Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WELLNESS AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH

We are all interested in our mental health even though we're not always sure how we are doing.

We mostly know about anxiety and some of us know about depression. Many less know how deep and difficult these conditions can be.

On the medical side, our best help comes from medications. But it is often difficult to get the right medication because each person is different.

We need to know that the experts are divided on the big question of nature vs. nurture - did we inherit it or did we catch it? So some professionals rely on medication; others rely on day-to-day living.

On the wellness side, there is lots we can do - ordinary things like exercise, diet, study, work, prayer and connecting well with others.

Most of us have some sort of mental health challenge - it might be as simple as being a bit too negative. The tricky part of mental health is that we are often the last person to recognize our problem.

This is where the family and small groups do their good work. In an atmosphere of acceptance, we can allow ourselves to hear messages that are not always comfortable.

One of the best clues to any mental health and attitude problem is to check out what most bothers us in others. That is usually a hot tip.

The moral of this story is that on most days we should rely on the simple, good things we can do for our mental health.

Wellness pays.

Let's hear your views on this latest FAMILY CHALLENGE!

Saturday, May 01, 2010

IN PRAISE OF GRANDMOTHERS

Grandmothers have decades of life experience - both good and bad.

They have the benefit of being in the family but not in the daily battles.

Tony has 8 grand kids. She has seen to it that they do well in school. Tony is not shy. For her, these children are always polite.

Rhoda didn't say much. Her practice of kneeling at bedtime influenced a generation.

Stella at 80 is still bailing out families and grand kids. It is her full time job.

Aileen is keeping the 8 grandchildren of five adopted children in touch with each other despite big challenges.

Mildred has mothered 5 grandchildren on her own for 20 years.

Barna Research has studies that show grandmothers to be the first line of faith influence on children.

In this too busy generation, we can't neglect such treasures.