Life as a Sitcom
August 4, 2008 – 6:50 am
Ever had a Murphy’s Law Day, where everything that could go wrong did? Rather than letting it get you down, fictionalize a bad day by imagining it as a sitcom – act like it happened to someone else. Cast it with funny characters; add a few pratfalls. Soon you’ll be laughing about what happened, rather than regretting it. As people involved with mental health issues we know that dwelling on bad days prolongs negative feelings, which in turn increases anxiety and stress. If you engage in a little selective denial, you do yourself a big favor. (Tip from August 2008 Woman’s Day Magazine. Several NLCMH staff shared that this works for them.)
Looking Back, by Anna Marie Lawrence
July 31, 2008 – 4:57 am
I wish I’d done it differently,
My child-rearing years.
I wish I would have always tried
To wipe those little tears.
I would have liked to raise my child
With much more tender care.
To take the time to talk and joke;
To stroke my young one’s hair.
I wish I’d prayed with him each night
Both on our bended knee.
I would have thanked my Lord and God
For all He gave to me.
Although I did the best I could
With all I had, you see,
Looking back on those childcare years,
Wish I’d done it differently.
“What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other?” – George Eliot
July 28, 2008 – 7:09 am
Good advice for living well
July 28, 2008 – 5:35 am
Recovery Coordinator Mary Beth Evans says this is one of the nicest emails she has ever received:
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer,
smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.
Jeff: My Story
July 24, 2008 – 5:53 am
I first discovered I had schizophrenia while I was in the Navy in 1985. I was having a nervous breakdown and was suicidal; I had other things going on at the same time. I received counseling and medicinal therapies at Orlando Navy Base for about three months.
My faith in Jesus Christ and God has kept me a lot of times from going over the deep end.
Second and third events in my life are intertwined together at the same time: My son, while on drugs, assaulted me, injuring me severely. My mother died on February 28, 2008 and we buried her on March 6, 2008 on her birthday. I went to Lockwood Psychiatric ward in Petoskey for about a week. There I received medical care, psychological care, and grief classes too.
For other methods of mental therapy for myself I do magic tricks to keep me busy and I also hold a job for extra money, too. I’m part of The Healing of Magic sponsored by International Brotherhood of Magicians; I am also a member in Society of American Magicians, and the International Society of Magicians where I have a Doctorate Degree in magic.
My plans for the future are to move to Colon, Michigan, where I am going to live and try to get a job at Abbott’s Magic Manufacturing Corp. and take classes online at AIU in visual communications which I will use in my choice of field of work.
Recovery Learning Communities – July 2008 meeting materials here!
July 23, 2008 – 7:28 am
The July Learning Community meeting agenda included a fun, interactive segment on Effective Listening and the Art of Asking Questions. Recovery Coordinator Mary Beth pretended to be a grumpy, uncommunicative guy and the group tried to engage in conversation with "him." When people asked good, open-ended questions, Mary Beth responded and a conversation was started. When people asked not-so-good questions, Mary Beth grunted or gave one-word answers. Everyone learned that you sometimes have to listen very hard in order to really hear what another person has to say and get to their true meaning. People also learned about the kinds of questions that are helpful and not helpful in helping someone else to get in touch with his or her inner wisdom. Everyone can use the skills practiced in this meeting to engage with and help others.
Also in July, attendees did an art project and created "STOP" signs to carry with them (or post in their homes or offices) to change negative thoughts into positive thoughts. Motivational, inspirational sayings and words in fancy script were provided along with a collection of art materials from which to choose. It was a fun activity that got people talking and moving.
The Blind Man, by Anna Marie Lawrence
July 23, 2008 – 6:44 am
George hugs the sidewalk with his cane
Constantly rapping on the cement.
He hears the morning walkers grunt
Automatic “hellos” in their rush.
He welcomes greetings with a smile
And returns a “How are you today?”
Basking in their friendship, he walks
With his cane tap-tap-tapping cement.
He doesn’t see the silent stare
Others of his race quickly perceive,
Does not know the critical look,
The look away, as if he’s not there.
George, the blind man, delights
In his morning walk of quick friendship,
Sees no prejudice while crossing
From one sidewalk to another.
Elizabeth: Cries for Help
July 15, 2008 – 5:18 am
My name is Elizabeth. I’m 27 years old and have a five-year-old daughter. I also have a loving fiancée.
When I was about 7 or 8 I was adopted by my biological grandfather. My life wasn’t easy. I was teased and called names at school and I was overweight. I noticed when I was in middle school I was really always depressed and suicidal. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I saw a doctor who diagnosed me with bipolar depression and I was put on meds. Since then I have been in and out of AFC (adult foster care) homes.
At the age of 21 I became pregnant. Nine months passed and I gave birth to a beautiful little girl. I couldn’t take my daughter home with me because I was living in an AFC home and didn’t have a stable environment to bring my daughter home to. I was told that either DHS would take her away from me or I had to sign over guardianship to a person I thought I could trust. I was young, and scared that I might lose my daughter forever, so I went with my heart and signed limited guardianship over to someone I thought was a friend I could trust. I was promised by this person that I would get my daughter back when I got my own place and income. I basically became an adult quickly. I have been on my own for 4 ½ years and have my own income and my own place with my fiancée. I still don’t have my daughter back and the guardian makes sure to see that I never get my baby back.
My life has been hell for the past 5 years of my daughter’s life. My heart aches constantly and I am constantly reminded how bad of a mother I am to my daughter and I will never be a part of her life. I’ve been in and out of court for 5 years now, same old story. Every time I get a lawyer to represent me they make the case worse than it was to begin with. One of my attorneys walked out on my case and didn’t come back. So here I am back at square one with less time seeing my daughter.
I will fight for my daughter as long as I live. My daughter means everything to me. People say God won’t give you more than you can handle. I look at this situation with my daughter and it strengthens me. I’ve been going to Club Cadillac for 8 years for support and I have lots of wonderful friends there. At Club they accept me for who I am.
I have a wonderful fiancée who’s been by my side through my ordeal with my daughter. I must say life is good. I’m surrounded by people who love me and support me no matter what. I just want people to know they are not alone with whatever they are going through. Life gives you lemons, make lemonade. My dream someday is to have my daughter and be a family and have my own home.
