Compassion...

Welcome to Dymphna's Diary

Although I am not Catholic, I find it interesting that "Dymphna" is the patron saint of those who suffer from clinical depression and other mental illnesses. Considering the purpose of this site is to offer inspiration and spiritual guidance to my readers, I felt it was only right I chose her namesake for the title.

In 2010, this site was set up to pass along personal information about how depression has affected my life and the lives of my family. Since then, it has EVOLVED. In 2011, I attempted to present posts that were INSPIRATIONAL to you, my readers. In 2012, I went even deeper with personal stories from people across the United States via touching videos, songs, and interviews. My hope was to show each of you that even when you feel that you are in a situation that no one else could understand, you are not alone. Through it all, my comments have remained to be my personal opinions and spiritual reflections. I will continue to occasionally post information that I feel is beneficial in removing the stigma of mental illness, but regardless I feel blessed to have been given this platform to spread God's love and compassion for ALL people. I wouldn't be where I am today without the strength I receive daily from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My hope is that this blog will help you find some comfort in your life. It most certainly is helping me find comfort in mine.

I want to make it perfectly clear, though, that when I make generalizations regarding mental illness, I am NOT giving advice to anyone. I'm just passing along information that I have found helpful in my life. I'm writing about MY PERSONAL experiences and thoughts. Mental illness affects everyone differently and your situation may not be reflective of mine.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Compassion...

Continuing on with our twelve days of "gifts" that we all can give to each other - gifts that won't cost us a thing...

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...COMPASSION.

Yesterday afternoon, a group of us from our church got together and went to a local nursing facility to sing Christmas carols. We had originally planned to go "caroling" in the neighborhood that surrounds our church - but it began raining earlier in the day - and we called the nursing home as a last minute idea. As a result, there were only six of us that went. But, each of us that went were abundantly blessed by our decision to attend.

Some of the residents waved to us as we made our way down the corridors of their home, singing "Jingle Bells" or "Silent Nights". It made us smile. But what really melted our hearts, were the ones that would stop what they were doing and start singing along with us. Some would even request a favorite song for us to sing with them.

We went to that nursing facility to bring a little bit of Christmas to the residents lives - to show them some Compassion - and what we found was... the spirit of Christmas. For the hour that we were there, nothing else matter but the joy and acceptance that we all were feeling. It was amazing - we were being blessed when we thought we were going to bless them!

Compassion is a funny thing.

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Inspirational Quotes...

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ~ Harriet Tubman

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal. ~ Pamela Vaull Starr

All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible. ~ T.E. Lawrence

So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key.
Already Gone ~ the Eagles

Depression Facts and Stats*

Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23%

54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.

41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.

80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment.

92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment.

15% of depressed people will commit suicide.

Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.

Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.

*All information taken from http://www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html

Dr Seuss Quotes...

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells."

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple."

"A person's a person, no matter how small."

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."

"Only you can control your future."

Helpful Books

Holy Bible
Life Is Short, Wear Your Party Pants - Loretta LaRoche
Living Without Depression and Manic Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability - Mary Ellen Copeland
I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! Helping the Seriously Mentally Ill Accept Treatment - Xavier Amador with Anna-Lisa Johanson
On The Stigma Of Mental Illness: Practical Strategies for Research and Social Change (9781591471899): Patrick W. Corrigan
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder Demitri and Janice Papolos
What Goes up... Surviving the Manic Episode of a Loved One - Judy Eron
Loving Someone With Bipolar Disorder - Julie A. Fast, John D. Preston
Depression Fallout: The Impact of Depression on Couples and What You Can Do to Preserve the Bond - Anne Sheffield

Dymphna's Diary - Mentally (and Spiritually) Speaking

Welcome to Dymphna's Diary

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Compassion...

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Depression is a Physical Disease

Love...