One Day At A Time

Last week I was feeling majorly stressed out. There was stuff going on with friends, family, work, self, and it was all piling up. I spent a nightmare-induced evening that led to a painful cold sore the next morning. I realized I have to start letting things go and start working on stress reduction. You do not really know either how dangerous or damaging stress is until it directly affects your health or you educate yourself on the risks of unmanaged stress. Who knew stress could lead to advanced aging and disease? Why are we stressed out? How can you both prevent and treat stress without a prescribed pill? These questions have me searching for answers. I watched a documentary on stress that showed how baboons that live a stressful life die earlier than those with less stress do. Research shows that humans affected by stress suffer from heart disease, hypertension, anxiety, digestive disorders, and the list goes on. As I learn more about stress and how to fight it naturally, I wan...

Not many people know what Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is. PTSD is a mental health problem that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. Assault (rape), a traumatic accident, combat, and other traumatic events can cause a person to experience nightmares about the event, lead a person to avoid situations or stimuli that remind them of the event, create a guard or watchful sense. It can also cause a person to experience a numb or detached feeling.If left undiagnosed or untreated PTSD can lead to depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Early treatment can make a big difference. Therapy and medication can help a PTSD sufferer cope with their symptoms and enjoy better mental health and a happier life. Those of us who deal with PTSD in our lives know that PTSD is not instantly cured or fixed. You learn what it is and adjust to life accordingly. June 27, 2012 is National PTSD Awareness Month. I urge everyone to visit http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ or http://www.ptsdinfo.org...

Our family has moved quite a bit over the years. Military moves and around town moves. Moves to be with family. We are looking to move one last time. House hunting is a mixture of excitement and frustration. I have been told by my wonderful husband that I am by far too picky, but a house is more than a structure to store your things and provide shelter. A house becomes your home. It is the place where you feel safe and comforted. It is the place where family memories are made. My family and I looked at a sweet little house that has been through the mill. The carpets look like used napkins and the interior doors have been used for soccer practice. I stopped to think what if this little house is looking for a new owner. Someone to love it and care for it as it deserves. Someone to patch up its boo-boos and breath fresh life into it. This thought makes me a little sad. If a house could talk what would it say? My previous owners took me for granted. They did little to notice I was even ...

I will never forget when my doctor told me that I am considered obese. I knew I was overweight, but obese is such an ugly word. More Americans (adults, teens, and children) are overweight than ever before. I am often shocked to see pre-teens that are carrying more weight on their bodies than I am. I did not have problems with my weight until I became a teen. Around age 14-15, my weight seemed to explode overnight. School photos show a dramatic change in my face. I had chubby cheeks. My weight gain seemed to happen so quickly that no one said hey put that second serving down. Matter of fact my dad was my food friend. We ate together because it was enjoyable. My sister and mother were tiny, with petite frames, while I was 182, 5’6, and a size 16. I lost weight my junior year and joined the army at 17. Then I really lost weight. At my smallest, I was 128lbs and a size 8. That may not seem small to some, but after I met my husband and had our daughter, wow did the weight come back and ...

As a freelance writer, I write about many different subjects. Most often, my topics are mundane and business oriented. However, there are times when I write about subjects that touch my heart and bring tears to my eyes. I recently had to write a piece on teen suicide. An 18-year-old girl took her life after falling victim to sexual abuse. She gathered the courage to tell others (teachers, counselors, police), but detectives told her they had trouble believing her and it was left at that. A year after she seeks help, justice, and healing she chooses to end her pain by suffocating herself at home. How this turns my stomach, fills my heart with pain, and leaves me to ask why someone did not do more for her. I have a young daughter. I warn her about people with dark intentions. I tell her to protect her body and to always tell someone in the event of the unthinkable. Nevertheless, this young woman spoke out and was ignored. On top of the pain she suffered from abuse she was shamed and s...

I never really thought about using proper grammar when writing my blog. I guess I always assumed it is just an electronic journal entry that I allow anyone to read. I started studying a grammar book after having someone point out to me how poor my grammar and punctuation can be. I am guilty of run-on sentences, comma splices, improper use of apostrophes and commas. Wow I feel like a writing mess. Writing is my passion, so to learn that I am performing all of these grammar felonies is alarming. So I am working on grammar self improvement. As I am studying I find that with new media we have new grammar rules. Who knew? This applies to texting, instant messages, emails, Facebook posts, etc. No fear, it's not as bad as it sounds. It's a matter of choosing a "language" so to speak that suits your style, audience, purpose, and self. Are you writing to a business crowd? If so you want to go formal. Are you simply talking to your peers, friends, family, etc.? This writing stl...

People are always searching for that certain someone to share the amazing thing we call love. I often wonder why people don't concern themselves more with loving a child or a pet. Sure there is something truly special about sharing life with a partner as we age and experience life, but love should not be meant for one adult human to another alone. Our hearts have a huge capacity to love. When we see a neighbor, child or animal who you know has that need for a hug, handshake or gentle caress we should give with all of our heart. I try to live this philosophy as much as possible, but I will be honest and say that I find it much easier to give love and care to an animal over many people that you encounter today. This is why I am asking the good people of Lexington Kentucky and surrounding cities to open your heart to pet adoption. If you have the financial means to take in a pet please adopt. There are so many cats and dogs that need a home with a loving family. There are four kitten...