Mental Illness Isn't Rare... So Why Don't We Talk About It?

I'm writing this post because I know that Bell did a campaign last year talking about mental illness and depression... Then it seemed that as soon as the month was over, 

WHOOSH! MENTAL ILLNESS DISAPPEARED! 

Well, at least that's what it felt like to read most online sites. No one seems to want to talk about it anymore... Because it isn't "sexy". 

I'm hoping to shed light on what mental illness, or rather what I'd like to call mental wellness looks like in the everyday life.

Its when you know you have that "crazy" aunt or uncle that everyone says is "touched"... But you know that person as the fun aunt or uncle who speaks his/her mind and always brings joy to the house.

Its when all of a sudden, your sister or cousin goes through that bout of depression, and couldn't get up out of bed for three months on end, and had to take sick leave. And this was all "blamed" on a break-up or some other major traumatic event in one's life.

Or, in my example, it was me, not realizing that I was going through a "spell" (aka a crazy depressed period), until I looked back on my life at that time. I realized that none of the pictures I took showed me smiling, I'd aged by at least 20 years in only 1 year, and gained enough weight to make me resemble what I can only imagine would be myself in an alternate universe! 

Because I grew up in a family where mental illness was quite common, I knew that I had to really make sure my lifestyle allowed for me to always have my wits about me, and have a heightened level of awareness. 

Might you be lacking mental wellness? Keep in mind that it can be something as simple as depression or seasonal affective disorder. If you have read this and want to get well, here are a few simple things you can do : 

• DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE - Please reach out to someone you love and trust, who you can be real, open and honest with, and ask them to help you through what you're going through. I know if I had done so, it wouldn't have taken me so long to come back to life.

• Eat Healthy - Sometimes that sluggish feeling, or not feeling so well about ourselves is actually caused by chemical and neurological imbalances! All those toxins floating around in our body keeps our mental faculties from working properly. Eating balanced, healthy meals (you can always sign up to my free program to find great resources!) helps keep you positive, mentally well and stable, and doing whats best for you and those around you

• Find an expert and ask questions - Whether its someone trusted in your network that has helped other recover, or whether you get a referral from someone like me, never be afraid to ask questions. Fear of asking questions keeps people sick and suffering, and in pain. Folks like us who are all about helping people heal will always do our very best to make sure you get the help you need. 

I'm hoping that the more of my own personal stories about these "tough" subjects, the more others come out and speak about it. I have no more shame about this in my life. There also is no more lingering pain. I've forgiven myself for "falling into despair". Now this is my chance to help others, so that they know they are definitely not alone. 

What else can I give so I can help you heal from your pain? I'm all ears :).

Will Money Solve the Problem?

I seem to be meeting tons of people these days who are sticking to jobs they hate, because they have a fear of becoming penniless, losing their investments, and just plain becoming homeless.

Well, here are some pieces of truth that might be a catalyst to you considering the million other possibilities for the rest of your life:

• There is No Such Thing as True Security!!! - Life itself is a blessing, and it is by no means guaranteed... So why are you living each day as if you're entitled to tomorrow? This is not to say that you should become reckless, forget about saving money, or living carelessly. All it means is that you don't wait for that extra dollar, that perfect job, before you start appreciating the life you have... right now.


• Happiness is in the NOW - Do you overlook life's small blessings like getting that green light, having a door being opened for you, or hearing the laughter of a child? If you're so busy trying to "get somewhere" that you miss the countless, priceless blessings in your path every day, the truth is happiness will always elude you. Be thankful for health if you have it, breath if you have it, a job if you have it, a house if you have it, friends if you have them, and family if you have them. These are basics to having an abundant life. 


• There is wealth in moments - You know, like getting a call from a friend you haven't seen in months. In sitting down with your loved ones to a potluck meal. In experiencing the embrace of your partner. In having someone you work with say "thank you". When you shift the focus of your wealth from the accumulation of goods to the accumulation of beautiful, simple moments, you find that you don't need those "things", and no need to overconsume "stuff". 

I watch every day as I'm out in the city, how many people look down at the ground, instead of looking up and being in awe of the fact that we get to see a beautiful sky each and every day (no matter if its white, grey, orange, black or blue).

What do you see each day when you face the world? And how does this effect your view of what money can do for you?