Tag: Mental Health

Tranquil Trek

Frederica R. Burrage

✌Victory Hand

Unplanned Activist

For Peace

Riding Away

Into Sunset

Broken Spirit

Worn Pieces

Life’s Lemons

Sour Expectations

Sunken Dreams

Humbly Quit

Radical Change

Necessary Means

Soul Searching

Seeking Hope

Cruising Effortlessly

For Peace

Rising Above

For Serenity

Headed West

For Relaxation

Moving Steadily

For Rest

Quiet Rehabilitation

Poverty Inspired

Challenges Aside

Women Empowered

Pride Conquered

People Died

For Peace

Chasing Sunlight

Silently Ascending

Slow Progress

Body Willing

Mind Struggling

For Peace

For Sanity

Fighting Demons

I’m Winning

The Battle

Self Motivated

Graceful Beginnings

Foot Soldier

Anti-war Agent

Mustering Strength

Maintaining Courage

For Peace

Reluctant Compromise

New Start

Fresh Outlook

Black Zealot

Much Stronger

Grateful Heart

No Longer

Looking Back

Driving Towards

Beautiful Sunrises

For Peace

*Video- Amtrak’s California Zephyr Line, from Chicago to Emeryville, California

Fight Depression

Frederica R. Burrage

Where are you

Hiding

Your mind’s racing

Quickly

Your body’s shaking

Trembling

I sense fear

Shame

Your stare is

Blank

I’m feeling little

Aggression

Fight for your

Life.

Emotionally, you seem

Broken

There’s nowhere to

Run

Let us in

Depression

Step into the

Sun

Come back soon

Please!

Everyone cares so

Deeply

God loves you

Believe

Trust in him

Recieve

Seek help now

Therapy

Conquer your demons

Recover

God is Life

Discover.

Me Too Am Speaking

Frederica R. Burrage

COCOA BUTTER MASK

I move with pride                    even though I hide                      the pain inside-                            I speak of shame                      not to defame                                or place blame-                        the embarrassment              was a detriment                          to my temperament-                    I didn’t choose to be a part of any movement or hash tag-      especially if the requirement meant that I’d be privy to sexual molestation-                It is with hesitation                that I proclaim            victimization-                    This is sad…                                  However, my aim                  is to lose the humiliation            that I hold inside-                        The resentment survivors carry, can vary                      from fear to anxiety-                  from depression to grief.            By standing up against abuse,  it’s a slight relief-                      Do I regret speaking up about the who touched me              that night? No-                              At the time (age 10),                    I lied and stated that                nothing was wrong                      but I cried-                            What made me think            that I could be strong enough    to say something,                      to tell my truth-                            When I did                                    I was not believed-                      It was not a reprieve                  It was a game-                              The only thing I achieved was  the name of  a liar.                      Him, he became the victim-      I tried to tell                                  that I was playing in Hell            with the devil                        with a grin-                                    He actually smiled at me            ever so gingerly                      like he was protected-                I felt neglected                          My family                                    did not help me                        My feelings were rejected-        I did not receive a hug,              a kiss or a pat                            on the forehead.                          I got yelled at instead-                Usually my mother                      coated our ills            with Cocoa Butter…                      it was better than pill-          This time, she seemed torn, confused, removed, worn.        I had nobody-                          My scars were infested              by sores                                      My skin bled with spores            of contempt.                                  I was used-                                    Even though                          years have gone by,                      therapy does not conceal            the harmful memories-                                                                        Prayer and meditation helps    to heal the clutter of emotions.  Forgiveness is key-                      I am writing my truth                to liberate me from hate.            Holding such rage in                  is not healthy-                              I pray that I can          shed some anger            towards this dead man.              I will forgive him one day-        My bruises are mine.                  Other people have died              trying to hide much pain.          I say ENOUGH!

My testament is to inspire,      to empower other people          to come forward.                        SPEAK UP!                          DON’T BE AFRAID!                      Seek assistance and put a stop  to this violent crime          before it repeats-                      It’s time to SUPPORT            each other-                                    LISTEN to one another              and mend scars                      that don’t fade-                          Let perpetrators know                their mistreatment won’t be tolerated and they will be punished!

#MeToo     #AmSpeaking            #Itriedtotell     #MyTruth

Reduce the fear                          of double victimization              by giving an objective ear        to someone in need.

Fill Your Jar With Joy

Frederica R. Burrage

Do you see the “Looking Glass of Life”, as half-full or mostly empty? Thinking with an open mind, we can transform our outlook on just about anything. Naturally, there will be setbacks in one’s lifetime. However, learning to adapt to stressful situations, we can prepare ourselves to heal in a healthy way and within a reasonable time frame.

Life is what you make it. If you fill your “Jar” with good things, then your focus will be positive. Everybody has a way of viewing reality- that is unique to them. If we all saw obstacles as too difficult to conquer, no one would be successful. Once you remove the negative influences in your Jar, you have to replace them with an abundance of positive energy. If everyone believed in overcoming challenges, opportunities would continue to be competitive and worth stressing over. You only have a fighting chance if you are able to hold your own in the war. The battle will be won by the fearless and most powerful. Use your inner voice as a strength. What you think… what you tell yourself… BELIEVE IT!

Being stuck in a rut or wavering on a sticky surface, is unhealthy. If time allows, you should be ready to make tough decisions when faced with hard choices. If your Jar is full of cheer and optimism, then you have options. Use your resources wisely. Don’t deplete your energy too soon or gamble on frivolous items. Once you tap into your stash, replenish it when you can. Never run empty because life rewards those who help themselves.

Maintain a calm attitude and be steadfast on your journey towards the fulfillment of your goals. Trust your intuition and practice good, mindful habits.

ALWAYS LOOK AT THE GLASS AS HALF-FULL… FULL OF POSITIVITY AND MEANINGFUL POSSIBILITIES. THEN, FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS.

Fill Your Jar With Joy! #MyPassionsin5Words

When the Giver Needs Care

Frederica R. Burrage

You can’t help anyone, if you need help. CARE FOR YOURSELF!

Being a caregiver requires a great deal of responsibility and patience. It can be stressful and time consuming. While focusing a lot of attention on someone else, it would be wise to be cognizant of your own wellbeing. What good are you to anyone, if you are not emotionally okay?

It is not selfish to put yourself first. If you need help, ask for it. You will do more harm to everyone if you try to please others when you are not in optimal health. Don’t try to be a superhero and prove your strength. The many challenges you face, can take its toll in the long run. Having a reliable support system will benefit you and your patient(s).

It takes a special person to become a caregiver (even to family members). Usually people get paid to assist with strangers though. Choosing such an undertaking, can be both physically and mentally exhausting. When it all seems overwhelming, it is best to pause and reconsider one’s effectiveness. There is no shame in trying and then throwing in the towel. Recognize when you’ve had enough. At least you gave it a shot. KNOW YOUR LIMITS.

Once people attempt to honor a commitment, fear can surface, that if they quit, they will have failed. Feelings matter and no one is to blame for expressing themselves respectfully, when the going gets rough. BE CLEAR and CONCISE. Speak your Intentions and don’t sugarcoat any issues.

When you lose sight of your own self care, you cannot possibly give adequate time and affection to others. Don’t feel guilty in taking some time away to pamper yourself once in awhile. NURTURE YOUR WANTS. De-stress and you will bounce back.

We all need to identify our emotions and concentrate on our positive attributes. Sometimes we hit bumps on the road. Then, we regroup and keep moving forward. No one should be expected to give what they don’t have or do the impossible. Just wanting to make a difference, makes a difference. Look for alternatives and resources to combat negative thoughts. Let it be a mission to practice self-love, before you devote a substantial amount of energy elsewhere. If not, you risk “burnout” and may feel like a burden also. Alleviate your strain… LET GO and find other constructive ways to be productive. 20180803_0856173657246972389799107.jpg