Welcome to Mirth and Motivation!
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Photo Challenge: View From Windows
“Let there be many windows to your soul, that all the glory of the world may beautify it.” Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The View From My Windows
The View From My Windows
One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today. Dale Carnegie
For this week’s photo challenge on – WINDOWS – I decided to share photos I took from different locations through different types of windows. They were shot from either a car window, a building, a train or a plane, and the plural is indicative of the range and variety of settings. I hope you like them. Come back for more and enjoy the poems.
View From My Window by Jack Horne via poetrysoup.com
I survey the wintry-looking landscape
rain lashes the window pane
and the garden is soaked
The bare trees, rose thorns and holly bushes
seem to look sad as they stand
upon the soggy lawn
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“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” Harriet Beecher Stowe
Motivation Mondays: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
YouTube: We All Have a Role to Play in Preventing Suicide
2016 Facts & Figures USA
A suicide occurs every 12.5 minutes, 1.1 million attempt it yearly, 90% of those who succeed have a psychiatric disorder, 43,000 die yearly, 10th leading cause of death in the US, 1.5 times national average for Native American and Alaskan youth 15-24, 2nd leading cause for 44 year old and under, 5th leading cause for 45-55 old, 22.2% Veterans, $44 Billion cost, Those who commit suicide 49.9% use firearms, by suffocation is 26.7%, and by poisoning is 15.9%, for every 1 woman/4 men commit suicide… afsp.org
This month is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and we can all help raise awareness so folks in need of help can get it. Whether we pay attention to it or not, suicide impacts all of our lives; be it directly or indirectly. The statistics above are grim but, we can do something about it by availing ourselves of all the services and support systems out there. We can also be compassionate towards friends, family or the occasional stranger who crosses our path and is in dire need of help by listening, encouraging them to get help and following the guidelines offered by the Surgeon General and other mental health entities by helping place a call and staying with the person until professional help arrives.
According to the Surgeon General’s National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Report, those at greater risk of committing suicide include: individuals with mental and/or substance use disorders; Individuals bereaved by suicide; Individuals in justice and child welfare settings; Individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury; Individuals who have attempted suicide; Individuals with medical conditions;Individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT); American Indians/Alaska Natives; Members of the Armed Forces and veterans; Men in midlife; and Older men. Every one of us knows at least one person who fits in the listed groups and when we sense a change in their mood or habits, we must speak up and offer help. Shying away or thinking someone else will take care of it won’t help. It is at times like this that we can work together to honor the belief that we are our brothers/sisters keepers.
If you, or someone you know, is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress please call the LIFELINE at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)* You can also get Help via NSPL.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” Christian D. Larson
Motivation Mondays: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Motivation Mondays: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
YouTube: How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal
What are some of the warning signs? Even though the 2016 suicide statistics are disturbing, we can make a difference. If a loved one starts to change their behavior in any way, it should be a red flag to act. Time is of essence and waiting for someone else to address the sense of doom and overwhelm our friend or family member is feeling is not wise. Some typical warning signs include: Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself; a sense of hopelessness, feeling trapped, or in great pain; being a burden to others; an increase in the use/abuse of alcohol or drugs; Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless; excessive or very little Sleep; Withdrawing into isolation; outbursts of rage or seeking revenge; and extreme mood swings. While some people don’t exhibit all of these signs, there are typically 1 or 2 markers that might hint at their distress. Instead of sloughing it off, address it and offer to make that call so they can get help. With immediate action and attention on our part, we can help save a life.
My earliest memory of suicide was hearing about an uncle on my Dad’s side who committed suicide after the civil war. He was a war veteran and had come home with mental health challenges that were not addressed in our small west African village. By the time anyone could figure out his psychotic episodes and deep depression, he had taken his life. At the time, I couldn’t understand why he did it and the explanations were beyond me as I was only a child. At different points in our lives, we come up against some very dark times and it is in those moments, our darkest hours, that we must hold onto hope and not quit. So many of us have come to that precipice and the guidance and support of loved ones and mental health professionals brought us back from the brink.
Over the years, I’ve heard/read/known about others who lost their lives to suicide. From celebrities to every day folks, suicide cuts across socioeconomic lines reminding us that no one is immune. One very deeply wounding story occurred in November 2009, when my dear friend Esmeralda lost her son Andrew to suicide. It was a sad and painful time for all of us, as Andrew was a very special son to me. As everyone mourned, it was understood that we should all stay committed to help others in need. Esmeralda started a Wellness fair and we all educated ourselves about this dreaded subject. If the least we do is share information and check in with friends/family who are struggling, we would have made a huge difference. Start small, get involved and spread the word. Offer the resources above. Make that call.
READ: From Anguish to Activism: A Mother’s Journey to Get Your Wellness On
The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for AUG/SEPT 2017 are:
08/06 – 01 National Girlfriend Day
08/13 – 06 Friendship Day, 12 International Youth Day
08/20 – 19 World Humanitarian Day
08/27 – 26 National Dog Day
09/04 – Labor Day,
09/10 – TBA
09/17 – TBA
07/24 – TBA
09/30 – Yom Kippur
Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2017?
– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.
— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab
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Photo Challenge: LAYERED
“Complexity that works is built up out of modules that work perfectly, layered one over the other.” Kevin Kelly
Photo Challenge: LAYERED – A Street Entertainer & his Companions
Photo Challenge: LAYERED – A Street Entertainer & his Companions
What does layered look like to you? One of the joys of living near a popular metropolitan city is the surfeit of entertaining street artists and unusual sightings that dot the landscape. If you’ve ever lived in or been to NYC, London, Paris, Tokyo, Lagos… you name it, you can be rest assured that you will see someone or something that will challenge your understanding of the human capacity for creativity and sheer enterprise. Add to it the huge murals that show up in the most unexpected places and you’ll understand why big cities are a photographer’s dream.
For today’s challenge on – Layered – I have the good fortune to share the entertainer and his menagerie of animal/bird companions. This savvy entrepreneur can be found anywhere between the New York Public Library and Times Square. His companions are not for sale … no, they are far more than that and it involves photography and a story shared by one of my daughters who has encountered him more than once and has captured quite a few photos of our friend. There are lots of layers in the shot; from his clothes, to the cats, and the birds, and the carriages … adding up to a mystical menagerie. Look again, how many cats do you see? And doves? What about the parrots? The layers of cloth add to the collection of things in and around him. He wears a shiny grey silk jacket over a striped blue/white cotton shirt. His socks are colorful, shoes plain. Who is the man behind the character in the photo?
<3 I’d like to take a moment to send prayers and support to folks in Puerto Rico (Hurricane Maria) and Mexico (earthquake) who are dealing with catastrophes and loss of human life… Please keep them in your hearts and prayers! <3
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