For those of you with a mental illness be it depression or anything of its kind, you would learn a great deal from this post by John McManamy of Knowledge is Necessity, another blog I post as a link on this site. John is brilliant and has taken on the job of writing the "People's DSM", in which to create a more accurate and complete reference and understandable diagnosis of mental illnesses.
The piece got some backlash from a so called Dr. Drake. Currently it has 36 comments of which I participated. The blog will give you an overview of the different types of symptoms, characteristics and patterns of depression including bi-polar. Furthermore you will get a perspective of the frustration that goes on in the world of treatment and the difficulty that is being played in the public for good health care.
Touche...such timing! We hope for the best...We get involved and never play victim to what life deals us!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
I Have a Dog
I have a dog. This dog to be exact.
ZION.
I also have graciously, no custody battle whatsoever, am the guardian of these two yeawhoo's.
May I introduce Roxee Lynn Peepee Lovedog and Mr. Dozer, my GranDogs.
My son Tj, the intense, full of life child that he is, is running TJ Chapman Auto. He also runs a very full social agenda. Most humans could not keep up! This child does it well.
I can't bear the thought of Roxee and Dozer home alone, they show signs of depression and it tugs at my heart. I bought them beds of their own. Tj knew it was for the best.
When my babies go visit their Dad they are more excited than two cats on a hot tin roof. When I call to check on them Tj complains that Dozer has terrible gas and is embarrassing him in front of his dates or clearing the office (so funny) when he takes him to work. We discuss his diet, nothing different. Then I find out Tj scolds Doz! For something beyond his control? It hits me; he is having granmog separation anxiety! He comes back to Granmog's and within a day, you guessed it, flatulence, gone! Good dog!!
When Doz is at Granmog's he is, Alpha in Charge. He patrols the neighborhood. He is especially protective of Roxee and rules the toys, which rubs Zion wrong in the worst of ways. Zion would rather play than eat.
I think I need grandchildren. Not that I worry about it in the least. It is just that when I go places and there is a dog I stop and talk to the dog, and then to the owner. Do you know how much time you can spend talking to someone about their dog's personality! I know I'm crazy but this is nuts!!
When I was a little girl on the farm I loved dogs. I gave them haircuts (not pretty). I especially loved assisting in delivering Aphro's 13 St. Bernard puppies. I lost touch loving dogs during my 20’s and 30’s. We had a couple of dogs for the boys, but I never bonded with them. That was a time in my life where everything was so fast and my priorities looked much different than they do now.
Today I recognize my need to be nurtured. One way I get this unconditionally is through my dogs. Zion is my ever faithful companion, if she is not right by my side, which is rare, I only have to call, or pat by where I am and she happily comes and contently curls up as close to me as she can. When I had the epiphany that I was missing a dog (while hiking alone in Zion's Canyon), a new calmness came over me. When I brought her home from that trip she was 9 weeks old and fit in the palm of my hand. Unaware of how truly unique and special she was, all 4 inches of her, she has been my soothing balm of Gilead more times than I can count.
Dogs are not the answer for nurturing everyone. There are many ways to be nurtured. If you feel tense, you may not be getting enough nurturing. If you feel anger, you may not be getting enough nurturing. If you feel lonely, you may not be getting enough nurturing. If you feel sad, you may not be getting enough nurturing. Did you get my point???
Nurturing is at the very essence of the sustenance of life. Think of a beautiful new batch of puppies playing with their sibling and then being nurtured by the very bosom of the one who bore them. Is this not unconditional love and nurturing at its finest? Oh we can learn a lot from the innocence of dogs and children…no pretense, no guile, no ego, no worries.
The important thing and my point: get a healthy dose of nurturing daily! Preferably several doses daily! And here is the secret, you have to seek it...dogs do! They have no ego?! Huh?!
People could learn so much from dogs, unabashed unconditional love, and if you want to play they are ready and willing. If not they'll wait, no problem, nothing personal, no guilt (if you feel guilt that's your nature not theirs).
So if you need a hug, go hug a dog. A daily dose is good for the soul.
That's why I have a dog...
ZION.
I also have graciously, no custody battle whatsoever, am the guardian of these two yeawhoo's.
May I introduce Roxee Lynn Peepee Lovedog and Mr. Dozer, my GranDogs.
My son Tj, the intense, full of life child that he is, is running TJ Chapman Auto. He also runs a very full social agenda. Most humans could not keep up! This child does it well.
I can't bear the thought of Roxee and Dozer home alone, they show signs of depression and it tugs at my heart. I bought them beds of their own. Tj knew it was for the best.
When my babies go visit their Dad they are more excited than two cats on a hot tin roof. When I call to check on them Tj complains that Dozer has terrible gas and is embarrassing him in front of his dates or clearing the office (so funny) when he takes him to work. We discuss his diet, nothing different. Then I find out Tj scolds Doz! For something beyond his control? It hits me; he is having granmog separation anxiety! He comes back to Granmog's and within a day, you guessed it, flatulence, gone! Good dog!!
When Doz is at Granmog's he is, Alpha in Charge. He patrols the neighborhood. He is especially protective of Roxee and rules the toys, which rubs Zion wrong in the worst of ways. Zion would rather play than eat.
I think I need grandchildren. Not that I worry about it in the least. It is just that when I go places and there is a dog I stop and talk to the dog, and then to the owner. Do you know how much time you can spend talking to someone about their dog's personality! I know I'm crazy but this is nuts!!
When I was a little girl on the farm I loved dogs. I gave them haircuts (not pretty). I especially loved assisting in delivering Aphro's 13 St. Bernard puppies. I lost touch loving dogs during my 20’s and 30’s. We had a couple of dogs for the boys, but I never bonded with them. That was a time in my life where everything was so fast and my priorities looked much different than they do now.
Today I recognize my need to be nurtured. One way I get this unconditionally is through my dogs. Zion is my ever faithful companion, if she is not right by my side, which is rare, I only have to call, or pat by where I am and she happily comes and contently curls up as close to me as she can. When I had the epiphany that I was missing a dog (while hiking alone in Zion's Canyon), a new calmness came over me. When I brought her home from that trip she was 9 weeks old and fit in the palm of my hand. Unaware of how truly unique and special she was, all 4 inches of her, she has been my soothing balm of Gilead more times than I can count.
Dogs are not the answer for nurturing everyone. There are many ways to be nurtured. If you feel tense, you may not be getting enough nurturing. If you feel anger, you may not be getting enough nurturing. If you feel lonely, you may not be getting enough nurturing. If you feel sad, you may not be getting enough nurturing. Did you get my point???
Nurturing is at the very essence of the sustenance of life. Think of a beautiful new batch of puppies playing with their sibling and then being nurtured by the very bosom of the one who bore them. Is this not unconditional love and nurturing at its finest? Oh we can learn a lot from the innocence of dogs and children…no pretense, no guile, no ego, no worries.
The important thing and my point: get a healthy dose of nurturing daily! Preferably several doses daily! And here is the secret, you have to seek it...dogs do! They have no ego?! Huh?!
People could learn so much from dogs, unabashed unconditional love, and if you want to play they are ready and willing. If not they'll wait, no problem, nothing personal, no guilt (if you feel guilt that's your nature not theirs).
So if you need a hug, go hug a dog. A daily dose is good for the soul.
That's why I have a dog...
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Examination.
I am officially now on Spring break. My mind feels free yet cluttered. My body feels relaxed yet over burdened. My spirit feels content yet thirsty. How absolutely blessed I am to have this opportunity to be expanding my mind in college.I am reminded, in fact teased, about when I was a little girl that everywhere I went I packed things with me, particularly books, stacks of them. Mom would say, "Lori, you cannot possibly read all of those on our way to town." Of course I knew I couldn't, but I never knew which one was going to strike my interest and so I'd bring all of them. It is still the same when I travel. I travel with a couple of novels, a business book, a spiritual book, several magazines, business reports...it really is pathetic!
So my thoughts after ten weeks of school having been out for twenty five. All things in life lend itself to another.
We spend so much time in this great free country of America trying to control our futures and our destinies, of which I am not saying that we shouldn't. What I am saying is that sometimes our days lack the meaning until what is important is threatened or lost. We go through the motions out of obligation or habit. I ask where is the authenticity in that?
Wherein this comes to mind...
Examination. Our lives deserve examination, regularly.
I got a grade back today on a midterm exam, it was a C. Today a C, is good enough.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Happy Birthday Baby
My baby turns 20 today! No more teenagers? I’m not sure if I should celebrate or cry.
Tandin, this beautiful child has always been a joy. Actually, I take that back, I can think of times playing golf with him when he was 9 or 10 that was miserable because if he was not playing well,
we ALL paid. He has always had high expectations
of himself and the pressure he would put on himself, was and always will be, much worse than what we as his parents could ever impart. Maybe this is typical of the youngest in the family?
Tan is in the civil engineering program at the University of Utah and is considering a double major in architecture. It is all highly confusing to me.I look at his homework in complete awe. He is a very intelligence boy and I laugh that I bore this beautiful child. I find it unusual that his sensitive and emotional side is highly developed as well. Traditionally, what we find with the “techy people” is they are less emotionally in tune with themselves and others. Contraire for Tandin, he is the go-to person for advice with friends, and he is very much aware of our family and how it all spins. The nice thing about my Tan is he seems to keep it all in check. He is an excellent observer. We have coined the word “Tandinism”, because even at the tender age of 20, he seems to create rare passages of wisdom that have great depth, meaning and humor all in one. My blog is actually full of Tandinism’s. This boy seems to have this subtle, powerful effect everywhere he goes.
I look forward to the next 20 years of loving this boy, seeing his dreams come true, watching him build his buildings and share more of his subtle insights that so powerfully affect everyone around him…particularly me…Happy birthday baby!
Tandin, this beautiful child has always been a joy. Actually, I take that back, I can think of times playing golf with him when he was 9 or 10 that was miserable because if he was not playing well,
we ALL paid. He has always had high expectations
of himself and the pressure he would put on himself, was and always will be, much worse than what we as his parents could ever impart. Maybe this is typical of the youngest in the family? Tan is in the civil engineering program at the University of Utah and is considering a double major in architecture. It is all highly confusing to me.I look at his homework in complete awe. He is a very intelligence boy and I laugh that I bore this beautiful child. I find it unusual that his sensitive and emotional side is highly developed as well. Traditionally, what we find with the “techy people” is they are less emotionally in tune with themselves and others. Contraire for Tandin, he is the go-to person for advice with friends, and he is very much aware of our family and how it all spins. The nice thing about my Tan is he seems to keep it all in check. He is an excellent observer. We have coined the word “Tandinism”, because even at the tender age of 20, he seems to create rare passages of wisdom that have great depth, meaning and humor all in one. My blog is actually full of Tandinism’s. This boy seems to have this subtle, powerful effect everywhere he goes.
I look forward to the next 20 years of loving this boy, seeing his dreams come true, watching him build his buildings and share more of his subtle insights that so powerfully affect everyone around him…particularly me…Happy birthday baby!
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