IMMIGRATION REFORM (H.R. 15) & Fasting4Families

See ya next week,

15 Things You Should Know About the Mighty Nelson Mandela - Black History - EBONY

15 Things You Should Know About the Mighty Nelson Mandela - Black History - EBONY

UNINSURED YOUNG ADULTS MUST ENROLL & PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE!

INVISIBLE JOURNEY 16

This journey is lifelong helping ourselves and each other all around the world to be all that we can be.  We can all accomplish our dreams for freedom and opportunities.  That includes aiding our immigrant brothers and sisters in pursuit of freedom, peace, happiness, and opportunities as well.  Nobody should be forbidden to enter America or excluded from making positives contributions to this nation.  When immigrants from around the world live amongst drug wars, lack of job opportunities, religious prejudices, socialisms, they long to live in the land of the free.  America is historically that land of the free and that is true still today. 

 So, we have hopefully opened our Twitter accounts and we are following the forerunners of our cause.  In this community it is mental well-being in order to accomplish our goals.  We are not isolated as an American community striving to own our own businesses.  We are multicultural and in this context, we embrace our immigrant brothers and sisters who are fighting to enter America.  No matter how far we trace America’s history, America was discovered and built by immigrants.  So we have to support Immigration Reform to continue building and strengthening America.

In our journey to become small business owners, we can stay in a position to support Immigration Reform and understand what immigrants are enduring in order to become United States’ citizens.  In “The Christian Post” newsletter, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), started a 40-day fast intending to gain enough supporters to end what is currently a broken immigration system.  The Forty-Day Fast Campaign Fast4Families needs all of our help to fix the broken Immigration Reform with the passage of new legislation in Congress.  There are many events planned around the nation to keep this Campaign spreading.  Please visit the Newsletter and support Immigration Reform.  Sign up for the Newsletter to stay current on the legislation and ways you can continue to stay involved.

 

Remember that participating in this fast may be very challenging for many due to the side effects of anti psychotropic medications.  These may increase your appetite.  Maybe adjusting your eating with fresh fruits and then one healthy and balanced meal will be alright.  However, you should check in with your doctor before attempting a full fast.  Let’s definitely help spread the word on social media that we support Immigration Reform!

 

We having been working hard with Obamacare and it is really progressing well!  As we continue with enrollment efforts, we have to also outreach to immigrants in America more.  Persons and families who came from nations stifled by extreme poverty, devastated by drug wars, religious prejudices, and /or socialism, desire and deserve to make his/her/their dreams come true.  As we pursue our dreams, we must support them in reaching theirs.  It begins with Immigration Reform.

 As I read about the terrorists and crimes of a select group of persons, I imagine there is cause to be concern.  However, when I read what is in the Immigration Reform bill (H.R. 15), I am encouraged that it is the brotherly thing to do.    Immigration Reform would bring down barriers preventing legal recognition of many immigrants.  These are immigrants who are regarded as living in the ‘shadows.’  Once these immigrants can come out of the shadows, they can obtain civil rights and liberties.  This is as long as these immigrants have not had guilty charges against them for domestic violence, drunk-driving, gang activity, fraud (passport), identity theft, or misdemeanors.  What’s more is that Immigration Reform will include Homeland Security changes in the Southern border.  There are so many benefits to Immigration Reform that we must stand in support of it.  Subscribing to The Christian Post will allow you to keep daily or weekly updates on the Progress of this bill and campaign events.

Remember the talents, skills, knowledge, wisdoms, and traditions of our grandparents and theirs that contributed to building America.  We each have a dream in this land of the free and opportunity.  This recovery opportunity is for everyone past, present, and future.  We can do this!

 

Lastly, many college students in America already are immigrants.  They have studied hard in order to contribute to America.  They also need healthcare because they fall into the age bracket of 18 to 34.  A mixed population of young adults in this category are required by the Affordable Care Act to purchase health insurance if they do not already have it.  I read in a recent article that an immigrant student discussed the possibility of returning to her native ‘home’ if she becomes seriously ill.  Immigrants should not have to feel this way.  Immigrants should feel that America is their home.  In this regard, home should be the place where you can receive citizenship, affordable healthcare, a job with opportunity to advance, live without religious persecution, and obtain a good education. These will become the stepping stones to middle-class.  The middle-class has always been the strength of strengthening America.  Immigration Reform supports the recovery of America’s economy.

 

Now, when we consider that this mixed population is also a high risk population for developing a mental illness, we especially want to encourage reducing unnecessary stressors for them while raising awareness about purchasing health insurance.  College students, including Immigrants, take on a lot of responsibility as they mature and go into their careers that will contribute to building a strong America.  We even have to encourage students in high school as they plan to attend college or a vocational school, the students already in college, and the students about to exit college, etc.), that their investment in having a good education should lead them to also invest in their health by purchasing healthcare.  Immigration Reform is an assurance that America appreciates their investment and desire to become recognized as a legal citizen who can feel free to receive affordable healthcare and that includes mental healthcare as well.

 

This is the best season to have these types of talks with college students returning home for the holidays.  It is a grand opportunity to consider how important Immigration Reform is needed in America.  College students are focused on hanging out with friends and having that much needed break from studies.  We understand that, but as parents and leaders developing into business owners, we must, must ensure that they enroll in Obamacare if they are uninsured.  Remember, progress has been made with website glitches so allow a morning to enroll before the hustle-bustle begins.  Another suggestion is to complete the paper application and mail it in as soon as possible to avoid deadlines.  Applications can be downloaded from Healthcare.gov.  They can be mailed to Health Insurance Market Place, The Department of Health & Human Services, 465 Industrial Boulevard, London, KY  40750-0001 after completion.  A Healthcare Community Counselor can be located by calling (855) 642-8572 to assist with completing enrollment forms. 

Another wonderful thing about Obamacare that many immigrants (persons and families) may not know or understand is the Bronze Plan option that is recommended at a projected cost of $50.00 per month after subsidies.  The Bronze Plan is available in over 30 states.  According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid is also an option for anyone eligible.

 

So, we all want to continue to promote the enrollment into Obamacare and we want to encourage the Fast4Families Campaign in supporting Immigration Reform.  The partisan efforts of obstructionisms (blockades, barriers, etc.) cause confusion and anxiety for uninsured young adults.  We have to stand together against these strategies and stay focused on strengthening America and embracing mixed populations which is what H.R. 15 will do!

Happy Holidays,

 

See ya next week,

The Invisible Journey 15

 

This journey that winds around a long day or week stretches you in many areas and especially during so much stress with the Healthcare Exchange criticisms DAILY!  We did it, though.  We wrapped up another call with the Team and President Obama took time to speak to us.  He offered words of encouragement and appreciation and who could help but notice that warm smile of his?  I loved the little pearl pin, too.

 

So, we are grateful for Obama For America (OFA) for realizing that we can be a part of building towards this nation’s success in our own unique ways to support the President’s agenda.  In return, this supports our dreams.  Our dream years ago, was to overcome what we faced in the healthcare industry and then help others overcome, too.  We did not accomplish that overnight we know and enrolling every American in one day won’t happen.  However, we keep helping each other one by one get enrolled and we use alternative means to do so.  When we advocate, we divide up and work towards that one thing we all want for all mankind and not just a few.  This mission of brotherly love spreads into every corner of the country.  Let me digress long enough to say that when I began to see life through the eyes of my disabled son, and other children, it was scary.  Through my youngest son’s eyes, there were ‘safety net’ programs that assisted in many ways with medical costs.  However, our family still was forced into bankruptcy because of ‘pre-existing condition and 'caps.'’  My other children and myself skipped over healthcare because there was no insurance to help and we had no money for prescriptions anyway.  These barriers are no longer distractions to living healthy and prosperous with Obamacare.

 

Now, fast forward and understand why we all pulled together from various corners of the nation and worked very hard to get the Affordable Care Act passed into law.  The church community prayed and encouraged Believers not to give up and the Lord heard us and blessed us with the ACA.  It’s not evil, as I read somewhere.  When we receive a car for a blessing, we still have to wash it, gas it up, keep up the maintenance, etc.  The same with a home.  We do not throw our hands up and walk away.  Amen, Amen?  I am trying to keep this all in context, too.  We went from a society of using name brand drugs to generic brands because we understood what we could and could not afford.  We have to transfer those same principles to enrolling our family members, seniors, church members, co-workers, etc. into affordable healthcare.  We share information with them at events, parties, dinners, fellowship and remind them about mailing applications in.  The internet is still frightening too many people.  When they hear about all the criticisms (night/day, etc.).  They put off enrolling.  We want to help ease the anxiety of those people, particularly, and remind them, “You can mail an application in like you would have 5 years ago.”  Then tell them how.  Show them how.  Applications can be downloaded from Healthcare.gov.  They can be mailed to Health Insurance Market Place, The Department of Health & Human Services, 465 Industrial Boulevard, London, KY  40750-0001 after completion.  A Healthcare Community Counselor can be located by calling (855) 642-8572 to assist with completing enrollment forms.  Many, many churches have healthcare ambassadors or healthcare fairs and they are opportunities to enroll into the Healthcare Exchange with assistance for all members who do not have health insurance.  If you do not need health insurance, let these experts tell you that.  Relax.

 

The goal is to encourage the uninsured that Healthcare Insurance is necessary and it is not a punishment.  It is ideal.  It is wonderful!  It will be a blessing!  This is wisdom from those who testified about living without affordable health insurance.  Prayed about it.  Cried about it long before the media grabbed hold and then the political mud-slinging began.  The testimony of those who experienced a mental health crisis without health insurance and were financially devastated with no means to buy prescriptions, food, repair credit, etc. one way or another.  This is about a population of persons who wanted and needed to the end the shuffle from institutions or thrown into homeless situations.  The real concern is not; ‘Oh, no, another kink so I do not need it.”  The real concern is that people, families, friends, desire better and deserve to get what they need and fought for.

 

So, we can do this in our communities by taking advantage of what is working and build it up.  We have to push because many families still do not have computers in the home as well.  Invite people over for dinner and Healthcare Enrollment.  Make a visit to the local library, or the Community Healthcare Locator office.  What about if a church in your neighborhood is having a health fair including enrollment, but it is not your home church?  Trust me, God will forgive you ... just get enrolled!!!  Smile.  Create solutions through partnering in your community to enroll young adults, uninsured adults, and families.  Sponsor enrollment tournaments.  Include Obamacare enrollment at your holiday charitable events and always remember the homeless.  Oh, the possibilities are endless.  amen, Amen.

 

Now, there are many changes coming up and the holidays are basically upon us already.  The holidays are stressful.  The change in daylight is stressful.  Building a business is stressful.  These are all triggers of starting your own business that throws brain chemicals off balance.  Naps, rest, healthy eating, quiet time, a confidante, and exercise are all key to balance in a storm.  You have to focus and push and remember you are not alone in the storm. 

 

 

Learning social media is wonderful!  I actually learned it several months ago at BSU with Pam Perry and I am now applying it.  ‘Follow Me’ as they say.  Smile.  Eventually, we will all be tweeting together.  I am already meeting some great like-minded people.  WOW!  Remember I talked about continuous learning in our industry a while back?  Well, if we cannot afford attending conferences,, workshops, etc., just yet, there are lots of online solutions.  Currently, I am reading and about to enroll in an academy to further development of my business while attorneys go over the bylaws, articles of incorporation, etc.  We never give up!

 

So, if you are not tweeting yet, go to Twitter.com and open your account.  The instructions are simple as far as selecting a user name and a password.  Then you get your own little bird!  You can upload an image of yourself or business brand.  Type in key words to find people, places, and causes.  Invite friends from your e-mail contacts/address book (be selective).  This should include, of course, the industry of your business.  Don’t forget your friends so information can be ‘retweeted’ which is like forwarding mail as usual.  Some main information resource pages include:  The White House, NAMI-MD, and Bipolar/Depression communities.  Bring national topics of your industry down to your community level in your unique way!  Tip:  Promote yourself and business in social media by taking time to read other tweets, blogs, and articles.  Then reply and retweet.  This builds your relationships for connections and support and vice versa.  You can link your blog to your Tweets.   If you use FB to promote your business, etc., do NOT mingle it with your normal FB page that we all started and invited millions of people we did not know.  Keep it small and unique to your business brand.  We want to build intimate business relationships.  I’ll be looking for you all, too.  Smile!

 

I also want to share something I picked up on in this Obamacare blizzard of sorts.  I needed a little space away from the traffic.  My therapist actually suggested it.  “All bloggers do.”  When I updated one of my blog spots, I realized I had no idea what movies were out, what good books (ugh), and I missed a few of my favorite tv shows -- and after I cried and wrote out a list, I stretched and spoke the word, "Awesome!"  I had been feeling so obligated and overwhelmed and allowing unnecessary stressful triggers.  It was like pushing for Healthcare Reform in 2009 all over again!  Please do not get me wrong or misunderstand, but it has helped to do just that -- step away from the highway traffic.  Point:  Build and enforce your ‘my’ time and get away from the traffic.  No matter what industry, enforce it!




Last thing, I am going to be blogging just once a week for that reason and taking other needed steps.  I am still using the alarm thingy M-F, but freelancing on weekends/holidays.  And this Christmas, will be...a very special Christmas.......for me;)

 

See, ya next week, 

INVISIBLE JOURNEY 14

Oh my, God!  I could not wait to tell everyone near and far about the terrific, informative, very encouraging NAMI-MD State Conference this past weekend!  There was sooo much good information that I hardly know where to begin …. Let me see.… oh, I know.  I’ll start from the beginning.

 

First and foremost, NAMI-MD is definitely living up to its reputation to provide the best education for persons and families affected by a mental illness without discrimination, stigma, or stereotyping.  NAMI-MD continues to be an advocate grass-roots organization even though it is soo huge.  I say this because some, not all, but some huge grass-roots organizations lose that warm and cozy feel.  NAMI(MD) is a leadership training and development organization all around Maryland for positive changes continuously and it was great to see old and new faces.   The theme of joining communities and RECOVERY SUCCESS brought tears to my eyes.  Really!

 

Of course, NAMI welcomes all persons to join and volunteer and you can locate an affiliate anyway in the nation by visiting NAMI and locating your state.  I cannot emphasize enough that we have a moral obligations to reach back and help the next brother or sister affected by a mental illness whenever we can.  There are so many opportunities to do this and if you contact your affiliate or local NAMI, someone can help you become a participant and/or volunteer any way you can.  Another thing is that because we are becoming small business owners especially, we have to attend conferences and workshops like every other “professional.”  Amen?

 

Second, the Conference started began with speakers who provided insight into the role our government plays in mental illness, treatment, recovery, healthcare, and bringing communities together.  On that note, the workshops that followed underscored so many different aspects of living with a mental illness successfully.  This included ways to get involved and stay involved whether you are a person affected with a mental illness, a friend, family member, service provider, clergy, member, volunteer, business owner, or advocate.  I cannot express enough that FAMILY must always get involved and stay involved as well.  There has to be a change from the attitude of, “oh, he/she is just crazy” and then turn the other way.  ANYBODY can be affected by mental illness and each person is unique to how treatment helps him/her achieve stability and RECOVERY!  Persons with a mental illness fight internalized stigma’s impact daily in the community, workplace, church, and family and it must end.  Education and knowledge ensures continual positive changes all around the nation in this journey of life and mental illnesses.

 

Ok, now there was also a film shown that highlighted people and family members telling his/her own story about life with a mental illness or how he/she was affected by a member with a mental illness.  It even left me speechless.  One can never know the extent of pain a person lives with because of a mental illness on so many fronts.  IMMHO, the film should be shown on public television and movie theaters because it would definitely improve attitudes to prevent judging, stereotyping, stigmatizing, hurting and harming persons trying to manage mental illness.

 

Oh, I wish I could have attended all the workshops, but, of course, I could not.  However, the ones I attended (did I mention the food and snacks were delicious?  Ok, the food and snacks were delicious!

 

Third, alright, I have to tell you about the Person-Centered-Plan.  Briefly, this is the PCP that focuses on the person.  It involves a team of supporters and especially if you are entering into the mental health system.  The Plan is drawn up (should be) based on the needs and goals of the person.  The idea is to assist that person meet those goals in every positive way possible.  Decisions regarding the persons must always include the person in the decision-making process.  Now, I have done 23 years of PCP’s so it was encouraging to know that it is still key to the success of a person to live successfully in the community and that includes recovery.  So, in a nutshell, it works like this, if a person wants to live in the community and attend college so they can reach live independently, work, support themselves as much as possible, then that is what the PCP should look like barring any extreme mental disorders, etc.   The doctor is part of the Team.  Now if the person has three goals in that PCP, that is what everyone is cheering (supporting) the person to accomplish.  Nobody on the team should decide a goal is not worthwhile and remove it from the PCP and keep getting up.  Nobody/People.  A good example discussed in the workshop was a college student who drank coffee in the evening.  The Team decided to prevent him from having coffee in after a certain hour.  Nobody included the person in that decision and as it turned out, the person had coffee to aide him to stay alert to do his studies to counter the drowsy medication.  We see how important such a small thing makes a big difference.  The PCP must be delivered by service providers, caretakers, and the like.  It matters.

 

I have come to realize that when people are ready for a life with mental illness, they have realistic goals that should not be taken away from him/her.  This leads to a quality life, productive life, contributing to taxes, and mental stability, wholistic healing, spirituality, and recovery.  Shucks, it leads to owning a small business if given the opportunity.

 

I could not run fast enough to tell you about the Road Map to Better Services workshop.  It was truly after my own heart if I may say so myself.  Here’s why:  I was a parent of a severely multiple-disabled child for 23 years before God called him home.  It was challenging and I entered our family of persons affected with a mental illness when he was about seven.  Fast forward, NAMI was very, very instrumental n  helping me to manage my mental health when other just did not understand the struggle.  Well, this Road Map is like déjà vu.  It is a step-by-step guide o working smarter with agencies, insurers, doctors, family, and how to navigate systems that will never go away without GOING CRAZY!  If you are a parent of a family member with special needs, GET THE BOOK!  The author is Wendy Besmann.  (I actually got to shake her hand.  I will never wash that hand againJ ….).

 

Building NAMI Partnerships was another great workshop.  This workshop discussed the many ways persons, families, clergy, care-takers, etc. can get involved with NAMI and stay involved.  There are countless volunteer opportunities, training classes, donating through the workplace gift campaign, participating in distributing flyers, posters, ADVOCATING, and on and on.  Contact your local NAMI affiliate and sign up.  When that phone rings, please commit to do whatever you can.  No thing is too small.

 

Did you know that veterans who are affected by a mental illness are so much like us, but different, too?  They face stigma, stereotypes, and often homelessness.  They deal with obstacles to employment, discrimination, and you name.  These are men and women who served our country so we can have our ‘liberty.’  Their families make sacrifices as well.  They desire to live a quality life and have hopes and dreams as well.  So, let me share some ways I discovered we can help them and especially if we have family, community, church member who have served our country.  (1) The Veterans Administration has outreach to veterans and it can be accessed in several ways:  by calling (800) 273-8255 or (800) 463-6295; by visiting VETERANS Enrollment/, or accessing services from any ER.  Supports and services include coaching, healthcare, preventive care, shelter.  Did you know that Veterans can apply for HUDVASH?  HUDVASH is a unique housing voucher program specifically for Veterans.  It is similar to the Section 8 program except it only takes up to six (6) months for housing rather than 8 years on the wait list.  God is good!  I learned that because many Veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, they may not reach out for help because of lack of trust.  Also, there is a crisis line just for Veterans:  ((800) 273-8255 and press “1.”  Families and loved ones can reach out to Veterans on his/her behalf.  This always ends that overwhelming feeling that can lead to depression.  Amen, Amen?  AMEN!

 

Thank goodness the furlough drama is over.  Let’s giddy up to make sure it does not happen again on our watch as they say.  Smile.  Oh, last thing, a friend of mine who is an immigrant told me he was informed that it would cost him $8,000.00 up front to purchase health insurance in the healthcare marketplace!!!!  OMG!  Who would say such a thing?  Please, please, do not forget to assist our immigrant friends to purchase affordable healthcare.  Last I checked, about 400,000 persons enrolled.  WOW!  Let’s get the numbers moving upward….J

See ya next week,

INVISIBLE JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE 13

There is no way to turn back the hands of time and that is a wonderful thing!  Even when the bad days come to pass and the strife seems unbearable, we hold on to what the future holds.  Now we celebrate a major victory of finally opening the doors of Obamacare and the GOP slams (partially) the government doors shut!  Oh, the irony of it all as somebody once said.

 

So, we know the trickle-down effect of shutting down the government.  Many persons will be adversely affected.  Should we be starting our own business in this season?  Absolutely!  We do not turn back.  We will not be bullied.  We have waited far too long and we followed the rules when The Affordable Care Act was passed and when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it!

 

We extend compassion, hope, and outreach to those affected by the government shut down without regard to race, religion, creed, disability, etc. because we are still all in this together.  We stay the course because this is our test of faith.  There will be bumps, but they smooth out.  When Food Stamps first started a million years ago, there were bumps and resentment, etc.  Nobody likes welfare and handouts.  Everybody likes to feel self-worthy.  Having our own business is our opportunity to shine because we know a Savior who turned our lives around with recovery.  Our Creator has the glory and it cannot be taken from Him by bad politics. 

 

So, be sure to view the SBA Small Business video scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., EST.  There are so many thoughts and emotions running through my mind right now, but the one prevailing thought is to also attend the NAMI-MD State Conference (great workshops scheduled on recovery), celebrate Mental Illness Awareness week, and to provide whatever feedback we can to keep the Obamacare Market Place as bump-less as possible in the next few weeks.  Did you know you can apply for a scholarship to attend the State Conference!  We need the continuing education so we need to be there every year.  I cannot wait to see everybody!

 

Please lift up our brothers and sisters or fellowman or neighbors, whatever you want to call them who have been furloughed.  This is a very painful and emotionally frightening time for many persons who have homes, families, bills, etc.  This shut down must end as soon as possible!  We have to push the GOP with Action Alerts!!!  A sudden loss of a job can be the onset of a mental health condition.  Having said that, review the symptoms mental illness to refresh yourselves so that if you notice these symptoms in family members or friends, you can be of help:

Depression/Chronic Depression if not treated can lead to a more serious mental illness;

The lack of energy, sudden change in appetite (eat more/eat less), sudden periods of crying for no reason; reckless behaviors, unexplainable pain, sudden use in recreational drugs/alcohol, anger, fear, worry, debt, hopelessness, or increase in same; sexual promiscuity, isolating oneself that last for two weeks or more are reasons to make an appointment with your doctor and be seen for a mental wellness check-up!   

Comments/drawings and thoughts of suicide should be taken seriously!  When this is happening with someone in your family, household, community, church, etc., contact Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately!  1 (800) 273-8255.

See ya next week,

THE INVISIBLE JOURNEY 12

 

Staying committed to your destiny in the face of tragedies or adversity is quite a challenge. However, it can be accomplished with diligence and our Creator.  The Creator has a way of shielding when you ask Him to.  Like going into a cave or shell and staying there until He says, go forth. 

 

This is what I was thinking about after learning about the Navy Yard tragedy, too.  It was time to go inside my shell and just hang out with my Creator.  But He would not let me.  Daggonit!  He said, “Get right back out there and get cracking, young lady!”  (Smile).  This is the attitude we must take when we recognize that the current news event is causing us to become discouraged and our dreams become negatively affected.  We can imagine all sorts of bad things when this happens (panic, anxiety, fear) to cause us to give up!

 

Ok, I love revealing parts of my life to help others so check this out:  about 20 – 25 years again after becoming diagnosed with a mental illness, I decided to go back to work.  I was assisting my boss with a workshop on poor self-esteem.  At the workshop, everything somebody shared about his/her life, I interpreted as an attack on me.  By lunch time, I told my boss something about being sick, etc. and left.  I was fuming mad at everybody for picking on me (not violent).  Later that evening my boss called to see what happened to me.  I explained that folks were picking on me at the workshop.  He asked, “Who?”  I told him everybody who attended.  He said, “They don’t even know you from adam or eve.  Are you taking your medications?  It was a self-esteem workshop.  They weren’t thinking about you.  They got issues of their own and were asking for help to be like you (get where you are, etc.).  I apologized and promised it would not happen again.  When I got off the phone, I was embarrassed and began sinking even deeper into depression.  Long story short, I had to quit the job (or be fired).  Truth be told, it was not time for me to work and not in that type of setting until I became stronger through mental health treatment to discern separating issues of others as not being attacks against me.  It took about three years to get there.

 

Remember the school kids?  Well, that was my next big job.  When they called me Bipolar and then I ran into another teacher in the restroom while I was balling my eyes out?  Well, after that day, I learned to tell the kids "Everybody is Bipolar so get over it and sit down and do your work before I write you up!"  That was growth in comparison and a whole heap of love! [I didn’t quit and the name-calling stopped].

 

See ya soon,

THE INVISIBLE JOURNEY 11

Staying committed to your destiny in the face of tragedies or adversity is quite a challenge. However, it can be accomplished with diligence and our Creator.  The Creator has a way of shielding you when you ask Him to.  Like going into a cave or shell and staying there until He says, go forth. 

 

This is what I was thinking about after learning about the Navy Yard tragedy, too.  It was time to go inside my shell and just hang out with my Creator.  But He would not let me.  Daggonit!  He said, “Get right back out there and get cracking, young lady!”  (Smile).  This is the attitude we must take when we recognize that the current news event is causing us to become discouraged and our dreams become negatively affected.  We can imagine all sorts of bad things happening to us (panic, anxiety) when this happens to cause us to give up!

Ok, I love revealing parts of my life to help others so check this out:  about 20 – 25 years ago after becoming diagnosed with a mental illness, I decided to go back to work.  I was assisting my boss with a workshop on poor self-esteem.  At the workshop, everything someone shared about his/her life, I interpreted as an attack on me.  By lunch time, I told my boss something about being sick, etc. and left.  I was fuming mad at everybody for picking on me (not violent).  Later that evening my boss called to see what happened to me.  I explained that folks were picking on me at the workshop.  He asked, “Who?”  I told him everybody who attended.  He said, “They don’t even know you from adam or eve.  Are you taking your medications?  It was a self-esteem workshop.  They weren’t thinking about you.  They got issues of their own and were asking for help to be like you (get where you are, etc.).  I apologized and promised it would not happen again.  When I got off the phone, I was embarrassed and began sinking even deeper into depression.  Long story short, I had to quit the job (or be fired).  Truth be told, it was not time for me to work and not in that type of setting until I became stronger through treatment to discern separating issues of others as not being attacks against me.  It took about three years to get there.

 

Remember the school kids?  Well, that was my next big job.  When the kids called me Bipolar and then I ran into another teacher in the restroom while I was balling my eyes out?  Well, after that day, I learned to tell the kids "Everybody is Bipolar so get over it and sit down and do your work before I write you up!’  It wasn't long before the name calling stopped.  That was growth in comparison and a whole heap of love! [I didn’t quit.] 

See ya soon,

THE INVISIBLE JOURNEY 9

When we live with a disability, we are often subject to restrictions to use our talents and gifts freely.  This is so true when income matters.  If we can turn that situation around, we can use those talents and gifts to support ourselves and break free of those restrictions that sort of limit our choices in life. 

That was one of the major discoveries I had when I decided I need to grow into my own business.  The cost of renting a place and food and gas and PRESCRIPTIONS was out-pacing the monthly benefit income.  Believe it or not, I wondered about those persons needing the same resources, but could not access it for one reason or another.  It was just so time for getting it done. 

When I published my book, it was so personally rewarding.  I heard a lecture about leaving your legacy in words so the world know you were here.  Those words left an imprint on my heart.  I was going to make people remember I was here.  Smile. 

Now, we're taking it up a notch because we can all do it our way using our talents and gifts.  Ok, duty called and I was on a major consulting opportunity.  I promise to check in later in the week so we can talk about the SBA webinar scheduled for September 12, 2013, at 2 p.m., EST.  did everybody register?

THE INVISIBLE JOURNEY 10

Wow.  It’s like a death in the family of some sort.  You don’t see the relative, but you know him/her.  There is a common maternal link that bonds you.  Mental illness.  His eyes may be blue and yours, brown, but you are relatives nonetheless.  You have not seen him/her since grandmother died in the upstairs back room, but then you get that phone call one day.  There’s been a tragedy and the relative is gone.  Then the details begin to tell the story about why nobody saw him/her for a while.  You learn about innocent people who became victimized by that thing we keep telling people to trust us about.  It only gets worse because the ground we stood on cracked somehow.  Daggonit!

 

So, we are faced with a tragedy committed by a member of our family and we are at a loss for words, maybe?  I dunno.  What I do know are the mixed emotions that must have ran through all of us:  hurt, pain, anger, how? Why? When will this gun thing end for everybody?  Emotions are mixed when you work so hard to tell society we can live normal, productive lives with treatment ,and recovery.   It's still true, but somebody seems to have just that and still there is a tragedy.  (I don’t know all the details… just pondering from headlines, blurbs, skimming).  I just want to know one thing:  when will this gun violence sTOP!  Now, let me first say that my condolences go out to the Navy Yard victims and their families and to the assailant as well because he, too, was a victim. 

 

Then I want to say that gun violence does not discriminate.  It does not discriminate.  It does not discriminate!   We fight the good fight to tear down stigmas and stereotypes and – I heard a phrase – ‘friendly fire’ – happens. 

 

Well, I know it happens on every battle field, but it saddens me and even hurts any way.  Where does the mental health community go from here?  Do I take down my shingle and return all this pretty pink stationery?  Do you get back under your security blanket and let your destiny collect dust?  HECK NO!  We continue the good fight because while people may say, “told you so,” or “na-na-nana-na…,” millions of us in recovery are the demonstration that good sound treatment works!  We are products like everybody else affected by societal ills such as gun violence and legislators who will not take responsibility to take control of the poison affecting you, me, and them (everybody:  children, ‘normal’ people, etc.).  Thus, we are just one more demonstration that (1) mental illness is NOT the epidemic killing people in massive numbers, but weapons are.  They are too easily and readily assessable and couple that with all the ingredients of the poison (movies, gun stores, (assault weapons), wicked songs, gangs, irresponsible leadership, bad laws, etc.), anybody and everybody can become a tragic headline whether it be in the work place, strip mall, school, or even what should be the safest place; the church. 

 

All over the world, anybody can turn on the news and there is gun (weapons) violence.  History tells us that sooner or later it will hit home (any home) like the drunk driver or bullies.  The Navy Yard tragedy is one more way for society to learn and grow through this experience.  We continue to advocate for mental health treatment, community living, recovery successes, the American Dream!  The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) continues to be the leadership towards that end.  And we stay in the race as they say, too! 

 

Guns (assault weapons) and violence are out of control in our nation.  We have as a society lost the strong value of morality.  We keep giving our children weapons to play with either on videos, video games, entertainment movies, songs, birthday parties, etc.  We give teenagers unlimited, unsupervised access to harmful technology.  Guns (assault weapons) can be purchased way too easily and authorities know it.  I’m talking civilian here, of course.  The military will certainly review policy and procedures, but just imagine an outbreak of malaria.  If the disease is never arrested, the contamination spreads uncontrollably.  Does the disease care that it is feasting off millions?  No.  I digress long enough to say that as long as the weapons are available as they are; anybody and everybody will, and can, gain access to them just like malaria until the weapons are under lock and key with legislative enactment, etc.  It won’t totally solve the problem, but it will save thousands upon thousands of lives analogous to the way a vaccine for malaria does.

 

Recovery is a challenge we each obtained through hard work, discipline, and mental wellness maintenance designed specifically for us individually.  While this tragedy is perhaps leaving a little discouragement in your mind or a co-worker who insist on jokes at the water cooler, rest assured that a few may laugh, discourage you, etc., but the majority stands firmly behind you.  Get busy putting that shingle back up and let’s go!  (I hope I’m the only one using pink stationery… I didn’t mean to let that slip … shucks!).

 

See ya soon,