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My experience of mental illness.https://www.google.com/adsense/new/u/0/pub-3691500166505297/privacymessaging

To my readers I have a confession to make. I have schizophrenia, but I don’t think that is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I think my experience of schizophrenia has made me a better person, because I am an empath and I often feel other people’s pain, which is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because I have compassion and can listen to other people’s sad stories of being victimised and stigmatised and really relate, but being an empath I can feel the emotional pain of these people and want them to know there are people who care when they are suffering and if you have a little faith, there will always be someone who will listen and say I HEAR YOU.

I have a strong faith in God and this has guided me throughout my darkest hours, when it feels like no one cares or understands, and when the negative thoughts become agonising I force my mind to feel better, by doing something caring and positive for a loved one ❤️. I believe goodwill generates goodwill and doing something nice for someone helps my own healing. There is way too much negativity surrounding a diagnosis of schizophrenia, the stigma is awful to bear from cruel small minded people who believe that people with schizophrenia are evil and inferior. My experience of it is that this judgement of us, contributes to and compounds the more negative symptoms and leads to people self harming, comfort eating and feeling suicidal. Just how many people have committed suicide because the emotional pain caused by stigma is to hard to bear.

Honestly battling schizophrenia feels like a war in your mind between good and evil. I am a highly functioning person and I am determined when I am unwell that evil is not going to claim me. I make myself think positive and go put of my way to think kindly of myself and my loved ones. I am truly grateful for the good people in my life, who have some compassion for the impact on me of this spiritual 🙏 battle. I will always advocate for the basic human rights of those who suffer like I do, and I will always listen to and make time to treat people well and empower them to have faith and be positive in their life. When you are feeling disempowered, you need to find whatever works to empower you. What empowers me is my belief in angels. That God sends us angels, as his employees to heal the damage caused by people who stigmatise mental illness. I truly have met some wonderful people working in mental health, my psychiatrist in particular. My psychiatrist is a very wise man and we often talk about faith and people having a life purpose. My purpose is to bring a little empathy, compassion and care to those having such a spiritual battle. I’m not an angel, just a human brought up to be loving and caring.

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I’ve recently decluttered

Do you believe in minimalism?

I hsve a confession to make, I was once a terrible hoarder, but recently have done a fair bit of decluttering because I plan to move soon, and mainly haorded things like letters and cards , clothes and trinkets.  I threw away a lot and gave things to my friends or donated them to the Salvos.  If felt good and freeing to do so. I think it’s ok to be a bit of a hoarder and keep the important and truly sentimental stuff like photos and vinyl records, CD 💿 and books but get rid of the things that hsve served their purpose and you no longer need them. It is nice to keep things like photos or those things given to you by loved 😍 ones.

Profound advice

What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?

The most profound piece of advice that I’ve been given and took on board was to surround myself with good people.  This advice came from my brother David when I was first diagnosed with my mental illness back in the day.  I took that advice very seriously and now only let people with the very best intentions be a part of my life.  I lost some people from my life around that time, but it was no great loss, they weren’t true friends in the end, now I am surrounded by wonderful people and eternally grateful and gracious for what I have.

Unlimited budget

If you had an unlimited budget for 24 hours, what would you do?

If I had an unlimited budget for 24 hours I would buy some nice furniture for my new place.  I would help pit my nieces and nephews with their mortgages and also help Russell with his. I would give Adrian the deposit for a place of his own and I would give some money to the Olivia Newton John Cancer Centre and the Royal Children’s Hospital. I would also give money for music 🎶 🎵 and art therapy in psychiatric hospitals.

Neil Finn

If you could have dinner with any philosopher, who would it be?

If I could have dinner with anyone I considered to be  philosopher it would be Neil Finn because even though he is a musician and songwriter his songs are often philosophical and he is obviously a deep thinker because he dedicates a lot of energy and support and his abundant wealth to causes around the 🌎 world like poverty, homelessness etc. He has empathy and a compassionate heart ❤️ and today is his birthday

The Meaning Of Life

What is the meaning of life?

To me the meaning of life is about the journey and the values, lessons and wisdom we learn as part of that journey.  Life is all about giving, not taking. We must learn goodwill and that life should be about paying it forward and graciously paying back. We reap what we  sow in this life and goodwill manifests and generates goodwill.  This is what God hopes we learn on our journey by faith in him.

This past couple of weeks

What’s a moment that made you realize you were stronger than you thought?

It has been over the past couple of weeks that I have realised how strong and resilient I really am. Circumstances have forced me to be strong and stay mentally well in the face of major events forcing me to reconsider my housing options. I am vulnerable but I really have got my suit together.

Lily and her displays of affection

What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?

The most simple pleasure 🙏🏽 in life that brings me the most joy is every morning when Lily firsts gets up for the day ahead and lies on my lap or chest on the couch and showers me with kisses 💋.  She always wakes up happy and with a heart full of love and joy. It is pure bliss. Unconditional love is the best sort of love.

“LIFE’S TOO SHORT FOR BURNING BRIDGES TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME”.

Who would’ve thought that the advice I can most use at the moment is the above quote taken word for word from the Jimmy Barnes song Working Class Man.  Jimmy thank you for helping me get the right attitude.  I don’t think Jimmy realises what a role model he is.

I have had the rug pulled out from under me in relation to my future housing situation.  I am stunned but not defeated. When a door is closed God opens a windows. Perhaps The Haven wasn’t meant to be for me, it could’ve been very challenging living in close quarters with some seriously unwell people.  As my friend Adrian pointed out I have done my job too well, as I hsve stayed well for several years and hsve many strong reasons to keep well to avoid those you come across in a hospital environment.

What does the future hold for me and Lily who knows. Maybe a small cottage with a little yard for Lily. Maybe a retirement unit in a village. I am considering a few different options and my faith in God means that I know he has better plans for me.