So glad you are enjoying and participating in monthly awareness days. They have been very educational for me.
August Awareness Days
Psoriasis Awareness
National Immunization Awareness Month
National CBD Day 8th
International Cat Day 8th
International Left-handers Day 13th
National Airborne Day 16th
National Wellness Month
World Humanitarian Day 19th
Melinda
When you feel like you’ve hit a dead end, it might be time for a fresh start. Maybe your current city doesn’t offer the opportunities you need to grow as a person or professional. Or maybe you’re just tired of feeling stuck and want to try something new. If that’s the case, then moving to a different city could be the solution for you! This blog post will discuss some tips on how to make the move and get started in your new home.
If you’re moving to a new city alone, then finding a Meriton apartment or house that’s within your budget should be your top priority. However, if you’re moving with family or friends, then you’ll need to find a place that has enough space for everyone.
Once you’ve found a few potential places to live, be sure to check out the neighborhood and see if it’s somewhere, you would feel comfortable living. If possible, visit the neighborhood in person or talk to someone who lives there. This will help you get a better sense of what it’s really like and if it’s the right fit for you.
After you’ve settled into your new place, it’s time to start exploring your new city. First, check out the local attractions and see what the city has to offer. If you’re not sure where to start, then ask a local for some recommendations. They’ll be able to tell you about the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the city.
As you get to know your new city, be sure to take some time for yourself and relax. This is a big change, and it can be overwhelming at first. So give yourself some time to adjust and settle into your new life before jumping into everything that your new city has to offer. After all, this is supposed to be a fresh start for you!
Moving to a new city can be a big change, but it can also be an exciting and rewarding experience. If you’re feeling stuck in your current situation, then a move could be just what you need. Use these tips to help you make the transition and get started in your new home. With a little planning and preparation, you’ll be on your way to enjoying your new city in no time.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Health and happiness are both essential aspects of our lives, but it can be easy to let one take precedence over the other. We all lead busy lives, so putting our needs on the back burner can be easy. But there are ways you can help both your health and happiness levels rise by making small changes in your day-to-day life. Making some small positive changes in your life can not only help your physical health but your mental health as well. The good news is that there are a lot of ways you can be happier and healthier in your life. Here are three simple tricks that will make you feel healthier and happier.
The mind and the body are closely linked, and each can impact the other. You can improve your mental well-being by caring for your body, from working out to eating healthy foods. Exercising can help you sleep better and improve your self-esteem, which can lead to a happier, healthier you. Eating a healthy diet can also significantly impact your mental health. If you consistently eat foods that are bad for your body, you may have less energy and feel more lethargic throughout the day. It is also essential to meet with your doctor and dentist yearly for checkups to ensure that your body is healthy and you are not currently having any health issues.
Having enough sleep is essential for good mental and physical health. Getting consistent sleep every night is linked to better mental health, higher productivity, and improved mood. Getting enough sleep can be a challenge for lots of people, though. If you have trouble sleeping, there are many ways to improve your sleep quality, from making changes to your diet to using sleep aids like weighted blankets and earplugs. A consistent sleep schedule can significantly increase your chances of getting the right amount of sleep and improve your mental and physical health.
Being happy doesn’t just come from having a healthy body — it also comes from having a healthy mind. One of the easiest ways to improve your mental well-being is by finding ways to relax and unwind that work for you. It can be helpful to have a few different ways to relax built into your schedule. This way, you ensure that you always have time to relax, even with a busy schedule. You can be creative, meditate, or even spend time in nature to help calm your mind and allow you to decompress and unwind. Finding time to relax is essential for good mental and physical health, especially for people with busy schedules.
Improving your mental and physical health doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start living a healthier, happier life by taking care of your body, having a consistent sleep schedule, and finding time to relax and unwind. There are many more ways to improve your mental and physical health, but these are a great start. To feel healthier and happier, looking after your mental and physical well-being is essential.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
In today’s world, confidence has become an important quality to have. Whether applying for a job, going on a date, or making new friends, having the right confidence level can help ease nervousness and make interactions much easier. Furthermore, having enough confidence can have numerous benefits in your life: it makes you more attractive to others, helps you take risks without fear of failure, and makes you believe in yourself. Being more confident might even lead to getting your dream job!
We often have thoughts that make us feel less confident than we are. An excellent way to check these thoughts is to write them down. After that, could you read them and decide how true they are? Doing this will help you feel more positive about yourself and will able to build up your confidence. As with everything in life, practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the easier it will be to catch and change your negative thoughts, and the more confident you will feel.
Exercising regularly has many benefits, and improving your confidence is one of them. Exercising regularly helps boost your mood and improves your self-esteem and ability to communicate with others. Exercising regularly can also help you sleep better and improve your focus, making you more productive at work.
Taking time to care for yourself is essential in increasing your confidence. Taking care of yourself doesn’t just mean eating healthy and sleeping enough. It also means taking some time to relax and unwind. Taking time to relax and unwind can help you reduce stress, sleep better and improve your mood. This is important because stress and anxiety can reduce your confidence and prevent you from reaching your potential. Taking time to relax and unwind is something that everyone should do. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it helps you relax and unwind. Some examples include reading a book, meditating, or going for a walk. You should also ensure you are visiting your doctor and Dentist to discuss any health concerns you have or to help you improve the look of your teeth if this affects your confidence.
As with anything in life, making mistakes is inevitable. However, when it comes to confidence, errors are critical. Mistakes are what allow us to learn and grow as individuals. They allow us to understand our strengths and weaknesses and how to improve upon them. Experiencing failure and mistakes can be scary and can reduce your confidence. However, you can learn from your mistakes by paying attention to them. This will help you to understand what you did wrong and prevent you from making the same mistake again.
You don’t need to change your entire life to increase your confidence. Small changes, such as improving your diet, getting enough sleep, and taking up a new hobby, can significantly impact your confidence. Although these changes won’t make you instantly more confident, they will help you build your confidence over time. They will help you feel better, which will make you more confident.
Building up your confidence might seem like an impossible task. However, it’s not as hard as you might think. All you need to do is check your thoughts, exercise regularly, take time to care for yourself, learn from your mistakes and make small changes regularly. If you want to improve your confidence, you need to do things that make you feel good about yourself. You need to focus on the things you like about yourself and make sure you are surrounded by people who appreciate you for who you are.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Everyone, rich or poor has setbacks in life. What makes the difference is what you do next. If you tend to have a pity party and like to stay there, this post isn’t for you. I’m writing to people who want to help change the situation. The post is about communication, personality types, and soul searching.
This post may be especially helpful for people who are anxious or new in their careers. I have spent my life facing huge obstacles such as child abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, and my father’s suicide.
It can be easy to catastrophize your obstacles if you don’t see them for what they are, an individual obstacles. If you deal with Anxiety, this acknowledgment is paramount. The way to deal with multiple obstacles is to take the Top 3, most challenging obstacles and write them down.
We are not capable of tackling every obstacle in our life, some obstacles aren’t a priority and some can’t be resolved. That is why this process is so important.
I’m old school and believe you can’t accomplish your goals if you aren’t focused on them every day. This method I learned from a mentor and thru reading motivational books. Once you’ve taken out a piece of paper and written down your Top 3 priorities, stick them on your bathroom mirror or somewhere you will see them several times a day. Then you write down paper or a computer “Which ones can you do something about”. If you can’t do something about it, mark off and add a new priority.
Now you take each obstacle and write down “What you can do about the obstacle”. If nothing comes to mind, this is a plan to get you past the obstacle. It may take several attempts to add the “Can Do” list.
Now that you have steps that you do to mark the obstacle off the list.
For the hardest and most satisfying part. You write out a plan for each obstacle and work the plan.
When you look at your Top 3 in your mirror it will trigger you to think about your plan and ask yourself honestly, “Am I working on the plan?
If you’re not working on the plan or for that matter don’t have a plan, you have to ask yourself why. One thing to look at is your plan, is it realistic, have you made a huge list of what to do, maybe your expectations need a check. Only you can answer that.
One of the greatest lessons I learned early in my career in sales, is you have to understand and recognize which type of person you are talking to. If you understand personality types you will know how to have a productive conversation. Understanding how best to communicate applies to your personal life, and work life.
The first of four personality types is the sanguine type. This type is described as spontaneous, optimistic, and enthusiastic. Sanguine types love adventure and experiencing new things in life. They have high energy and curiosity. With the positive aspects also comes the fact they are impulsive and often make decisions on a whim.
Sanguine types can be described as having extroverted personality traits. The more people around them, the more fun they are having. Social interactions recharge their batteries and they welcome new friends at a moment’s notice. Sanguine personalities also have a reputation to love listening to themselves talk. If they don’t find a person new or exciting, they move on to someone else.
Sanguine people are expressive and energetic to be around. They are often playful and enigmatic and can start up a conversation with anybody. They are also very extreme with their emotions. Their highs are very high and their lows are very low. If you are sanguine, you should be conscious of controlling your emotions, as they can often be a cause of regret.
Sanguine types are natural-born entertainers. They love the spotlight and they love the attention. They often do things to differentiate themselves from the norm and flaunt their individuality.
The second of four personality types is the phlegmatic type, defined by having exceptional social skills. These kinds of people have a higher emotional intelligence than others and are able to express themselves more effectively. They are sympathetic towards others and often well-liked by many people. Phlegmatic folks are good at connecting facts and understanding the way humans think and behave.
Phlegmatic people are not easily angered. They like to live a life of serene peacefulness, free of surprises. They are quiet most of the time and are good listeners. In the same time these people are generally supportive of others and don’t resort to criticizing their peers. They are very kind, thus are the type to be taken advantage of often.
Phlegmatic individuals are good at following orders. They are hard workers and make up the backbone of society. You want to work with them because they are reliable and can get the job done.
Phlegmatic people can’t easily to say what’s on their mind, especially if it could have negative consequences. Rather than making a mistake, they will work around the possibility of a mistake or just avoid the mistake by doing or saying nothing at all.
The third of four personality types is the choleric type. The people belonging to this type are direct, focused, and tough. They are mentally stronger than most other humans and have a knack for critical thinking and problem solving. Choleric people are also the most courageous and have a high competitive drive.
Choleric people are not afraid to speak their mind. They seek and excel in new situations. They are out to prove themselves to everyone they come across. Choleric types are strong and have an innate desire to be dominant. When they have a goal in mind, it is very difficult to drive them off of their path toward achieving that goal. They know what they want and they go after it.
Choleric personalities aren’t afraid of anything or anyone. If they are afraid, they won’t let you know it. Choleric people consistently show they have the highest self-esteem out of any of the four personality types and ooze confidence out of every pore.
People described as choleric are often the movers and shakers of society. They are very assertive and sometimes bossy with their demands. They are quick to overreact and often let their emotions guide them to intimidate others. They will always get what they want in any circumstance.
The fourth and final of the four personality types is the melancholic type. Melancholic types are calm, cool, and collected. They hold family in high regard and respect honesty and loyalty. These types of people are fiercely loyal to the ones they love. They have good values and understand how to show respect for others.
Melancholic types are known for being emotional. They laugh and cry and the drop of a hat and wear their emotions on their sleeves. Sometimes it is difficult for this type of personality to open up to others. The more they are hurt by others, the more they keep their guards up.
Melancholic people would prefer having a few close friends rather than many acquaintances. They put a lot of effort into their relationships; so much so that they often tend to forget about their own needs. These types of people are likely to search for the ideal partner and often dream about the moment the right partner will show up in their lives.
As well as being very idealistic, melancholic personality types are known for thinking too much. They are naturally gifted empaths who read body language better than most people. They hold others to very high standards and are easily disappointed when these standards are not met.
Melancholic types are more likely to be respectful of others regardless of the way they were raised. They have mature manners from childhood to adulthood and don’t take other human lives for granted.
Once you understand each personality type it will give you insight as to how to have an effective conversation.
This is another style of grouping personality traits and this site digs deeper into each personality. I find this one very helpful. https://www.hiresuccess.com/help/understanding-the-4-personality-types.
Once you are able to identify the personality traits, you can look at yourself and see where you fall in the four types. One thing to remember is your personality change as you age so you’ll have to reassess.
Melinda
References:
https://slism.com/girlstalk/four-personality-types.html
Looking good and feeling good often go hand in hand. When you feel attractive, it can boost your confidence and make you feel better about yourself. This is why taking care of your appearance is important – not for others but, most importantly, for yourself! This blog post will discuss three things a positive appearance can do for your mental health.
If you feel good about the way you look, it will show in your confidence level. You’ll be more likely to approach people and strike up conversations. You’ll also be less likely to get nervous in social situations. All of these things can lead to improved mental health. Confidence is key when it comes to mental health. It shows in your interactions with others when you feel good about yourself. You’re more likely to approach people and strike up conversations. You’re also less likely to get nervous in social situations. All of these things can lead to improved mental health.
When you look good, you often feel better about yourself. This can lead to a more positive outlook on life, which can, in turn, lead to improved mental health. Studies have shown that when people feel better about their appearance, they are more likely to have positive interactions with others and feel more confident in social situations. A positive appearance can also make you feel more physically comfortable. If you feel good about your appearance, you’re more likely to want to be active and take care of yourself. This can lead to improved mental health by increasing your endorphins (feel-good hormones) and helping you sleep better. In addition, a positive appearance can help reduce stress. If you feel good about the way you look, you’re less likely to feel self-conscious or anxious in social situations. This can lead to improved mental health by reducing your stress levels and helping you relax.
You will feel more motivated to get out and about if you look your best. This can lead to increased motivation in all areas of your life. If you feel good about your appearance, you’re more likely to want to take care of yourself and live a healthier lifestyle. For example, visiting a dentist can improve your self-esteem and make you feel better about yourself if you have bad teeth. Once you feel better, you will be more motivated to do things you enjoy and take care of your health. In addition, if you are overweight, making an effort to lose weight will improve your appearance and health. Your physical health and appearance have a significant link to your mental health; therefore, you must make an effort to improve both.
Taking care of your appearance can have a positive impact on your mental health. When you look good, you feel good. Don’t ever feel there is nothing you can do to change how you feel; there is always something you can do to improve your physical and mental health!
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Sunny Daze Ahead.
The face behind the blog is… hard to put into words and words are “kinda” my thing. I am loud, I am outspoken, I am silly, I am sarcastic. I am wildly defensive of my loved ones. I have an anxious mind and I spend far too much time trying to keep my brain from spiraling into worst case scenarios. I work diligently to keep my mind a happy, optimistic place, which I have come to realize is not my mind’s natural habitat.
I spend almost all my time with my three dogs: Lucy, Brantley, and Zeppelyn, who I am convinced are the greatest beings on the planet. I probably love my parents TOO much, but I am blessed to share a very close friendship with both. I love a boy, I have loved the same boy for years now, I moved STATES for him, and honestly; home is where he is. Fine, his name is Matt, and he is most definitely TAKEN, so back off ladies. I have friends: close and far. Maybe they will make a cameo too.
You’ll never know what you’ll find on her blog and that’s the fun part.
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes or questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Melinda
Stability is essential for coping with bipolar disorder. This post shows the importance of following your treatment plan. | #MentalHealth #MentalIllness #Bipolar
The Importance of Following Your Treatment Plan — Speaking Bipolar
What a great day to celebrate and take the time to express our appreciation with an act of kindness to our friends.
I want to thank you for taking the time to read my blog, provide feedback and keep me educated with your posts.
International Day of Friendship was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (U.N.). On July 30, we step back and get thankful for these relationships worldwide, as they promote and encourage peace, happiness, and unity. The U.N. encourages governments, community groups, and other organizations to coordinate activities and events that celebrate the friendships that we keep close to us. Many events focus on reconciliation, bridging understanding and consensus, and finding comfort in those friendships that feel like home. Its important to wish them their birthday as well, Check out 100 Birthday Wishes for Your Best Friend.
We live in a tough world. Between miscommunications, mistreatment, lack of trust, discrimination, and cultural discord, prioritizing peace seemingly has less of a presence in the global society. There really is no reason for the world not to exist in some harmonious form. We have the United Nations to thank for helping to remind us all that there is some good in this world. We were first introduced to International Day of Friendship in 2011; this special day goes beyond connecting people and builds bridges among cultures, countries, and even ideologies.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/
Enjoy!
Melinda
Vital Field has introduced a Balance FreqenCell to help you find peace of mind and overcome addictions.
What if there was a genuine way to shackle that one secret gremlin that takes a toll on your life?
Introducing the Balance FrequenCell – the perfect accompaniment to a mindset that has already decided to change but lacks an energetic kick in the proverbial butt to complete the mission.
The Balance Cell leverages an energetic cocktail of neurotransmitters and Amazonian herbs to help the brain regulate unnecessary peaks and troughs in GABA, dopamine, and oxytocin. By only working with subtle fields, we don’t mess with the chemicals but manage to nudge the energetic system towards more balance.
Tested over two years in labs and users in Europe, we are confident today that at least 80 percent of users will experience a significant benefit in balancing their life better.
Commitment, the will to change, and discipline must come first thought. It’s never easy, which is why the Balance Cell may give the friendly support we sometimes need to reach the next level… of balance.
Just stopping one addiction with hardcore discipline doesn’t usually work, as the body tends to find another replacement addiction. Addictions are a multispectral menu, from the chemical variety (e.g., alcohol, drugs, painkillers, food) to the gadget (e.g., cellphone, computer, video console), mental (e.g., negative emotions), and behavioral variety (e.g., excess exercise, or no exercise at all) – but for the energetic mind-body they all represent the escape from the present.
The Balance Cell is a tool to help you journey back to the center, the place where you can stay still, present, calm, and energized.
Melinda
Ah, the joys of summer: The withering heat and school vacations, when your kids give you minute-to-minute updates on their boredom levels. Isn’t summer supposed to be fun and relaxing? If you’ve got summer depression, it isn’t.
For some people, summer depression has a biological cause, says Ian A. Cook, MD, the director of the Depression Research Program at UCLA. For others, the particular stresses of summer can pile up and make them feel miserable.
Especially hard is that you feel like you’re supposed to be having a great time. Everyone else seems so happy splashing in the water and sweating in their lawn chairs. So why can’t you? And more importantly, what can you do to make this summer easier? Here’s what you need to know about summer depression.
Summertime SAD. You’ve probably heard about seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, which affects about 4% to 6% of the U.S. population. SAD typically causes depression as the days get shorter and colder. But about 10% of people with SAD get it in the reverse — the onset of summer triggers their depression symptoms. Cook notes that some studies have shown that in countries near the equator – such as India – summer SAD is more common than winter SAD. Why do seasonal changes cause depression? Experts aren’t sure, but the longer days, and increasing heat and humidity may play a role. Specific symptoms of summer depression often include loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight loss, and anxiety.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/depression/summer-depression
Melinda
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
I stumbled upon my diagnosis of Lyme Disease in 2013 after my Neurologist spent a year giving me every test she could to find the answer to my symptoms. When I say stumbled upon, I mean it. When she shook her head and referred me to a Rheumatologist, I decided to take to the Internet. I had all the test results, and every test was abnormal so I started searching for different combinations of my abnormal results. After a few attempts, I landed on the list of autoimmune illnesses that included Lyme.
I made the deduction of other illnesses based on the previous testing and the symptoms didn’t fit. After landing on Lyme, my research began. It took no time to figure out what was wrong.
This is the easiest part of having Lyme disease, from here it’s a nightmare to get treatment. First and foremost insurance companies don’t cover the cost of IV Antibody Therapy. The only cost covered by insurance was prescriptions. Thank goodness because the total cost would really blow your mind.
For 18 months we flew to Washington, DC every month to start a new protocol. Every appointment with my Lyme doctor cost 6K plus. Add that number up and you see how devastating the cost is.
We took out a home loan for the cost but not everyone is able to do that. None of the cost for my doctor visits or the treatments was covered by insurance.
My treatment ended in 2017, unfortunately, many new conditions were caused by Lyme that plague me today.
Today I thought about how long ago we took out the loan and what we still owe. We paid our house off over the weekend but it’s not paid for until this loan is paid. It’s not the same type of paid-off when you have a home loan.
It still chaps me that the CDC and insurance companies are turning their back on Lyme patients, even today!
Melinda
I’m so appreciative of Communications Director Nassia Bitha at Vitalfield for sending me the Weight Loss Frequencell and all the others she’s sent over the years.
Our mission is to help people achieve good health and a pain-free life with safe, natural, non-invasive and non-chemical methods. Frequencell Inc. (a Delaware corporation based out of Los Angeles, USA) provides treatments for health and chronic pain, based on the results of over 30 years of scientific research, development and clinical trials.
This post contains affiliate links that don’t cost you moe to use and help fund my coffee habit.
The Weight Loss Cell supports your energetic point of view, getting rid of excess weight. Its specific frequencies stimulate the metabolism and fat burning, as well as reduce the feeling of hunger. The 528 Hertz frequency, the so-called Love frequency, is also included in the device: this frequency has incredible proven potential and supports self-love and self-acceptance.
Important note:
The Weight Loss Cell is designed to work complementary to your existing weight loss regime by creating an environment that maximizes the results of your efforts.
I put my Frequencell on my front lower right rib as instructed on Saturday, June 11th. I have been on my journey now for two months and in the last week have had problems getting below 12-13 pounds down. Monday the 13th, I broke the barrier down to 14 pounds.
If you have sensitive skin like I do you may want to look for a tape for sensitive skin. I did feel some discomfort after 12 hours of wearing the tape provided by Vital Field.
It’s now July 28th and I’ve now lost 18 pounds. That is a pretty good clip for someone who is not exercising or on a diet. I’ve cut out snaking except for Jello, cut my meals in half, and still eat two pieces of chocolate a day.
I believe it’s the combination effect that has helped me pass the 14-pound barrier.
The Frequencell works differently for everyone and not all will see results but the research has shown excellent results.
You can check out the Vital Fileds site to see the complete collection of Frequencells with detailed information on each.
Here’s the review on Vital Fields Pollen Frequencell. Which worked beyond belief.
Check out the website for information on the research and results behind each Frequencell and about the company.
Melinda
Trafficking is an unforgivable crime. Many young girls and boys are trafficked from a young age, some are even kidnaped or sold by their families. It must be horrific, heartbreaking, and hard to overcome the emotional toll it takes.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on July 30 every year, is a holiday set aside for the sensitization of global citizens to the human trafficking pandemic. Human Trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, and possession of human individuals through coercion or other fraudulent means to exploit them for profit. Anyone can be a victim of this heinous act regardless of age or background, and human trafficking is present all over the world.
Human trafficking is a global pandemic that stemmed from the era of slavery and is still very much prevalent today. It can be defined simply as the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people to benefit from their work or service, which is typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation. The act is a crime against the person because it violates the victim’s rights of movement through coercion as well as the fact that the victim is being commercially exploited.
Human trafficking particularly targets women and children, and may not always involve the movement of the person from one place to another. And though labor trafficking and sex trafficking are usually treated separately in the general trafficking discourse, one thing that victims of both forms of trafficking have in common is that their trafficking began with a migration to a seemingly better environment. The United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others was adopted in 1949 and came into effect in 1951. The convention was a legal turning point in human trafficking as it was the primary legally binding instrument on the subject.
Please keep your eyes open, especially if in the Healthcare of Law enforcement. If something doesn’t look right, it may not be. Like on television, see if you can connect with the person directly without the others around them knowing. Like holding a sign to see if they need help, or if seeing the person head towards the bathroom by themselves, try to slip them a note that asks for a yes or a no.
I don’t know that these are suggested methods, just the only ones I’ve seen and know it will be hard to get to the person in need of help.
Melinda
A special thanks to Berthe Nkok of Carenity for taking the time to interview me.
Published Jul 27, 2022 • By Berthe Nkok
Melinda was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorder and dementia.
A few years later, she launched her blog, Looking for the Light, to share her story, advocate for her causes and hopefully, help a few along the way.
Read her story below!
Hello Melinda, thank you for agreeing to talk to Carenity.
I’m a lively woman going on 60 years old who has been married to her sweetheart for 20 years. I love my blog, photography, helping others, advocating for my causes like mental health and chronic illnesses. And I can’t forget my two dogs.
I have fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorder and dementia.
Lyme disease was very difficult to diagnose, it took me 1.5 years which is quick compared to many. It caused my fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and dementia. This was 2015.
As for my mental illness, I was diagnosed at 19 years old.
Life can be a total challenge some days and not so bad others. One thing I believe in is self-care. This extra hour or so a day helps me get in touch with my body, to nourish it, unwind and help my body regenerate. I see several specialists and have a varied treatment plan. The treatment plan that can change the most is for my mental illness.
Lyme disease was caused my fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and dementia. The rest have not been linked.
My mental illness requires the most attention because I must be aware of my moods throughout the day, take medication several times a day and keep my doctor informed if having a problem with medication.
I have a family history of dementia, but it was caused by a stroke.
Yes! The key to that is taking my husband or another person with me to my critical appointments. That way I have two sets of ears, someone to take notes, who can mention a symptom I may have forgotten or help me clarify what the doctor is saying.
I don’t really hear anything about invisible illness, but my lifestyle doesn’t allow me to interact with many people. Personally, the biggest toll has been on my freedom and the intimacy with my husband.
The mission of the blog was to share my story, advocate for my causes and hopefully help a few along the way. The key message I have for everyone is to keep moving forward.
Continue on as I’m already retired, work and family caused me to leave my career early.
The key is understanding, if you care about the person, do your homework, learn about the illness. Don’t judge when they have to bow out or cancel plans. And if it’s a partner I highly recommend including them in your doctors’ appointments. This has helped me so much.
There’s no trying to repeat or ask questions about what the doctor said because they are right there and since they are hearing from the doctor’s mouth, you don’t have to tell them.
Be honest with yourself and your loved ones! There will be those that don’t listen, that’s their problem. Communicate how you’re doing without the complaining tone. If you’re struggling either physically or mentally you need to reach out. Both can cause depression.
Many thanks to Melinda for sharing her story with us on Carenity!
World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is recognized annually on July 28th, the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg (1925–2011). Dr. Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967, and 2 years later he developed the first hepatitis B vaccine. These achievements culminated in Dr. Blumberg winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976. Organizations around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC, commemorate WHD to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, which impacts more than 354 million people worldwide. WHD creates an opportunity to educate people about the burden of these infections, CDC’s efforts to combat viral hepatitis around the world, and actions people can take to prevent these infections.
Viral hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E — affects millions of people worldwide, causing both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) liver disease. Viral hepatitis causes more than one million deaths each year. While deaths from tuberculosis and HIV have been declining, deaths from hepatitis are increasing.
The vision of CDC is to eliminate viral hepatitis in the United States and globally. CDC collaborates with international partners to help countries experiencing high rates of infection to prevent, control, and eliminate viral hepatitis.
Melinda
Reference:
Since the war on Opioids began, fewer and fewer prescriptions for pain medication have been written yet the number of Fentanyl overdoses continues to rise exponentially. Like many other crises in our country, lawmakers point the finger instead of solving the problem.
Instead of more law enforcement and stiffer jail terms to deal with the street drug crisis they keep pounding on doctors about writing prescriptions for millions of pain patients every day.
The problem has gotten so bad that more doctors have stopped writing pain med prescriptions, others refusing to give pain meds after surgery, and two weeks ago I read where a woman who was dying of cancer who was refused pain medication.
This is what happens when pain patients aren’t taken care of. Recently in Tulsa, OK a man went into his surgeon’s office and killed him and three others. The man had back surgery early in May and had been calling the office repeatedly due to his pain levels. He called that morning again trying to get some pain relief. A couple of hours later four people are dead. I later heard a doctor on the news saying that the man should have been on pain medication for at least another month for the type of back surgery he had. I think we’ll see more of these types of crimes as the DEA pushes harder on doctors to stop writing pain prescriptions.
I know there are always a few bad apples and yes, there were and are doctors out there who are overprescribing but not enough to create this monster on our hands. I believe overall doctors are professional when it comes to pain management, not only from the stories I’ve heard but from my own experience as a pain patient.
I’ve only had two pain management doctors and they were the polar opposite but had measures in place to manage your medication. Both doctors required face-to-face appointments with the doctor to refill your prescription and most required a urine sample. The urine sample is how you know and control what your patients are taking. They test for many drugs, not just pain medication.
It’s not just doctors, pharmacies have gotten into the action! It stems from a bill that was spearheaded by Elizabeth Warren that stated among other things that doctors could write a two-week prescription. Why this was in there is beyond me because I’ve had doctors write two weeks or fewer prescriptions before. Not to mention that doctors know how they can write prescriptions. This is how lawmakers knowingly or not open the door to interpretation by other non-lawmakers.
CVS took it upon itself to conquer the opioid crisis by setting its own initiatives on how to tackle the problem. One of the issues was pharmacists started to decide on their own to only fill for two weeks at a time or make the person wait until they had only one day left to pick up their medication. You can see the huge problem here. CVS finally pays for its poor judgment with a small slap on the wrist.
This is an example of how far back the problems go and it started long before. Here’s a post I wrote in 2017 about CVS’s policy on Opioids. CVS was hit with an individual lawsuit and after years of litigation has to pay $1,190,000 in damages including $550k for pain and suffering + $300k for future medical expenses for taking matters and the law into their own hands.
Please read the reference material, it is a good look inside the problem.
We’re all tired of hearing about the problem, getting no answers, and our government blindly doubling down but we have to keep raising our voices or nothing changes and only gets worse. If you are not treated properly by a doctor of any type, write to the State Medical Board and your state representatives.
References:
Prescription Opioids Aren’t Driving the Overdose Crisis. Illicitly Manufactured Synthetic Opioids Are.
When many people think of car costs, the first thing that pops into their heads is the purchase price. That’s far from all you’ll have to pay for it, however. You’ll have to put quite a lot of money into maintaining it.
These car expenses add up quickly, especially with older cars. It can often seem like a money sink. Figuring out how to stop wasting money on your car can be difficult. Your car will need some TLC, but you might want to spend much money on it.
Thankfully, there are more than a few ways you can do so. While you’ll need to put some time into it, it’ll be more than worth the effort. Three particular ways are suggested, as they’re quick and easy ways to look after your car.
Perhaps the most obvious way to spend less on your car is to buy auto parts online. These will usually be much more affordable than the ones you can get at a mechanic’s. Since they’ll be the exact same parts, there’s no reason not to take this route.
You could save quite a bit of money on this, especially if you’re able to replace any parts yourself. While this approach involves spending a bit of time waiting for parts, the savings are worth the wait.
Your car’s air filter needs to be changed regularly. You could be surprised to hear that focusing on this is one of the better ways to figure out how to stop wasting money on your car. You can do this yourself, with the car owner’s manual showing you how and when to do so.
Buying the air filter online – as recommended above – lets you save a significant amount of money on the fix. Replacing the air filter doesn’t take much time. If you’re good with your hands, it should only take you a few minutes to do so.
As much as you could DIY many of your car repairs, there comes a point where you’ll need to hire a mechanic to take care of things. Many people simply go to the first mechanic they can think of – or the closest one to them – and stick with that. Doing this costs more than you’d think.
Instead of taking this approach, you should shop around for prices. Depending on the issue at hand – and several other factors – the mechanics mightn’t even need to see your car before giving you a quote. While this could vary when you get there, taking this approach gives you an idea of how much each mechanic costs.
Choosing a more affordable option helps you stop wasting money on your car.
Figuring out how to stop wasting money on your car is a difficult process. Your car will need some maintenance and attention. Depending on how you go about it, that could prove costly. With each of the above strategies, however, it’s something you won’t need to worry about.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Books & Poems Cofee & Teas.
poems, coffee, teas, stories, beautiful images
I‘m an elderly lady with three grown children, two teenage granddaughters, two great grandkids, and two cats. I love to listen to the news, while I work on my four blogs and my poems website. I paint ( watercolors ) and I read, write poetry, and eat lots of junk food and love my morning cup of coffee. I do container gardening on my deck and porch. I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and I’m somewhat housebound but still very positive. I like to watch old and new movies that are clean funny and sad but with a happy ending.
Be sure to read her latest post.
Melinda
I want to say a special thank you to Laura Sebright, Marketing & Ecommerce Executive at Trigger Publishing for sending this very interesting book for review.
On October 18th 2014, Adelaide was in a bike crash that would change her life. She went through the driver’s side window of a car that pulled in front of her, suffering injuries that almost killed her – and emotional trauma that would continue for years to come. In addition to facing the physical injuries and PTSD, Adelaide worried about how the crash would affect her ability to cope with her bipolar II. After an arduous recovery, she returned to riding, eventually qualifying to become a professional triathlete. She is an advocate for cyclists’ safety and strives to help others who have suffered life-threatening crashes. Adelaide lives with her husband Kennett and their dog Maybellene.
When the red Fiat pulled out in front of Adelaide, she squeezed her bike’s brakes so hard that she left 50 feet of skid marks along the highway. The last thing she remembers is being lifted into the ambulance and someone saying, “Her face is peeled off.”
She spent five days in a medically-induced coma, during which surgeons picked glass from her face, reconstructed bones and inserted a stomach tube. She spent another six days unable to talk, at times gasping for air, enduring leech treatments to keep her necrotizing lip alive, and fearing a crippling bipolar episode. Without knowing what neurological damage or permanent disfigurement she’d be left with, her boyfriend Kennett proposed to Adelaide daily in the hospital, until she became conscious. But her recovery would extend far beyond the hospital and the visible physical injuries.
DEGLOVED is about perseverance as well as failure, written to give hope to those living with mental illness, and anyone who has had a traumatic event thrust upon them, which threatened to destroy their lives.
Where do you go after an accident almost cost took your life? For Adelaide, it’s moving forward slowly with an eye on recovery and sharing her story to help others. Not only was she in a coma, but also had reconstructive surgery, leech treatments, and fears that her Bipolar Disorder will pop its ugly head.
When you suffer from a traumatic injury it can cause PTSD and slow the recovery process. It can be more complicated if you have a mental illness, like Bipolar Disorder. For me, stress is a huge trigger for my Bipolar Disorder and it’s something I have to keep an eye on. It can throw me into depression very quickly.
Degloved is a book of tragedy and triumph with great lessons to learn about life after unsurmountable odds. Adelaide is a strong person and her perseverance against the odds gave her life back. She’s also a walking example of what our body can do when it comes back from hell.
Adelaide pushes herself thru unimaginable odds to go on to not only compete again but is now a professional Triathlete.
This book is for anyone who has been involved in a traumatic event or knows someone that has. The book is great for caregivers.
I recommend the book hands down. It’s a great read and a very inspiring story.
We have built a first-class resource of curated books produced and published in-house to create a unique collection of mental health recovery titles unrivaled in quality and selection. We work with experts, psychologists, doctors, and coaches to produce our books, but we also work with real people looking to share their stories to reach out to others and provide hope, understanding, and compassion. These brave authors also aim to raise awareness of mental health’s “human” face and its impact on everyday lives.
Melinda
Repost
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day on 25 July shines a light on the everyday challenges faced by hundreds of thousands of people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in the UK and millions more worldwide. It also looks at how we can tackle some of the stigma and discrimination surrounding this much-misunderstood illness.
in 100 people will experience schizophrenia. In fact, it was a diagnosis of schizophrenia that led to the launch of our charity, which was founded 50 years ago. Much has improved since then, but while attitudes to mental health have changed, the stigma surrounding schizophrenia remains stubbornly high. Some of this is rooted in a lack of understanding of the condition, so we want to tackle this by setting out the signs, symptoms, and outlook for people affected. And the good news is that while people with lived experience tell us about some of the struggles they face, there is also much to celebrate and feel positive about.
Schizophrenia is a very complex condition that can affect how a person thinks, feels, and experiences the world around them. Schizophrenia doesn’t mean split personality – the term actually means schizo (to split) and phrene (the mind). While schizophrenia is an official diagnosis, people can often experience very different symptoms. The most common symptoms can include:
If you think you or someone you love has the symptoms of Schizophrenia, see a Psycotrist right away. There are several mental illnesses that mimic certain symptoms of Schizophrenia so your doctor can help decern what the condition may be. Do not go to the general practitioner, they do not have the skills to handle mental illness. I can’t stress this enough. Dealing with a GP can set you back years on getting the right treatment and may cause your illness to get worse. See the right doctor for the illness.
You can read my book review of Hope and Learning Our Journey with Schizophrenia by Linda Snow-Griffin. This book was an eye-opener for me, I thought I knew about Schizophrenia but boy was I wrong.
Melinda
References:
https://www.rethink.org/get-involved/awareness-days-and-events/national-schizophrenia-awareness-day/
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Melinda
Reference:
The book 200 Deep Questions
The thought for this post came as I was starting my laundry and folding his. We normally do our own laundry. Mostly because I’m picky and stopped doing his when so sick with Lyme. This post is my own personal experience, it’s not fact. I did run most by my husband and he agreed. He’s a part of the group this post is talking about.
Care if the clothes are equally separated in the washing machine.
Wash their whites and colored clothes together.
Spend five minutes making sure there are no stains on their clothes.
Clean the dryer vent every time.
Care if all their clothes are folded precisely.
Care if their socks match toe to heal.
Take the drain rim out and clean it down in the disposal.
Know or care about how fruits and veggies need to be kept in different compartments.
Care if all like clothes are folded in the same direction.
Throw their clothes on the floor at night when going to bed.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/
Enjoy!
Melinda
In 59 years I’ve learned so much about life and myself. I continue to believe there’s much more to come. Here are some things I would say to my younger self. Keep in mind I came from a trauma-filled childhood which includes, emotional and physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, divorce, and alcoholism. I believe that is the reason for my drug and alcohol abuse. 
Learn to have more fun.
Work harder on friendships.
Don’t take advantage of people.
Stand up for what is right, no matter the consensus.
Focus on learning who you are before you get into a serious relationship.
Don’t be afraid to be wrong, own it.
Hug my grandparents more often.
If a person disrespects you once they are liable to do it again.
Don’t focus on finding forever man, let it happen.
If a relationship is confrontational, you don’t need it.
Have more long-term goals.
If a boy/man hits you, run in the other direction and never let it happen again.
Be more open-minded.
Seek therapy sooner for childhood trauma.
If you commit, you need to come thru or have a solid reason why you can’t deliver. Take all responsibility seriously.
Don’t gossip and don’t assume you know someone. We all have a past.
Spend more time on school work.
What you dislike in someone else may be the same thing you do. Look inside first.
Learn more from my grandparents about their lives.
There is a reason for everything, you may not understand it at the time, you may find out later or you may never understand why but there is a reason. Growth.
Don’t drive while drinking or doing drugs.
Look at the reason you drink so much. Was it because I was trying to cope with trauma.
Don’t let infatuation or lust make you think it’s love.
Don’t try to be like someone else, figure out who you are.
Money is not the road to happiness, it’s great but being rich doesn’t mean you’re happy.
Have more aspirations. as a teen.
Save, Save, Save more money, there’s always something popping up, and be prepared.
Don’t hold a grudge or hang onto the bad situations in life.
Accept that there are “no should’s” in life.
Noone but your family owes you anything, and even that has a limit.
Don’t Lie, unless it will crush the person.
Seek out a mentor during high school.
Melinda
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments each week.
Melinda
Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 