See, Believe, & Achieve

Today's blog stems from several discussions I have had with others, regarding the topic of "crisis." The term crisis is defined as a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. Sometimes it is those overwhelming moments where a situation is out of control; words start spilling out of your mouth during a heated argument and before you know it you're giving them a piece of your mind and then some. Maybe you find yourself behind the worse driver on the planet and all of a sudden you're blaring the horn and giving a one finger salute, only to realize the eyes glaring back at you in complete shock belong to.....your boss! Eeeek! This my friends is a "moment of crisis," then what follows afterwards is the feeling of regret and wonder as to what came over you to act that way? How could we not see the consequences of our words or actions? While we have no control over many situations in our lives, I hope to share with you a technique I learned to help ...

Last year, I joined the millions of viewers around the globe to watch the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. In all its spectacular glory, Kate's genuine nature never seemed to get overshadowed. This quickly made me think twice about just who Kate Middleton was and where the path ahead would lead her. Yet, I must confess that it didn't take much to make me a fan. I mean the affinity for all things girly and that sparkle lies within my DNA :). However, this week's announcement that her Royal Duchess would be using her status to champion the issue of addiction and recovery solidified my "groupie status."  In some instances, mental illness and substance abuse are coexisting disorders. Many professionals within the field of addiction and recovery have recognized that mental health also plays an intricate role in recovery. To add to this, findings also show that over 50% of suicides in the U.S. were completed while under the influence of alcohol or dr...

Happy New Year Folks! A new year is always a great reason to make some much needed changes and get a personal tune-up whether it be physically, mentally, emotionally, or maybe a little of all three. Whatever it is that you have planed for 2012, be sure to take it one step at a time. A New Year's resolution is a commitment and promise to yourself.  This year, instead of biting off more than I could handle in the "wish and hope" department, I actually thought about what I planned to change and created a game plan. Having a goal is important, but studies have shown that one is more likely to see the task through if they let others know of their plan and if they receive support from family and friends. So here we go... Clutter Free: The thought of clearing out my closet could have brought on nightmares. This is why instead of thinking about it, I just did it.  That's right! The more time you have to think about a pesky project the more time you're wasting on n...

This is just a sincere note of thanks to all you dedicated readers who have been part of the See, Believe, & Achieve blog.  I still can't believe that in just a short time we have reached over 1,000 readers. It is even more exciting to know that this blog is being read in various parts of the world. What a beautiful and motivating way to end 2011. When I first started this blog, I didn't really know what to expect and honestly thought that this was a blog only my mom would read. Yet, I kept posting and you all kept reading. Your support has truly inspired me. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you again. As with my first post remember, "The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one single step."  The idea for this project started so many years ago and lived dormant in my heart and mind, waiting for the right moment to arrive. For me, this is not just a blog, but an opportunity to share my love and passion for mental health, well being, and life. There also...

http://blog.samhsa.gov/2011/12/13/facebook-provides-first-of-a-kind-service-to-help-prevent-suicides/ What a great day for mental health! Today, the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Facebook joined efforts to help prevent suicide through an innovative new chat link. Individuals on Facebook can now chat live with a professional crisis worker through the National Crisis Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (toll free 24/7 hotline). Individuals who see content related to threats of suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one can get help through Facebook's "Report Suicide Content" link  https://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=suicidal_content : Facebook will automatically send a message to the person who posted the content and encourage them to contact the National Crisis Hotline and provide them with a link to begin chatting with a professional crisis worker. It's that simple! A big high-five to all the folks at SAMHSA and ...

The Ties That Bind.... Holiday Blues:  With the holidays quickly approaching it is a time for us to be reunited with family and loved ones. However, for some this time of year can be emotionally overwhelming for various reasons. It is hard to dismiss the sights and sounds of holiday cheer, so if the holidays leaving you feeling a little bit more bahumbug than like jolly ol' St. Nick, the reason may be attributed to "seasonal blues" or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which can set-in and cause one to struggle with feelings of depression during winter months. Some warning signs are:    Fatigue Feelings of increased isolation change in eating habits weight change Feelings of sadness  This is caused by hormonal changes within the brain that affect our mood from one extreme to another, especially during the colder months. As we've learned from previous blogs the chemical known as Serotonin plays an intricate part in mood development. D...

In this great big giant world, there will never be another you! The only thing that we have in common, is that we are all unique. No matter what anyone tries to take from you, they will never be you. No matter who thinks they know you, they would need to live ten million lifetimes to even begin unraveling what it means to be you. Regardless of others expectations, only you can create the outcome. No matter how many beauty magazines you see, there is not one person in those glossy pages who shines the way you do, loves the way you do, feels the way you do. For all the days that you grace this earth; the sun, moon, and all the stars in the sky will have shined much brighter, all because you were here.  Keep Shinning on, Ane :)