Breaking the Stigma...Holding hands as survivors.

This is a place reserved primarily to advocate for those with OCD as well as other mental conditions by: creating awareness; stopping social stigma; informing about resources, barriers and challenges; providing useful information for everybody suffering from OCD and mental illnesses in general, as well as the ones who care for them. You will also find positive reinforcement information, notes, general tips, photos and interesting videos. I am an OCD survivor, not a sufferer.

Woman, today is your day.

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Today is Your Day

Updated on November 29, 2015

Caring for your inner peace

Today, this woman decided to trust herself.
Today; a different woman is free and ready to face challenges and reach the goals she needs for pure satisfaction.
Today you have enough picking up after others, being ignored and letting harsh criticisms run over you. Today you are determined to discover that there is beauty, strength, dignity and determination in you. Today you are a woman who will not be scared of anything, because you do not want to be paralyzed. The world is only for you because you say so; a new perception of your reality and your role in your world will make you free. It is time to do for you without hurrying; forget about what others want you to be responsible for. Go directly to the mirror, caress your face, look at your eyes.apply your makeup adding some color here and there. Take your time... be yourself,,,fly away and enjoy your journey.

No more rules or ridiculous stereotypes can stop you to see the real you and dance on the streets. You are nobody's woman, you own yourself. You will love yourself as no one has been able to do. It is time for you to love your own way whenever you want. Today you will be the woman only you want to be…NO MORE RULES. Today you dare to dream anything you want. The fear will not bother you because you have left it behind. You start realizing that you are unique and special. Today you will discover that the earth is part of your skin and the universe moves with you. Today you will look forward, never back. You know that nobody can make you suffer; you have discovered the power in you to fight back.

Embrace yourself

Women Who Run with the Wolves

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Listen to some music while dressing up. Open the window and look outside while inviting nature to touch your heart. Take that new breeze the world is giving you and let it play with your hair. This time you are dressing up for you and no other. Today you love your smile while discovering that you have already cried enough. You know that you can conquer the sky. You will be able to laugh no matter how cold the winter is, and cool during those hot summers.
Today is the day to comprehend that sadness and loneliness cannot be permitted in your life. Nobody can hurt you because you are too powerful. Your walk will be strong, as long as you believe in yourself. You do not serve anybody, because you are in control.

Today you are the woman you want to be; no limits. You can kill the fear by slamming the door after you. Today you know your life will not be a failure just because you feel the best; you are dressed the way you want; you know what you want; you feel beautiful and powerful.
Forget the tears, live your life and expect nothing. Live every minute is given to you. This day is only for you; a walk in the forest with the sound of nature around you. Only you and your soul, which is the only one that will never leave you alone. Tomorrow is another day that can be molded the way you wish.
Please, do not forget how awesome you are and capable of changing the world. Only when you love and care for yourself you are ready to open doors and share with others. Remember who you are and be free. You deserve the best...we all do.

A Note

A Note:

Good day to all. As many of you know, I am struggling with depression and general anxiety...more intense lately...but you know what? I will win. I am a facilitator of a Resource Community Center (east of Massachusetts). If somebody is from this part of Massachusetts let me know.

I am so happy to be able to reach others. Sometimes it is overwhelmed, but it is because mental conditions are difficult to explain and more difficult to understand. Advocacy for people who suffer OCD, PTSD, Depression, Anxieties or other disorders or even traumas most take place everywhere, but more important is to learn not to look for pity or sympathy. Education is a great tool to understand ourselves first and then, teach others. The ones who don't understand don't need to be explained anymore. Look for other resources can be use. We just need to get out of bed and feel the present...get out and feel nature, have a picnic by yourself, families or friends.

Without education, I couldn't cope by rationalizing the process of the crisis, fears, or any other behavior that is not what define us. Lets us wake up and little by little take responsibility of our conditions. Yes, there will be times that we cannot handle anything...so relax and breathe in and out by moving your stomach with every breath instead of your upper body or chest. This can be done 10 times if you can. Slowly calm your thoughts that are useless and feel your soul with a realistic though. Remember that we are responsible for our own conditions but these conditions do not define us. Thank you for reading.

Empowering Myself and other Women

Interesting topic to think about. Sister Joan Chittister, is an advocate for women leadership. I do believe in empowering myself and other women to be leaders and be more involved in communities. We have to empower ourselves to be heard and take control of our values and opinions around the world. We as women, can make many changes in life and what happens in the world, in our communities, our homes and our souls. Even Jesus encountered women, walked side by side with them, and let them be near him as important people. There is a lot to do, and we can be part of an important movement in a world that is changing day by day.

Every time we meet others, we must feel the pain others are experiencing and be happy when they are. We are sophisticated now to be able to get ahead and seek the beauty, the wonder of life by looking in the eyes of the Lord. We as women, have the power to undue the disturbing creation of war, any kind of war, by letting our voices heard and caring for our own environment. God did not create wars or weapons,..., human beings did. Could we be able, as women to destroy that and give our sons and daughters live a better life continuing our job?

This is a call for wiser women. If we contemplate with God in mind and His world, we would be able to realize that we are responsible to undue what is wrong and build new lives. Embracing my soul and believing in my purpose in life will make me practice the changes that need to be taken care of. We cannot be dismissed anymore because men through the years have been the ones making the decisions. When only men are making the decisions, half of the intelligence, experience and wisdom (women's) have been dismissed. We have to go out there and give our part, change the attitudes and be present.

Note: What I call God can be called by others in a different way. Although I mention God and Jesus in this post, the intention is not to make others follow my faith. My intention is to embrace and advocate for women's empowerment.

Mental Health 60 min

A broken system that fails over and over again… A story of simple failure

The following story belongs to 60 Minutes on Mental Health. A wake up call that can safe lives.

A Blind System toward the elderly: A need for dignifying the life of our veterans.

This is the way a USA system works regarding housing: A daughter has an apartment funded by a housing department in Massachusetts. She has her father for few months living with her because he doesn't have any other place to go. He has several health issues, including heart problems and was harmed by a stroke. So staying in a shelter would not be the best place for him to live. He is more than 70 years old. The landlord learns that he has been staying there. What the Housing system does? Informing the daughter that she will loose her housing privileges because her frail father is living there, and letting the father know that they can give him housing in a town far away where he doesn't even know anybody. What a shame.

The Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA), replied to me on Facebook an interesting message which I am quoting here:

"We at MHSA tend to agree with you. If we are serious about ending homelessness and the

housing crisis that engenders it, we need to build greater flexibility into the system. Although

public housing can never be totally open, greater flexibility would result in greater savings.

Resources need to be targeted toward family members assisting family members rather than

creating expensive emergency responses. Thanks for weighing in."

It is imperative to advocate for those in need. We need to make sure the the ones working for section 8, Housing, etc. understand that it is a lot better when families are trying to maintain their elderly parents with them. They must make an exception for these cases. At least to let the elderly parents to stay with a family member without making it a big deal if that daughter or son is just wanting to care fro his/her father or mother until the parents are able to get an apartment appropriate for them in the same area their kids are.

Our elderly community spend a lot of time alone: sometimes with a desire to just have breakfast or lunch in a little dinner accompanied by somebody who cares. They have done their part working hard all their lives for the "System" to make them feel miserable.

PLEASE SHARE MY BLOG AND LETS, TOGETHER, MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

A New Day Ahead

A New Day Ahead

There are times when we get up in the morning and with the eyes almost closed we go to the bathroom and sit, sit, sit… then , we get up and still with the eyes semi-opened we rinse our mouths and look at our reflexions in the mirror. Without any thought at all, we get ready to start a damn new day.
There are other times when we wake up, open our eyes and say good morning to the house, stretch in bed and walk with energy to wash our faces and start the coffee maker and run to sit for a moment in the toilet. We drink a great cup of coffee and look out the window. Then, we get ready to face another new and fantastic day ahead. What a difference!

A Friendly Reminder

The real beauty of a person comes out throughout her/his words of wisdom, humbleness, love for others, positivism, and honesty. All these are easier to reach when a Higher Power, a Light, God, is in our homes… no less and no more.

Make sure you are accompanied by good people, and do not assume that everybody owes you any time. Just receive and accept what others want to give you that will enhance your life.

There is no wrong to let a door open for a little Grace. Marvelous!

I am defined by my human spirit; the color came with the package, Unique!

It is important to remember something regarding mental illnesses when talking about them. There are many conditions with a diversity of symptoms; they also differ in ranges and levels of complication. If I consciously understand my condition(s) and I have moments of clarity, certainly I can be able to cope and prepare better for those moments that are not the good ones. The explanation of mental conditions are everywhere. For some years already, I started seeing myself as who I am with an illness that gets me at times, and for those times I have prepared certain strategies to do my best…Sometimes they will work, sometimes they won't, but to tell you the truth, it is better than nothing. Some examples: I have at least three mentors or friends I can at least call in bad times, but these friends already know a positive realistic way to deal with me; I have ice or frozen oranges for anxieties (yes, even have a little cooler to carry cold water, oranges, etc); Have special and happy notes, cards, drawings here and there from love ones (I have two that are framed and on my desk); Have index cards with positive thoughts or breathing processes for those times you are alone. Anyway, just some techniques to share.

No more Stigma; time to learn

It is imperative for those who have a mental illness, like me (OCD, PTSD) to educate themselves. I have learned to cope with stigma and advocate for those without a voice. The professionals in the Mental Health Areas should create groups regarding how to deal with stigma, their rights, and coping with difficult situations with those who do not understand our illnesses. Also, we need to take responsibility of our conditions and empower ourselves. The results are great. If you have any questions regarding stigma, let me know.

My Goals; Where are they in Society?

An American flag hangs in the doorway of a tornado-ravaged home in Henryville, Indiana. (Reuters)

Image belongs to http://www.theatlantic.com/

The following is not intended for political discussion.

In reality, where do the personal goals fit when the

available processes in society (education, religion, values,

regulations, economy) fail to meet for the sake of a

successful citizen.

Very interesting article I found: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/06/americans-are-losing-confidence-in-the-nation-but-still-believe-in-themselves/259039/

Pretty Flower

Taking Control

Special moments

Today is a new day. Expecting a miracle is not enough. I make my history by planning, engaging and take time to cherish special moments that I create for myself. No more waiting for others… they dont know what I need. I am the one with the power to stop and realize that a special moment can be mine and only mine before it becomes part of a old memory.

Happiness

A state that underlies all emotions.

You are invited to listen to this speaker.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

National Institute of mental Health. Understanding mental illnesses (OCD)

Women In Action Inc: Self-Help Information: Self Esteem

Women In Action Inc: Self-Help Information: Self Esteem: What is Self-Esteem? Webster’s dictionary defines self-esteem as a confidence and satisfaction in oneself. How do you define your self-esteem? Hoe do you see yourself and what do you do in order to love yourself?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder/b.Long Discourse Connection