Freedom is a feeling. It’s a feeling that lies within you. It is you at the very core of who you are. It is the basis of life, and yet so many people are not feeling free.
Part of the problem is that many people don’t know or have awareness that true freedom begins within.
Feeling free begins within you, within me, within each one of us. It’s a state of mind, a state of being. But it takes some time and practice especially if you are not feeling free.
I have shared a bit in the past about Nelson Mandela and how he was able to keep himself from completely falling apart after 27 years in prison. It took strength and resiliency with all of the many things he faced during these years. He was technically not free and yet he was able to keep some sense of his freedom of being himself.
Freedom can be best described as a fullness of being, a fullness of life, a blossoming of our being. As well as experiencing a feeling of expansion moving toward an experience of becoming our true self.
Additionally, this feeling of freedom may be accompanied by an inner satisfaction within our being which never runs dry no matter what is happening in our world.
Since 1949, Mental Health America and their affiliates across the country have led the observance of May as Mental Health Month by reaching millions of people through media, local events and screenings.
This year marks MHA’s 70th year celebrating Mental Health Month. I had no idea mental health has been a focus for this long!
Here are some area’s that the Mental Health America people are using to help increase feeling whole and complete:
- Animal Companionship
- Spirituality and Religion
- Humor
- Work-Life Balance
- Social Connections and Recreation
During May they will look at how their topics can be beneficial to people who are living with chronic physical illnesses as they ramp into their 2019 Annual Conference — Dueling Diagnoses: Mental Health and Chronic Conditions in Children and Adults, June 13-15 in Washington, D.C. where they will discuss the impact and intersection of chronic conditions and mental health.
Suicide prevention is another part of mental health and has been on the rise in our country.
There are an average of 123 suicides each day in this country. It’s the tenth leading cause of death in America — second leading for ages 25-34, and third leading for ages 15-24. In order to create awareness and strengthen the fight against suicide, the entire month of September is Suicide Prevention Month.
Suicide is a national health problem that currently ranks as the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10 – 24. Suicide is also one of the leading causes of preventable death in our nation.
The reasons both May and September as Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Months are so important, they:
- Promote awareness
- Start dialogue
- Initiate change
It’s vital to get people assessed and the help they need when you see things are going on with them. Don’t just let it go! There are many organizations in every community that will be of help. The Suicide Hotline is a place to start and the suicide prevention lifeline website:
If you’re not someone that needs this type of help or intervention and yet you’re not able to feel free to be who you are, below are some things you may find useful:
- Don’t take anything personally
- Take responsibility for yourself.
- Be gentle, kind and compassionate with yourself.
- Practice forgiveness. Stop blaming others and yourself.
- Seek help when you’re struggling. Don’t go it alone!
Remember moving toward becoming the best you and the person this world needs, is obtainable.
You matter and there are many who need you.
As I speak about in many of my articles, becoming the best person you can be requires awareness. I have given many tools for you to use to achieve this. Be patient with yourself. Take things one step at a time. Reach out for help.
I have found in my life, as I received help from a coach, therapist, friend, family member or clergy, I know I’m not alone.
Daily inspirational readings, writing in a gratitude journal, exercise, prayer and meditation are other things that you can do to help shift things inside of you.
Remember loving yourself helps you to have confidence. All of the things I’m suggesting above, will help you to increase self-love.
Feel free to connect with me on this topic or any other.
With love and appreciation,
Connie
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