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On the topic of DISCOVERY and RECOVERY.

Discovery can be defined as the process of finding information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time (dictionary.cambridge.org).

Recovery can be defined as a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength (Oxford Languages).

The beauty of life is that there is always something to be found. We search all our days and find something new every day.

Whether it’s another lesson or another experience, we continually learn about our existence.

Some may say that’s the reason why we are here; to discover and to learn. Each moment carefully crafted to create an essence or feeling. We may get lost a thousand times before we are found. Yet that’s the process, to experience the new.

There is rich meaning to our lives that we each hold. We feel love, gratitude, change, to challenge and everything in between. The whole spectrum is a blessing to be gleaned.

As we move forward, there are parts of ourselves we may overlook or forget. In those instances, we may need to be reminded to recover who we’ve been so as to help us continue to grow.

Recovery is just as important as our self discovery. We learn so much that sometimes it’s difficult to keep track. Our usual level of functioning allows us the ability to be present in our current reality. When we recover, we heal.

1 PETER 1: 13

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

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On the topic of COURAGE.

Courage can be defined as the ability to do something that frightens one, or strength in the face of pain or grief (Oxford Languages).

Sometimes life can throw us curveballs. Things could be going seemingly well, and then the unexpected happens. Out of nowhere disaster may strike and may leave us wondering ‘why’?

But one thing I’ve learned from this, is that blessings and lessons are the fruits of our trials and tribulations. Though it may not seem like that in the moment.

Each and every one of us is worthy of God’s everlasting love. And He must teach his children in order for us to move forward. We all have specific assignments, and in order for us to learn, we may have to suffer at times. Though suffering doesn’t last forever.

Just beyond the suffering is our blessing. It may sound counterintuitive. It may even be supernatural or unexpected. But have no doubt, our Fear of the Lord is what keeps us safe.

No matter the age nor race, He is with us all. Some of us may pray and some of us may cry. Yet only through him are we promised Life.

Again, going through the school of life, we are all his children and his shining pupils, perched and expectant of instruction and teachings.

And when we pass our lessons we have the courage to bloom! What a wonderful thing it is on that day!

PSALMS 27: 14

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

[logdogblog]

On the topic of GUIDANCE.

Guidance can be defined as information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty (Oxford Languages).

Our journey in this life is quite a story. Each of our lives with our own unique perspective.

As we live out our days, we learn our lessons along the way. Specific to each of us, our lives teach us.

Every story is compelling and every voice is captivating.

So how do we make sense of this or know which direction to go?

Well that question is only best answered by your own individual experience.

We all have guide markers or signs that direct us on the way through. We are not alone.

Every moment we are being directed not distracted. In our lives we have to think critically and live carefully.

The only way through is forward. Lucky for us, the path is exciting, valuable, and personalized.

It is difficult to compare our timelines to each others because every story is vastly different from another one, somewhat like how no two snowflakes are the same.

Whether we believe it or not, we are all being guided in some way or another. Mistakes, detours, or depression come along to bring something we need to bring into our attention.

The hard parts may be challenging but they provide us with a foundation and shape our character and wisdom.

And the parts that feel good remind us that are lives aren’t in vain. We deserve to feel the good and learn from it too.

As we look back on our history we can begin to see the story line, synchronicities and patterns that we can use as directions as we continue to move forward and onward.

We have so much to be proud and thankful for as we celebrate each of our stories!

PROVERBS 3: 5, 6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

[logdogblog]

On the topic of TIME.

Time can be defined as the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. (Oxford Languages)

What better way to spend your afternoon then pondering the infinite frame of life, reality, and everything in between!

When we take a moment to reflect on things we get the chance to bask in what we know as “time”.

It is like one of those incomprehensible things that we grapple with everyday.

What more can we do than to just be grateful we are here, together!

Just an instant is all it takes to take a deep breath and be joyous for “time”.

It may feel slow sometimes, and it may seem fast in others. But however we place it, it is constant and consistent.

All we have to do is appreciate it. That simple. We don’t have to have all the answers. We don’t have to know everything. We are but a part in the infinite whole and that is enough.

Let us make a practice of being present because while the past and future take space in our imaginations, we move forward in the middle!

How, why, when, where? I think the answer to those questions are the very reasons why we’re here. To grapple with those questions.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:2

“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

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On the topic of ENDURANCE.

Endurance can be defined as the power of persisting through an unpleasant or challenging process or situation without giving in. (Oxford Languages)

The word “endurance” has the word “end” in it, as it is fitting for one who perseveres to the end despite all obstacles.

Endur-ing is a skill that must be practiced consistently in order to see results. One must discipline oneself to achieve the desired outcome.

In some cases, endurance doesn’t always come easy. It’s almost like a toddler learning to walk without wobbling or falling. They must develop the stamina to get stronger and build muscle memory.

One’s motivation is just as important as the ability to endure itself. What is the reward we are working for? That may determine exactly how we will prepare and work toward reaching it.

Endurance doesn’t mean simply going without ceasing; sometimes we need several resting points as we inch toward our destination to catch our breath, take stock of our progress, and continue to inch forward.

These checkpoints serve as markers for all the progress we are making and give us the inspiration to go on and continue.

And yes, we need the help of others every step of the way, even if this is for our own solo journey. Relying on others at different stages is normal. We may not be able to do everything on our own, but those who help us also benefit, as there can be a mutual success when working together.

And sometimes we can even go farther than we could have imagined if we let others provide support for our pursuits.

On the expedition there is a lot of beauty and worthwhile recompense in ENJOYING the process and making progress. Our objectives are within our reach just so as we keep going!

2 TIMOTHY 2:3

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

[logdogblog]

On the topic of PRIDE.

Pride can be defined as a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. (Oxford Languages)

This topic is a tricky one because feeling good about one’s accomplishments in itself isn’t inherently a bad thing, in my opinion. Yet when that feeling is inflated by ego, then that is something else to contend with.

We want to be satisfied with our achievements because we work hard. However, our achievements simply cannot be given us full credit to us because a lot goes into reaching a goal. That may include a team of others, including the presence of unseen God.

Everyone may not subscribe to this belief or experience but the idea still stands that no one purely accomplishes anything entirely on one's own.

Too much of anything, or anything not in moderation can spoil a good thing. And for instance too much or excessive pride can lead way to vanity or conceit.

Mental health implications of pride, on one hand, can sometimes boost self-esteem. However, too much pride can also lead to anxiety, depression, or stress when one feels the need to maintain an image of superiority.

Thankfully, there are many various ways to fight becoming too proud!

1. AWARENESS/SELF-AWARENESS

“What am I doing/saying? How is this affecting others?”

2. HUMILITY/BEING HUMBLE

“I am not better than the next person for any reason.”

3. APOLOGIZING/TAKING RESPONSIBILITY or ACCOUNTABILITY

“I accept that I am responsible for my actions. I did not accomplish everything by myself.”

4. PRAYER

“I recognize there is a Higher Power.”

5. LISTENING

“I am slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger.”

6. BEING OPEN-MINDED

“I am open to learning others’ life experiences.”

7. NO SELF-COMPARISON

“My path in life is unique.”

8. EMBRACING CHALLENGES

“Facing difficulties helps me develop my character.”

9. BEING GRATEFUL

“I am thankful.”

10. LEARNING FROM CRITICISM

“I am not perfect; I make mistakes and I grow from them.”

In closing, having PRIDE in itself isn’t bad. Though when in excess or not in moderation, it can lead to a distorted self-image.

Think like a cook; we season our food. But when we use too much, the flavor may be too strong or spoil the dish!

1 JOHN 2:15-17

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life— is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content curator

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On the topic of PATIENCE.

Patience can be defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting angry or upset. (Oxford Languages)

There is so much to look forward to. As hard as that may be to believe, it’s true. But that one variable always seems to steal the spotlight: TIME.

A lot of us have a love-hate relationship with it.

Speaking for myself, I sometimes get lost in it that I forget how much greatness was unraveling before I even knew it!

But that four letter word seemed to still make its impression, whether or not I wanted it to.

“But wait…” I can hear my thoughts say.

As I’d rhetorically answer: “How long?”

Sometimes it seems like just when I forget that I’m waiting does my answer reveal itself.

Being patient can almost be a profession on its own! I’m still learning to be patient.

Some days it may come easier and others it can be a challenge. But all in all, things work out for the BEST.

HEBREWS 10:36

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

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On the topic of DELIGHT.

Delight can be defined as great pleasure. (Oxford Languages)

When one reaches a state of homeostasis, or in other words, balance, one can take the chance to appreciate all that is well.

Like savoring, we sometimes get the opportunity to take notice of the great things that are happening in our lives.

This small practice yields big results!

Every so often we need to do a reality check on our lives. Sometimes we get so caught up living that we forget to cherish the very special life we do have!

We are all blessed in a unique way and taking the chance to acknowledge this is major.

When we take note of what we have been given and provided for, we get the chance to show gratitude and delight in all that is moving us forward and keeping us going.

It’s a beautiful thing when we can sow the harvest we’ve been reaping or preparing for so long behind the scenes in due season.

I like to think of this season as sowing season much like tending to a garden.

We planted the seeds, we watered and nurtured, and are now beginning to see the sprouts and stems of what we tended to.

Harvest season is like a reward for all the hard labor. In due time we see results. And with those results we can take a moment to honor, salute, and recognize the fruits of our efforts.

And boy is it a BEAUTIFUL time!

PSALM 37:4

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

[logdogblog]

On the topic of WORRY.

Worry can be defined as a state of uncertainty over actual or potential problems. (Oxford Languages)

One may ponder, “if worry isn’t good for us, then why do we do it?”

I wish I knew the answer to that question, as an avid, semi-pro, self-proclaimed, expert worrier.

I worry during the day. I worry at night. I worry when it’s dark. I worry when it’s light.

(Dr. Seuss might be proud of that line!)

However, one thing I’ve learned about worry, is that it keeps me busy. Is it a good thing to always be busy?

They say “idle hands are the devils play thing,” and I don’t think I’ve chosen a side on whether I think that quote really holds true.

Yes worry keeps one’s brain occupied, but what could worry be replaced with?

I think worry can be replace with a sense of hopefulness or, better yet, optimism.

There is a time and place for pessimism, and no one is always looking at the silver lining. Life is unpredictable! And that can be scary in itself.

But maintaining a positive outlook or cheerfulness can help keep one’s mind and spirit BRIGHT!

When it boils down to it, things generally work out for the best. This isn’t necessarily a law but it can be backed up by lived experience.

Think about a time when you were struggling, like a lot. How did you feel? Did it feel like you would never get out of that situation? How long did it last?

Right! It didn’t last forever!

It may have be uncomfortable. It may have been upsetting. Yet, somehow, you got over it and got through it. Once you got to the other side, you could look back and think, “wow, I made it.”

There may be a question of how?

Well, one saying I can vividly remember is from Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, “Every time there’s a struggle, it’s nothing but a preparation for what’s yet to come.”

In other words, when we make it through testing season, there is a lesson to be learned on the other side. It may not come easy but it darned tootin be worth it!

MATTHEW 6: 33, 34

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator

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On the topic of KINDNESS.

Kindness can be defined as the quality of being friendly or considerate. (Oxford Languages)

One way to make a major difference or impact in someone’s life with just a small amount of effort is a kind word.

Something as simple as a greeting, compliment, or acknowledgement of another to show you recognize the divinity within someone as you notice them is a fantastic way to lift someone’s spirits.

As simple as this act may seem, there are some barriers to even getting those words out.

People are often so busy in the hustle and bustle of their own life, they may neglect to be aware of the other.

What can we do when we are so preoccupied with our own lives that we forget to salute or recognize the beauty in someone else?

Here are some tips to confront this barrier for several different ways to express loving-kindness:

1. RESPECT, EMPATHY, and SYMPATHY

Culture can be a barrier to respect, where there may be language differences, misaligned values, or non-verbal communication differences.

Also, expectations and prejudices may contribute to the inability to provide simple respectful consideration.

Overcoming this barrier can happened when we go deep within ourselves to bring out all the empathy and sympathy we can muster.

When we are able to understand and share the feelings of another, we combat the barrier to respect with empathy.

When we are able to feel pity or sorrow for someone else’s misfortune, we combat the barrier to respect with sympathy.

2. ACTION, NON-JUDGEMENT, and COMPASSION

Fear is a common factor that may prevent one from taking action. One may be worried about many things such as making a good impression, not knowing someone that well, or distrust.

Combating these issues with non-judgement and compassion can be a way to incite one to take positive action to perform an act of kindness.

Gratitude, encouragement, and patience are all wonderful ways to be more a compassionate and kind human.

3. GENEROSITY and FAIRNESS

A barrier to generosity is lack, and a way to combat the barrier of fairness is simply to be kind. Sometimes we get so stuck on doing the pragmatic thing, that we forget no one is perfect.

Can one be fair and kind?

The answer to that question depends…

Yes and no.

Being kind should never be conditional. But being fair is a thought one may have when treating others as one would want to be treated.

In a similar vein, being fair and kind at the same time is still possible regardless of the difference of opinion. One thing about being kind is that it’s an honest heartfelt gesture that almost always alleviates suffering.

COLOSSIANS 3:12-13

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

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On the topic of PRAYER.

Prayer can be defined as a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship; also known as an earnest hope or wish. (Oxford Languages)

Praying or any form of worship or praise is a spiritual practice used by many in order to bring about holy intercession or welcome divine transformation and peace.

There isn’t only one way to ‘pray’, or a time limit, or perfect way to do it. It may often be used in our desperate moments but should not be confused that it can be a preventative or celebratory practice as well, used for situations that have not yet transpired or are the result of jubilant occasions such as the many wonderful things life presents us with.

There are several practices that could fall under the umbrella of prayer that I’m going to discuss. That is meditation, mindfulness, daydreaming, and reflection.

Prayer may be known as an active practice. While these four practices may be considered passive practices or be done without structure. However, it can be said that prayer too can have structure such as evidenced by the many traditional sayings used or are now apart of our colloquial religious language.

1. MEDITATION

Is another word for prayer or contemplation that may involve mental exercise or deep thought. It may usually occur in silence or with a decent amount of focus.

The subtle difference from prayer is that it may be less verbal and actually include a sense of noticing. Noticing what the conscious (mortal carnal mind: life as it appears to be), subconscious (without direction), or superconscious (ideal destiny).

In other words, a passive practice to simply become aware of what is coming to mind may be one way to meditate. Some may like to be in nature or listening to sounds like music or ambience.

2. MINDFULNESS

Has roots in Buddhism and may be a close synonym to meditation where one practices simply being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings in the present moment without judgement or reactivity. (Mindful.org)

The benefits of being mindful include: reducing stress and anxiety, self-awareness, and improving the ability to respond to one’s thoughts and feelings.

Being mindful helps improve concentration, cope with challenging beliefs, and stay away from destructive habits.

3. DAYDREAMING

Is another passive exercise to cope with the realities of day to day living. Think of daydreaming like an escape from life and like a journey into our wildest dreams!

Making time out for this practice is often underutilized with age and may be replaced by typical dreams in our unconscious sleep as we get older. However, you can never be too old to practice daydreaming!

Similar to lucid dreaming, one who day dreams may actually have to ability to influence what is happening in the dream, which can be really exciting and fun!

4. REFLECTION

Finally, reflection, similar to sleep, can be more of an active process in which there can be some positive outcomes.

For instance,

Learning and unlearning, becoming more self-aware, improved decision-making and relationship evaluation, increased emotional intelligence, better problem-solving, and overall human development.

Nothing beats looking in the figurative ‘mirror’ into one’s own psyche to get a reality check in terms of how to move forward in life!

LUKE 11: 1-4

“So he said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. You will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

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On the topic of SLEEP.

Sleep is defined as a condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the eyes are closed, the activity of the brain is altered, and consciousness of the surroundings is practically suspended. (Oxford Languages)

One of the most common questions asked is how many hours is enough for sleep? However, the answer to this question depends…

Taking into account age, activity level, and one’s schedule all contribute to our sleep patterns.

The younger you are the more sleep needed. While older folk may do fine with less but with maybe a ‘Power Nap’ or two to fill out the day.

But not getting enough sleep could have some pretty serious consequences. Global functioning, productivity, and creativity all are dependent on how restful one may be.

Making sleep a top priority, naps included, is a health non-negotiable that human beings must deem as important.

On average 8-10 HOURS of sleep is quite common and may be sufficient for functioning.

In addition to the quantity, the quality of sleep can make a positive difference. For instance, a short nap can do wonders!

But everything else around sleep also contributes to how well one can rest. Exercise, mental focus such as for work or school, and food or substances consumed play a major part in one’s sleep hygiene.

Staying away from alcohol or drugs and keeping up with vitamins, nutrients, and hydration all play a part in how our energy is distributed during wakefulness.

Keeping a sleep journal including dreams, hours spent sleeping as well as hours spent doing other activities could provide a glimpse into one’s sleep psychology.

Kids tend to sleep longer and sometimes prefer to sleep with parents or guardians while teens may sleep longer as well to coping with puberty and brain development. Adults may require the least amount of sleep due to mental maturity and work-life balance.

In the long run, sleep is connected to our brain function, memory, mood, stress level, and energy expenditure as well as conservation.

On the whole, sleep plays a huge part in our lives and a large portion of our lives are spent sleeping. Not to be taken for granted, this chunk of our lives is directly connected to our wakeful functioning and overall mental health and HAPPINESS.

There’s nothing like a hangry baby who didn’t get a good nights rest that can give the parent a run for their money!

PROVERBS 3:24

“When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator.

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On the topic of ANGER.

Anger is defined as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. (Oxford Languages)

There are two types of anger I’m going to dive into: repressed anger and suppressed anger.

1. REPRESSED ANGER

Anger is a universal emotion that virtually every living thing experiences from time to time.

However, when this feeling is out of our mental awareness, it is unconscious.

Feelings like these are ignored, avoided, or blocked from conscious awareness.

These emotions may also include, feelings of not just anger, but fear, sadness, guilt, and shame.

A person’s thoughts, behaviors, and emotional well-being can be concealed from conscious awareness due to the influence of repression.

So, how do we move forward?

Our mind is like a smart computer, often finding shortcuts and simple ways to represent what is experienced by the individual.

Writing down your emotions can help you get to the root of your anger and begin to identify triggers. Journaling is a healthy outlet to begin this process.

Meditation, relaxation, and exercise can be key.

Finding an outlet like music, singing, or dancing could offer delightful results short and long term.

Sometimes as a last resort, therapy could be beneficial to get the words out and use the first person perspective while letting the unconscious come into focus.

2. SUPPRESSED ANGER

On the other side of the spectrum, anger can be conscious, where it is clearly brought into focus in our working memory awareness.

The difference in this type of anger is that it is purposefully avoided because an individual is uncertain on how to manage it or follow through with expressing it.

There could be some hesitation due to lack of mental resources available to help one respond to feeling the strong emotion.

Although suppressing anger may be useful as a short term coping mechanism, it should be noted that one’s mental health can be negatively affected if one uses this technique too often.

Similar to repressed anger, the strategies mentioned above could be useful.

However, overcoming suppressed anger can be almost always coped with through expressions.

For instance, being direct with someone, screaming into a pillow, using high intensity workouts, or even indirectly addressing the feeling with a trusted person are all immediate ways to treat and get to the root of suppression.

Overtime with practice this process gets easier and can become more automatic, which may be the goal.

Holding and releasing the pain, dis-ease, and discomfort of anger can be healthy in the long run if addressed tactfully.

Anger turned in to passion and drive is one of the best ways to produce perseverance, persistence and TENACITY.

JAMES 1:19-25

“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator.

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On the topic of ANXIETY.

Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, usually brought about by an imminent event or something with an impending outcome. (Oxford Languages)

One might say that this worry or concern is universal; experienced by all of humanity at some point or place.

While this may or may not be true, harboring on it can lead to less than optimal outcomes.

But going through it may have the opposite effect.

For instance,

In our everyday world, we encounter a number of stimuli that capture our attention most often recognized for the purpose of our survival and at core our very existence.

While there are many ways to confront this feeling, there are some advantages to experiencing it more fully.

1. When we surrender to ANXIETY, we open the door to a new, possibly better, new experience on the other end.

2. The “yucky” feeling sets precedence for a reward on the other side that could not have been previously imagined without a basis to begin with.

3. New information brings forward the very essence of what we call life. And life can sometimes be unpredictable.

But through change and difference we learn.

And there is no better teacher than CHANGE.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

~logdogblog mental-health creative-content-curator.

[logdogblog]

Hello!

This is my first post as a mental health blogger and I hope to create a collaborative safe space for us! Hope you enjoy reading and commenting as we learn and grow!