Momma P's Place

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Happy Easter to all of you from Meg and Momma P!

While it seems that the world has just - stopped, Easter still happened. Because no matter what's going on in the world, Christ still rose on the third day! And because of that, we aren't meant to live in fear. Luke 24:1-6 says

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee" And 2 Timothy 1:7 says

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

Please send up your prayers and/or good thoughts for the healthcare workers, who are battling this virus daily. But please don't forget the first responders, who are also at risk of exposure. Many of them are volunteers, placing themselves in harm's way to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their communities. Help the healthcare and public safety personnel do their jobs more effectively by abiding by the measures your community has set in place - stay home if you can, wash your hands, avoid touching your face in public, disinfect surfaces, and limit contact with sick people. And if you are sick, please stay at home!

The International Association of Insurance Professionals (IAIP) has designated January Mental Health Awareness Month. January can be a challenging month for many - post-holiday letdown, cold or inclement weather, and many other factors can lead to the "January blues." Here are some tips to beat them.

1. Be aware of changes in your habits - diet, exercise, increased use of alcohol, tobacco, prescriptions, or other substances.

2. Try to get your diet and exercise regimen back on track.

3. Get enough sleep - but not too much! Too much sleep is just as bad as not enough.

4. Appreciate your strengths and recognize your weaknesses. Give yourself credit for the positive things you do.

5. Develop and maintain healthy relationships with friends and loved ones. Healthy relationships - you may have to leave the toxic ones behind.

6. Help others when you have the opportunity.

7. Practice thankfulness. It's hard to be blue when you express gratitude.

8. Seek professional help if you think you might need it. Talk to a counselor, pastor, priest.

We all have childhood memories of Christmas traditions and how we felt at Christmas time. As an adult, do you, or will you, continue those traditions? What do they mean to you?

I love giving gifts. Sure, receiving is nice, but I prefer to give. I take care in selecting gifts for loved ones that I feel sure they'll like. We have certain traditions from childhood, like baking and candy-making, making a gingerbread house or decorating sugar cookies with kids. We get up before dawn and have coffee and open stockings, then it's time for what my daughter in law calls "present-palooza."

But Christmas is so much more than that. It's a time for giving, loving, and forgiving. It is a time for practicing kindness. A time to give - not simply material gifts, but gifts of ourselves. Our time, our talents, our presence.

We celebrate in honor of the birth of Jesus. Even with all the family traditions, gift exchanges, and fun, Jesus is the center of our celebration. Without Him, there wouldn't even be Christmas! And He is the very embodiment of kindness, forgiveness, and love.

It's December again, and 2019 is fading fast. It's 12 days until Christmas, and it's the time of year when many people feel most alone. Many consider suicide at this time of the year - the stress of the holidays, the stress of not knowing what the new year will bring, the stress of having family visiting for Christmas, the stress of finding the perfect gifts for loved ones, and many other sources of stress can lead someone to thoughts of suicide.

This season, practice patience and kindness. One kind word can have far-reaching effects that you may never see. A little patience for the person ahead of you at the checkout can be the difference between them deciding it's a good day, or a bad one.

A simple, random act of kindness can save a life. Let someone go ahead of you in a queue. Hold a door open for a stranger. Give a homeless person something warm to eat. Let another driver merge in front of you. Things like this lend a feeling of hope, encouragement, peace, and love. It lets one understand that they have chance to choose love and life over despair and loneliness.

So be patient and kind this season. The rewards are so great - even if you don't see them right away - that others will be affected for a long time- like dropping a pebble into a quiet pond. And you may find that you want to make kindness and patience a habit.

Much love to you all. Be well and be blessed.

@meganlpie @princess-of-erebor1992 @melbelle45 @lavenderenergyx

It's October - breast cancer awareness month. According to the National Institute of Health, it is estimated that the United States will see over 260,000 new cases of breast cancer in 2019. It is the second most common cancer among women (nih.gov). Fortunately, it is the most successfully treated!

My stepmother has had breast cancer. She is 10 years cancer-free, but it was really scary for a while, especially after losing my dad to cancer 10 years before her diagnosis. I can never express how grateful I am that she is still with us!

Please, will you spread the word about this illness? And if you are a woman, check your breasts and have them checked at your annual GYN exam! If caught and treated early, the remission and survival rates are better.

Please reblog/boost for the women in your lives!

I know things seem very dark. I know it seems like there is no light at the end of your tunnel; like you've been stuck in this tunnel forever. But please stay.

I know it hurts. Whatever started the pain is still with you, and you just want the pain to stop. But please, stay with us a little while longer.

You want peace, and you want those nasty voices in your head to just - stop. Please, stay another day.

I know, I know - why should you? Because you matter. So please, stay a bit.

Because you are special and unique, and there can never be another just like you. So please, try to hang in there.

Because you are loved. Someone, somewhere, believes you are the most amazing person in the world. Please, would you stay for the chance to feel that love?

Because you are worth it. Someone, somewhere, would sacrifice everything for you. Please stay to let them show you what you mean to this world.

You DO matter. You ARE special, unique, and precious. You ARE worth it. And YOU ARE LOVED. Please - stay.

Due to the nature of their work, public safety personnel - firefighters, EMTs, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, divers - are at high risk for PTSD and other stress-related mental health disorders. They see the worst of what human beings do to themselves and to others. They put themselves in harm's way to protect the rest of us. Many of them are volunteers, especially firefighters, search-and-rescue teams, and dive teams.

In 2017, 243 first responders committed suicide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. In 2018, 262 first responder suicides were reported.

That may not seem like many, just a few hundred out of millions of people. But consider this: out of the general population of the U.S., less than one percent are first responders. According to statistics, these heroes are 20 times more likely to commit suicide than their civilian counterparts. That's just about the same rate as combat veterans!

This is a worldwide problem, too; not just here in the States. Why?

Lack of funding for mental health care for these heroes, lack of education for them, and lack of caring local counselors who are willing to donate their time and talents. Especially in small communities, where the majority of first responders are volunteers.

Here in our state, as well as others, there is now a growing Peer Support network for responders, which is fantastic. But the first step is educating the responders to recognize symptoms of stress in themselves and others, to teach them tools to help them in moments of crisis, and to help them develop self-care plans to avoid burnout and stress.

Their struggle is real. They need our help. They need our compassion and understanding, and they need to know that it's okay to not be okay, and that it is okay to ask for help.

If a first responder you know needs some help, or if you'd like more information about helping these community heroes, please reach out. I'm available to talk, to teach mental health awareness for first responders, to provide crisis and suicide interventions.

As we approach Easter, it is important for us to remember what our Savior endured before He was crucified, and the events that occurred before His arrest.

In the Gospel of Luke, we read about the Last Supper - what we now call communion. Luke 22:19-20 says,

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"

Today, followers of Christ take communion in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and of the Covenant that His blood sealed. That we can be reconciled to God if we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

I encourage you, if Jesus is your Savior, to take communion this Easter as a way to refresh your commitment to follow Him and in remembrance of His sacrifice. If you don't have a relationship with Him, and would like to know more, please contact Meg or Momma P.

is never going to be the easiest thing you'll do. There are some strategies you can put into practice that can make your relationship stronger and more fulfilling.

First: understand that everyone has a history - most of it is baggage that we carry from past experience into current situations and relationships. We can't help it - especially if there are issues we haven't processed and dealt with in a healthy way.

Second: when you know what your loved one's disorder is, learn all you can about it from reliable sources - like the American Psychological Association- and not from wiki-anything. Join a support group for caregivers or family members. Don't try to power through with no support or resources.

Third: stand by your loved one. Unless he or she is physically violent or otherwise abusive, let them know you're there for them, with empathy (NOT sympathy) and understanding and support. If they are abusive or physically violent - seek help. Hold them accountable but with love, not judgment. Make sure they are getting the mental health help they need, taking care of themselves as best they can (proper nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and social interaction as they can), and taking medications if they're prescribed.

Fourth: be mindful of your own self-care practices. You're not much good to your loved one if you're run-down, sickly, undernourished, or not dealing with your own baggage.

Fifth: deal with your baggage! Whatever past experiences that still plague you, get help for them. Take care of your mental health in whatever way is necessary for you to be mentally healthy and capable of truly loving that person with a mental disorder. Don't forget your past. But learn from it and learn how to process events and memories that are disturbing to you.

Sixth: accept your loved one as they are - right now, in this moment - not as you hope they'll be in 6 months, a year, or 10 years. Accept that they know they can be challenging but they're trying to be less so. Let them know, at every opportunity, that you love them and you're there for them.

Seventh: celebrate every little step of their progress (and your own!) with them. What may seem a small victory to you might be a huge win for them. And vice-versa. Every step forward is a win! And it should be celebrated.

Eighth: never underestimate the power of physical affection. A simple hug can be reassuring, comforting, and empowering all at once. It's also a reminder that you're not afraid of their disorder, that you're present, and that you care enough to touch them.

Please tag/reblog/boost for anyone you know who may need this! As always, if you have questions or something you want to talk about, send me an ask (anon is okay!) or message!

You have a chance to try. Even if the only thing you accomplish is to get out of your bed, you're taking a step.

You're here for a purpose. You might not yet know what it is, but you're here.

You have a chance to choose. A good day, or a not-so-good day? Productive or you-just-can't-do-it day? And it's okay if you can't- just try.

You have a chance to claim the love that people say they have for you. Embrace it and try to believe in it.

You have a chance to choose love over bitterness and anger. That includes a little love for yourself.

You have a chance to work on your mental and physical health. Do something kind for yourself - work out, take a hot bath, paint your toenails, or play a game. Whatever makes you happy.

You have a chance to say you're not okay. To ask for help or just for someone to listen or hold you and be a presence in your life.

You have a chance to connect with another human being. Whether you know them or not, even if it's through social media instead of face to face.

You have a chance to say you are okay- if that's true.

You have a chance to choose life.

You woke up today - it's not an accident. It means you still have a reason for being here. I'm glad you are. I hope you'll choose the things that are best for you. And I pray you'll be here tomorrow, too.

Much love to you all.

Sometimes you're really not okay, despite the smile you plaster on for the world to see.

Sometimes you say, "I'm good," despite the inner turmoil you're feeling.

Sometimes you just can't talk about it.

Sometimes you just want a friend to sit beside you and let you be quiet.

Sometimes you just need space. Time to be alone.

Sometimes you need a hug without knowing why.

Sometimes you need to cry even if you aren't sad.

Sometimes your thoughts are jumbled and SO much louder than the sounds the world is making all around you.

Sometimes you don't know how to deal with your thoughts.

Sometimes you can't explain why you feel anxious, nervous, depressed.

Sometimes you just need someone to understand that you don't need to be "fixed;" you just need people to understand that you're trying to cope.

These feelings are so much more common than you think. They aren't "abnormal" or "twisted;" your mind and emotions sometimes conflict with each other and it causes confusion and a stress response.

I want you to know - I understand. As someone who has dealt with panic attacks, depression, social anxiety, and post traumatic stress, I know exactly what you're going through.

I want you to know that you're not alone, that someone cares about you and your worries. I do.

I want you to know that you matter. You are of great value. You are unique and wonderful and loved.

I want to tell you that I am here for you. If you need to talk, vent, cry, scream, curse, or whatever. I am here and willing to hold your hand through the moments you need someone to be there.

No matter who you are, whether we've ever met, I love you and care for you.

Hold on. It's okay if you're not okay right now. Things may look bleak in this moment, but please believe that they won't always be that way. Please just hang on.

It's okay to not be okay. We all need to know that we aren't gonna be "fine" every minute of every day. We are going to have times - sometimes long times - when we aren't fine. And it's okay.

If you need to talk - please message me or reach out in your community for help. You'll find no judgment, no condemnation - just someone to listen and be there.

If you know someone else who needs to know this, please tag/reblog. Perhaps it will save a life.