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| South Frontenac, Ontario REYDON PHOTOGRAPHY |
Thursday
free yourself
try something new
Saturday
Thursday
Mental Health: Let's talk about it
I've just attended a talk, giving attention to Mental Health, that was given by Seamus O'Regan at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario - and it was a beautiful thing.
Imagine it - a group of adults, of all ages, many of whom are teacher candidates, joined together for the shared interest in learning about mental illness, supporting an open forum for discussion about mental health because we need to talk about it.
Only recently have we become more comfortable acknowledging and talking about mental illness. It pains me to think about all who suffer in silence, never having someone or knowledge of or access to the resources available to find the support to fight for their life - because they're worth it. But though the resources exist and there exists a strong support of the movement to raise awareness, there are some who continue to suffer in silence.
As we have opened up the dialogue, we have begun to refine our perceptions of mental illness. We have started to talk about mental illness, raising awareness and shedding the stigmas. It is not easy to face your demons, it's harder when you feel alone and you have the added worry of becoming labelled by your illness.
We under estimate our own power, the power to be that person who is there to remind someone, who needs reminding, that they are not alone. We are not alone. Everyone is effected by mental illness, regardless of whether you are a direct sufferer or not, and as we begin to acknowledge the issue, we look around us and we see that it truly does effect us all - we are all connected.
Sometimes it feels easier to not acknowledge the sensitive issues, so we go on ignoring them, but they don't go away; In fact, they fester. What's great is that society is in some ways stepping up; we have begun to allow ourselves to take a breath and realize that mental illness is a big deal, so we should be talking about it and we should be listening. It's definitely a step in the right direction for society as a whole, but also for each and every person who suffers from a mental illness. It's a feeling of assurance that you're human - like everyone else.
We need to put our health first, by talking about mental illness, our understanding of it will grow and we will be better equipped to help or seek help in the healing process. As someone who has suffered from depression from a young age, simply hearing someone else talk about their experience with mental illness, it empowers you to know that you can talk about your experiences, and perhaps through doing so, you can help someone else.
There is comfort in knowing that you are not alone in feeling 'not right'. When you find yourself exhausted from your inner turmoil, hearing stories of people who deal with depression and have overcome their darkest days - it can lift you.
At times, I would find myself overwhelmed with the complexities of life. I was aware of a family history of mental illness, one that my mom always took seriously, always reminding me that our feelings are not our fault, they are simply how we feel. If we are not feeling well, the only way to get better is to listen to our feelings. She wrote to sort through her days, so exhausted from my inner turmoil, I very naturally began to do the same; I began to write. I would let the words spill out onto the page - I would let go.
Writing is my vice to cope. When I started to share my writing, sharing my world, friends began approaching me to talk and strangers began contacting me, sharing with me a part of their story, a piece of their world. I was amazed at how - through simply sharing my thoughts, posting them online for others to read, sharing the parts of me I'd never shared out loud - I'd helped someone else. It was a gift.
Sharing my suffering had helped ease that of someone else. My anxieties, my depression, my desire to push forward, to find an outlet, to spill my thoughts, to share my words - had an upside. Finding writing was a breakthrough for me, stressing the importance of communication in creating such a community that is supportive, providing a safe environment where the focus can be put on the importance of each individual's mental health and, as an outcome, we will reduce stigmas and promote the awareness and understanding of mental health.
Imagine it - a group of adults, of all ages, many of whom are teacher candidates, joined together for the shared interest in learning about mental illness, supporting an open forum for discussion about mental health because we need to talk about it.
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Queen's University, Duncan McArthur Hall, September 17, 2014.
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Only recently have we become more comfortable acknowledging and talking about mental illness. It pains me to think about all who suffer in silence, never having someone or knowledge of or access to the resources available to find the support to fight for their life - because they're worth it. But though the resources exist and there exists a strong support of the movement to raise awareness, there are some who continue to suffer in silence.
As we have opened up the dialogue, we have begun to refine our perceptions of mental illness. We have started to talk about mental illness, raising awareness and shedding the stigmas. It is not easy to face your demons, it's harder when you feel alone and you have the added worry of becoming labelled by your illness.
We under estimate our own power, the power to be that person who is there to remind someone, who needs reminding, that they are not alone. We are not alone. Everyone is effected by mental illness, regardless of whether you are a direct sufferer or not, and as we begin to acknowledge the issue, we look around us and we see that it truly does effect us all - we are all connected.
Sometimes it feels easier to not acknowledge the sensitive issues, so we go on ignoring them, but they don't go away; In fact, they fester. What's great is that society is in some ways stepping up; we have begun to allow ourselves to take a breath and realize that mental illness is a big deal, so we should be talking about it and we should be listening. It's definitely a step in the right direction for society as a whole, but also for each and every person who suffers from a mental illness. It's a feeling of assurance that you're human - like everyone else.
We need to put our health first, by talking about mental illness, our understanding of it will grow and we will be better equipped to help or seek help in the healing process. As someone who has suffered from depression from a young age, simply hearing someone else talk about their experience with mental illness, it empowers you to know that you can talk about your experiences, and perhaps through doing so, you can help someone else.
There is comfort in knowing that you are not alone in feeling 'not right'. When you find yourself exhausted from your inner turmoil, hearing stories of people who deal with depression and have overcome their darkest days - it can lift you.
At times, I would find myself overwhelmed with the complexities of life. I was aware of a family history of mental illness, one that my mom always took seriously, always reminding me that our feelings are not our fault, they are simply how we feel. If we are not feeling well, the only way to get better is to listen to our feelings. She wrote to sort through her days, so exhausted from my inner turmoil, I very naturally began to do the same; I began to write. I would let the words spill out onto the page - I would let go.
Writing is my vice to cope. When I started to share my writing, sharing my world, friends began approaching me to talk and strangers began contacting me, sharing with me a part of their story, a piece of their world. I was amazed at how - through simply sharing my thoughts, posting them online for others to read, sharing the parts of me I'd never shared out loud - I'd helped someone else. It was a gift.
Sharing my suffering had helped ease that of someone else. My anxieties, my depression, my desire to push forward, to find an outlet, to spill my thoughts, to share my words - had an upside. Finding writing was a breakthrough for me, stressing the importance of communication in creating such a community that is supportive, providing a safe environment where the focus can be put on the importance of each individual's mental health and, as an outcome, we will reduce stigmas and promote the awareness and understanding of mental health.
Saturday
hey you, you're being kind of a jerk.
i understand that it's hard to be "on" all the time, but when did people become so rude?
i look around and am disappointed in a lot of the things i am seeing, the way people are acting towards each other, human beings, their own kind. there is so much anger; aggressive behavior. maybe i've just reached a stage of my life where i have become more observant of it, or perhaps society as a whole has just become angrier. regardless, it makes me sad.
working in hospitality for many years, it wouldn't be uncommon for me to encounter a customer who possessed a less than friendly disposition. responding to an upset or aggravated person with the same attitude is a recipe for disaster. A guest's visit typically exceeded one hour, so i wouldn't waste any time - i wouldn't allow myself to have a reaction that mimicked that of my angry guest, instead i would smile, greeting them briefly and then i would do all that i could to accommodate them, making them feel welcomed. i would keep a friendly disposition. when they would finish, i would thank them for joining us. and guess what, it always worked. they would leave with a smile. if i let the situation sit, the guest would continue to be grumpy, then they wouldn't enjoy their experience because it's too easy to focus on the little negatives when you feel like everything is just the worst. i looked at it as a challenge; passing along some happy vibes to a stranger inevitably continues to be passed along, making what could be a significant difference in a persons day. and at no cost. so i smile. i smile so that maybe i can be that difference that helps them recognize that even though they are grumpy, there are people who care and good things will happen, the sun will continue to rise.
i am not completely innocent myself. i'm emotional. i am a human being. sometimes it just isn't possible to be "on" all the time. but then again, i also tend to try to be a decent human being. i care about people and i feel bad for people who are having a tough time, regardless of what that tough thing is. i do believe that like positive energy, a person's negative energy also radiates. once you're in it, it is harder to get out of that rut of anger. you infect the people around you with your sour taste, the aggravation festers on.
society isn't purely ridden with anger and sadness, though it sure seems to be becoming more potent. it reminds me more and more of the pleasure that comes with the experience of sharing a friendly exchange with someone else, it's much, much lovelier than an angry one. so here is something i want you to consider. take a moment and breathe - it helps. smile - it radiates. it's contagious. at the end of the day, those stresses that are making you so easily aggravated, so self consumed, so incredibly unaware or just ignorant of your surroundings, deal with them - these are the things that will make you stronger. stop being so mean to people. be courteous - it feels good, i promise. whatever you're experiencing, there are people who care about you. there are people who want to see you happy. you deserve to be happy. so do the things that make you smile. surround yourself with the people who you love and who make you feel loved and inspire you. it's never too late. you're never too old and you're definitely worth it. but right now, you're being kind of a jerk. so stop. take a minute. breathe. take time to appreciate the little victories. smile for no reason. think about others. think before you react. don't be shitty.
i look around and am disappointed in a lot of the things i am seeing, the way people are acting towards each other, human beings, their own kind. there is so much anger; aggressive behavior. maybe i've just reached a stage of my life where i have become more observant of it, or perhaps society as a whole has just become angrier. regardless, it makes me sad.
working in hospitality for many years, it wouldn't be uncommon for me to encounter a customer who possessed a less than friendly disposition. responding to an upset or aggravated person with the same attitude is a recipe for disaster. A guest's visit typically exceeded one hour, so i wouldn't waste any time - i wouldn't allow myself to have a reaction that mimicked that of my angry guest, instead i would smile, greeting them briefly and then i would do all that i could to accommodate them, making them feel welcomed. i would keep a friendly disposition. when they would finish, i would thank them for joining us. and guess what, it always worked. they would leave with a smile. if i let the situation sit, the guest would continue to be grumpy, then they wouldn't enjoy their experience because it's too easy to focus on the little negatives when you feel like everything is just the worst. i looked at it as a challenge; passing along some happy vibes to a stranger inevitably continues to be passed along, making what could be a significant difference in a persons day. and at no cost. so i smile. i smile so that maybe i can be that difference that helps them recognize that even though they are grumpy, there are people who care and good things will happen, the sun will continue to rise.
i am not completely innocent myself. i'm emotional. i am a human being. sometimes it just isn't possible to be "on" all the time. but then again, i also tend to try to be a decent human being. i care about people and i feel bad for people who are having a tough time, regardless of what that tough thing is. i do believe that like positive energy, a person's negative energy also radiates. once you're in it, it is harder to get out of that rut of anger. you infect the people around you with your sour taste, the aggravation festers on.
society isn't purely ridden with anger and sadness, though it sure seems to be becoming more potent. it reminds me more and more of the pleasure that comes with the experience of sharing a friendly exchange with someone else, it's much, much lovelier than an angry one. so here is something i want you to consider. take a moment and breathe - it helps. smile - it radiates. it's contagious. at the end of the day, those stresses that are making you so easily aggravated, so self consumed, so incredibly unaware or just ignorant of your surroundings, deal with them - these are the things that will make you stronger. stop being so mean to people. be courteous - it feels good, i promise. whatever you're experiencing, there are people who care about you. there are people who want to see you happy. you deserve to be happy. so do the things that make you smile. surround yourself with the people who you love and who make you feel loved and inspire you. it's never too late. you're never too old and you're definitely worth it. but right now, you're being kind of a jerk. so stop. take a minute. breathe. take time to appreciate the little victories. smile for no reason. think about others. think before you react. don't be shitty.
Sunday
i have to believe in the good in people.
i am a sensitive person. this is something that i have come to know, more and more, as i continue to grow. as i walk through life, wide-eyed and hopeful, optimistic, a logical thinker - i am often quick to judge people based on their highest potential, because if they can, why wouldn't they? which, then, often leads to disappointment - which never ends well for a sensitive heart.
no matter how many people prove me wrong, i have to believe in the good in people. this wont change. my sensitive heart makes me bleed compassion and understanding. But, my judgement isn't completely off; there is a specific breed of vindictive females and slow-witted men that i seem to be able to pick out of a crowd. these are the people that thrive on the fantasy that they're the lead role in their own reality t.v. series, and keeping with the tradition, they tend to keep certain that the plot remains full of amusement, regardless of whose expense it's at. i see that there are people who enjoy the game of sitting on the dark side; i just can't understand doing something to achieve a thrill that inevitably is at the expense of the feelings of another person. how can we, as human beings, willingly choose to hurt another person? another one of our kind?
it seems that the more i see people do wrong to one another, the tragedy that humans are choosing to inflict on one another, around the world, but also in our daily lives, the more that i read, and hear, and learn, the more i feel i have to believe in the good of people. it's as though i need to. i can't give up. instead, i will be optimistic. i will be hopeful, compassionate, and understanding.
how devastating would it be to one day come to the realization that though humans can do good to one another, when given the option, we will chose to do bad; putting first personal thrills, gain, and greed, and in turn making a victim out of one of their own.
it doesn't make sense.
that's why i need to believe. if we each begin to walk with our heads down, with the mindset that everyone is an opponent or potential threat, then that is what the world will become. that would be the biggest tragedy.
no matter how many people prove me wrong, i have to believe in the good in people. this wont change. my sensitive heart makes me bleed compassion and understanding. But, my judgement isn't completely off; there is a specific breed of vindictive females and slow-witted men that i seem to be able to pick out of a crowd. these are the people that thrive on the fantasy that they're the lead role in their own reality t.v. series, and keeping with the tradition, they tend to keep certain that the plot remains full of amusement, regardless of whose expense it's at. i see that there are people who enjoy the game of sitting on the dark side; i just can't understand doing something to achieve a thrill that inevitably is at the expense of the feelings of another person. how can we, as human beings, willingly choose to hurt another person? another one of our kind?
it seems that the more i see people do wrong to one another, the tragedy that humans are choosing to inflict on one another, around the world, but also in our daily lives, the more that i read, and hear, and learn, the more i feel i have to believe in the good of people. it's as though i need to. i can't give up. instead, i will be optimistic. i will be hopeful, compassionate, and understanding.
how devastating would it be to one day come to the realization that though humans can do good to one another, when given the option, we will chose to do bad; putting first personal thrills, gain, and greed, and in turn making a victim out of one of their own.
it doesn't make sense.
that's why i need to believe. if we each begin to walk with our heads down, with the mindset that everyone is an opponent or potential threat, then that is what the world will become. that would be the biggest tragedy.
Friday
there is a writer trapped inside of me
Sunday
the world that we didn't create
it's the end of the day and you sit in silence, without the company or distraction of anything.
Allow yourself to absorb what is; each aspect of each reality that you've come to be comprised of. What does it all mean when you're alone? What has brought you to this moment? What's the meaning; the purpose? What's it all for?
Reflect. Slow down and think back; Big picture. A sense of relief comes from feeling slightly insignificant - it is rewarding to consider how small we each are in the whole scale of things - the universe; the weight of the world slides off of your shoulders.
There is nothing that exists to us without the contributions, accomplishments, and the help of influence. Being reflective is a healthy reality check that saves us from being consumed in ourselves; we're not the lead characters in our very own television special. Celebrate accomplishments, but before you boast, reflect.
Recognize why you are where you are in your life.
Recognize the influences, your influences.
Perspective is forever valuable, influencing the way we view the world around us, helping us to grow ourselves, developing our knowledge and understanding. It is easy to become caught up in the fast paced civilization that was created for us. We become comfortable with what we know, keeping us within our comfort zone. The result is the loss of perspective. Slipping inconspicuously into a close minded interpretation of the world and what exists around you. What does it all mean; what's the significance?
Be proud, but also be reflective. Recognize your journey and show appreciation for those who acted as a crucial element to your accomplishments. The influences that helped build bridges for us instead of kicking us while we were down, those who offer their hand instead of their pessimism and unwanted criticism; these are strong influences and recognizing them helps keep us humble. Allowing those who felt your cause was worthy of their time - they helped create your sense of significance. In reflection, we grow through understanding achieved from new perspective.
Saturday
Friday
as do we.
We learn and we grow.
Time passes and with it we build character, a sense of self - of being something - uncovering our very identity and discovering who we are on our own, separate from everyone else.
As do we, seasons change.
We evolve; grasping the realities that surround us and impede our world. Living for the seemingly insignificant moments that shine so brightly they cannot be ignored, we learn to appreciate the little things as the things that once seemed important become less so.
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