L is 4 Love: Z's Mentoring Services
Mentoring and guidance for anyone who feels different
Start with gratitude for the gift of awareness, which allows you to pay honor to all life. Notice you are breathing right now. Become aware of your breath. How sacred and wonderful is each breath? Life is so kind. We do not need to beg, “may I have another breath?” Become aware of how you are sustained and supported at this moment. Even discomfort or pain delivers awareness of life, and an opportunity for gratitude.
— Bryant McGill
Just in case I don’t have time tomorrow to write; I’m going to say happy new years now. I am so excited about partying with friends my age on new years eve I’m so excited! This year was amazing, hard and full of giving/gifts and love! I don’t know how else to sum up this year. I took an amazing class that helped me to realize I can be more than I thought; leading to me wanting to start my own online service. I got to talk to one of my best friends just everyday which is amazing to know that we can do that! <2 I got to see my aunt which was so special! For this coming I’m going to work on becoming more independent and my business may be became a life coach! HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!
The following signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. The risk of suicide is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, seek help as soon as possible by calling the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Once you have identified with some form of negativity, you do not want to let it go, and on a deeply unconscious level, you do not want positive change. It would threaten your identity as a depressed, angry or hard-done by person. You will then ignore, deny or sabotage the positive in your life. This is a common phenomenon. It is also insane. — Eckhart Tolle
When your sick and tired of being sick and tired, and ready to come into the light from the darkness, just reach out you hand and walk towards the light, where the love flows warming your tired bones.
Love patty
The saddest thing in the world is a person who has given up on life; whose fire has been extinguished. Just remember that as long as you are alive the animating spark of greatness is still within you and can be rekindled. It’s never too late! As long as there is life there is hope.
— Bryant McGill
Dr. Jerry Kennard, psychologist and Associate Fellow and Chartered member of the British Psychological Society, provides some expertise and insight into the diagnosis and treatment of Bipolar Disorder.
What causes bipolar disorder?
We don’t really know but current wisdom suggests interplay between physical and environmental factors. For example, although no single gene is responsible for bipolar there is evidence that it runs in families. Chemical imbalances in the brain are also influential. Too much or too little of certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) can result in either depression or mania.
What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?
Symptoms are the key, although the distinction isn’t always that clear cut. The central feature of bipolar I is mania and this is usually severe enough to require hospitalization. People with bipolar I disorder have experienced at least one episode of mania and usually depression. Bipolar II may be diagnosed if the person experiences a less severe form of mania called hypomania. Again, hypomania and depression are the main characteristics and the intensity of the highs is not severe enough to lead to hospitalization. Sometimes the dividing line between care at home and hospitalization may be quite thin and may depend upon the level of support available.
Bipolar II is sometimes wrongly considered a milder form of bipolar disorder. An episode of bipolar is equally severe whether you are diagnosed as bipolar I or II. There is some evidence that suggests episodes of depression are more severe and more frequent in people with bipolar II.
What medications help treat bipolar disorder?
A variety of medications are available but it may take a little time before you settle on what’s best for you. Mood stabilizing medications are the cornerstone treatment but other medications can be used to help control psychotic symptoms and sometimes these are combined within a single tablet. Many people with bipolar disorder experience symptoms of anxiety so it is not unusual for the symptoms to be treated with medication. Antidepressant medication is usually avoided where possible as it may trigger manic episodes. Depending on your symptoms antidepressants may be recommended and carefully monitored.
What should I do if I have a manic episode?
This is often one of the most difficult areas for the patient and those around them. For the patient the question is why, when you’re feeling so good, so full of energy and great ideas would you need treatment? The answer is the effect this behavior has. Hypomania and mania are characterized by a lack of impulse control that can lead to destructive, disinhibited and high-risk behaviors.
Manic episodes can take months to develop or they can appear within just a couple of days. Your first ever episode may be extremely difficult to predict. You may be buzzing with optimism, sleep less and feel more impatient with the apparent slowness of things around you, but it’s really only with the benefit of hindsight that your emotional and behavioral changes start to mean something.
In order to head off potential problems at a future date it can help if you devise a plan with the support of loved ones and your doctor. Reflect on what happened during your first episode and take practical measures. For example, if you blew your savings and racked up credit, try to ensure this can’t happen again. If your thoughts were leading in a certain direction (big plans, radical lifestyle change etc.) try to monitor these. Perhaps you were expressing grandiose ideas that involved special abilities? Your plan might include such things being monitored and could also involve a loved-one contacting your dortor. Consider keeping a mood diary so you can predict change.
How can psychotherapy help with bipolar disorder?
Psychotherapy can be very useful. It can help to put your symptoms into context and help to define the parameters of the disorder. A therapist can work with you to devise methods for self-observation and will show you important self-help techniques for stress management and stress reduction. Accepting a diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be difficult. Some people resist, some become too accepting and feel disabled as a result. Psychotherapy can help you and sometimes a loved-one and other family members feel a sense of mastery over the situation rather than become victims of it.
How often should I see a therapist?
This is something to negotiate with your therapist(s). In the early stages following a diagnosis you may feel most benefit from regular weekly meetings, for example. These days it isn’t always necessary to meet face-to-face and a telephone or video communication may be acceptable. Different therapists offer different support so your family doctor may ask to see you less often than your counselor or psychologist.
Are there any programs or alternative options to help me manage bipolar disorder?
People who manage their bipolar disorder best will often point out that it’s a lifetime and lifestyle issue. Medication and therapy helps a lot but your own choices and behaviors can help lessen or possibly even prevent bipolar episodes from developing.
Our Western diet of red meats, fats, sugars and simple carbohydrates are not known to influence bipolar disorder directly but a more nutritious diet may help to reduce stress and improve overall health, thus reducing the risk of possible triggers. Fatty fish (mackerel, trout, salmon) a couple of times a week combined with complex carbohydrates (whole-grain breads, beans, vegetables) is far more beneficial for overall health. Avoiding alcohol, smoking, drugs, and even stimulants like coffee are important considerations.
A regular and predictable pattern is important if you are to reduce triggers. Sleep regularly, exercise regularly, eat well and keep stress levels down.
– See more at: http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/458275/166695/doctor-bipolar-disorder/?ap=818#sthash.SxDAibbH.dpuf
”http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/458275/166695/doctor-bipolar-disorder/?ap=818”
Christmas time; we all get asked this question what do you want for Christmas? Normally I can come up with something I would like to get, but this year I want more than any thing you can buy. I want to give! I want to let my family and friends know how much they mean to me, I want to serve others. I want to have this blog to become a network for everyone who is depressed or just wants to be loved to read my wraps and know that they are enough! They are perfect just as they are! You are you! I already have what I need LOVE!
”Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.”
”Caroline’s Daily Prayer: My prayer today is to appreciate the many blessings in my life. All I have to do is think of one person who loves me to realize that I can not force a person to love me. Why do others love me? I can’t control how any one feels about me – and yet I have love in my life. That is the truth essence of a blessing and I will dwell in the wonder of that blessing today – and in all the days to come. — Caroline Myss” I know there are some of you, who have thoughts that no one cares about you. Or maybe you are not sure how to let them see the real you; because the feeling that you are not good enough to be loved has you believing that you are no body. Well STOP! You are special there is no one else like you, you are loved exactly for you!
1. Have an exit plan. Sometimes knowing we have a plan to leave a situation helps us not be so afraid of trying something new. For example, know you can excuse yourself, you can have your own car to drive home, or you have a friend to support you can make all the difference. We are often scared to get anxiety and not be able to do anything about it. We are afraid of being out of control. Making a plan will make you feel more in control and this counters the anxiety.
2. Have someone you can count on ready to call. In fact, have several, in case the one is busy. Someone who knows about the anxiety and can tell you you are okay, or even better–someone who can make you laugh.
3. Spend time with your pet. (Animal Therapy)
4. Have a tranquilizer with you. Knowing you have antianxiety medication to calm you down within 15 minutes can help you not be afraid of anxiety. Again, we are afraid of beingout of control of our anxiety so just knowing you have the medicine is all you need. Panic needs you to be scared of it for it to stay.
5. Interact with water. There is something about water that stops the energy of panic. Sometimes crying releases it (tears). However, consider taking a hot bath or shower for immediate relief. Also drinking hot soup or a hot drink (non-caffinated, please!) can help.
6. Give yourself a massage or have your loved one give you one. This really calms the nerves and calls our attention back out of the anxious mind and into the body.
7. Forward bend. Like a fetal position, any forward bend in yoga counters anxiety. You can get in child’s position. See photo above.
8. Stare at yourself in the mirror. This is called tratak meditation. It helps build trust in yourself. Do this when you are calm to prevent anxiety and panic.
9. Go for a walk. Get a change of scenery and use up some of that excess energy. The biology of fear indicates the release of adrenaline makes your body want to do something. Doing something and feeling a sense of control on the account of that activity is by far the best thing you can do for a panic attack.
10. Laugh. Watch some funny videos on YouTube. Laughter and anxiety cannot live in the same moment together!
What did I forget? What’s worked for you?
By Jodi Lobozzo Aman
“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.”
— Mark Amend
Your life will be so much better when you start trying to understand and have compassion for the people who hurt you — instead of just reacting in the heat of the moment and hurting them back. It is easy to hold a grudge. It is easy to blame. But these narratives are a perpetuation of the role of a powerless victim. When you hold grudges the victimization continues. It takes emotional bravery to forgive. It takes a huge determination toward self-care to let go of painful past events and not let them define your future. There is no self-love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without self-love. Forgiving another may be the ultimate act of self-love. Forgiving is an inward act that establishes outer boundaries; it is an undefeatable triumph of self-compassion that proclaims you are no longer a victim. Through forgiveness, you can quit suffering from the sins committed against you. By holding-on to resentment you allow them to continue having power over you. Forgiving takes your power back.
— Bryant McGill
Just a thought; if true friends know their friend is hiding something from you; you have a feeling that your friend is not letting out what is bringing your friend down. You think that they feel that if they tell you, you won’t accept them. You know and want to be a support because you know how amazing they are but they don’t think they are good enough to be loved that much; How would like to let that friend know that they can tell you anything?
There is nothing you will ever do that is more important than being honest about who you really are. As crazy as it may seem, most of us are not who we think we are; we are someone else’s ideas. Two words: cultural conditioning. Our identities are tremendously warped and distorted by yesterday’s trauma and tomorrow’s expectations. The struggle to excavate your true, authentic self from beneath the mountain of conditioning and ridiculous expectation is the epic struggle of your lifetime. Most people are buried alive in a cultural and familial avalanche from the moment they are born, and are never seen or heard from again. Your number one mission in life is to be who you were intended to be. Nothing is more miserable than living a muted existence of inauthenticity. All pain in life comes from suppressing your true identity. You must begin to understand that this is your life; no one else’s! This is your precious, wonderful, unique and brief moment in life! Please, I beg you, to at least be honest with yourself and be who you are. If you can’t be who you really are then what is life but an unbearable lie? It is essential that you follow your own idea of passion, even if to others it looks like suffering. Refuse to be coerced. Resist the suppressive pressure to contract and instead expand in defiance. Resist and declare that you are alive; you are you, and you are unmasterable and beautifully broken in a fixed world.
— Bryant McGill
Letting people see who you really are; is amazing stop hiding who you really are! Because You are Amazing!
“What frustrates you right now will be over one day, and believe it or not, you will miss something about it. So look at your challenges with a degree of appreciation. This may be where you are now, but not tomorrow, and when that time comes you will realize that it all had great purpose in your life.”
You have to accept that you’ll never be good enough for some people. Whether that is going to be your problem or theirs is up to you. Rejection is merely a redirection; a course correction to your destiny. You have to remember that your special life is for you, and your purpose has nothing to do with the opinions of others. When we have been hurt we often shrink and run for safety. Don’t allow others to make you feel small. You came to this world to grow and to explore, and to touch the miracles and marvels of life. Your suffering needs to be respected. Don’t try to ignore the hurt, because the hurt is real. Instead, let the hurt prove there is hope through your healing. Let the hurt soften you instead of hardening you. Let the hurt open you instead of closing you. Let the hurt deliver you to love, and not to hate. Some people are critical of everyone, not just you, so try to not take it too personally. They are so unhappy in their own life that their only joy is in dragging other people down. Know that you’ll never please everyone, and that whoever hurt you just happens to be one of those people. Once you understand and accept this, it will be easier to let it go and move on.
— Bryant McGill
Life may not let you see how beautiful you are! You maybe in a time in your life where things are not going you way. You are having feelings of loneliness like no one cares or understands what you are going through. You feel worthless. You may not like the way you look or its something that you feel like no one will understand. Well guess what! You are not, you are worth to have support and to feel good enough to be, you have people in your life you are loved for who you are because there is no one else like you! If you are feeling like this, let someone know. May be you are the kind of person that always takes care of others but when you need support there is no one to be there for you, not true you have support! You are loved!
This song is for anyone who is going through a hard time, its just a great song to get you thought whatever life throws your way! I love this song, we all can relate to the words in this song somehow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UqfrH74wc0&index=2&list=FL0bcd5tZsfnlvwxH0ktm7GA
We might be healing from something or maybe this song just gives you hope to do something different in your life life. Whatever you going through know that you can get through it and if you need help ask someone for support don’t go through it alone.
Positive Inspirational Quotes ( PIQ)
Find your strength in life there is no such excuse for being weak. You have a beautiful heart, a loving soul, and you are strong. You have control of your life, center yourself and get yourself grounded; you have heavens beauty go out and make your life the most beautiful dream. You have a mind and your wisdom is to be heard, you have a heart and your love is to be cherished, you have a soul that shines a most precious rainbow coloring the beauty of your hearts love glowing from within. Do not try to be someone else, you become the very best of yourself, love truthfully and gift your love ~♥~ Lee Held
Help someone who might seem ok on the outside
Even if you don’t know how the best way to support them
The best gift you can give someone is love!
You might not think they appreciate what you are doing,
but one day you will see that you just being there when they needed support
Just Love and let them know that you are there for them.
“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light, May good luck pursue you each morning and night. “ – Irish Blessing
L is 4 Love: Z's Mentoring Services 