SeasonedSistah

Thanks to Journeying Beyond Breast Cancer for the invite to write a post on  Mental Health Blog Day.  

But, I needed more information on the subject.   And, of course, I immediately went to GOOGLE.

What I Know Now and Didn’t Not Know Before

There is a clear difference between mental health and mental illness.  According to a report in 2011 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Mental Health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
• Mental Illness is defined as collectively all diagnosable mental disorders or health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.

The report further states “that only 17% of U.S. adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health.”  

Could I Be Among the 17% with Optimal Mental Health?

I am not sure.  But, I am following a path which I hope will eventually lead to Optimal Mental Health by way of:

• Healthy Eating “recent evidence suggests that good nutrition is essential for our mental health and that a number of mental health conditions may be influenced by dietary factors.  (Mental Health Foundation)
• Reading “a growing number of therapists are recommending something surprising for depressed and anxious patients.  Read a book.  This treatment is called bibliotherapy.  (Reading Your Way to Health, Wall Street Journal, July 23,2007)
• Exercise “Depression symptoms often improves with exercise.  When you have anxiety or depression, exercise often seems like the last thing you want to do.  But once you get motivated, exercise can make a big difference.”  (Mayo Clinic)
• Meditation “Making meditation a part of your life can lead to lower levels of stress and anxiety and a greater level of personal connectedness.”  (National Alliance on Mental Health)
• Quality Sleep Habits “Getting a good night’s sleep is important for maintaining our mental and physical health.  Sleep allows the brain to take in new information and strengthen our memories. The quality of your sleep can have a significant impact on your mood, energy level and ability  to concentrate.  It can affect your work, cause relationship problems and make it difficult to complete simple tasks.  Sleep can also affect our mental wellbeing, immune system, and other health-related issues.  It is crucial to our health that we learn to sleep well.” (Mental Health Foundation & Sleepio)
• Massages “Physiological, psychological, environmental and genetic factors also have a profound effect on the development of ones mental health.  Repressed trauma, chronic stress, physical illness, childhood and hereditary issues may cause poor mental health.  Massage therapy has been used for centuries to help individuals overcome some of these problems. (Massage for Your Health)

I have incorporated all of the above; and, I have no doubt that in doing so I have improved the overall quality of my life.

Physically, I still have health issues:  Breast Cancer Survivor, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Sleep Apnea, and Peripheral Neuropathy/Lower Extremity.

But, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally I am in a good place. 

  This is my first blogging award; and, I send a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to Karuna over at  Living, Learning and Letting Go for including me on her list of nominees.   Here are the rules for those who are nominated and want to participate in the Liebster Award process:

• Post the award on your blog
• Thank the blogger who presented the award to you and link back to their blog
• Share 11 things about yourself
• Answer the 11 questions given to you by the person that nominated you
• Nominate 11 blogger who have less than 200 followers
• Create 11 questions for your nominees to answer
• Notify your nominees by posting your nomination on their blog.

Eleven things about me

1. I am a breast cancer survivor.
2. I love my outdoor container garden.
3. I have over 300 healthy eating cookbooks; but, I never cook from a recipe.
4. I wake up every morning at 5:00 a.m. to meditate and to read inspiring words.
5. I am moving toward a plant-based diet.
6. My favorite dessert is Lemon Meringue Pie.
7. I was embarrassed to enter the university as a freshman in 1969 because of my age (27) as well as being married with three children. But, I went anyway and graduated within four years.
8. At 10-years-old, I could type 65 word per minute on a manual typewriter.
9. I married my childhood sweetheart.
10. I lived in Germany for two years.
11. I love this season of my life and never imagined retirement and age (71) would open up so many new opportunities for me to explore.  Blogging is one!!!

My answers to Kaurona’s eleven questions.

1. I live in Florida, after retiring and relocating from Wisconsin four years ago.
2. I speak only English.   But, as a college student, to satisfy my foreign language requirements, I spent four semesters studying Swahili as well as one summer session of Xhosa.
3. I love to read and it is difficult to name just one favorite book.  This last year I have read and re-read  “What are You Hungry For,” by Depaak Chopra.  Why?  To change my eating habits.
4. The food I would never eat is liver.  I have never tasted liver; and, I even avoid looking at it in the meat counter.
5. The reason I like blogging is the ability to communicate and interact with diverse people from around the world.
6. I fear swimming.  I love sitting poolside.  I love to practice Aqua Zumba and Water Exercises in the pool.   I don’t trust floaters; and I would have a panic attack if I felt my feet could not touch the pool floor.  But, I would love to swim as a form of exercise.
7. Words of Wisdom to myself, “there are times, Yvonne, when you just have to be STILL.”
8. In my spare time, I Read.  I love to read books on my IPad and Kindle.  I also listen to audio books before retiring as well as when I am exercising at the YMCA.
9. I am proud that I now see the importance of accepting and acknowledging ME as well shedding the guilt of loving ME.
10. I am a former worrier.  I no longer stress about what I did in the past or what may happen in the future.
11. I am most joyful when I am in the presence of my Hubby, Children and Grandchildren — those times when we gather as a family.

My eleven fantabulous nominees are:

1. Soul My Deep
2. Tinker Chimes
3. The Big Scary C Word
4. I Have Breast Cancer Blog
5. One Wig Stand
6. I’m Just Sayin Damn
7. Tammy Carmona
8. Phenomenal Housewives
9. Furious Curious Cancer Survivor
10. Bumpy Boobs
11. Living Life with RA and FMS

Eleven questions for my nominees:

1. What was your favorite food as a child?
2. How many siblings do you have?
3. If you win a million dollars what would you do with the money?
4. Were you named after anyone?
5. What is on your mouse pad?
6. Would you rather visit Hawaii or Alaska, and why?
7. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
8. What is your most treasured memory?
9. What is your most terrible memory?
10. Do you have a nickname?
11. Are you a morning or night person?

Despite a more than a two month pain flare-up, I have managed to carry on day-to-day activities.   In last week’s post, I “showed off” my Container Garden and Outdoor Furniture Refinishing projects.  In case, you didn’t see this post, take a few minutes, have a look, and tell me what you think.

Also, doing a bit of “showing off” in this post.  Though it was a challenge, as a first-time user, I created the above graphic on the same day I found out about PicMonkey.  Admittedly amateurish, but I feel confident that as I continue to work at it — the graphics will improve.

However, this post is about a Seasoned Sistah, an Elder, an Older Woman who wants to “live life to its fullest … and to make the little things in life good and wonderful”.  Yes, this post is about me.

Let me just share two of the many little things that fill my days.

Facebook

Since joining Facebook in 2010, I found new friends and reconnected with family members and old friends.  Not only is Facebook a social outlet; I engage and interact with like-minded people who share my political views.

I just took a few minutes to view my  Facebook Friends.  Of 239 friends, only 13 are over 65 years of age; and one of them is Hubby.  So, the majority of my Facebook community is made up of (1) the children of my older friends and family members; (2) my children’s friends; and (3) new friends.  Though I have a large number of friends and family members over the age of 65, most view communicating and/or interacting via Facebook, E-mail, Internet, Texting and Blogging as new technology and reserved for the younger generations.

Blogging

Within a few keystrokes the world-wide Blogosphere was within my reach.  I can raise my voice, express my views, share my memories, and, sometimes, just rant.

Reading the posts written by other bloggers introduced me to more information than this 71 year-old-mind can sometimes keep up with.  I follow a number of diverse blogs covering nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, lifestyles, DIY, recipes, book reviews, hair care, grand-parenting, older people, health related, and many other topics that attract my interest.

I am so proud of my blog, which I almost ditched in the beginning stages.  The first hurdle was getting through the step-by-step WordPress instructions.  Once mastered, I had to overcome the fear of writing and publishing the posts.  Slowly, I began to let go of what others might think; and to stand strong and write about what I wanted without seeking the approval of others.  I am neither a writer nor an author, but I wish to blog about my life.  Blogging is an outlet that has brought me peace, happiness and joy.

I am grateful for having broadened my life experiences through Facebook and Blogging.  The only regret is that so many of my older friends and family members failed to embrace this new technology.  But, we continue to communicate via the telephone and snail mail.

Though I am aging daily, I will continue learning as I journey down the path of “living life to its fullest.”

There is a forty-eight percent chance that African-Americans who marry before the age of eighteen, will breakup within ten years.   (Source:  Center for Disease Control and Prevention)

• Five months after MY 17^th Birthday, I married the love of my life.
• Five months after MY 71^st Birthday, WE celebrated OUR 54^th Anniversary.

When Hubby and I married, on April 11, 1960, few believed the marriage would last past the first year.

MY Belief

OUR marriage lasted for fifty-four years because WE spent the first two years in Germany.   Separated from family and friends, I couldn’t pick up the telephone or run home after an argument. I couldn’t even go to another room.   We had to work out our disagreements, absent the advice of others.

Our First Two Years

Hubby unable to find a job, enlisted in the Army.   Six months later, He was assigned to a base in Gonsenheim, Germany. Within four months, I joined him. Because of his rank, PFC (Private First Class), We were not eligible to move into military family housing.

Hubby rented an apartment on what was referred to as the German Economy. We lived in a one-room, third floor apartment and shared the bathroom with another military couple who lived across the hall.   There was no hot water, no bathtub, a dorm size refrigerator, a coal stove for heat, and a hot plate to cook on. I soon adjusted to living without a television; and fell in love with Our transistor radio.   The one English-speaking station was Our only entertainment.   During the day, We listened to mostly country music. But, every night, We anxiously waited for the half-hour mystery, cowboy, and comedy shows.

The first six months were the most difficult. Hubby was assigned to work on the base for 24 hours every other day. Even though I had the radio and Our Little Girl, I missed the face-to-face communication with an adult. The other people who lived in the building were friendly but there was a language barrier. Though there were three women living in the apartment building, they did not speak English.

Later, we met other military families; and I became friends with a few of the women. However, we rarely communicated. We didn’t have telephones, cars, or access to public transportation; and, this pretty much ruled out any “quality time spent with the girls.” So I learned to value and appreciate every minute spent with Hubby.

During those first two years WE built a strong foundation which solitified Our marriage. Our teen-age love developed into a strong friendship and even a stronger love for each other, which has lasted for more than fifty-four years. Hubby is not Only the Love of My Life, He is My Best Friend, the Father of Our Three Children and the Grandfather of Our Five Grandchildren.