Practical Steps To Take After A Relationship Breakdown

April 25, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Whether initiated by yourself or not, the breakdown of a relationship can be hard. You might find yourself in a difficult transition period. A period of adjustment while you get used to how your life looks and feels now. To help you in this transitional phase here are some practical steps you can take after the breakdown of a relationship.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Consider your living arrangements

If you have been living with your partner one of the first things you might want to think about is how you are going to manage this going forward. It can be a difficult subject that requires a lot of consideration and reason on both parts, especially if your finances/home aren’t legally protected. It is most important to put your mental health and wellbeing first, so ensure the steps you take to protect your health. It might be that the best step is to start looking for properties for rent, moving back in with parents temporarily, or if there are children involved, consider arrangements such as bird nesting to help ensure stability for all. It might be a difficult situation to be in but it will become easier as time goes by, especially if logic and sensibility can prevail.

Avoid a rebound

A rebound can seem like a great idea. At a time when you may be feeling emotionally low and in need of a self-esteem boost, looking for some additional attention can seem like the remedy you need. However, it is important to remember that the high you might experience from your rebound will wear off and the feelings you are left with may do more harm than good. A rebound relationship can also seem like a good idea to help numb some of the pain you might be experiencing from the loss of a relationship. Masking the pain does not however make it go away. It is important to work through the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing after losing a loved one to help you move on healthily.

Be wary of social media

Social media can be a painful place to spend your time in the aftermath of a relationship. This can be especially true if you share mutual friends. It can be painful to see your former partner out and about and all over social media and if you find it upsetting then take steps to protect yourself. Come off social media for a while or block or ‘hide’ your former partner so you cannot see their updates. While it can be tempting to follow their escapades and be apprised of what they are up to it can prove to have a damaging effect on your mental health and wellbeing. So, be kind to yourself and be very wary of how you use social media post-breakup.

Do it in your own time

There is no time scale in which you should move on or get over a relationship and don’t be pressured into thinking otherwise. Allow yourself all the time you need to fully heal from your relationship breakdown.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blooming Sunday

April 24, 2022April 24, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like Spring around here.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 4/21/2022

April 21, 2022 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions.

Bella and Grace by Stampington

“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”

-Elizabeth Edwards

Enjoy your day!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One

April 21, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Experiencing grief is difficult for everyone. From losing pets to seeing parents or friends pass away, no one ever feels truly ready for it. Grief can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of these can be positive, but there are also negative reactions that can make things worse for you and those around you. While you shouldn’t forget about your loved one, it is still important to accept what has happened and find ways to move forward and continue your life, because that’s what they would have wanted.

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

Accept Your Pain

One of the most important steps to acceptance and moving forward is to understand your emotions, which can be difficult if you have never encountered grief before. You will have a myriad of conflicting feelings; you might wonder if there is anything you could have done to change things, or regret not making the most of your time together. This is all part of the grieving process, and the sooner you accept your pain, the sooner you can start to feel better. This is not always an easy fix, and you may need to speak with other people to come to terms with it, but finding acceptance and coping with it positively will make things easier.

Celebrate Their Life

You may feel like you didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to your loved one, and this can raise several issues as you feel you’ve sorely missed out on something you’ll never get to do. If you are looking for ways to overcome these feelings, you can find ways to celebrate their life. Consider what they loved to do and do it yourself. You can throw a huge party or sit with your family and reminisce. Whatever you do, you will celebrate and honor their memory.

Support Yourself

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in grief that you completely ignore yourself. Some people can feel guilty that they are still alive when their loved one is not. But, it isn’t beneficial to ignore your well-being. Make sure you maintain a consistent sleep schedule, a good diet, and exercise, as these contribute to a better quality of life. They can also help release positive chemicals in your brain that allow you to cope with your grief.

Consider The Next Steps

As much as you don’t want to finalize your loss, you will need to think about the next steps. This could include the will or even selling their property and possessions. An estate sale can be difficult and even confusing, so working with companies like Clearly Quick Estate Liquidators can take the stress out of the entire process. You will get the chance to keep what matters to you, and the liquidators can do the rest of the work, so you don’t have to.

Acceptance and Progress

The idea of moving forward can feel insensitive. But, these techniques do not mean you will ignore how your loved ones have influenced your life. You will still keep them in your thoughts whatever you do, but you will no longer allow the grief to impact your life. Instead, you can live the life the thief would have wanted you to, and you get the chance to make them proud.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard

April 20, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Everyone should make it a goal to include nature in their lives, and anybody can grow a garden of their own. For example, your windowsill may be a great place to grow herbs and other oxygen-giving plants to keep your apartment vibrant and smelling good. If you have a lot of room, or perhaps a backyard, you can be more creative. You don’t need to employ a landscaper to create a tranquil haven in your yard. Here are a few pointers to help you get started on the path to a successful garden.

What Kind Of Garden?

Before you can begin transforming your blank yard into a paradise, you must first have a general idea of how you want your garden to be when you’re done. Make a rough drawing of how you want your yard to look using ideas and inspiration you find online, on TV, or as you go around your neighborhood. The idea is to focus on the fundamentals so that you can improve your garden.

Try not to over-plan the appearance of your garden – half the joy is developing how it looks as things start to grow; it really is an organic process a lot of the time, but a general idea to get you started is always useful.

Do Your Research

Every plant, whether it’s a flower, a shrub, a tree, or fruits and veggies, needs to be properly cared for. Before you add new vegetation to your garden, do some research since certain plants might take over and damage what you currently have.

Most importantly, know how to care for your plants: you don’t want to kill them, thinking you’re doing the right thing. Vegetables, for example, necessitate special care and constant attention – as well as a lot of practice – in order to yield a good harvest. Some plants don’t need anything at all, so you might do more harm than good when you water them. Know what you’re planting and how to take the best care of it.

Keep On Top Of Maintenance

After doing your research, it’s time to put what you’ve learned to good use. A thriving garden requires regular maintenance. The seasons throw varying demands on you for plant management, ranging from trimming and tree removal to growing your seedlings inside during the winter to help optimize the summer months and feeding and watering during dry periods. Maintaining your plants will pay off in the future, giving you the most beautiful backyard that is a joy to behold and something you can be proud of.

Add Decorations And Furniture

Once you’ve established the foundation of your garden, you can next begin to add to it. Inspiration and spontaneity come into play here. This is true for both new plants and new décor and furnishings. Having a place to sit and relax in your garden is an essential part of the experience. If you have enough room, you can even turn that seating arrangement into a location to dine or hold gatherings.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Get Better Sleep for a Healthier Life

April 20, 2022April 20, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It’s no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

While you might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep.

It’s well-established that sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. But despite its importance, a troubling percentage of people find themselves regularly deprived of quality sleep and are notably sleepy during the day.

Creating Good Sleep Hygiene

Creating a Sleep-Inducing Bedroom
Optimizing Your Sleep Schedule
Crafting a Pre-Bed time Routine
Fostering Pro-Sleep Habits During the Day

Know How Much Sleep Your Body Needs

Age group	Recommended amount of sleep
Infants 4 months to 12 months	12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps
1 to 2 years	11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps
3 to 5 years	10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps
6 to 12 years	9 to 12 hours per 24 hours
13 to 18 years	8 to 10 hours per 24 hours
Adults	7 or more hours a night

In addition to age, other factors can affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example:

Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you’re not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.
Previous sleep deprivation. If you’re sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.
Pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels and physical discomfort can result in poor sleep quality.
Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns might change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly, take longer to start sleeping and sleep for shorter time spans than do younger adults. Older adults also tend to wake up multiple times during the night.

This is a Pre-Bedtime routine, NOT bedtime! It’s an important time to unwind and prepare your mind and body for sleep, starting at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

I have found that 45 minutes to an hour is best for me and have been using the pre-bedtime routine for several years now. I get better sleep overall and wake more rested. It’s not a solve all your sleep problems answer but it sets you up for the best chances of a quality night’s sleep.

Here are a few ideas

Meditate

Pray

Roll essential oils on your pulse points

Use an ultrasonic diffuser for essential oils *Lavender is calming

Play white noise

NO electronics or reading

Lights out

Blackout Curtain

Sleep Mask

Slather on luxurious body cream or beard oil

Hand, foot, face, or undereye mask

CBD Oil/Delta 8 Gummies

Create a Sleep Environment

All of these items are important for quality sleep

Room Temp

Pillow

Mattress

Sleep and wake up at the same time every day

No exercise 3-4 hours before bedtime

No caffeine later in the day

Not much water after 7pm

Ambient noise like a fan or air purifier

Limit alcohol intake

Limit daytime naps or nap early

Nice aroma like lavender

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?”

– Ernest Hemingway

Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what’s on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety.

Know when to contact your doctor

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.

Melinda

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/healthy-sleep-tips

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 19, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

By Live Bold and Bloom

If you had to be on an episode of “Cops” what crime would you want to be arrested for?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Survivor

Blogger Highlight-My Traumatic Secrets and Healing Journey

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

April is Sexual Assualt Awareness month and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to introduce you to a very brave woman and mother, Christine.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new Blogger Highlight next week.

My Trauma Secrets and Healing Journey

Telling my story while on my healing journey

Overactive brain

I can’t stop thinking about my sexual trauma without actually thinking about it. I feel the filth and pain from all of those events. I think it’s time to confront it. But I’m afraid of who I’ll be when I’m done.

Read the rest of the post here.

Sometimes life is messy, downright ugly and it happens to good people. I love the way Christine is so raw with her emotion and doesn’t edit herself. We see the authentic person.

Please check out her site for more great posts.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “nose/noes/knows”

April 16, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “nose/noes/knows.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our beautiful SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

To start with I’m not sure what noes is so let’s look it up. As it turns out I knew that word well growing up. There were always lots of noes around our house and they meant no! No, you can’t have another piece of candy or dessert, no you can’t sleepover and another multiple no is can we have a dog? Noes!

I think people’s nose is an important characteristic of a person’s face and there are so many types. There are people I know who don’t like their noses but I think mine is ok. I’ve never had an aversion to noses, it what’s makes us all different.

What do I know? Well, it’s Saturday and I’ve been working in the garden. Planting more flowers for my Spring extravagaza! My husband and I planted a Mandeville on a trellis again this year and it turned out the prettiest flower in the whole garden last year. We planted our tomatoes except for the ones from seed, they’re not quite big enough yet.

What else do I know? I thank you for reading this post on your Saturday. I hope your day is filled with sunshine and love

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

Linda G Hill

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Selfie

April 15, 2022 Looking for the Light25 Comments

I have had an aversion to how I look in photos most of my life, it’s a body dysmorphic thing. This isn’t the worst shot but it makes me realize for the first time how thin my upper lip is.

I’m smiling at you! Yes, you! Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Animal Funnies

April 14, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

I didn’t have a lot planned today since I had an appointment but wanted to bring you a laugh. Today is the first Therapy appointment I’ve had since the Pandemic started so I’m very excited. I thought animal videos would get a good laugh.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 14, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

By Live Bold and Bloom

What is something that your parents punished you for that you still think was unfair?

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

The Clearing App Provides Pain Management On Your Time

April 12, 2022April 27, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Clearing puts you in the driver’s seat when it comes to your pain with 24/7 access to the Care-Team, making healthcare available on your time. No more waiting in line, calling for an appointment, or having to wait until the doctor is available. Clearing gives you access at your fingertips backed by a highly qualified medical team of specialists.

Clearing is Recommended by America’s top pain management doctors

The Medical Advisory Board has 150+ Combined years of professional medical experience

Doctor’s Representing 10 of America’s leading hospitals

465+ Combined medical papers on chronic pain

How we work with our advisors

They review our clinical protocols to make sure clinicians at Clearing provide top-notch, comprehensive care.
Our advisors tune us into what’s next, from new conditions to the latest scientific breakthroughs in pain relief.
They partner with clinicians at Clearing on best practices for everything from behavioral habits to psychological impact.

81% of Clearing patients feel substantial, noticeable relief within 5 weeks*.

*Based on aggregate patient data.

The doctors, the treatments, and the support you deserve, from the comfort of home

Here are a few types of Pain Clearing Supports

Arthritis

Fibromyalgia

Wrist Pain

Sore Ankles

Back Pain

Shoulder Pain

Feet Tingles

For a comprehensive list go to Clearing here.

It’s time to take control of your pain.

I dove in headfirst and joined Clearing to get first-hand knowledge about the App. I want to understand the process, and how Clearing works.

The Signing Up Process

I provided a medical history overview that includes a detailed description of the pain for each area of the body I highlight.

You’re asked specif questions about each area of the body including some visual exercises to see if they cause pain.

Patients are then partnered with a medical doctor as a part of their Care Team and once the medical information is reviewed, your doctor lays out your program via email from your team.

Your entire Care Team works side-by-side with you to fine-tune your plan and track your personal goals and progress.

Meet my Health coach Hadley.

I’m Hadley, a Health Coach at Clearing. I’m so excited to partner with you.

You can count on me for:
• Weekly Check-Ins
• Accountability
• Support

We’ll work through the hard times, celebrate every win, and figure it all out, together.

Others on my Care Team

Dr. Jacob Pain Doctor

Ava Care Coordinator

Upon Sign Up I received:

Home Exercise Program which is a 20-minute program designed for my target area.

1:1 Meet with Health Coach

Prescription Compound Cream

Community: Join the Clearing: The Journey to Chronic Pain Relief group!

The monthly plan includes the Medical Review, Home Exercise Program, a 1:1 meeting with Health Coach, Prescription Compound Cream, Chronic Pain Relief Group plus 24/7 access to your Care Team.

Extras include their Highly concentrated CBD Cream and Proprietary Neutraceuticals. Find out more here.

Joining Clearing was easy, it only took a few minutes, was stress-free, and put me in touch with a Care Team as soon as I completed the process. Dr. Vydyanathan reviewed my medical information, put together my care plan and my prescription pain cream shipped the next day and arrived within a week.

My pain cream was formulated for arthritis, neuropathy, and muscle spasms. I applied the cream to my legs, it’s a nice consistency, light menthol smell and it went to work. I noticed a significant difference in the number of muscle spasms and my neuropathy did not bother me as usual.

Clearing is an opioid-free solution. The types of therapy offered can include nutraceuticals, a prescription compound cream, CBD cream, targeted exercises, and access to pain specialists who can guide you toward better pain management.

The Clearing alternative

To sum it up, we know opioids have their place, but we will not be prescribing them at Clearing. Instead, we will be doing everything we can to match you with opioid-free options for long-term relief, so that treatments are as safe and supportive as possible. Our personalized, whole-body treatment plans combine non-opioid medications, personalized exercises and stretches, and high-touch care from a team of specialized providers delivered via our telehealth platform.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your pain journey, get started now with a trial.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Depression: How To Cope When Everything Is Going Wrong

April 12, 2022 Looking for the Light7 Comments

Things going wrong in life is a normal part of the journey. They aren’t always going to pan out how you hope. However, when you have depression, it can be more challenging to process. Even minor disruptions can feel like a disaster.

Depression makes life harder. It can feel like an enormous effort just getting through the day. When something goes wrong, particularly if it is serious, then it can derail you entirely.

Unfortunately, life will throw curveballs at you from time to time. Therefore, it’s critical to know how to respond if you are living with depression. Here are some tips.

Breathe

Breathwork is something that yogis and sages have been doing for millennia, and for good reason: it really works. When you take time to do a series of deep breaths from the stomach, you’ll notice that it fundamentally changes how you feel. You go from feeling tense to a more relaxed state.

Meditation practices that focus on breathing can help people get through stressful times. When things go wrong, just lying down, closing your eyes, and doing some deep breathing can really help.

Tell Other People How You Feel

If you’ve never had depression before, it is hard to really understand the complexities of it. You have a lack of energy, fatigue, and disturbed sleep. It’s hard to just perform daily tasks.

When things go wrong, it creates anger and frustration. Because your life is so difficult already, adding more hassle makes it feel even more unbearable.

If you are struggling, tell other people how you feel. Explain what your symptoms mean and how they affect you. Get them to understand where you are coming from.

Look For Help

When things go wrong in your life, you don’t necessarily have to live with it. In many cases, you can get help.

For instance, if you get a citation, look for a traffic ticket fighter who can prevent money from draining your bank account. Or, if you have a problem with your boss, find an advocate who can make your case.

When it comes to asking for help, be kind to yourself. Let other people give you support. In many cases, it’s something that they want to give to you.

Seek Out The Positives In The Situation

Life might seem dreadfully serious all the time, but changing your perspective can help tremendously. Seeing the funny side of a situation can change how you feel in a profound way and actually lessen the suffering when things go wrong. Use bad times as a learning opportunity: a springboard for new things in your life.

Do One Thing At A Time

Lastly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by things going wrong in your life, fix one thing at a time. Don’t attempt to do everything all at once.

Take some time to prioritize what you can actually fix first and then move down the list. Do each task one step at a time. Break it up into chunks and get other people to help.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight Peaceful Hearts Rise

April 11, 2022 Looking for the Light11 Comments

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, Peaceful Hearts Rise

Peaceful Hearts Rise

I am on a healing journey from childhood trauma, sexual abuse, and domestic violence in an intimate partner/long-term marriage.

If you are going through the same thing or know someone; I’m sorry…but…please know we have a voice, our story to tell, we will survive and we will thrive!

I hope that by sharing my story that someone out there will know he or she is not alone and that we can heal and become free as the butterfly and strong as the oak tree.

“I am here. You are here. We have a voice. Our story matters. Silent no more.”

“You are safe now. Be free.”

I love her raw poetry, it moves me. Please check out her site today.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Book Review The Packing House by G. Donald Cribbs

April 11, 2022April 27, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

I want to say a special thank you to Managing Editor Soraya Nair of Trigger Publishing for sending me an advanced copy of The Packing House by G. Donald Cribbs for review.

About the Author

G. Donald Cribbs has written and published poetry and short stories since high school. Donald is a graduate of Messiah College in English and Education and has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

He is also a licensed professional counselor (LPC). He and his wife and four boys reside in central Pennsylvania where the author is hard at work on his next book, tentatively titled, UNPACKING THE PAST, the sequel to his debut novel, THE PACKING HOUSE (2022), by Cherish Editions.

Having lived and traveled abroad in England, France, Belgium, Germany, China, and Thailand (you can guess where he lived and where he visited), the author loves languages and how they connect us all. Coffee and Nutella are a close second.

Blurb

When 16-year-old Joel Scrivener has a raging nightmare in study hall and someone records it on their phone, he awakens to a living nightmare where everyone knows his secret, one that he’s suppressed for ten years. Reeling as the whole school finds out the truth, Joel takes to the woods, leaving the bullies and his broken home behind.

However, life as a runaway isn’t easy, as Joel’s hallucinations and nightmares follow him into the wilderness. To stop them once and for all, he pieces clues together with flashes of the images that play endlessly inside his head—will he figure out the identity of the person who caused his nightmare before it’s too late?

My Thoughts

“It has been said, “Time heals all wounds.” I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.
—Rose Kennedy”

Excerpt From
The Packing House

I have to agree with Rose Kennedy, time doesn’t heal all wounds. My upbringing involved growing up in a domestic violence household with an alcoholic step-father, I was abused by both parents, and became a became drug addict as a teen. The trauma of abuse especially sexual abuse stays with you. You push it to the back and move on. Move on is a relative term and certainly applies here.

Repressed memories are traumatic and please seek therapy right away if you are dealing with repressed memories. You will need some guidance.

What is your worst nightmare? For Joel Scrivener, it comes to life right in the middle of class with a room full of students. He fell asleep and during that time had a nightmare that was a repressed memory. Some even took their phones out to film him in the nightmare screaming for someone to get off of him! Now everyone knows.

This is a story about survival, luck, and good endings.

G. Donald Cribbs is a great storyteller, he keeps it moving and yet fills in all the blanks. The Packing House is a very fast read and keeps you eager to turn the next page.

I would recommend this book to anyone but to all parents of teens for sure

Trigger Publishing

TriggerHub.org is the first mental health organization of its kind. We are bringing mental health recovery and balance to millions of people worldwide through the power of our books.

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

Looking for the Light

@loookinglight

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is How

April 9, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “how.” Use the word “how” in your post. Bonus points if you start your post with it. Enjoy! Thanks, Linda!

How in the world am I going to keep up with all the new plants in the garden?, as I brush the dirt off the computer. At least no replacing them next year. That is the objective.

This year we decided to turn our flower pots to all Perrinialls and I bought all new plants. Two roses, a Gardenia, two Hydrangeas, two verbenas, and I forget from there. I had to buy larger pots for a few plants. We also had to move the Peony to the east side of the house as the spot we had it in was too much sun. I look forward to its fragrant blooms.

I’ve planted two of the four Rosemary plants and planted the Gardenia this morning.

The watering has already started and it’s nowhere near summer but with new plants, you have to keep your eyes on them.

We lost all of our shrubs in the great storm of 2021 and so this year we have new scrubs, I can’t wait till they are a little larger It’s hard to see the effect I’m going for now. For the first time, we planted some bulbs that you leave in the ground, no digging up for me. They look like large purple balls. I can’t wait, they are peaking thru now.

I’m eager, just four more plants to get in the pots and I’ll be Spring ready!

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

Linda G Hill

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (10 April)

April 7, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I’m so excited to see this day recognized. When you are young you think you are invincible but the facts are you are not. IF you have unprotected sex or oral sex you can get HIV/AIDS. Please know the facts and parents please have this critical conversation with your kids.

April 10 is National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on young people. Together, we can help young people stay healthy by encouraging HIV testing, prevention, and treatment. https://bit.ly/3L4rKhS #StopHIVTogether #NYHAAD

Youth with HIV are the least likely of any age group to be aware of their infection and have a suppressed viral load. Addressing HIV in youth requires that young people have access to the information and tools they need to make healthy decisions, know their HIV status, reduce their risk for getting HIV, and get treatment and stay in care if they have HIV. Get the latest data on HIV among youth and find out how CDC is making a difference.

CDC-INFO

CDC’s national health information hotline, providing answers to your questions regarding HIV, how to protect yourself, and where to get an HIV test.
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) | 1-888-232-6348 TTY
In English, en Español, 8 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday
www.cdc.gov/info

HIVinfo

A service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), offers access to the latest, federally approved HIV/AIDS medical practice guidelines, HIV treatment and prevention clinical trials, and other research information for health care providers, researchers, people affected by HIV/AIDS, and the general public.
1-800-HIV-0440 (448-0440) | 1-888-480-3739 TTY
1-301-315-2816 (Outside United States)
In English, en Español, 1 pm to 4 pm ET, Monday through Friday
ContactUs@HIVinfo.NIH.gov | hivinfo.nih.gov/external icon

The Clinician Consultation Center

http://nccc.ucsf.eduexternal icon

Clinicians’ Warmline

Provides health care providers with expert clinical advice on preventing and treating HIV.
1-800-933-3413 | 9 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday

Perinatal HIV Hotline

Provides clinicians with around-the-clock advice on indications and interpretations of HIV testing in pregnancy, and consultation on antiretroviral use during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period.
1-888-448-8765 | 24 hours, seven days a week

PEPline

Provides expert guidance in managing health care worker exposures to HIV and hepatitis B and C. Clinicians receive immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) recommendations.
1-888-448-4911 | Occupational PEP: 11 am to 8 pm EST, seven days a week | Non-occupational PEP: 9 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday; 11 am to 8 pm EST, weekends and holidays

PrEPline

Provides expert guidance on considerations for providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to people who don’t have HIV as part of an HIV prevention program.
1-855-448-7737 | 9 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday

Substance Use Management

Peer-to-peer consultation from physicians, clinical pharmacists, and nurses with special expertise in substance use evaluation and management.
1-855-300-3595 | 9 am to 8 pm EST, Monday through Friday

There’s a ton of information out there on youth and HIV/AIDS so find some resources that work for you.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/age/youth/index.html

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 7, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

By Live Bold and Bloom

Would you choose to be born into a different culture than the one you have?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Book Review for Understanding Human Nature by Richard Brook

April 6, 2022April 11, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

A special thanks to Alice Rowe at The Book Publicist for providing a copy of Understanding Human Nature, A Users Guide To Life by Richard Brook for review.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 5, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

By Live Bold and Bloom

If you became the leader of the country, what would be the first thing that you do?

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How To Work From Home Without Direct Supervision

April 5, 2022 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Working from home comes with many perks, but it also requires a massive level of independence without direct supervision. While some may consider this ‘freedom’ a blessing, it’s a nightmare for those who struggle to work independently. Being unable to work without supervision can affect your quality of work, quickly lead to trust issues between you and your superiors, cause micromanagement stress, and even cost you your job. Fortunately, you can change that. That said, here are some tips to help you work without direct supervision.

Start believing in yourself

If you feel you can’t handle a task on your own, you’re already setting yourself up for disappointment. Take the time to figure your skills out, identify which skills you lack, find ways to learn those skills, and hone the ones you already have. Next, trust your abilities and believe that you can handle the given tasks without supervision. However, working independently does not mean you cannot ask for assistance or clarification when needed, so the next point is also important.

Create a team system

Working remotely and independently does not mean you can’t have a team. It helps to create a team system around you, where you and your colleagues can work on independent tasks while collaborating. Either one person at a time will work independently of the team, or you can all work on solo projects while maintaining healthy communication. You’ll be surprised by how such collaboration can improve your ability to work without supervision.

And speaking about having a team, it also helps to have an assistant at home to take care of home distractions that make it difficult to focus on work. For example, you can rely on direct care services to help ease the burden of caring for a loved one or provide some personal assistant services. You can also rely on family members to help you out with some home responsibilities, so you can focus on work.

Initiate communication with your employers

Just because your superior wants you to be able to work unsupervised does not mean they’re not interested in assisting you when you need it or communicating with you. The last thing you want to do is wait for your superior to contact you first before explaining your struggles or asking for help. Always ensure that you initiate the communication and seek guidance.

Initiating communication shouldn’t be limited to asking for assistance; you should provide regular updates to your superiors, especially if you’re working on tasks that’ll take time to complete. Your superiors will want to know your progress, so you shouldn’t wait for them to call first to provide them with the necessary information.

Be proactive

Aside from initiating communications, be proactive in general. Think ahead and plan without waiting to receive orders. Make suggestions, and don’t hesitate to voice out issues you may have with assignments before you begin working on them. Also, it helps to learn how to work at a pace you can sustain and own up to your mistakes without making excuses.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

April Writing Prompts

April 3, 2022 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Each month Sheryl at A Chronic Voice shares writing prompts for all with a chronic illness or disability to participate by sharing their story to help encourage others.

This month’s word prompts are:

Forgetting

Modifying

Maintaining

Vocalizing

Trusting

I’ve chosen three words, Forgetting, Modifying, and Trusting.

I’m choosing to forget all the times I couldn’t do something or go somewhere planned. It’s a burden that none should have to carry. It’s a big monkey on the shoulders that doesn’t go away unless you make an effort. When we make the decision that we are important, we learn to take care of ourselves. Part of taking care of ourselves is giving ourselves some grace. The house might not be as clean or you may have to skip an invitation with a friend or family member but you must come first in taking care of your health.

Reducing stress is taking care of ourselves, we have to plan activities, like a foot or hand mask, foot soak, meditation, and the list goes on. Remember self-care time is taking care of ourselves time.

My immune disorder has left me trapped in the house since before COVID started and it’s time to move forward in this Post Covid world. I’ve been getting my hair cut and colored, driven to a few appointments, and am going to sign up for a Self-Defense class. I have to modify my life, it’s too restrictive. If I start getting sick, then I’ll have to take stock but for now, it’s game on. I have a void in my life and it’s time to fill it.

I’m trusting that once I get active outside of the house that my health will improve, I know my mental health will improve as I work in the garden every day. I’ve ordered several very special flowers this year and bought more perennial flowers as well. My garden is my haven in the Spring and Summer and no matter how bad I feel the garden makes me feel better.

Thank you for reading and please be sure to check out Sheryl’s site, she is a wealth of knowledge and has a great archive.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is Tip

April 2, 2022April 2, 2022 Looking for the Light25 Comments

Our Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “tip.” Use it as a noun or a verb. Have fun!

This prompt is easy, the tip of my tongue. The tip is so sore from rubbing it on my teeth and gums. I’ve read where a chip or something can set this obsessive behavior off. I just want it to stop. I feel like my tongue is going to split open. I’ve contacted my dentist and Phsychatrist but no word yet on a solution.

As for another tip, it’s actually several tips.

This is my first participation in at least a year so it’s a short one.

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

https://lindaghill.com/2022/04/01/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-2-2022/

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 2, 2022 Looking for the Light2 Comments

By Live Bold and Bloom

Is stadium seating called bleachers because everyone gets blasted by the sun?

HAHAHAHAHA

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How A Chronic Primary Pain Diagnosis Changed My Life Webinar with Shannon Doughtery

March 31, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 3/31/2022

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions.

Bella and Grace by Stampington

No matter if you’re an introvert or an extrovert, it’s important to spend time alone.

What are some of your favorite things to do by yourself?

Enjoy your day!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Holistic Health: 5 Common Reasons You May Be Struggling to Achieve Your Fitness Goals

March 30, 2022March 31, 2022 Looking for the Light4 Comments

People choose to engage in exercise for many different reasons. Making exercise a part of your lifestyle can be challenging at first, but once you develop a routine, it becomes easier to follow. Once you’ve made it a routine, the next step is to not just get it done but to get it done efficiently and in a way that meets your reasons for engaging in an exercise in the first place.

If you’re struggling to achieve your fitness goals, you may be lacking a holistic approach to health.

What is holistic health?

Holistic health is a multifaceted approach to health that integrates all components of wellness. According to most definitions, holistic health has six components:

Physical
Mental
Spiritual
Intellectual
Social
Emotional

If you’re approaching your fitness routine exclusively from the physical component of health, you’re likely struggling to meet your goals.

Health-related barriers to achieving fitness goals

Some of the most common reasons you may be struggling to achieve your fitness goals include the following five non-physical health-related barriers:

Drug and alcohol misuse

While drug and alcohol abuse affects your physical health, they tend to develop due to deficiencies in the mental, spiritual, intellectual, social, and/or emotional components of holistic health. Substance abuse can affect your fitness performance by impacting your sleep, caloric intake, heart and liver health, and overall energy levels during workouts.

According to drug abuse statistics, substance abuse is more common than you might think. If you’re struggling with substance abuse to the extent that you feel unable to control your use, consider contacting a reputable detoxification center to start getting your health – and life – back on track.

Mental health issues

So much emphasis is placed on physical health that many people prioritize this over looking after their mental health. Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can make engaging in regular exercise challenging.

These mental illnesses can also impact your overall energy levels. Without high energy levels, you may struggle to put in the time required to make healthy meals and push yourself in your workouts.

Disordered eating habits

A person can have disordered eating habits without having an eating disorder. Disordered eating habits include overly restricting calories, restricting certain food groups, ignoring hunger signals, and overeating.

Disordered eating habits can impact your metabolism and negatively impact the work you put in at the gym.

Aesthetics-driven exercise

Everyone knows that exercise benefits mobility, longevity, and overall quality of life. However, exercise is also often engaged in changing the appearance of the body. Both men and women are frequently plagued with images in the media that set a standard for what an attractive person ‘should’ look like.

If your primary motivation for engaging in exercise is aesthetic-based, you’re likely approaching exercise from a punishment perspective and have an increased risk of injury.

Poor self-image

Aesthetics-driven exercise is also often caused by a negative self-image. Without believing you’re worth it regardless of the way you look, you’ll struggle to meet your fitness goals.

To pursue health, you need to believe that you are worthy of health. You also need to recognize that the appearance of your body does not reflect your health status.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Mini Me Health Update 3/30/2022

March 30, 2022 Looking for the Light13 Comments

I had an appointment with my Immunologist yesterday and it didn’t go as I thought it would.

A total disappointment this time. He laid out that my Hypogammaglobulinemia isn’t bad enough and insurance will only approve Antibody Infusion Treatments if I have been on antibiotics several times in one year. I didn’t understand that from our last appointment.

He did order a complete set of labs to see how my body is doing but I don’t think that is going to make much difference.

My ear has been bleeding and he found it was infected and prescribed a short-term antibiotic.

I go back in three weeks to see how the antibiotic is working and discuss my lab results.

He did take a look at the physical symptoms overview I shared with him and he encouraged me to see a Neurologist. I have a referral for a Rheumatologist at this time and will go from there. If no diagnosis comes out of the Rheumatologist then I’ll go see a Neurologist.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Overview of Pain Management App Clearing

March 29, 2022April 12, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

I’ve heard it said a thousand times how doctors aren’t listening to their patients and their pain needs are going unmet. Clearing is a new Pain Management App that answers the call, it hears your stories and addresses each with a personalized regime backed by a professional team of doctors and has 24/7 support.

50+ million Americans deal with chronic pain, yet frequently feel stigmatized, dismissed, or left addicted to opioids. Combining technology with a patient-centric approach, we can build a new model of care that provides opioid-free relief for millions, while making it more affordable & accessible.

We’re transforming our broken pain care system by making it easy & affordable for patients to access the specific physical and mental treatments they need to find relief. We are the only vertically integrated chronic pain management platform, combining prescription medications, physical exercise, health coaching, and 1:1 doctor-patient consultations.

“There are way too many people who are suffering without getting the care they need, and it just doesn’t need to be that way.” ~ Dr. Jacob Hascalovici

Your pain treatment, on your terms and your schedule

Your time and mental health are too important to give up. Let Clearing handle your treatment plan, support team, and pain history in one place.

Whole-body healthcare to treat your pain from home

Comprehensive

Treatment that addresses physical pain, emotional strain, and the need for support.

Personalized

Each program is personalized for each patient, evolving over time and under the care of doctors trained in treating chronic pain.

Convenient

Treatments delivered to your door, virtual doctor visits, and 24/7 messaging access to your care team really make a difference.

What is the biggest issue you have with healthcare providers?

The list is long isn’t it? Clearing is addressing each of the issues with a comprehensive system backed by some of the biggest names in Pain Management from Harvard to John Hopkins.

Clearing’s Medical Advisory Board

A network of highly trained Neurologists, Anesthesiologists, Psychiatrists, and Orthopedic Surgeons who specialize in treating pain.

How does Clearing work?

Clearing starts by gathering all medical information, and life experiences and asking a series of questions to better understand your pain-needs. From there, your profile is reviewed by a medical specialist and a telehealth appointment is scheduled.

After meeting with your doctor a comprehensive personalized regime lays the groundwork for moving forward in your pain journey as the team works side by side with you to fine-tune the plan.

Here are a few types of Pain Clearing Supports

Arthritis

Fibromyalgia

Wrist Pain

Sore Ankles

Back Pain

Shoulder Pain

Feet Tingles

For a comprehensive list go to Clearing here.

It’s important to understand Clearing is an opioid-free solution. The types of therapy offered can include nutraceuticals, a prescription compound cream, CBD cream, targeted exercises, and access to pain specialists who can guide you toward better pain management.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your pain journey, get started now with a trial.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight