Sometimes we make mistakes and we ruminate: why did I do this, why didn’t I do this, what can I do next time, what I wish I did, and the criticism continues. Guess what, it didn’t get better and chances are you, at least I did, continued to make that same mistake.
The Power of Money
Our economy has somewhat picked up. Financially, most of us might not feel the pinch as bad as it was about 2 years or so ago. Have you ever thought about what is it about money that we have such an attachment to?
It’s a Latin Thing
Cultural differences play a crucial role in defining what is considered normal versus abnormal. I am writing this blog to target the Hispanic community. As a Latin woman, I have dealt with consolidating varying, often conflicting, perceptions of mental illness as defined in the Hispanic community. Whether we refer to anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness, the Hispanic patient population is one that lags behind others in both seeking and obtaining mental health treatment. Underlying this lack of treatment are multiple factors, including cultural expectations.
Compassion and Comparison
How many times have I been in a support group and someone says, “I’m not like them. Why should I be here?” Or maybe, “You’ve never been through it, so how would you know what it’s like?” I think that when people say this, they’re really asking the question: Will anyone get it? Will anyone take the time to hear, to see, to suffer with me?
What does my therapist mean when she tells me to be “mindful”?
I decided to dedicate a blog to answer this question. As I began considering my own understanding of the concept of mindfulness, I was forced to first consider what mindfulness is not. I found myself doing multiple things simultaneously. I focused part of my attention on the television show that was playing in the background. I ate a bag of chips while typing notes. I ensured that my cell phone was at arm’s reach, checking it for the time every couple of minutes. The general population calls this “multi-tasking”, a “skill” that many of us feel fortunate to have mastered. Still, I wonder, is attending to multiple tasks depriving us of the ability to fully experience each one?
Living with integrity
Even in the best of times, life can be challenging. Being able to make difficult decisions, manage stressful situations and developing deep and meaningful relationships requires a certain inner core and foundation that often takes a lifetime to build. Weathering the storm and enjoying the celebrations as you experience all that your life brings to you is a result of living with integrity.