When thinking about mental health sometimes it's easy to forget about all those who are mentally sick. We get stuck on thinking about ourselves and forget that but for the grace of God they would be us. Compassion for the sick and finding every means of trying to improve their lot is what cures or relief from mental illness is all about. Yet that is a task for the professionals, all this mini blog has to offer is how to reign in on our less than healthy thoughts and ways of life. More on that later. To be continued:

How not to follow the crowd

Following those who know where they're going is not a bad idea, but following others because everyone else is doing it is a bad idea. Have a good reason for your actions and make sure they're needed ones and not just doing without thinking.

It's not a bad idea to go around in circles if the cirles happens to be a walkway or an exercising walkway, but to go around in cricles and wandering hither and yon just to be up and doing is folly. If one will be truthful with one's self, there's plenty of walking around the house when needed chores are being done. Therefore it's probably not necessary to be going where others go simply because it's something to do that might be interesting.

Have a purpose to your actions and see that not only are you exercising your muscles by going whereever you need to go, but you are accomplishing something other than walking and yes talking, needlessly.

You don't have to be perfect to enjoy life

Competitive sports are good but what about the fun and excitement of sports without having to win every game? The idea is to be as creative as you need be to become the person that is you. While it's true many professions and careers have to be near perfect, or at least knowledgeable,to keep in business, the extra-curricular activities that you engage in on your off time can be enjoyable even when you aren't particularly adept. Keeping busy has its own rewards.

In fact, the title You don't have to be perfect to enjoy life, is actually a little silly. Doesn't every one know that? They should, but believe it or not competition is a way of live with a great many people.
The fact is, no matter how good you are at something, there's probably plenty of people much more adept and could beat you at it. That's okay, you're probably good at something they know nothing about.

That's beside the point. The only person you really should be competing with is yourself. Strive to do a little better tomorrow than you did today. An illustration of that is the image on this page. I did it for no other reason than to try and use computerized art software to entertain myself. It had no other purpose than to occupy me for a half an hour or so.

As you can see, I was playing with straight lines on a black background. When I was thus occupied, I had nothing in mind, but today as the viewer, I'm quite impressed. I see a bullfrog playing a fiddle and a person, a stick figure dancing. That's probably not far from the truth about what was happening when that piece of art (?) was created. (Or should I have said, scribbled?)

Dealing with the Unknown

Dealing with the unknown is a little hard to take, but since it's a way of life, most of us have learned how to manage to get through the day without worrying too much about it. And that's the way it should be. What would we do if we knew what was in store for us each day? Live the moment to the best of our ability and rest assured if we do the best we can do, everything will turn out as it should. Or, at least it will turn out as it turns out and there'e nothing worrying about it ahead of time would've helped.

It's the unknown that brings surprises and delights and keeps life interesting. Where mental health is concerned, it's far healthier to accept what is and not to worry and fret over what will be. Rest assured the Creator of us all, has our future in His hands and that should make us quite content. And most of the little irritations and annoyances that we have to deal with, soon pass away.

Being who you are, no matter where you are

Being yourself is all you can do and still be true to yourself. That sounds easy but in truth it will probably be the hardest thing you'll ever have to do. All the time you'll be tempted to shed, as if you can, yourself and be like another.

Why is being yourself hard to do? The world will be different and will take on various attitudes, or the world of people will do that, and they will look askance at your old habits, your differing thought patterns and will, in essence pass you by. How do you manage to hold on to your integrity among all the charades and play acting going on?

Be truthful and admit that you don't know something when you truly don't know,but also admit when you do know something, or at least believe until you've learned better, and you'll have no trouble internally by being yourself. Yet, if you fail to be happy with yourself and take on the facade of others, forsaking your own God given talents, you will find nothing but guilt and worry over trying to keep up pretenses.

Thus, it's far better to be yourself, for better or worse and learn how to live peacefully with yourself. Try it and see how happier you'll be.

Make time for yourself

Life is so busy and so programmed in these days where everything good being done for our health, our enjoyment of life,ls forever being flashed before our eyes. Not that that's particularly bad, but there's only 24 hours in a day and something must give. All too often that something is your time to sit quietly and reflect on how great life is.

Peace and quiet is not something we rush forward toward, it's something we must carry within ourselves if we ever hope to find it. Those are not necessarily words of wisdom because its assumed everyone knows that, but do they? Take that minute or two whenever its available whether its on the jog around the block, the ride on the bus, or plane, or if it is while alone in the bathroom. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath or two and thank your creator for having allowed you to be who you are.

In making Him your partner you'll never again have to carry the whole world on your shoulders, he's there to give you a break now and then. He's there to tell you not to take yourself too seriously, you're only here for a little while and it'll all be over. What's all the rush for anyway, you must stop and ask yourself when life seems too busy for you to keep up with. The simple knowledge that you're taking yourself far too seriously may be the first step in lightening your load.