When a loved one struggles with mental illness

When someone is physically ill, you take them soup and offer them a blanket. But how do you show support for someone struggling with a mental illness?

 One day my father told me, "Glenda I am not doing well, something is happening in my mind" Two months later my father was diagnosed with Dementia.

Dementia is a group of thinking and social symptoms that interferes with daily functioning. Can't be cured, it can last for years or be lifelong. Symptoms include forgetfulness, confusion, mental decline, disorientation, anxiety, hallucination among others.

For three months in a roll, I cried every night. Asking God why? Why my father? The most kind, humble, responsible person. That work so hard so my brothers and I can have an education.

Every day I tell him the same story, Who am I and who is him. I had learned to understand him.

1.To ask him simple questions.
2. To listen him with me ears, eyes and heart.
3. To respond him with affection.
4. To remember him the good old days.

Now we are taking care of him the same way he took care of us. Accepting God's will and understanding that he has a purpose.

While passing the time, I stick to the hope that I have in God. That one day I will see my father restore and healthy. On that day he will recognize me and will call me by my name.

Awakening Senses by Dan Gibson

https://youtu.be/g3c46_mjM10

The Last Three Wishes of Alexander the Great

Being at the edge of the death, Alejandro the Great summoned its generals and informed them his last three wishes:

1.That his coffin was taken in the shoulders and transported by the best doctors of that time.

2.That the treasures that had conquered (silver, gold, precious stones), were scattered on the way to his grave.

3. That his hand were swinging in the air, out of the coffin, and at the sight of all. One of his generals, astonished by so unusual wishes, asked Alejandro what were their reasons.

Alejandro explained:

1. I want the most eminent doctors to carry my coffin to show that they do not have, before death, the power to heal.

2. I want the ground be covered by my treasures so that they all see the material goods conquered here, stay here.

3. I want my hands move to and fro to the wind, so that everyone can see that we came with empty hands and we empty hands we leave, when  we finished the most valuable treasure that is time.

Time is the most valuable treasure the we have because it is limited. Enjoy it to the maximum with those to whom you love.

Take care of your body

Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.

Serenity

Serenity

 

There is a story of  a king that wanted to explain to his 12 year old son the meaning of the word "Serenity". The king tries to explain to him many times but his son still doesn't understand. He called the wise men of his kingdom. But his son still does not understand the meaning of that word. Then the king has the tenacious idea to make an exhibition of paintings in which the central theme would be serenity. The price would be a bag of gold. 

 

The paintings star arriving to the palace from all the places around the kingdom. On the day of the exhibition, an old painter man that lived in the mountains brought his painting. The king's assistant received this picture with dread because it was a painting with dark colors representing a terrible storm. He thought that maybe the king will get mad with the painter.

 

The king began to look and analyze the pictures with intensity one after the other. Finally, the king saw the picture of the old man. He looked at it, walked away and the returns and looked at the picture one more time. Then the king looks at his assistant and tells him " this is the winning picture". "Son come and see what serenity is".

 

The boy comes and he observed, in the middle of the storm lightning and the sky blackened, there was a rock that was standing out of the sea and on top of it a small nest of birds. Inside of the nest there was a mother bird feeding her baby birds. The king, said to him: " son, that's serenity:To know, in the midst of the storm, which is your priority".

 

In the storm of life, (emotional, labor, family, economics, etc.), the solution is to maintain the calm on the mist of the storm to know what to do and have the courage to do so.

 

 

 

Keep going

The pleasure of reading

Have you ever entered to a book store and enjoy the smell of the books? Have you ever picked up a book and simply couldn't put it down? Maybe you, like me, are a bookworm. Reading isn't a meaningless pastime. It provides a variety of benefits. For example:

 1. Reading improves your mental health. Experts agree that reading reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's Disease. 

2. Reading helps to connect with people, improve social life and connect with new environments.

3.Reading improves reading skills,spelling and grammar.

4. Reading reduce stress and increased relaxation.

5.Reading improves the "Theory of Mind" which is what enables human beings to understand the beliefs, desires and intents of others.

Whether you are an active reader or non reading you may be surprised to learn that reading for pleasure is beneficial for your life. It is never to late to start a reading habit.

(inspired by Deyse Bravo & Jessica Spears article "One for the books")

Beethoven's 5 Secrets - OneRepublic (Cello/Orchestral Cover) - ThePianoGuys

https://youtu.be/mJ_fkw5j-t0

My friend - The Homeless

Near the exit of my job, I've saw a homeless who stops there to ask for money. In some occasions I have given him money. But several days passed and I did not se him anymore. Today I saw him again walking towards the bus stop. The peculiarity of this person is that he only has one arm. Today I was wondering what would be his story. He does not look like a drug addict, he is never drunk. How did he lose his arm? I don't think anyone will employ a person with only one arm. I saw him sitting on the bench waiting for the bus and on his side, written on the bench, there were some written words said " All you need is love".
Those words made sense to me. Immediately, I started to pray for him, asking God to send blessings for this man and that all of his needs will be supplied.

Today I discovered a new meaning for the word Love. Love is compassion.

10 Strategies for Beating Stress

Stress! Who does not suffer from stress. Everything around us can cause us stress. From work, studies, bills to pay, health, technology, etc. But it is possible to beat the stress. And believe or not   the stress is necessary in our lives.

I am sharing a link for the article 10 Strategies for Beating Stress from Vibrant Life Magazine.

Hope you like it!


http://www.vibrantlife.com/?p=163

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years (Piano/Cello Cover) - ThePianoGuys

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years (Piano/Cello Cover) - ThePianoGuys

Introverts are awesome

I am introverted and I have no remedy. When I was little I used to hide behind my mother for not having to speak with anyone. And now that I am an adult I remain an introvert. 

Be an introvert does not mean that you we are socially awkward or unable to communicate well. We see life differently. Introverts recharge by spending time alone. They prefers watch the game rather than be part of the game. They feel more comfortable working behind the scenes than be the center of attention. But also introverts are studious and smarts, Analytical and creative, flexible, responsible and maintain long-term friendships.

Gandhi, Al Gore, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Picasso and Albert Einstein are some of the famous people better known by its introversion. By creating the right kind of environment, introverts can unleash their true potential and power.

Introverts! We are awesome!

Priorities

Distance

At the end of the day

You're Beautiful-Phil Wickham

A new beggining

A leaf that falls from the tree, the buzz of wind, the sound of the waves of the sea. They are very beautiful things. But I have learned to see the beauty in the invisible. In compassion, forgiveness and hope. There are many people who wander in this world searching for an opportunity for a new beginning. We learn to see the good in people. To let them know how special each one is. That life is beautiful, every day is a new beginning to believe, to live and to love.

Ledges Road

https://youtu.be/NZ-mnrGuQMg

Enjoy Life

Going through my every day life, it can be hard at times. With so much work and stress there are moments where I can lose myself. Sometimes you need a little detox and I'm not taking about those juices everyone believes in. I hope through this blog, I can inspire some of you and it be a place of tranquility. Where we can reset ourselves and enjoy life.

Follow me on this journey, 

Glenda