World Mental Health? I’m Praying

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, October 10, 2016

World Mental Health? I’m Praying.

I read several blogs and posts today about world mental health. Yes, more about mental health. And, mental illness. Today was World Mental Health Awareness Day.

Everyone knows someone who is affected. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean that mental illness doesn’t exist.

Reflecting on my own extended family, on my friends and acquaintances, I know very well that both of these sentences (above) are true. Sadly true, in some cases. Tragically true, in others.

Anyone can listen. Anyone. You do not need to be an expert in psychology or counseling to help someone in a crisis. Simply being there, sitting by their side, or walking next to them can mean so much. Letting someone who is having difficulty know that someone is there, for them. Right  next to them, by their side. And, especially letting someone know that they are not alone! That’s important, too.

Be an advocate, please. Be encouraging, helpful and kind, please. It can mean the world to someone, today. And, God bless you.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

 

 

PEACE – Happiness with Your Life (Repost)

Today’s post is really a repost from February, especially for the Facebook group Pursuing Peace. This post is from a wonderful human being, Teri. (Thanks for your personal definition!)

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, February 19, 2016

PEACE – Happiness with Your Life

Today’s definition comes from a woman I can only describe as bubbly. Effervescent. Excited about life and living. Therefore, I can hardly be surprised by her personal definition of PEACE.

Teri Collins’s definition of PEACE is happiness with your life.

Happiness can be fleeting. Yet, as I think of Teri, I can see how she connects peace and happiness so closely. Yes, life is a challenge sometimes. Yes, life can hand you lemons sometimes. However, if a person has an underlying happiness in their life, the bumps and challenges on the road through life are navigable.

Dr. Teri Collins, Ph.D., works with young people. She is engaging as well as engaged in the lives of the youth she is with. She also seems to have boundless energy. Teri is the Executive Director of the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MYCAF), a nonprofit organization that connects youth with families and the community. She gets involved in young people’s lives in a variety of helping-ways, including mental, emotional and psychological health, and alcohol and drug awareness and prevention.

Thank God there are a number of different definitions of peace. I appreciate knowing many different viewpoints. I want to encourage other people to continue this conversation! God willing, many people of different ages and from different areas will share their personal definitions of PEACE.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er