Carol’s Blog

We reside in a society of quick fixes, however, there are no permanent fixes for a mental health disorder.  These are just unrealistic expectations. First, it seems to take forever to even receive a proper diagnosis of a mental health disorder. In addition, there are trials and tribulations of medication changes and adjustments.  The entire process is frustrating, disappointing, and overwhelming.  So, what’s a person to do?

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Years ago, following a keynote speech I delivered at a mental health retreat, I received a gift of words to last a lifetime. I received confirmation of a loving force greater than anything I could have imagined. I shared my gifts of experience. But the greatest gift received was provided to me.

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Acceptance of an illness is incredibly difficult. Especially an illness that is so misunderstood and stigmatized.  Remaining in a place of denial, secrecy, and self-pity made healing from the inside out take much longer. Full acceptance of my illness did not appear until after my fourth bout with the “beast”. This is the endearing name for depression and anxiety that barges into my life. It’s like a savage devouring my ability to engage in life.

“Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go.”
–Deepak Chopra

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Week 4 – Sounds

During May, all over the world, mental health advocates have raised awareness of our lived experience by dedicating 31 days to breaking down stigma. We did that together, just as we do with our mental health recovery.

Building support from family, friends, co-workers or houses of worship helps us to build confidence that we’re worthy and to empathize with others who doubt their own strength.

As I’ve meditated about how the sheer beauty of Mother Nature’s gifts can help us, I’ve had the time to dwell on how colors might be the first things I notice. They are, after all, the bright sights that contrast with the dull colors of winter.

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Week 3 – Scents

We’ve celebrated May as Mental Health Month for several weeks now, thinking about how Mother Nature has given us so many metaphors to describe mental health recovery.

Such simple but miraculous beauty helps us remember that oftentimes the smallest things can pull us through—a quiet smile from a person walking by, finding a penny on the ground, a phone call during a lonely time.

I shared with you how the colors of May serve to lift my spirit and lessen feelings of anxiety and depression. After thinking about the power of light and color, my mind moved to the beautiful scents and smells that occur this month.

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Week 2 – Colors

Last week, I wrote about how the beauty of nature has become an increasingly important part of my sustained mental health recovery. Because May is Mental Health Month, I invited you to look for beauty, remind yourself of its value and let it ease your mind.

This week, I’ll describe how shifts in color, in particular, help maintain my overall sense of health – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. All around me, during winter, the colors of nature are almost monochromatic – shades of brown and gray.

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Week 1 – Nature

May is Mental Health Month, a time of year, those touched by mental illness acknowledge the work done to recover.

Together we pray for those people who are not yet at the stage they want to be. We honor all of the people who have supported us along the way.

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