May 3/12

Evening to you,
   How is everyone this evening? I am doing fairly well...thanks for asking. How has your weather been this week? Ours has not been so stellar here in Red Deer. We have had quite a bit of rain this week. Not like 20 inches or anything like that; just cool, wet weather. But, on the positive side of things, that's what helps the grass to get greener. Now, if we could only get some sunshine, that would be great. So, I have gained a few new followers this week and into last week also. It has been nice having some new followers and new readers. Maybe they will liven the rest of you up! Just kidding. Don't leave now, I need all the followers that I can get! lol. Anyways...so this week has been pretty good so far for me. I've had a few ups and downs, but I have managed to get through them and come out on top.
   As you should all know by now, Mr. Rubberband and I have a very close relationship. I also have a close relationship with Mrs. Air Conditioning, Mr. Ice Pack, Mrs. Less Clothing Keeps You Cool and Mr.Ativan. This are some of my favorite friends. I rely on them regularly. But this week, I have neglected them and that is a good thing. Whenever I am able to not use these "tools", it means that things are going well for me. I take full advantage of their "friendship" with me and use them to the fullest. It is amazing to me how our mindset's can change how we are feeling or how we percieve what is going on around us. So the bottom line for me tonight, is that I am doing pretty good.
   Now, someone that I have just "met" through my blog and via Facebook, is having an entirely different experience at this time. This person has always had some sort of an anxiety disorder but it was just diagnosed last year for them. They started on some medicine but did not like the way that they felt. They just happened upon my blog and we have started to become friends. I have not offically met this person or anything like that, but we have been talking via the phone, email, Facebook etc. I think that this person has a lot going for them and that things will work out for them. They just started back on the meds and I have been doing my best to help them out in whatever way that I am able to.
   Also this week, yesterday actually, another athlete took their life. That athlete was Junior Seau. He was a football player in the NFL for many years and a damn good one to boot. I believe that he has been retired for a year or so now, or was anyways. He shot himself in the chest. It is not known whether or not he was suffering from any sort of depression or anxiety. The questions surrounding his death are exactly that. Questions. No note was left or anything. Speculation is that is was either depression OR he was "depressed" about not being in the limelight anymore, not playing football, not getting that rush that comes with pro sports. I don't know. Of course, I am inclined to lean towards that he was battling some sort of depression and that was why he took his life.
   So why am I telling you about this new person that I met or about Junior Seau? What do the two have in common? Well, its simple actually and they have a lot in common. First and foremost...we have people everyday in our lives that are battling demons that we have not a clue about. We as a society live in our own little world oblivous to those around us. This is not a bad thing, its just human nature. How do you know that your significant other is not suffering from depression or anxiety? How do you know that you are not? Maybe you or they feel a little bit "off". Maybe they or you are contributing this feelings to some changes in your lives or the seasons or their job. Its no big deal right? They're gonna snap out of it. It isn't until it is too late in some cases that we realize that there was more going on than what we first thought. Look at your own life. Are you feeling down? Is work or the kids stressing you out more than usual? I am not here to suggest that we all head in to the doctor tomorrow morning and get prescribed some meds cause we are having a bad day. Although, there are some really good meds out there! LOL.
   What I am suggesting is, take an inventory of your life when times have gotten you down. Maybe you are suffering from some mild depression or anxiety. Maybe you just need to get your poop in a group or maybe you need some counseling. Whatever. Just make sure that you are looking after yourself and recognizing when you do need some help. The other part of this? DO NOT be ashamed or embarassed to ask for help. Look at me. I'm writing a freaking blog telling the world about my crap. lol Anyways, please look after your mental health.  Now secondly, I kind of answered it a bit already. Anyone of us can get or have some depression or anxiety of post-traumatic stress disorder. We are, after all just human. Remember that mental illnesses affect 1 in 4 people. Some of it mildly, some of it quite extensively. But take a look at these two totally different people. Again please remember that I don't know for sure that Junior Seau actually had depression, but let's assume that he did. These are two people that come or came from two totally different backgrounds. Led two totally different lives and had or have two totally different goals in life.
   I have no doubt in my mind that mental illnesses can attack anyone, anywhere and anytime. It does not matter that you did not play any contact sports or ever suffer a concussion. It does not matter that you never did drugs or ever drink. I don't know the how's or the why's; I just know that like me, there are many sufferers out there in the world. Some are strong, some are weak. I just want you to take care of yourselves and the others in your lives. I really don't want anyone else to have to go through the "pain" that I go through. Anyways, I am starting to ramble now and lose my train of thought. Have a good evening and love your families!!