The Roller Coaster, Would I Rather Be Off?

Reading my favorite daily blogs and reviewing some FB posts this am I ran
across something that while initially making me angry made me stop
and take another look at the tides that we all deal with in life. Whether
it is in a relationship, our career or a disease, we all experience ups
and downs that come with being human.

In counseling I remind clients quite often that it is the perspective
of their view occurring in their daily travels that will determine  
how they feel. The color of the glasses they see events through
or what they say to themselves, ("self talk") make such
a difference..."therapist speak"!

An article referenced on Facebook, talked about how patients create their
own highs and lows on the cancer roller coaster by hope. Now
by thinking something new might not help...or yet that a remission wouldn't
last long time was not something I wanted to consider. While it
can be incredibly tough on us those who are on the MM ride, not
to mention the patient,  it is also something that binds us together in a mutual
understanding of our daily experiences.

I thought the person putting this on a Facebook page was being cruel
 initially. But to my surprise as the  day wore on (and it was one of those wearing days)
...I began to feel differently and even treasure the valley, ( I admit it has looked
mighty deep at times, as for most caregivers) Instead of the
journal's idea that we should just accept  an end of our MM journey after a certain
amount of time, regardless of the treatment,  the ups and downs of our roller coaster
ride looked pretty sweet after all. I like the "hope" perspective!

As a therapist I do believe in the view of our time here on earth, as well
as what we tell ourselves about it, whether it is from
the mountain or the valley. Kahlil Gibran once wrote:
"He who has not looked on Sorrow will never see Joy."
 



Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Certified K-12 Guidance Counselor License #MH9166 Phone: 386.747.7148 Fax: 386.747.7148

What Are You Looking For Today?

I wonder what folks really want to see in a blog from a small town therapist?
Many times parts of this blog get "re-tweeted" or quoted on Facebook.
But I often wonder why was it important to that person? What is the story of
someone who chose to share my words?

What do people really want online? Motivation? Inspiration? A place to vent?
If I look at my insights on my FB business page the largest audience is usually
for an uplifting quote, an article about positive thinking or physical fitness....
many times, followers on FB or Twitter, respond to my life as a caretaker of
an multiple myeloma spouse or for tips on how to balance one's daily world.
Most popular of all no doubt are the lines shared about success and love!

What are you looking for today? I would really like to hear you!


Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC#MH9166Phone: 386.747.7148

"Pity Party"

Ever wake up and just cannot shake some very powerful
thoughts about your life? Many will call themselves "depressed" or say they need a "mental health day".

Perhaps even before the end of this day or the next, folks tend to begin to sheepishly apologize for taking this time to soothe themselves  or receive what they would like to get from others...attention to "negative feelings" such as sadness, fear, regret, frustration or anger.

I can't help but wonder if people should give ourselves this time more often and make it "OK"? Perhaps we could avoid many of the bigger issues such as anger problems, anxiety disorder or true clinical depression. Many of those concerns stem, though not entirely, from the build up of feelings over time that we tend to deny or push down in order to get through our day to day lives. For many this is becoming tougher all the time.We will not always get from others what we need or feel "heard" therefore building up frustrations. Many feel it is selfish to validate their own feelings, but, perhaps a "pity party" once in a while, might just be an effective "self help" prescription?




Jodi H. Underhill MEd. LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor/Online Therapy
Phone: 386.747.7148 Fax: 386.873.4311