church was packed. But despite my sorrow I was filled with joy at the life my dad had lived, at the lives he had impacted in a good way, and at the thankfulness I felt for having him all those years.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But have I ever felt joy in the midst of the sorrow of depression? I don't think so, at least I can't remember. That is however one of the joy's of a depressive episode, is that you can't remember a lot when it's over. At least that is how it is with bipolar depression. And so with depression I haven't experienced joy and sorrow together, but I have certainly experienced the joy that comes after the sorrow. You probably have too.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And so these 'sayings', these 'platitudes' that you will find so many of on the computer are quite wonderful in many ways, but we cannot use them as a measuring stick for our own attitudes. As mental health sufferers we are tuned to a different channel and we cannot compare our attitudes to others. Changing depressing thoughts is not as easy as ready an uplifting idea. Oh that it were.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So don't be too hard on yourself. Don't judge yourself beside these wonderful kinds of sayings. But don't dismiss them altogether, because when you feel well, they can be very encouraging, even helpful.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT ABOUT YOU? How are you feeling today? Do you have any sayings, or scriptures that lift you up on a good day, or even on a bad day?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Don't give up! I'm <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression. And if all else fails, get a dog - works for me!</i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMiukfB4fj4TwKMJtAVDcnN7zXz6f5yPaNxSmBVbb8asZmTE6Bvm2uU2FvXoJbuC2MlJrxYHCXh90UyUNNx_51IlCwcOFkM0Z8ZJPh0GlInd200T19yRMlbSZWbMCavHKr26JK8bsdBkHDbzFII76Vh0Gd_7Juya71XtI1eTxxrDJZlGcQWtiAYvCncQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="243" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMiukfB4fj4TwKMJtAVDcnN7zXz6f5yPaNxSmBVbb8asZmTE6Bvm2uU2FvXoJbuC2MlJrxYHCXh90UyUNNx_51IlCwcOFkM0Z8ZJPh0GlInd200T19yRMlbSZWbMCavHKr26JK8bsdBkHDbzFII76Vh0Gd_7Juya71XtI1eTxxrDJZlGcQWtiAYvCncQ" width="282" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /><br /></i></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comXWQJ+4W Raphoe, ON, Canada46.987759399999987 -81.0676618-33.077298294896977 138.30733820000003 90 59.557338199999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-13316188872041844512023-01-27T12:07:00.002-05:002023-01-27T12:07:26.817-05:00Need a Laugh?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz7uqnsXWc2n6MLrCUusE-sx2wXoNBvUZxepViZQCk6Hp4cTgJXmtCIMM41uAETsroWJt2kP0jKG43qBlm-P7tOymMiuffNkyPiExKkugARFY6gJuG5ZPZ-c6GSqV9dOGvsl6tNY5_o2IJkrUHCy9VRVrHFUbSNL3jAAsep2f_EgdrkwUgYx_wBCm3Tg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="1080" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz7uqnsXWc2n6MLrCUusE-sx2wXoNBvUZxepViZQCk6Hp4cTgJXmtCIMM41uAETsroWJt2kP0jKG43qBlm-P7tOymMiuffNkyPiExKkugARFY6gJuG5ZPZ-c6GSqV9dOGvsl6tNY5_o2IJkrUHCy9VRVrHFUbSNL3jAAsep2f_EgdrkwUgYx_wBCm3Tg=w640-h310" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I just felt like sharing a laugh today. Only those of us who are up against mental illness will find it as funny as I did. And so true!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">How is your day going today?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don't give up! There is hope for depression.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-33403970930576149952022-01-03T19:51:00.000-05:002022-01-03T19:51:19.508-05:00New Year, New Hope!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTug4wqH4DdWcWw9NLMDTZPa_CUTvcmu3QSf5YJlqjWtzhWOX8km7BfbnvZhhNJl2XqszLW0GuC0denbBJbRQHze0v1Dqi40cYK2Cju7CLxsbXBPAKqj2-KngqLp9lL4O87YLA3xm3CiS/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTug4wqH4DdWcWw9NLMDTZPa_CUTvcmu3QSf5YJlqjWtzhWOX8km7BfbnvZhhNJl2XqszLW0GuC0denbBJbRQHze0v1Dqi40cYK2Cju7CLxsbXBPAKqj2-KngqLp9lL4O87YLA3xm3CiS/w640-h640/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-11313916336272737642021-05-31T11:40:00.004-04:002021-05-31T11:40:36.373-04:00Transplanting - One of my Favourite Activities!<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Transplanting - One of my Favourite Activities!</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpIE1b11BEFIIR4MRJlBy41zatHtn4MDMlq6jQtvvVRDpMJykipDSW7Rf4sm6FiNFpq1X1c8fk0RfUDNxb94MvJPiq3CkuhBKAh-wfEY7p9UG93kS_Pt4U1BLZE1g1oEmUi8iYqRZHK8d/s1200/570448dd301db.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpIE1b11BEFIIR4MRJlBy41zatHtn4MDMlq6jQtvvVRDpMJykipDSW7Rf4sm6FiNFpq1X1c8fk0RfUDNxb94MvJPiq3CkuhBKAh-wfEY7p9UG93kS_Pt4U1BLZE1g1oEmUi8iYqRZHK8d/w640-h426/570448dd301db.image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> I love transplanting trees, shrubs and plants. For me it's like planting hope. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's especially fun if the stuff is free! When I lived on a farm, there were woods on the perimeter of the 100 acres but right near the house there were hardly any trees at all. And the lane was not tree-lined.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I changed all of that one tree at a time and at no cost. I remember clearly getting up early in the morning and taking a vehicle out to the woods and digging up some treasures and transplanting them around the house. Some didn't make it but most did.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I only stayed on that farm for four years so I didn't get to enjoy the fruits of my labour, but that's okay because I totally enjoyed the work of transplanting. Sometimes I take a drive by that old place and admire my handy work. Since it was over 25 years ago it is absolutely amazing. The trees are tall and swaying in the breeze. The driveway is tree-lined making a wonderful approach to the house. And the house is </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This spring at my cottage I have had fun transplanting hostas by splitting them up. They are hardy and already making my new little cottage looking homier and more settled. My next project is to create a perennial garden which will take some time since the digging here is really challenging,. And I don't plan to purchase anything! Between friends and family I know I can get some plants to get me started.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Transplanting trees and plants is fun and full of wonder and hope for me. Today I transplanted four little trees. There is a favourite popular tree I love because the leaves twinkle in the sun and they make the nicest swishing noise, so I planted them outside my bedroom window. I thought it might be a nice sound to sleep to. But I'm not overly optimistic. I couldn't get any dirt with these little trees, they were fastened tightly to their home, so I ended up yanking them out without any dirt and very little root. They might die, but you know what, they may make it! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But when you are recovering from depression you may not enjoy being transplanted. You may wish you could take your healthy self, your 'old self' into your new life. That may not be possible. It may be a whole new life for you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But you can take the good things that you still have going in your life and transplant them into your new life, the life you must create for yourself in order to manage depression.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are very much like transplanted trees. We have been yanked out of our comfort zone and forced to grow somewhere else. But that little transplanted tree can have an even better life, having more room to grow. We can grow too if we can accept our new circumstances.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> I have been transplanted. There are still some things in my life that I miss. I won't list them here or it will get me down. But there are lots of parts of life I totally enjoy. I still have a life. I have put down roots and I have grown.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Have you resisted being transplanted? Are there parts of your old life that you miss? Does thinking about yourself as a transplanted tree bring any comfort at all?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5zEyNEzO6eFJMDkjlxRObxz4ijbc7JFSEBCtDmEwcWhm6XjVQK_VZronte4PLF6IlrL0LmpgXSKywWxLfhyphenhyphendJ1mrLQGfleSykANQi72c4NIX2fiE107HCuhUYWVRyqV_WFFIS8nMoyRN/s682/31ba6789fc52aa2384dc3d9457971c35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="682" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5zEyNEzO6eFJMDkjlxRObxz4ijbc7JFSEBCtDmEwcWhm6XjVQK_VZronte4PLF6IlrL0LmpgXSKywWxLfhyphenhyphendJ1mrLQGfleSykANQi72c4NIX2fiE107HCuhUYWVRyqV_WFFIS8nMoyRN/w400-h331/31ba6789fc52aa2384dc3d9457971c35.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /><b><br /></b></i></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-19418721016020199692021-05-24T07:50:00.001-04:002022-12-13T09:22:45.060-05:00My Mother-in-Law is For the Birds<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> My Mother-in Law is For the Birds!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIcj4dNcKebt_AxgpNenozXTkzTtEi6d0VUOIRt38knWRWgyoQWhozsy_k4iVx6j8Yp2RQ3TM2YFvCjag-o9enICn02CDS1lpzDnTDeMmGKqyLptt4HGL7HJTkZrI2D6N38SUVgC0F6uz/s1200/close-up-of-sparrows-flying-by-feeder-royalty-free-image-1568389748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIcj4dNcKebt_AxgpNenozXTkzTtEi6d0VUOIRt38knWRWgyoQWhozsy_k4iVx6j8Yp2RQ3TM2YFvCjag-o9enICn02CDS1lpzDnTDeMmGKqyLptt4HGL7HJTkZrI2D6N38SUVgC0F6uz/w640-h320/close-up-of-sparrows-flying-by-feeder-royalty-free-image-1568389748.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, not really. I mean 'for the birds' means worthless or trivial and my mother-in-law is certainly not that. She is definitely valuable and meaningful. I just said she is 'for the birds' to get your attention. Really I won the mother-in-law lottery. She is wonderful.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My 95-year-old mother-in-law is vital, alert, and still interested in life. She never complains even though she has hardly been able to get out for over a year. But I mention the birds because that has been the hobby that has helped her to endure the covid restrictions while living in a seniors residence.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Her granddaughter outfitted her with three birdfeeders, one which attaches to the window and what a wonderful pastime that has become.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Birds are small but powerful creatures. They bring joy, entertainment, beauty, and awe. They are precious and surprising. They are delicate and intricate. Some are colourful and beautiful. Some make wonderful sounds. I could go on and on.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And so could my mother-in-law! We can't see her often due to covid restrictions but we call her every day and she always has news about her birds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Watching the birds has made a big difference in her life. It has helped her through covid and will continue to bring her joy long after. And now that summer has arrived we have added a bird bath plus a hummingbird feeder to her little bird village.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nature can help all of us through covid. There is awe in nature and a perfect distraction from our isolation. Nature connects us to something greater than ourselves.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We all need something to help us through difficult times.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME? </i></b>What has helped me get through covid? Well, I have lots of practice coping with isolation and depression and so I came into this covid environment well-equipped. I already have my quiet pastimes in place that keep me happy at home. I must admit that now that summer has arrived in Ontario I am even more able to be in nature.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Do you have anything special that has helped you cope with the covid restrictions?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0wFa25u4xtcCNPhttp4Dwnn3ELNnpQ6-CsbeOyOifUuOZB4ttIGzD-qXAb2jlO3ZUoK_2J3HakwCGiNNPZacb83NzYYpUuC_hKuwP1uLz99f5zerHbLcp7CqQbl3oDqwyVdhBKUPzDyZ/s360/fb171a18cd813158e7068df3024e95ad.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0wFa25u4xtcCNPhttp4Dwnn3ELNnpQ6-CsbeOyOifUuOZB4ttIGzD-qXAb2jlO3ZUoK_2J3HakwCGiNNPZacb83NzYYpUuC_hKuwP1uLz99f5zerHbLcp7CqQbl3oDqwyVdhBKUPzDyZ/w334-h400/fb171a18cd813158e7068df3024e95ad.gif" width="334" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-32962335462667400132021-05-11T11:04:00.001-04:002022-12-13T09:22:27.251-05:00Covid Fatigue<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Covid Fatigue</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbmU0SioMpojco9oq6AbcedDn-KLk1hedhlajavBBjWj6oUQmnwzkdEWbuQ-AGidikltKot0xnaAY6mgX6gGOocicaD7x1EyXrvPfzUKMg_OK8z5RAIpLUxN4g9PnqWusoFjyXa7Ra1_K/s888/exhausted-soldier+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="888" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbmU0SioMpojco9oq6AbcedDn-KLk1hedhlajavBBjWj6oUQmnwzkdEWbuQ-AGidikltKot0xnaAY6mgX6gGOocicaD7x1EyXrvPfzUKMg_OK8z5RAIpLUxN4g9PnqWusoFjyXa7Ra1_K/w640-h424/exhausted-soldier+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Covid fatigue</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Aren't you thankful that we are not in the same kind of war that this soldier is? Well at least most of us aren't. But I guess the hospital workers taking care of covid must feel like they are in a battle and they are.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Covid fatigue....<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For us regular citizens in Ontario, we are weary of a lockdown which has been going on for weeks, and which we all thought was going to end soon, but now they have announced that it is possibly being extended.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Covid fatigue....</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When I am feeling covid fatigue this scripture helps remind me of what kinds of things to think about (instead of covid!)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Philipians 4:8</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Finally, brethren, </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">whatsoever things are true,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> whatsoever things are honest,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> whatsoever things are just, </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">whatsoever things are pure,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> whatsoever things are lovely,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> whatsoever things are of good report,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> if there be any virtue and if there be any praise,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> think on these things.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">May you find strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FDFsrfbgBeo_VqgOpnpRdjydWcoCHfh-edpXW9O335jsSSsJO2OTMo2FwFCA_zDq4CpbyI5yz8km43j7Yaojd0VUQScccehcI8ifMZNxgCFeATj2lhMgHMYXWDoT5ocAo2POV-zxZ2yT/s2048/stay-positive-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="2048" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FDFsrfbgBeo_VqgOpnpRdjydWcoCHfh-edpXW9O335jsSSsJO2OTMo2FwFCA_zDq4CpbyI5yz8km43j7Yaojd0VUQScccehcI8ifMZNxgCFeATj2lhMgHMYXWDoT5ocAo2POV-zxZ2yT/w400-h221/stay-positive-quotes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-84458636604897164912021-05-03T08:01:00.002-04:002022-12-13T09:22:18.001-05:00Covid Comforts - Take Care of Yourself!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLvHYSK_tWnd7t9fDuDDeq6OScyq7eX9FfYLgCeqABmEbf9_qWwIzbbYZiRfm55GIwaOLE-gXwHDjaGcFzs33jZGMncW2dAlZm2Z-D_qxC_gRL2pLfZ5xklBEsDlE3TU_gUAkRDCW3Jmj/s852/womanphone.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="852" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLvHYSK_tWnd7t9fDuDDeq6OScyq7eX9FfYLgCeqABmEbf9_qWwIzbbYZiRfm55GIwaOLE-gXwHDjaGcFzs33jZGMncW2dAlZm2Z-D_qxC_gRL2pLfZ5xklBEsDlE3TU_gUAkRDCW3Jmj/w640-h360/womanphone.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What is a comfort to you when there is NOT a pandemic?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you struggle with mental illness like I do, it helps to know what comforts you. It is called 'self-care' and at no time is it more important than now.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And even if you don't normally suffer from depression, you just might be experiencing a bit of it, especially if you live in Ontario, Canada where I live. We have had 3 long lockdowns which means stay home except for essential things like food and medical appointments. This has been tough.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So, stuck at home all this time, what are you doing to comfort yourself?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For me it is my same old activities which I usually love: sewing, writing, painting, walking, reading, watching TV, but honestly, I am getting a little tired of them at this point. Even praying is getting tedious. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hey, life is tedious right now for most of us who are not in the frontlines of this pandemic. I am thankful for that. But I am so thankful to be bored and not to be sick. I am so thankful to be at home and not in the hospital. I am so thankful to be retired and not a frontline worker. I am so thankful that my loved ones are all safe and healthy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But still, the days are long and the news is dreary. And then there are the differences of opinion over covid and the restrictions, the discontentment with the government too.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">BUT THIS WON'T LAST FOREVER</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Never is it more important for us to take care of ourselves and our mental health.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I want to encourage everyone reading this to take stock of your mental state right now and think of some things you can do for 'covid comfort'. Only you can answer this question.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Doing something enjoyable or comforting for yourself is the first step.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But another idea is to reach out to someone else like this woman in the picture is doing. I know a lot of people are more in touch with their family and friends these days via computer and phone. Just connecting with people can make you feel less isolated. Plus the act of reaching out to others, the idea that others are suffering too and that they can use a cheery phone call is good for us and good for them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> I try to stay away from the news, it depresses me. I try to get outside every day and with my little Yorkie, that is absolutely necessary. I try to call or text someone every day. I am trying some new recipes. I continue with my other quiet pursuits. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">WHAT ABOUT YOU? How are you feeling today? How are you coping with this pandemic? Has Covid touched you or your family personally? What sort of 'self-care' are you attempting?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span> </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-76199414709866432482021-04-26T08:00:00.006-04:002023-08-19T07:48:45.329-04:00Volunteering - You Get More Than You Give<p> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Volunteering - You Get More Than You Give</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_AEytpDqgTKFsh_Q9IvG8W4GECqyxrezOskTlp_cz9YeFIvzFgXUjgXXmoioa6V_O3xsF0gYRfu85lq_I_AjSrsFZX9_ZHs2SjaelDOJiTNh4B9ZD4ZGx5n47QQVTOoS0DziPuilfU2T/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1254" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_AEytpDqgTKFsh_Q9IvG8W4GECqyxrezOskTlp_cz9YeFIvzFgXUjgXXmoioa6V_O3xsF0gYRfu85lq_I_AjSrsFZX9_ZHs2SjaelDOJiTNh4B9ZD4ZGx5n47QQVTOoS0DziPuilfU2T/w640-h426/image.png" width="640" /></a></b></span></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><b>Is it still possible to volunteer during covid? You bet!</b></b></span></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: avenirregular, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="image-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; line-height: 30px; vertical-align: middle;"><br /><span class="image-caption" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; font-size: 14px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"></span></span></b></span></p><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It sure is. I found an article, no longer available online, that lists the following benefits of volunteering:</span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><ol style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e3e3e; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The power to change lives.</span> </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">The ability to involve more people.</span> </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">A physical feeling of satisfaction.</span> </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">New friends and stronger friendships.</span>”</span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Connection and confidence.</span> </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Social and networking skills.</span></span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A readiness to take on the world.</span></span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Value to schools and employers.</span> </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">A chance to pay it forward.</span></span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">A sense that you have more time.</span> </span></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Feelings of gratitude.</span></span> </li></ol><div><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe you would like to read more about <a href="https://blog.achievable.me/resources/health-benefits-of-volunteering/">the benefits of volunteering</a>. </span></div><div><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">What about our mental health? You may think that if you suffer from depression you have nothing to give. You won't know that is true until you try. Besides, the benefits of volunteering may be just what you need! </span></div><div><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You may think that volunteering during these times of social distancing seems unlikely. But not so much. If you live in Ontario, just call 'Community Care' and see what they need. You could even call your local hospital and discover what opportunities they might have for you.</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> Frankly, I have avoided volunteering even though I thought it might be a depression getaway. I was afraid of committing myself and then not being able to turn up on one of my bad days. But with covid and so much time on my hands, I decided to help out at our local food bank, and I just love it. It is only a few hours a week, easy work, seems worthwhile, reminds me how lucky I am, and I have made some new friends (despite the 3 masks we are required to wear and the six feet distancing). I can walk over there. And it makes me feel useful instead of useless!</span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling? Do you already volunteer somewhere? Could this be an option for you? What have you got to lose?</span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Don't give up. I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYB9Vq7-oUXqJDY4L1RnIJWXlBMo4nD8oM3Dy7aO7BetuD5-_Id8jSQqo5MPnUUj4qEW26q6Q6xPhObRgw5uGE8OTys1-brL0T-OpOYvIhrICTUZcyOI0u7U0hZuvTM6xm8BR-TyQo9Cs/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="770" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYB9Vq7-oUXqJDY4L1RnIJWXlBMo4nD8oM3Dy7aO7BetuD5-_Id8jSQqo5MPnUUj4qEW26q6Q6xPhObRgw5uGE8OTys1-brL0T-OpOYvIhrICTUZcyOI0u7U0hZuvTM6xm8BR-TyQo9Cs/w400-h240/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0d0d0d;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Open Sans, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0d0d0d;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="avenirregular, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #3e3e3e;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="avenirregular, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #3e3e3e;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-36145313099255927882021-04-19T08:00:00.014-04:002022-12-13T09:21:50.050-05:00Hobbies - Great Covid Getaways<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> Hobbies - Great Covid Getaways</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUjghDymtTvvBEHc9dycLm6O0yukdMEaZxS0NmBqdElEw4ySHLi2cMC3vx4KvnhBO1w9ulXxRDlWju-XMETaXidso7NTpjgJu0GaS5SpBkX_jhubmy508teasVGTWsIQgvQeOBiTD_okW/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="390" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUjghDymtTvvBEHc9dycLm6O0yukdMEaZxS0NmBqdElEw4ySHLi2cMC3vx4KvnhBO1w9ulXxRDlWju-XMETaXidso7NTpjgJu0GaS5SpBkX_jhubmy508teasVGTWsIQgvQeOBiTD_okW/w640-h460/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>HOBBIES FOR HEALTH</i></b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of 'depression getaways' we are going to talk about 'covid getaways'. They are amounting to the same thing these days, do you agree?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I am sure we can all agree that having hobbies had great benefits. But if you need a reminder read this:</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Why we need hobbies?</span></a></h3><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px 0px 24px;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">During these stressful and uncertain times, many social, physical, and mental activities and routines are disrupted. Thankfully, hobbies can be there to fill the void and have many benefits:<span></span></span></a></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hobbies help you structure your time and make you more efficient.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You can develop and nurture social connections through hobbies.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hobbies make you more interesting and add layers to your self-identity.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hobbies help alleviate stress.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hobbies can teach you new skills that can help with your career.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hobbies help you to be more innovative.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hobbies help with recovery from tough days.</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Creative hobbies can help you recover from mental health issues.</span></a></li></ul><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And would you care to know what are the most popular hobbies during covid (that is according to<a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"> 'The Suburban'</a>?</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And their research shows that these are the most popular covid hobbies:</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The most popular hobbies in order are:</span></a></h3><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1. Watching TV Shows and Movies</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2. Reading</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">3. Working Out</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">4. Arts and Crafts</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">5. Board Games</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">6. DIY</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">7. Yoga</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">8. Baking</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">9. Gardening</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">10. Video Games</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">11. Meditation</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">12. Audiobooks and Podcasts</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">13. Writing</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">14. Learning a Language</span></a></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.thesuburban.com/arts_and_entertainment/entertainment/study-reveals-most-popular-hobbies-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/article_882ebf2a-87e1-11ea-9c54-1fce0a4b2159.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">15. Learning an Instrument</span></a></li></ul><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you haven't yet found a hobby to distract and engage you during these difficult times, thIS is a great list to choose from. We could even break some of those topics down to more ideas. For instance, my favourite is arts and crafts. The list is endless as to what you could try and with pinterest for ideas and youtube for lessons you are pretty much set to go. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, jewellry making, painting, sculpting, ceramics etc....</span></div></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> Well if you read this blog often you will know that I fill my time with walking, sewing, painting, reading, writing and watching TV. I started all of these things before covid and I am so thankful for these activities now. Honestly, I can't imagine how I would cope with depression without these activities. They are depression getaways for me. They are covid coping activities for me.</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? How are you coping with covid? Have you noticed your depression worsening? Do you have something to do outside of work and family and home obligations? Could you consider a new hobby? What have you got to lose?</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlaW0X7gaXUNbh_BaBxFKYoxISbSSVI_D6RbsFjK3pd3YYucp94JCSMiBJgnmIuEvPXCcB1Nf9lbZcK76HxgrpHuyiurLdYWtocoacxpnjxDFIqz7OAUJkE9kdgiMt7UDA-OGH3xpIaVg/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlaW0X7gaXUNbh_BaBxFKYoxISbSSVI_D6RbsFjK3pd3YYucp94JCSMiBJgnmIuEvPXCcB1Nf9lbZcK76HxgrpHuyiurLdYWtocoacxpnjxDFIqz7OAUJkE9kdgiMt7UDA-OGH3xpIaVg/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-36648272246822997902021-04-12T08:00:00.024-04:002022-12-13T09:21:38.691-05:00"More Good Days"<div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;">"More Good Days"</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4HN0nGt3uEI7sr9ncjA4UIZN4kV4a1rJj8iPfC-bcOrOrQTK4xWMmqk2yc3W_-erQA-8pHS4Tk3Iwf6qXg5O9mG8j4H7wCF6vbHRx4kxY3x9jgmrbuPrmw_MQR0_PX-VU0IPgzr6CwaL/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4HN0nGt3uEI7sr9ncjA4UIZN4kV4a1rJj8iPfC-bcOrOrQTK4xWMmqk2yc3W_-erQA-8pHS4Tk3Iwf6qXg5O9mG8j4H7wCF6vbHRx4kxY3x9jgmrbuPrmw_MQR0_PX-VU0IPgzr6CwaL/w640-h360/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Retired NHL hockey play Kelly Hrudey has become an eager mental health advocate. He is open about his own experience.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Men are not typically known for reaching out for help for mental illness, or for even admitting that they might have any emotional struggles at all. So it is helpful when some of these sports guys who struggle, become open about their own experiences. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You may want to read more about </span><a href="https://www.storiedmind.com/men-depression/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">men and depression.<span><a name='more'></a></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In this </span><a href="https://globalnews.ca/video/7742990/nhl-broadcaster-kelly-hrudey-goes-public-with-mental-health-struggles/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">recent interview</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">, Kelly talks about his family's experience many years ago with a daughter who struggles with depression. And now he too has had to face his own challenges with mental illness. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Apparently, his daughter, now grown, talks about 'more good days' meaning that she now has more good days than bad days. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">She has coined that phrase and put it on T-shirts and other clothing. You can check out her </span><a href="https://moregooddaysclothing.com/collections/more-good-days" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">"More Good Days Clothing Company"</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xxx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedUmrjvnCpkaHWKgL-i9WfitPB4HmqZCOh2cwkxz88fpUgXTuscGfT2-27oQRdbTgm0D70IC668H4b2Nxuc6FvHbbmDn8ISoLJS8VM1qRTDxvm1xWq83dykNYuFJ7Z-c35jc_aobXQA-c/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedUmrjvnCpkaHWKgL-i9WfitPB4HmqZCOh2cwkxz88fpUgXTuscGfT2-27oQRdbTgm0D70IC668H4b2Nxuc6FvHbbmDn8ISoLJS8VM1qRTDxvm1xWq83dykNYuFJ7Z-c35jc_aobXQA-c/w300-h400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font-size: xxx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><span style="font-size: large;">It's encouraging to see athletes, well anyone, go public about depression. It's encouraging to see them attempting to dispel the stigma surrounding depression. There still exists a stigma, which is unrealistic and unfair opinions about mental illness and about those who suffer. </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It's encouraging to see someone coin a phrase "more good days" that we can all use to give us hope.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> Well, this blog is me going public about depression. This is me dispelling the stigma about depression.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Do you like it when public figures, like Kelly, admit to their own struggles with depression? How open are you? Are you able to admit your struggles to others? Are you having 'more good days' than bad days?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xxx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaq7W6KqvfpenDYVKjAmwZcvc-9WvWH1PzfjBKccWMu4IOtxVl3hikkN6f0LQhoe41Y0gWHS1S4wsgLj0ATk9rQPBsyvG7uPZIxWi0SyCnGHeEr_roI_Ed8nyLqduXTiVt9CEo-jiVf9a/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1030" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaq7W6KqvfpenDYVKjAmwZcvc-9WvWH1PzfjBKccWMu4IOtxVl3hikkN6f0LQhoe41Y0gWHS1S4wsgLj0ATk9rQPBsyvG7uPZIxWi0SyCnGHeEr_roI_Ed8nyLqduXTiVt9CEo-jiVf9a/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://headsupguys.org/22-male-athletes-speaking-depression/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">"Heads Up Guys"</span></a><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-62817273378696049342021-04-05T08:00:00.054-04:002022-12-13T09:20:47.779-05:00I love libraries and book stores!<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> I Love Libraries!</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyw8fOkXNMr8IQUwQvPZt6XwDIb3UEbgMNY_q4OjzfyEqkJfGoPM-57O3Jj3iH9aFKnY4QCFlZMri5w8iBLpdCqJcsDISKNBfhPUNX-lPh6tMY33gC-6k0gz9ePxANRKdAlE3kcRE-c1W/s800/libraryheart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyw8fOkXNMr8IQUwQvPZt6XwDIb3UEbgMNY_q4OjzfyEqkJfGoPM-57O3Jj3iH9aFKnY4QCFlZMri5w8iBLpdCqJcsDISKNBfhPUNX-lPh6tMY33gC-6k0gz9ePxANRKdAlE3kcRE-c1W/w640-h360/libraryheart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pictured below is my cozy hometown library.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhpdI5_dKl50PPul0qAQkywd0Fh0dGUGFFALVdsMfq_q15JvR633Yj-yVXTDTIfbymZVAK3PzbxhsnDNHpRb9SwSHB9NXGCnD5Dzfm5ORu1QAISov1zHCH3OJUoDo49dnS6HkpWr3Pxcz/s800/Norwood-Branch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhpdI5_dKl50PPul0qAQkywd0Fh0dGUGFFALVdsMfq_q15JvR633Yj-yVXTDTIfbymZVAK3PzbxhsnDNHpRb9SwSHB9NXGCnD5Dzfm5ORu1QAISov1zHCH3OJUoDo49dnS6HkpWr3Pxcz/w640-h480/Norwood-Branch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size: large;">Why do I love libraries so much? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Libraries just seem so full of potential to me - potential to learn, to enjoy, to escape, to be part of something that you can only imagine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Each good book is a little holiday from life - a little depression getaway. Each book takes you on a journey, a lovely private journey between you and the book.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And since I love libraries, when I enter them, my endorphin levels instantly go up. Remember that endorphins are natural feel good chemicals.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone suffering from any kind of mental disorder needs as many endorphins as possible. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's good to know yourself, know what you like (and what you don't like) and when you need a boost, do those things you like.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME? </i></b>I have a mental list of things I like and I try to do at least one of them to boost my mood. As well as libraries and bookstores, I like spending time with my kids and grandkids, walking especially through old neighbourhoods with interesting old houses, petting my dog, talking to my far-away sister on Facebook and those are just a few.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? What places or activities do you like? Do you notice that you when you do things you like or go places you like that you feel better? Do something you like today. What have you got to lose?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw9o8um4y-F98_A2VFuec92qOheULLAq9d-4gZjIB32JqnYw6_zgSyh9jpGUn1RGH6lLrOoZ3HJmlCYWnFZ_4Rq9qAYCPuI9W5iO2u87CeHeV9hREIEDRLhBI2GsF18TNywI01w0sqFGk/s640/10+Things+That+Happen+to+Our+Minds+When+We+Read.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw9o8um4y-F98_A2VFuec92qOheULLAq9d-4gZjIB32JqnYw6_zgSyh9jpGUn1RGH6lLrOoZ3HJmlCYWnFZ_4Rq9qAYCPuI9W5iO2u87CeHeV9hREIEDRLhBI2GsF18TNywI01w0sqFGk/w400-h300/10+Things+That+Happen+to+Our+Minds+When+We+Read.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-40434892077440804482021-04-05T08:00:00.049-04:002022-12-13T09:20:13.579-05:00Facebook - To Follow or not to Follow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Facebook - To Follow or NOT to Follow?</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZmtjuiaTzPY-fRXBaS_GHgcD-yhE5KKIkH8gVwHG8z21tKi8mbKX3xvb7caVaoT7YCkkbx5HfdAAF9ESyQ_UEjsYXxAOb641up93ZJwrH-8Mife94up63lfClX0n-E0WIpop_P4VHgjz/s1200/fakefamily.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZmtjuiaTzPY-fRXBaS_GHgcD-yhE5KKIkH8gVwHG8z21tKi8mbKX3xvb7caVaoT7YCkkbx5HfdAAF9ESyQ_UEjsYXxAOb641up93ZJwrH-8Mife94up63lfClX0n-E0WIpop_P4VHgjz/w640-h426/fakefamily.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Are these smiles fake or phoney? Well I'm sure you've figured it out already. This might be a real family but they are definitely posing for this picture and they are probably not that happy all the time. Who knows? Maybe they fight all the time?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But if this woman were a 'friend' of mine on Facebook, I might assume that she has a very happy family (<i>all the time</i>) and that they play together and laugh together (<i>and all the time</i>). It might even make me wish that my family were happier like this one. The picture might give me unnecessary thoughts of jealousy and resentment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Facebook is a fun way to keep up with friends and to share ideas and certainly has its place. But sometimes it can just make you feel like everyone has a happy life, except you. You may imagine that their family gets along all the time, but not yours. If you are depressed, you will be particularly vulnerable to these kinds of thoughts.<span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This can become a negative trigger for anyone battling depression or any other mood disorder.</span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.viralnation.com/blog/facebook-execs-admit-to-intentionally-making-us-addicted/" target="_blank">Did you know that Facebook is designed to hook you and keep you there?</a> Every button you push leads to more desire to push more buttons. If anyone 'likes' a post you get excited and want to check it out often during the day to see if there are any more 'likes'. 'Likes' can actually become addictive.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If Facebook is setting you up for that kind of discontent, that puts Facebook in control and not you, right?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to take control of Facebook instead of it taking control of me. I will tell you how in a minute.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">How about a Facebook cleanse? We could go through our 'friends' and 'unfollow' the ones that really make us feel bad about ourselves.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">SO BEWARE!</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">FACEBOOK IS <u>NOT</u></span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u></u>A DEPRESSION GETAWAY</span></i></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend 'Suzette'. She is one of those people that 'tells it like it is'. She has a beautiful picture of her husband and her family hanging proudly on a wall where everyone sees it. They look perfect. But she is very willing to tell us what happened before the picture. From one of them forgetting they had a date with a photographer, to another not having the right coloured shirt. Apparently the family fought all the way to the photo shoot. Before the photographer said 'cheese' they were bickering like crazy. The photo did not reflect the reality of their real family. One of the things I love about 'Suzette' is that she is so willing to be honest about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Depression is a precarious illness. It is insidious and reaches far into our thoughts creating moods that are hard to manage. When we are feeling particularly vulnerable, Facebook may not a good place to spend time in.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> The way I deal with Facebook is to <b><i>NOT FOLLOW</i></b> anyone, or to be more specific, 'unfollow'. I just visit them from time to time when I am in a stable mood. I try to visit only the positive ones. I am 'intentional' in my use of Facebook. Often I stay away altogether. So why am I even on Facebook? Honestly, as a blogger and a novelist, I am advised to be on social media and that is one of the reasons I am there. Plus, as a grandma, I don't want to miss out on those precious photos of the grands. But as an introvert, this is not a natural fit for me. And so yes, I have succumbed to the pressures of social media but with limitations because of depression.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Is Facebook a depression getaway for you? Are you strong enough to spend some time on Facebook without feeling worse about your life? Are there some people you should 'unfollow'? </span></p><p><i style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Don't give up! I am<a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank"> praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</b></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b></b></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDu6hfiyTZduB7qj6AdSbs1fkPHiaR2fy29KrOeoO_aNR1XM_4kUDR8j5lBYsFikwcWei4TJqK5NmHlQNlXD4eSzGLur5BZ6sAwwkyg1LzgohBQubhtpWxxifQJXlfHdLKa7uqD6FQOPl/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDu6hfiyTZduB7qj6AdSbs1fkPHiaR2fy29KrOeoO_aNR1XM_4kUDR8j5lBYsFikwcWei4TJqK5NmHlQNlXD4eSzGLur5BZ6sAwwkyg1LzgohBQubhtpWxxifQJXlfHdLKa7uqD6FQOPl/w427-h640/image.png" width="427" /></a></b></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /><br /></b></i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-26904874039617956952021-03-29T09:00:00.030-04:002022-12-13T09:19:50.632-05:00Hackers Unite! Crack Codes for 21 Depression Getaways<p></p><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hackers Unite! Crack Codes for </span></h2><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">21 Depression Getaways</span></h2><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWrBFYUI7fbqUEYwoXRk9Qe1Z08-cY9urqhpm5FF5ofG_6aAK3WHZ3WmzBqBZCE5Nx-UMZ2tvPEaeez_Qbjhn8TTm7BCJ_TtvEqhNVGh5CnaE_-t8dgTpnTtTluz_kxOZbqfS9Lsigzms/s562/2017Cliff%2527sMop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="422" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWrBFYUI7fbqUEYwoXRk9Qe1Z08-cY9urqhpm5FF5ofG_6aAK3WHZ3WmzBqBZCE5Nx-UMZ2tvPEaeez_Qbjhn8TTm7BCJ_TtvEqhNVGh5CnaE_-t8dgTpnTtTluz_kxOZbqfS9Lsigzms/w321-h418/2017Cliff%2527sMop.jpg" width="321" /></a></h2><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">It sure looks like Cliff and I are having a good day in this photo, and we were. We were having a fun time in Myrtle Beach (before Covid) at a flea market and we were with family we love. Cliff had just purchased this funny hat with fake hair on it. (Normally he is quite bald).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were <b><i>'laughing'</i></b> at his hat, <b><i>'holding hands'</i></b> while we walked around, enjoying the <b><i>'sunshine'</i></b> and basking in our <b><i>'healthy relationships'</i></b> with our family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you get to the end of this post you will see how these pleasant activities factor into our hacking project.<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Together we are going to learn how to get more of the important chemicals we need in a natural way. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>First let's look at these amazing hormones and how they matter. </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>ENDORPHINS </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/endorphins" target="_blank">"The word endorphin comes from putting together the words “endogenous,” meaning from within the body, and “morphine,” which is an opiate pain reliever. In other words, endorphins got their name because they are natural pain relievers."</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="color: #231f20; font-size: xx-large;">DOPAMINE</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-dopamine" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; letter-spacing: -0.273104px;"><a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-dopamine" target="_blank">"Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It's a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting."</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>SEROTONIN</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="Serotonin is a chemical nerve cells produce. It sends signals between your nerve cells. Serotonin is found mostly in the digestive system, although it’s also in blood platelets and throughout the central nervous system. Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid must enter your body through your diet and is commonly found in foods such as nuts, cheese, and red meat. Tryptophan deficiency can lead to lower serotonin levels. This can result in mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression." style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Serotonin is a chemical nerve cells produce. It sends signals between your nerve cells. Serotonin is found mostly in the <span style="color: #01adb9;"><span style="border-color: currentcolor; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer;">digestive system</span></span>, although it’s also in blood platelets and throughout the central nervous system.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; color: #231f20; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 25px; margin-top: 25px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="Serotonin is a chemical nerve cells produce. It sends signals between your nerve cells. Serotonin is found mostly in the digestive system, although it’s also in blood platelets and throughout the central nervous system. Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid must enter your body through your diet and is commonly found in foods such as nuts, cheese, and red meat. Tryptophan deficiency can lead to lower serotonin levels. This can result in mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression." target="_blank">Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid must enter your body through your diet and is commonly found in foods such as nuts, cheese, and red meat. Tryptophan deficiency can lead to lower serotonin levels. This can result in mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression.</a></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; color: #231f20; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 25px; margin-top: 25px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">OXYCOTIN</span></b></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/oxytocin" target="_blank">Studies of oxytocin also have found that it is an important chemical messenger that controls some human behaviors and social interaction. It is oxytocin that triggers the bond between a mother and an infant, and it may also play a role in recognition, sexual arousal, trust, and anxiety. Some research shows that the hormone may affect addiction and stress as well.</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia;">All of these hormones play an important part in contributing to our sense of well-being. </span><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia;">Different antidepressants help to add these into our systems and/or balance them out. You may want to look up those links and get informed about these necessary hormones.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>But wait! </i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are natural ways to increase these key ingredients into our sense of well-being. Here is a simple chart. Make a copy and put it on your fridge for easy reference.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGAxg70SBM9RoaQuARPFUWWHLekHdc40pE3fnbrBkwBYFbiIcst6U1sK3wes3ReWWdg06JfantCi_LvnoqIupaiZ0bwSKlk4O9gOb_P7ZHo6kTgadg6bNUFWWANOJeVHbno2IrWTEJ_lz/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="958" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGAxg70SBM9RoaQuARPFUWWHLekHdc40pE3fnbrBkwBYFbiIcst6U1sK3wes3ReWWdg06JfantCi_LvnoqIupaiZ0bwSKlk4O9gOb_P7ZHo6kTgadg6bNUFWWANOJeVHbno2IrWTEJ_lz/w640-h640/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Medication and therapy are only part of the keys to depression recovery. These natural remedies can be just as powerful.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> The ones I use the most are finishing a task, self-care activities, gratitude, hugging family, playing with a dog, helping others, holding hands, deep breathing, sun exposure, laughter. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Which of these happiness chemicals would be worth hacking for? What are you waiting for? Try one. What have you got to lose?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9r8IIQN0VTIuhu4342S6VgZI_Zr5crF9Y5PVcru2zp76KP4X0R_-BGRUIHOMgpP-eX_cLUrHb9dTthl1ENLACbQe-LVLmmahpMShHyTPWdQYnCOlNC9Rxfs5jWev80I6hPTd7-TWX-7n/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9r8IIQN0VTIuhu4342S6VgZI_Zr5crF9Y5PVcru2zp76KP4X0R_-BGRUIHOMgpP-eX_cLUrHb9dTthl1ENLACbQe-LVLmmahpMShHyTPWdQYnCOlNC9Rxfs5jWev80I6hPTd7-TWX-7n/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-20203848785039884602021-03-22T08:00:00.020-04:002021-03-22T08:00:00.436-04:00WANTED! Focus Group for Depression Getaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzRJPtCgkDDQYg7f7OiH5gaM0iDgV-Qtzzdv-WlbUJYPVrSPqaR0HvlVPwtQH4CmxMDlO8wuOktyQI5gCt_wNEwekhTmwaoqcbBouRv_2CCSncUSblTdTWbh-wMKAMe-gnxzHzecMQJJz/s2048/marketblog2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzRJPtCgkDDQYg7f7OiH5gaM0iDgV-Qtzzdv-WlbUJYPVrSPqaR0HvlVPwtQH4CmxMDlO8wuOktyQI5gCt_wNEwekhTmwaoqcbBouRv_2CCSncUSblTdTWbh-wMKAMe-gnxzHzecMQJJz/w400-h300/marketblog2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p> </p><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here I am at the Peterborough farmers' market just before I met my husband, Cliff. I loved painting for a living and I was pretty good at it but sales were not great.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I painted plaques, furniture, signs, mailboxes, baskets, lampshades, t-shirts, straw hats, family trees, milk cans and a whole bunch of other fun things. Frankly business wasn't that great and I didn't make much of a profit. I knew it wasn't the quality of my work, but I had no idea how to make things better. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Enter Cliff! Somehow he knew how to arrange my little booth to create more interest and thus more business. He would walk around the craft shows and notice what sorts of booths were really busy and what people were buying. Plus he was a natural salesman.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Business doubled!<span><a name='more'></a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We began to renovate my little business together. First, we created a whole new booth. Then we put the prices up, that's right - up! Apparently, that increases the buyer's perceived value of what they are buying? </span></div><div><p><span style="font-size: large;">But the last change was the most important. My husband noticed what people were buying and we created a whole new line of products. Business improved!</span></p></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a photo of the booth display I was using before we met.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqIN1pUjQsdVhahU1neNRKYlvF_m4q5fc8tdnCZ_LxARisYizaxGMtAt2QtdTaxv9ywYKPfbLUnYosogKD1YKotzik__W4oheeuZHpAD6Sl8-RorNLU6wLEbgbhMqoIWPoB1CUAB-pWvN/s2048/bootholdbeige.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqIN1pUjQsdVhahU1neNRKYlvF_m4q5fc8tdnCZ_LxARisYizaxGMtAt2QtdTaxv9ywYKPfbLUnYosogKD1YKotzik__W4oheeuZHpAD6Sl8-RorNLU6wLEbgbhMqoIWPoB1CUAB-pWvN/s320/bootholdbeige.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a picture of the first booth he created for me.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOc6dR9UaLkeri_rQmenLQ0biP5GX6Dj2xHenY75WA0ITPzdqOiWHvMddAflsdkXsohFLYNqrAB1jZgRsntpQ0LQyrRolZJFBe8NYq80Y47fTbW4zK7kpgYN4_4jOR_u_ZXMZpSZKtkkI/s2048/boothred1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOc6dR9UaLkeri_rQmenLQ0biP5GX6Dj2xHenY75WA0ITPzdqOiWHvMddAflsdkXsohFLYNqrAB1jZgRsntpQ0LQyrRolZJFBe8NYq80Y47fTbW4zK7kpgYN4_4jOR_u_ZXMZpSZKtkkI/s320/boothred1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <span style="font-size: large;">What a difference it made. Not only did this booth attract more people but I was able to fill it with stuff that people actually wanted to buy! I even won awards for the best booth display at several shows.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">And then when Cliff retired after 31 years of teaching, he got really ambitious and created a bigger and better booth. Here he is happily assembling his creation. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHxb2ohDqtfk39c5ZX4sxLMSmbknWADWg6xWTkUEKlRiQe0v9wOb1zzVShxIgpt-zFWbwywQycJOW5G7ipvDyg43N8AZwd70ANenDhcx-njFMwubbPFwvPODHszMQHU3zaubTw20pwtoj/s2048/boothcliff.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHxb2ohDqtfk39c5ZX4sxLMSmbknWADWg6xWTkUEKlRiQe0v9wOb1zzVShxIgpt-zFWbwywQycJOW5G7ipvDyg43N8AZwd70ANenDhcx-njFMwubbPFwvPODHszMQHU3zaubTw20pwtoj/w400-h300/boothcliff.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When it was all put together, he added several spotlights which also brought more interest into our little space. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAUl19v-1eV9VlDPsL1eaUT3wLvk2pHnHpZ9zpN66G-uJGUD-yK0qCalJP8xaWfh-zIO4Tvusb11W1cOcx75Kk6AorxfC6v-8PW-3Llf8pY7TSCeu6zbRaUTUYF_qQcFSWJRmF0Vju5bL/s2048/bestbooth2020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAUl19v-1eV9VlDPsL1eaUT3wLvk2pHnHpZ9zpN66G-uJGUD-yK0qCalJP8xaWfh-zIO4Tvusb11W1cOcx75Kk6AorxfC6v-8PW-3Llf8pY7TSCeu6zbRaUTUYF_qQcFSWJRmF0Vju5bL/w400-h300/bestbooth2020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a point to this story. I can write but I'm not sure I write about stuff that people want to read about. I will continue to write no matter what, I love writing. I do this blog as much for me as for you. Frankly, I would keep writing if no one read it! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I would love to know what people reading a blog about depression would like to read about. Just as I had the talent for painting but not the knack of knowing what people wanted to buy, I feel as though I am able to write but not sure what people want to read.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Personally, I don't want to write about depression all the time - it is just too depressing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But you could really help me out. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you like reading about?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. my own personal struggle with depression</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. strategies that help me cope with depression</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. information about medications, therapies, counseling</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. fun personal stories about me and my family</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. inspirational pep talks to not give up</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. my faith and how it can make a difference</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are just a few ideas. Maybe you will have some more. If you would like to be one of my critics, please leave a comment below, or if you would rather just email me at wendylove1950@gmail.com that would be great too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Do you read many blogs about depression? What are your favourites?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression. </span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVquT4ATkXFJfHN7CHvMe-w9n2rgjEQUSINyqUkXTQMENYaTrKYL9LuCsfp6Kh7-mjqhXA7Vi7FC_eN-fGv6b_Xk7Oe0zWrqS67yCaRduguq8aa0hpnHyiSNGCvBJjB43UCN4mrEs03RA_/s512/stephen+fry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVquT4ATkXFJfHN7CHvMe-w9n2rgjEQUSINyqUkXTQMENYaTrKYL9LuCsfp6Kh7-mjqhXA7Vi7FC_eN-fGv6b_Xk7Oe0zWrqS67yCaRduguq8aa0hpnHyiSNGCvBJjB43UCN4mrEs03RA_/w258-h400/stephen+fry.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></b></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-4193267258670871402021-03-15T20:04:00.000-04:002022-12-13T09:19:08.590-05:00Six Pandemic Projects<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9GXdOMuk6yD22osvNixxmyZGub-Otcc4-YBR03VMXcNk7jZIiVjna3hfti_ncNlzKmJlY2pNps2yP0Ieh-Ol9GmxdRvQzmfPJJc91ECTVqazirIHqU8LuWY7p5ZsJHzoDAlhIeZPxbrk/s2048/pandemiccloset.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1527" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9GXdOMuk6yD22osvNixxmyZGub-Otcc4-YBR03VMXcNk7jZIiVjna3hfti_ncNlzKmJlY2pNps2yP0Ieh-Ol9GmxdRvQzmfPJJc91ECTVqazirIHqU8LuWY7p5ZsJHzoDAlhIeZPxbrk/w478-h640/pandemiccloset.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What sorts of projects have you tackled since this pandemic broke out? You've had a whole year, right?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've got some ideas in case you need a little inspiration:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1. Get reacquainted with an old friend.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2. Pick up on an old hobby.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3. Sort out some closets.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">4. Plan a fantasy trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">5.Finish something you started. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">6. Read a book.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Those are just a few ideas. I'm sure you can add some of your own. The main thing is to do something. You can't just watch TV every day all day. Or can you?<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PROJECTS GIVE PURPOSE</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Projects can not only fill your days but give you a purpose and a reason to get up in the morning. And if you finish those projects with a good result, you have even more reason to feel good, you will have a sense of accomplishment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PROJECTS SUPPORT GOOD MENTAL HEALTH</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Having a project can be good for your mental health as well. Even though it can be hard to motivate yourself to do anything when you are depressed, it might not be totally impossible. And if you have some ongoing hobbies like I do, then there may be something you have already begun (like a hand-sewing project) that you can pick up for a while even when you are depressed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ANCESTRY.COM</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My husband enjoys doing genealogy research. He has upgraded his Ancentry.com account so he can go further afield. He has been doing it for years, but now with more time on his hands, he is spending even more time on it. He has expanded it to do with one of his kids and they are connecting over it all the time. It has become not only an interest but a way of connecting with a faraway son. This project has been good for both of them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>BEWARE OF DEPRESSION CAUSED BY COVID</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The important thing is, especially during covid 19, to do something that will help you with your mental health. This time of isolation is tough on anyone, but particularly those with mental health issues. And apparently, those who have not previously been diagnosed with any sort of mental illness before are reacting negatively and needing help.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Therapists are busier than ever during covid. Online counseling has become the new norm. We are all on alert. </span></p><p><span face="proxima-nova-soft" style="background-color: white; color: #4a4848; font-variant-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://headtohealth.gov.au/meaningful-life/purposeful-activity/hobbies#:~:text=Spending%20time%20on%20an%20activity,feel%20happier%20and%20more%20relaxed." target="_blank">Spending time on an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and wellbeing. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression.</a></span></span></p><p><span face="proxima-nova-soft" style="background-color: white; color: #4a4848; font-variant-ligatures: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">NEW INTEREST BRINGS NEW JOY</span></b></span></p><p><span face="proxima-nova-soft" style="background-color: white; color: #4a4848; font-variant-ligatures: none;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvaZzJaKaL7Jbm_XZYX7MS_z52kvJoMzSBKVzQDXIOAWoAUcZxTbh4E4_zp7IpgvMWOBKfBWARjrD7OTdzaorJ_uT0M__kXGCUg9OnxuAKwT0kVA7W8nphR-o-bUV3iBhBUNZHR-wWEH2/s900/hobbyquote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvaZzJaKaL7Jbm_XZYX7MS_z52kvJoMzSBKVzQDXIOAWoAUcZxTbh4E4_zp7IpgvMWOBKfBWARjrD7OTdzaorJ_uT0M__kXGCUg9OnxuAKwT0kVA7W8nphR-o-bUV3iBhBUNZHR-wWEH2/w266-h400/hobbyquote.jpg" width="266" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Starting some sort of a new project could be a really good thing right now. It will give you something to be enthusiastic about and a reason to get up in the morning. It will give you a distraction from covid and all of its negative ramifications.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WHAT ABOUT ME?</b> Being isolated is not as much of a negative thing for me as it is for some. I'm an introvert as well as an artist. My idea of a good day is to <b><i>not</i></b> see anyone or have to go anywhere. And I have many interests to choose from. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and I can't wait to get started on sewing, painting, writing, reading, or walking. Yes, covid is getting to me too. I have to avoid the news, it gets me down. I don't want to suggest that I am breezing through. But projects? I don't lack any.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b> WHAT ABOUT YOU?</b> How are you feeling today? Is covid getting to you? Do you need to reach out for help? How about projects? Have you tried anything new to capture your interest?</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't give up! You are not alone. I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</i></b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VgRbnONob8nMEKhBRx7jfmgyfup9hcWwagzTTwYcYwfmVqP1xMq0lKgpgy29JgHurCq34Ej7wRSVee9znABbjaeT7uy3cVT6_hrNory5sk6ac__kge6IfiocBXOsbAsjIZaP9PREg7sO/s395/hobby_promo-sfSpan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="395" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VgRbnONob8nMEKhBRx7jfmgyfup9hcWwagzTTwYcYwfmVqP1xMq0lKgpgy29JgHurCq34Ej7wRSVee9znABbjaeT7uy3cVT6_hrNory5sk6ac__kge6IfiocBXOsbAsjIZaP9PREg7sO/w400-h266/hobby_promo-sfSpan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-31629302504991255022021-03-15T08:00:00.011-04:002022-12-13T09:19:01.327-05:00Jenga: A Toppling Tower of Fun<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz8pmlNVNFYbYj4EkOWYUu46bmYArvIqjcJ8zjzt6AyxPmDGeguS2ex237Rf15onzuWjsVJcQwjyGCnmHZ03ynJYVpzNUFjZTP-dV9VOkUSJFiZ_g1AyCxqqv38g6_ybTviCOORt4010M/s1200/jenga.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTz8pmlNVNFYbYj4EkOWYUu46bmYArvIqjcJ8zjzt6AyxPmDGeguS2ex237Rf15onzuWjsVJcQwjyGCnmHZ03ynJYVpzNUFjZTP-dV9VOkUSJFiZ_g1AyCxqqv38g6_ybTviCOORt4010M/w640-h480/jenga.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Jenga. Do you know this game? Are you a game player? Now, during a pandemic is a great time to start if you aren't. And if you are, do get those old games out of the cupboard and get going. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What does the game <b><i>'Jenga' </i></b>have to do with the pandemic? What does Jenga have to do with depression?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This delightful manipulative game can serve so many purposes during these tedious covid days. Any game could help really. Games take us out of ourselves. Games give us a chance to <b><i>NOT THINK ABOUT COVID</i></b> for a little while. Games force us into interacting in a fun way with those we are isolating with. And the amazing game Jenga can even be played alone!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you don't already have a Jenga game, you can order one online. There are even <a href="https://www.diypete.com/how-to-make-a-diy-giant-jenga-game/">instructions for making your own</a>, either an indoor size or bigger for out on the deck.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Now, what does a Jenga game have to do </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>with </b></span><b style="font-size: xx-large;">mental illness?</b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you have been reading my blog then you will know that I live with bipolar disorder. The strategies I share in this blog are ones that I use and can be applied to any sort of mental disorder, all of them contributing to depression.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Handling bipolar, as with any mental disorder, is a balancing act, much like the game Jenga. Even if you are fortunate enough to find a medication that helps, and/or a therapist that helps, there are still many other factors to manage in order to keep some sort of stability. These could be diet, exercise, sleep, etc.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>A BALANCING ACT </b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dealing with stressful situations can cause those mental disorder symptoms to worsen and goodness knows, everyone all over the world right now is dealing with one big huge stressful situation with this pandemic.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I feel like my emotional life is much like this Jenga game. Once I take out a few important pieces (some of my coping strategies) my emotions become unstable which could lead to major depression.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This pandemic can have that effect on people too. A good day could become a bad day just by listening to the news. A 'green zone' could change into a 'red zone' preventing you from seeing loved ones or even just from getting out of the house. Some people are overwhelmed with fear. This list is long.</span></p><p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Playing games can be great therapy during these times.</b> </span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">The game Jenga causes everyone to have a good laugh and <a href="Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered. Here's why. By Mayo Clinic Staff Whether you're guffawing at a sitcom on TV or quietly giggling at a newspaper cartoon, laughing does you good. Laughter is a great form of stress relief, and that's no joke. Stress relief from laughter A good sense of humor can't cure all ailments, but data is mounting about the positive things laughter can do. Short-term benefits A good laugh has great short-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Laughter can: Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling. Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress. Long-term effects Laughter isn't just a quick pick-me-up, though. It's also good for you over the long term. Laughter may: Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses. Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers. Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people. Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier.">laughter is great therapy for everyone</a>, not just those who are battling depression.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white;">Using your hands in Jenga provides further therapy. </span></span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prescriptions-life/201906/working-your-hands-does-wonders-your-brain#:~:text=You%20begin%20to%20feel%20more,against%20the%20onset%20of%20depression.%E2%80%9D" style="font-family: georgia;">Working with your hands does wonders for your brain.</a></span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">How about you? Are you feeling a little like a wobbly Jenga tower these days?</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I am. Each piece removed during this game makes the tower more unstable. Which will be the last piece to cause it to crash? How much farther can I go?</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">With bipolar, my life is like this even on a good day! But during Covid0-19 it can be like this every day for a lot of people. I have to remind myself of my coping strategies all the time. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Jenga is only one example of a game that can be a great addition to your tricks for "Coping with Covid".</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> Truthfully I am not doing any worse with bipolar during covid than usual. But I do love games. We played a lot of games over the years with our growing kids. We have special friends our own age that we love playing games with too, but not these days. Covid has prevented that. My husband and I play cards or scrabble now and then and it is a nice break from TV. Confession - I haven't brought out the Jenga game yet, but after I finish this post I think I will! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"> How are you feeling today? Do you have any games that are helping you not just fill in some time, but helping you cope with depression during this pandemic? Would it be possible that some of the strategies that help cope with depression could also help cope with this pandemic?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Don't give up! I am <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</b></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43ojgqi-T4Uu-P6SmHxf0oNaEgTkasuYEufE3Km61naDamHPIVi_XPOqKJ9w9Pr4hSotPr-fQICjElh1MUNnGFR1RaW2ojlD9rq2qYp0NNRTcHZw5TEPbBTOrnUaGsiRzR25TiJQYAP5j/s1000/Jenga-Picture-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43ojgqi-T4Uu-P6SmHxf0oNaEgTkasuYEufE3Km61naDamHPIVi_XPOqKJ9w9Pr4hSotPr-fQICjElh1MUNnGFR1RaW2ojlD9rq2qYp0NNRTcHZw5TEPbBTOrnUaGsiRzR25TiJQYAP5j/s320/Jenga-Picture-4.jpg" /></a></i></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /><b><br /></b></i></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #293340; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #293340;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-31824863837259773442021-03-08T08:00:00.008-05:002022-12-13T09:18:52.426-05:00Covid Labour Pains - "Just Breathe"<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV-aR8xGBFsClEyu7H4HCWGlMoLgL-sQM0ghyphenhyphen7qKFgrV5OGJx8mfBLQwkJlI9OdKJT-e_2qRMlwPWpw1YmTsKLmCSRvcnVfKXaVrarPb94W9-dbzq-Dm97atZBnCC0HRyom78jKPCvkeJ/s1026/labourpainscovid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1026" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibV-aR8xGBFsClEyu7H4HCWGlMoLgL-sQM0ghyphenhyphen7qKFgrV5OGJx8mfBLQwkJlI9OdKJT-e_2qRMlwPWpw1YmTsKLmCSRvcnVfKXaVrarPb94W9-dbzq-Dm97atZBnCC0HRyom78jKPCvkeJ/w640-h346/labourpainscovid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If anyone told me when I was in labour with my first baby, that it would be 36 hours before she appeared, I wonder what I would have done? I might have panicked, but, not knowing what was ahead, I managed,<i> </i>one contraction at a time. My husband and I were well-equipped with weeks of Lamaze training and I can still hear him saying <b><i>'just breathe'</i></b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And if anyone told me, when the first covid lockdowns were announced in March of 2020, that a year later we would be no further ahead, I wonder what we would have thought? I wonder how we may have reacted? </span><span style="font-size: large;">For me, the only thing that made it manageable was the thought that it wouldn't last that long.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;">I remember in March 2020 while we were in Myrtle Beach for the winter, we got a notice via email from our out-of-country health insurance provider announcing that our insurance would run out soon, due to covid, and we needed to get back to Canada as soon as possible. Instead of panicking, I had to pack up and keep saying to myself 'just breathe'.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><!--more--><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It was an unreal experience for all of us. As we headed home we were driving into the unknown. There were signs along the highway saying "STAY HOME, STOP THE SPREAD". It seemed as though we were in a war zone, and in a way, we were, and are.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yfFyaqIHikCl9aQoD1Yw5lkJSOVG6aXE0oYBfqSJcHakLDr6p81Tne6g6zzjuXwQohD5Usms0cULvcBTcYd3SNLwYBJTc2upGMVsL9DcQmEd5wqWKRTOEpzdG6BFUid7CMTiOeGaLKgB/s1280/stayhome.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yfFyaqIHikCl9aQoD1Yw5lkJSOVG6aXE0oYBfqSJcHakLDr6p81Tne6g6zzjuXwQohD5Usms0cULvcBTcYd3SNLwYBJTc2upGMVsL9DcQmEd5wqWKRTOEpzdG6BFUid7CMTiOeGaLKgB/s320/stayhome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When we got home we quarantined for fourteen days. It was not a hardship. What's 14 days? No big deal. All we had to do was <b><i>'breathe'</i></b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>JUST BREATHE</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>If someone had told us that we would be going through this pandemic for over a year, how might we have reacted? </span><span>We would do the same thing we are doing right now, taking things one day at a time. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">It's really how we are supposed to live no matter what is happening, one day at</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">a time.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want to get serious about breathing right now, if you want to know exactly how to breathe </span><span style="font-size: large;">in order to reduce anxiety then read these </span><a href="https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/calm-breathing-how-to-do-it/" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">instructions</a><span style="font-size: large;"> from </span><a href="https://www.anxietycanada.com/about-us/" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">Anxiety Canada</a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ONE DAY AT A TIME</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Even mental illness can only be handled one day at a time. Could you imagine when you were hitting a new depressive episode and someone said to you "this time it is going to last for 3 years" - yikes!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So wait, is this post about <b><i>'breathing'</i></b> or about <b><i>'one day at a time'</i></b>?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Both. So my advice to all of us whether we are dealing with covid confinement or depression or both is to </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">JUST </span><b><i><span style="color: red;">BREATHE</span></i></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> AND TAKE THINGS </span><span style="color: red;"><b><i>ONE DAY AT A TIME</i></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>But wait! So what do the covid labour pains produce? The vaccine which will, like a baby, bring new hope. We wait and see.</i></b></span></p><p><b style="font-size: large;"><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b><span style="font-size: large;"> How am I coping with Covid? Thankfully pretty good most of the time. My depression is no worse but no better either. Honestly, I am getting weary of it all as are most people. Am I able to handle anything one day at a time? Yes and no. Covid, yes. Depression? I'm not so sure. But I do have a pep talk when a new depressive episode hits: </span><i style="font-size: large;">"Okay Wendy, you have been through this before and come out the other side. It may not even last that long. Cancel whatever you must, and rest. Take it one day at a time."</i></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Do you remember where you were when they announced that the schools were closing and that people were going to start working from home? </span><span>How are you coping with covid? Is your mental state worse or better or the same during covid? Is the reminder to <b><i>"just breathe and take things one day at a time"</i></b> helpful to you right now? Does anything help? Do you have any helpful tips for the rest of us?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Don't give up! You are not alone I'm <a href="https://depressiongetawaywithwendylove.blogspot.com/p/a-prayer-for-you_1.html" target="_blank">praying</a> for you! There is hope for depression.</i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9hJOPPhVcUaMZjulAO4jH2PlHdPIF31iq4NP-eUpY460xJhXwJ2IbkWviZp_0p5HI2_o2tqVOrSpNPyTB9TTM8lQUt01kI83bWVOJLzjxFZ5JVW50HadH82ttxFL0vDZ3kzuo9U8v-I8/s941/onedayprison.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9hJOPPhVcUaMZjulAO4jH2PlHdPIF31iq4NP-eUpY460xJhXwJ2IbkWviZp_0p5HI2_o2tqVOrSpNPyTB9TTM8lQUt01kI83bWVOJLzjxFZ5JVW50HadH82ttxFL0vDZ3kzuo9U8v-I8/s320/onedayprison.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><span><!--more--></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-91881029865648455632021-02-18T09:30:00.005-05:002022-12-13T09:18:37.360-05:00second novel<p><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b> My Second Novel in 'The Fernwood Trilogy'</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuKG4ZqUxkB4fkjc3FWi6j5im3cWu3VEw1HBN4S9g6NzY8hNadHT21PxrVZzL-_Ch_Y2uDyoIAQPAyf5ULobolcULB0eGjeG_wvg_-pUie-3vDD0n8FNQHOxfF60zIRhx3zVu9mhmOt0J/s1000/134916305_1082897985484122_1644136482657664764_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="626" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuKG4ZqUxkB4fkjc3FWi6j5im3cWu3VEw1HBN4S9g6NzY8hNadHT21PxrVZzL-_Ch_Y2uDyoIAQPAyf5ULobolcULB0eGjeG_wvg_-pUie-3vDD0n8FNQHOxfF60zIRhx3zVu9mhmOt0J/w400-h640/134916305_1082897985484122_1644136482657664764_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's here, it's here, it's here! The second novel in The Fernwood Trilogy. Guaranteed happy ending!<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As a new widow and new mother, Bethany feels lost in her big old house 'Fernwood', the home she had dreamed that she and her beloved Matt would raise their children together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The days are challenging, the nights are lonely and the future looks bleak.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How will two little girls, the new single principal, a widowed carpenter, and a psychiatric nurse play a part in bringing Bethany back to life once again?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Will her retired parents finally get away in their RV and have the adventure they planned?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Will she ever be able to truly love the baby that she and Matt made together?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As Bethany fights with thoughts of every smiling again or ever loving again, even more significant challenges present themselves that will test her newfound faith.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While she faces her struggles and tries to find happiness she learns that God can make beauty from ashes and joy from mourning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Fernwood-Family-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B08RVMNHP7/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+fernwood+family%2C+wendy+love+clark&qid=1611686315&s=books&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> as an ebook or you can just download it to any electronic device.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-57228982445630826912020-01-03T08:00:00.019-05:002022-12-13T09:18:10.780-05:00"Best Year Ever!" My First Year with Casey Depression Report Card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmg0MaoM3pL8Qnv1ybQjaSNr0CNPZJmLWLiCyZMji06cbQXWiEEaE8bbCubrn1unbFSxaVwHb1x9Bt8ZqgEAurhijOMc__wOQfaLuiSpDQJb9NtCG4SaCV5PRCyD98-dVvIWK1EVW1Cww/s1600/caseylaundry.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmg0MaoM3pL8Qnv1ybQjaSNr0CNPZJmLWLiCyZMji06cbQXWiEEaE8bbCubrn1unbFSxaVwHb1x9Bt8ZqgEAurhijOMc__wOQfaLuiSpDQJb9NtCG4SaCV5PRCyD98-dVvIWK1EVW1Cww/w480-h640/caseylaundry.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year! Or is it happy for you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's easy to forget that you have improved in handling your illness unless you journal now and then. Or possibly, like me you have a friend, in my case my husband, who you are accountable to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Often, when I am having a bad day and feeling sorry for myself and imagining that I haven't progressed at all in handling this illness my husband will say "you are so much better now on a bad day than you used to be."</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And when he says that I can enjoy the knowledge of that progress instead of dwelling on yet another bad day. When you have a mental illness it is common to forget the good days when you are having a bad day, and forget the bad days when you are having a good day. That's why recording your moods and/or having an accountability partner is so helpful and you will be able to chart some progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so I would like to share some of my progress with you and hope that it will be an encouragement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I would like to announce in a big loud voice that</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"This is the best I have felt for over 20 years!"</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b><span style="font-size: large;">
And 'why is that?' you are probably wondering.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I do believe it is my little Yorkie, Casey. He has made a world of difference. He is almost always by my side. Even the ad I read describing him said "you will be his whole world". He fulfills that promise every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here we are reading. In case you can't tell, he has his nose in my ear and I can hear him breathing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He loves sorting laundry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He appreciates my quilting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He goes just about everywhere with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I continue to take my meds and use my many strategies for coping with depression such as walking, painting, writing, quilting, and rest plus a lot of solitude. I have not given up any of that just because Casey is so helpful. But he has made such a big difference. I wouldn't have believed this possible unless I had experienced it first hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT ME?</i></b> I am so glad I didn't give up finding ways to cope with mental illness. I wouldn't have much of a life if I didn't adhere to my many coping strategies. It has been worth it to keep on trying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? What kind of year have you had? Have you found something new that helps? Are you still trying to find new solutions? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't give up! I am <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/page/edit/5939352763466535441/7024256627970553522" target="_blank">praying</a> for you. There is hope for depression.</i></b></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-36487154206865507942019-09-27T08:00:00.000-04:002022-12-13T09:17:47.549-05:00My First Book!<span style="font-size: large;">Dear Friends,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcM5hY9Wr_H_XB-pPfrWvOChcrx0uVEl3Soz7m9uZ4uyQJ1ZycGFABLzVr_TDBXAM3N8stEVUcwJK4VPI0s11ejosGKA7JgVeqUBJqI74Bn39MYmtzM1xr93eQUmdFv8GFf4_opKklozZ/s1600/Cover+for+New+Beginnings+in+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcM5hY9Wr_H_XB-pPfrWvOChcrx0uVEl3Soz7m9uZ4uyQJ1ZycGFABLzVr_TDBXAM3N8stEVUcwJK4VPI0s11ejosGKA7JgVeqUBJqI74Bn39MYmtzM1xr93eQUmdFv8GFf4_opKklozZ/s640/Cover+for+New+Beginnings+in+jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm so excited! My first book has just been published as a kindle ebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>'New Beginnings'</b> and is the first of a trilogy called <b>'The Fernwood Novels'.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can access it by going to Amazon Kindle Ebooks, fiction, 'New Beginnings' by Wendy Love Clark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">About the book:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Bethany is a reporter and columnist for a community newspaper in a big city. Her husband Matt is an engineer with a promising career. Her life appears to be coming together as she had hoped.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">As an only child, Bethany is used to getting her own way. All she ever wanted was a husband, a big old house filled with children and her parents nearby. Then her husband is offered a new job five hours away, and her parents make plans to leave town on a retirement adventure, turning her happy secure little life upside down.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">When she finds a beautiful old house on a tree-lined street, she thinks that maybe part of her dream may be coming true. But renovating an old house was not as easy or as much fun as she had imagined as it challenged her budget and her marriage in ways she had not expected.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">But bigger challenges lay ahead as well as greater blessings than she could have ever foreseen. Along with a new old house and a new town, new friends were waiting to surround her with the kind of love she could never have imagined. Bethany learns that only God can provide strength through weakness.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Follow Bethany as she embraces her new home and new life while facing the biggest challenge she has ever known. Bethany learns that endings are just new beginnings.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If I can write a book while being challenged now and then by depression, well that is proof that there is hope!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is hope for depression. Don't give up!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And if all else fails, get a dog! It works for me!</span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-62050204890425057492019-03-15T08:30:00.000-04:002022-12-13T09:17:28.378-05:00Password Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBPJ1jOJmLulaLzd-5cgDJHX_4MBy5R8veSOeAjvzwaHlDTT4WxROjM59iOez8i7ISILNp9brL3lkYqwhpp3UdMpAe7XA4mzawliJWx_PH5YmgqUEwpzBJ6VzJYReMemXHpmn-wc4jc2G/s1600/rawImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBPJ1jOJmLulaLzd-5cgDJHX_4MBy5R8veSOeAjvzwaHlDTT4WxROjM59iOez8i7ISILNp9brL3lkYqwhpp3UdMpAe7XA4mzawliJWx_PH5YmgqUEwpzBJ6VzJYReMemXHpmn-wc4jc2G/s400/rawImage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Choosing a new password can be challenging. We are warned frequently that it is important to change passwords now and then.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I watch a lot of detective shows and when they are trying to hack into someone's computer they always manage to guess the password using the usual: birthdates, pet's name, address, etc.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>I've got a new suggestion for a password change that may also help with depression. Are you ready?</i></b></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;">Choose a favourite saying that inspires you. With me that would be scripture. I will not tell you what my scripture is but I will give you some examples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"If God is for me who can be against me?" </i></span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">iGiFmWcBaM? </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">get it?</span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want"</i><span style="font-size: large;"> (Psalm 23:1) </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">tLiMsIsNw</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You could add a number or two at the beginning or the end.</span></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">"Relieve the troubles of my heart and remove my anguish" </i><span style="font-size: large;">(Psalm 25:17) </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">RtTomHaRmA</span></b></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?"</i><span style="font-size: large;"> (Psalm 27:1) </span><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">tLimLamSwsIf?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you"</i> (I Peter 5:7) </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>CayCuHfHcfY</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Never be afraid to cast an unknown future to a known God."</i> (Corrie Ten Boom) </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>NbAtcauFtakG</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Every moment is a fresh beginning."</i> (T.S. Elliot) </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EmiaFB</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>"Tough times never last, but tough people do."</i> </span></b>(Robert Schuller) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>TtnlbTPd</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am sure you get the idea. Choose a saying the suits you, there's lots more to choose from. Might be a fun exercise to google ideas for encouraging sayings. Then make a password out of it using the first letter of each word in the saying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then, every day when you open your computer you will have to say those words to yourself, words of truth, words of life, words to encourage and strengthen you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Is it time for a new password for you? Would you like to find some uplifting words to start your day? Why not try it? What have you go to lose?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't give up! There is hope for depression.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fn94luc7DU1F6WJwIdzGUBNGozGe_OJN9kaHQsonVvOPlGQntxgG8Dj-0TouDEJ87CNdlGz8Pl7xgBf5C3cmIc4GHzzKLof_jSTcVbkXJCkz02mrc2ICOPy9qVNG6Ie_wjynfHBIRCUf/s1600/encouraging-sweet-words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fn94luc7DU1F6WJwIdzGUBNGozGe_OJN9kaHQsonVvOPlGQntxgG8Dj-0TouDEJ87CNdlGz8Pl7xgBf5C3cmIc4GHzzKLof_jSTcVbkXJCkz02mrc2ICOPy9qVNG6Ie_wjynfHBIRCUf/s320/encouraging-sweet-words.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5939352763466535441.post-90585375562912878352019-03-08T08:00:00.000-05:002019-03-08T11:07:10.868-05:00I Have to Walk the Dog - So What's Your Excuse?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>If you are an introvert like me you will look for any excuse to take a break from people when you are at a party or in a crowd.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Casey has become my new excuse. "I better walk the dog!"</i></b></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: large;">So what excuse might you have to get out of situations that are not comfortable for you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being an introvert, like I am, means that being with people tires me out and being alone energizes me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">An introvert at a party finds that just taking a bathroom break can be a happy thing because for a few moments you are alone. It feels sort of silly but it's true. You may even want to sit and stay there for awhile before you re-enter the room full of people. And that's okay. It doesn't mean you hate people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are an introvert but haven't realized it yet, then this discovery could be a good learning curve for you. If you would like to read more about being an introvert there is stuff all over the internet but I would recommend this article in <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/introversion">Psychology Today</a> as a reliable source of information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Introvert or not we all need 'excuses' for getting out of uncomfortable situations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mother was a great one for avoiding the truth. She could lie like nobody's business. If someone called her on the phone (we are talking about the 50's and 60's) she would motion one of us to go to another room and call her in a loud voice. Then she would say to the person at the other end, "so sorry, but one of the children needs me, I will have to go, bye."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, what's your excuse? Remember an excuse is just a reason for exiting, for getting out of something. It doesn't have to be a lie. And always remember, your comfort is important. You don't have to compromise your needs to please others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will mention introversion often in this blog and for good reason. If you are an introvert and haven't figured that out yet, then you have yet to live life fully. If you are an introvert it must be factored into your self-care program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to know more about introverts you may want to listen to this Ted Talk entitled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4">"The Power of Introverts"</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>WHAT ABOUT YOU?</i></b> How are you feeling today? Have you figured out whether you are an introvert or an extrovert yet? Are you beginning to realize that this may be an important discovery for your progress?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Don't give up! There is hope for depression.</i></b></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com