This is the month of MAY 2017

 ~ Mental Health Awareness Month ~

Greetings everyone ~ Now that we have entered into the month of May, we should all be aware that this is Mental Health Awareness Month.  This is a good time to take notice of your mental health and the mental health of those in your family, those you may work with, and those who are around you.  Now is a good time to become involved in discussions about mental health.  You never know who may be around you that is crying out for help silently.

Do you recognize any of the following symptoms in yourself or others? . . .

1.  Changes in energy levels or sleep patterns?

2.  Frequent thoughts of death or suicide?

3.  Loss of interest or pleasure in activities?

4.  Noticeable restlessness or irritability?

5.  Difficulties with concentration or decision making?

6.  Changes in appetite, eating habits or weight?

7.  Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, worthless, or guilty?

If so, then you may want to utilize Mental Health Screening Tools.

Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And, remember recovery is possible.

There are guidelines for use of the Mental Health Screening Tool, and if you are unsure of which Screen to take, you can follow the guidelines to determine which Screening Tool would work best for you . . .

DEPRESSION ~ is for individuals who are feeling overwhelming sadness.

ANXIETY ~ will help if you feel that worry and fear affect your day to day life.

Bipolar ~ is for individuals who have mood swings - or unusual or extreme shifts in mood and energy.

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) ~ is for those who are bothered by a traumatic life event.

Alcohol or Substance Use ~ will help determine if your use of alcohol or drugs is an area to address.

Psychosis ~ is for young people (age 12-35) who feel like their brain is playing tricks on them (seeing, hearing or believing things that don't seem real or quite right)

Eating Disorder ~ can help explore eating related concerns that have an impact on your physical health and overall well-being.

There are also the following areas that can be explored . . .

The Youth Screen ~ is for young people (age 11-17) who are concerned that their emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem.

The Parent Screen ~ is for parents of young people to determine if their child’s emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem.

Work Health Survey ~ is a screen to explore how healthy or unhealthy your work environment is.  (NOTE:  This Screen is in testing phase and every screen taken helps Mental Health American "MHA" to better understand mental health in the workplace).

You can visit the Mental Health America Website to find out how to take a Screen.

If you have any comments, thoughts, questions, suggestions, or would like to leave further information about Mental Health, feel free to leave your comments here on the Blog.

As always, I'm looking forward to having you back here in our next Blog Session for further topics of discussion and more about mental health.  In the meantime, be kind to one another.

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

©Copyright - René Allen - MAY 2017 - All Rights Reserved

The Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project

 ~ FEBRUARY 2017 - MARCH 2017 ~

We're Back!

QUICK REVIEW:  The object of this Writing Project is to encourage you to expand your mind with regard to your writing path using your own choices and a little Research -- which will lead you to self-discoveries.

Currently, we are continuing on with our wonderful Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project, which is now carrying over from February into the month of March 2017.

We've had a lot of participation, and I'd like to share some of the other input from the Writers participating here in our Writing Project:

Other Stone 1 picks:  Travel Writer, News Reporter, Author, Poet, Short Story Writer, Blog Writer, and Website Creator.

My Stone 1 pick was Novelist.

You may have picked an entirely different writing career word that identified with your soul for your Stone 1.  Feel free to share it in the Comments here on the Blog.

Our Stone 2 consisted of the year our Stone 1 word was first used in the English language.  We all found out that information from the Dictionary of our choice.

Next came Stone 3, which consisted of a word that we each chose from the Research that we did on the year that our Stone 1 word was first used.

Then came Stone 4. which was the condensed word that we each came up with from our further Research on our Stone 1 word that resonated with our soul.

When we last conducted our Research, we each came up with three (3) areas of our choice to do research on with regard to our Stone 4 word.

For example, my Stone 4 word was "Novels", and my three areas of Research were the three genres that I chose, which were as follows...

1)  Historical Fiction

2)  Drama

3)  Self Help Journal

 

We were each to take our three areas of Research, write the information we found out down in our trusty Notebooks, and  chose one (1) of those areas that we were most drawn to.

 

For me, it was two areas, so I had to narrow it down to one (1) area.  I liked both Historical Fiction and Self Help Journal.  When I write Novels, I tend to lean toward Historical Fiction most of the time.  So I took a leap, and turned to the path I normally don't tread:  Self Help Journal. 

 

We were each to take the One (1) area that we chose and come back here for the next step . . .

 

So here we are!

 

Now, here comes the FUN...

 

Take the area that you chose, and using your Research on that one particular area, write one sentence about the area that you were most drawn to.

 

Help Tip Example:  The area that I chose was "Self Help Journal".  The Research that I conducted informed me of the following...

 

1)  Self-help or self-improvement is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. Many different self-help group programs exist, each with its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders. Concepts and terms originating in self-help culture and Twelve-Step culture, such as recovery, dysfunctional families, and codependency have become firmly integrated in mainstream language.

 

Self-help often utilizes publicly available information or support groups, on the Internet as well as in person, where people in similar situations join together. From early examples in self-driven legal practice and home-spun advice, the connotations of the word have spread and often apply particularly to education, business, psychology and psychotherapy, commonly distributed through the popular genre of self-help books. According to the APA Dictionary of Psychology, potential benefits of self-help groups that professionals may not be able to provide include friendship, emotional support, experiential knowledge, identity, meaningful roles, and a sense of belonging.

 

Groups associated with health conditions may consist of patients and caregivers. As well as featuring long-time members sharing experiences, these health groups can become support groups and clearing-houses for educational material. Those who help themselves by learning and identifying about health problems can be said to exemplify self-help, while self-help groups can be seen more as peer-to-peer support.  [RESOURCE:  WIKIPEDIA]

 

2)  I found out that there are all sorts of Self-Help Journals in the form of Books, such as:

 

a) Start Where You Are:  A Journal for Self-Exploration by Meera Lee Patel

b)  The Gratitude Journal: A 21 Day Challenge to More Gratitude, Deeper Relationships, and   Greater Joy (A Life of Gratitude) by Shelley Hitz

c)  Knock Knock I'm Doing My Best Inner-Truth Journal by Knock Knock

d)  Journal of Awesome by Neil Pasricha

...and the list went on and on...

[RESOURCE:  Internet Search]

The question for the area that I chose also becomes, What exactly is a Journal?

By definition, a Journal is . . .

1.  a daily record, as of occurrences, experiences, or observations: She kept a journal during her European trip.

2. a newspaper, especially a daily one.

3. a periodical or magazine, especially one published for a special group, learned society, or progression:  the October issue of The English Journal.

 

4.  a record, usually daily, of the proceedings and transactions of a legislative body, an organization, etc.

5.  Bookkeeping.

1. a daybook.
2. (in the double-entry method) a book into which all transactions are entered from the daybook or blotter to facilitate posting into the ledger.

6.  Nautical.  a log or logbook.

7. to write self-examining or reflective journal entries, especially in school or as part of psychotherapy:  Students should journal as part of a portfolio assessment program.

 

My pursuit in the area of a "Self Help Journal" would be more along these lines . . .

 

Journal therapy,  which is a type of writing therapy that focuses on the writer's internal experiences, thoughts and feelings. Journal therapy uses reflective writing so that the writer can receive mental and emotional clarity, validate experiences and come to a deeper understanding of him or herself. Journal therapy can also be used to express difficult material or access previously inaccessible material.
Like other forms of therapy, journal therapy can be used to heal a writer's emotional or physical problems or work through a trauma, such as illness, addiction, relationship problems etc.

In short, my one sentence for the area that I chose ~ "Self Help Journal" . . .

Journal Therapy or Reflective/Meditative Writing.

What did you come up with?

We'll be back with further insight on what you should get out of your one sentence.

We can't wait!

    Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - FEBRUARY - MARCH 2017 - All Rights Reserved

~ The Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project ~ FEBRUARY 2017

And, we are back!

 

We left off thinking about what we were going to put on our 4th Stone.  Stone 4 will contain a condensed word that identifies what you thought about in relation to your Stone 1 word.

 

Remember, your Stone 1 word is a description of your area of writing that your soul identifies with.  For this Writing Project, I chose the word, "Novelist".  For you, it may be  "Short Story Writer", or "Script Writer", or "PlayWright" . . .

 

What we are doing now is condensing the Research we conducted in relation to our Stone 1 word into one word that we will each place on Stone 4 of the Balancing Stones Sculpture print-out.

 

As an example for all followers of our Writing Project, I chose the word "Novelist", and my Research led me to condense my research into the following word for Stone 4:  "Novels"

 

I picked Novels, because a "Novelist" is a writer of "Novels", and the end result of what my soul would like to do is be an Author of Novels.

 

Your Stone 1 word is a word that resonates with your soul in relation to your writing path.  With that in mind, make sure that your condensed word from your Research also resonates with your soul.

 

Whatever your Research led you to, condense it to one word, and place it on your Stone 4 -- which will be the Stone below your Stone 3, or in the case where you will need to go to the left or right of your Stone 3 ~ like such . . . 

Now that you have placed the condensed word that you came up with from your Research on your Stone 4, it should look something like the example above (which is my Writing Project results).

 

Here is what we will do next:

We will do Research on the word written on our Stone 4.  For me it will be Research on my Stone 4 word, which is "Novels".  In my case, I will write a short list of three genres that interest me for my Research Studies.

 

For you, it will be three areas (of your choice) about the word that you chose for your Stone 4.  You can chose your Research Studies for your Stone 4, and feel free to share what you came up with.

 

We'll see each other back here for the next step tomorrow!

 

 Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - 2017 - All Rights Reserved

~ The Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project ~ FEBRUARY 2017

Good Evening Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project participants ~ We are back here again with our next step . . .

Grab your Notebook, your pen, and your print-out of your Balancing Stones Sculpture.  Your print out of the Balancing Stones Sculpture should look like the example above.  Your three stones should have the following:

Stone 1)  Your word that describes the area of writing that captures your soul -- i.e.,  Author, PlayWrite, Script Writer, Poet, Novelist, CopyWriter, Film Writer, Journalist, etc.;

Stone 2)  The year that the word that you chose was first used; and

Stone 3)  The word that you chose from the Research that you conducted on the year that your word was first used.

When we were last here, everyone was working on researching the word that they chose for Stone 3.  The word that I chose was, "Opera".  I chose the word "Opera", because my research was based on the year 1728, and what I found was information on John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" that first premiered in London on January 29th, 1728.

Whatever word that you chose for your Stone 3 is what we are now focused on.  We did further Research on our word choice.  What I found in my research was a photograph of the Opera that took place in the year 1728 (which was the date entered on my 2nd Stone)...
 

 John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera"

Premiered in London on January 29th, 1728

 

You may have found further information in your research that interest you other than a photograph like I did.  Whatever you found that grabbed your attention, make a note of it in your Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project Notebook.  If you happened to have found photographs like I did, you can print out a copy of them and tape them or glue them in your Notebook.

Giving you an example of  other information that I found out:

John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" had an Adaptation in 1953; there was a 1963 BBCtv Broadcast of The Beggar's Opera; there was a 2009 presentation of John Gay's The Beggar's Opera directed by Chris Rovers; The lyrics of the opening song in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera established the main social conflict of the play; there was also a Website created by the students of the University of Michigan about the exploration of John Gay's The Beggar's Opera; and there was also plenty of information on You Tube about this fabulous Ballad Opera.

You may want to write down the links that you found during your Research so that you may go back to them.  I saved several links, and the one link that I'd like to share with everyone here is this one . . .

http://umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/beggars_opera/

The focus of this Writing Project is to turn your attention to your writing and your specific literary area of interest.  It helps to get you inspired to research your area of interest, and to go off the beaten path to expand your mind.

Our next step:  Stone 4

What shall we place on Stone 4?

Think about the word that you have on Stone 1.  If you have the word "Author", the question becomes for you what is the title of what you will Author?  The same holds true if you have the word "Novelist", or "PlayWrite", or "Script Writer", or "Film Writer", or "Poet".

If you have the word "Editor", the question for you is what type of Editor?  News Editor, Sports Editor, Financial Editor, or Fashion Editor.

If you have the word "Journalist", the question for you is what type of Journalist?

Stone 4 will contain a condensed word that identifies what you will come back here with after you have thought about the question that relates to your Stone 1 word.

If you have any questions, please feel free to write them in the comments section here.

I'll see you back here tomorrow!

Have a good night thinking about Stone 1 . . .

 Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - 2017 - All Rights Reserved

The Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project ~ February, 2017

Your Notebook

Good Afternoon Everyone ~ If you are following along with The Balancing Stones Sculpture Writing Project then you will have your trusty Notebook filled out with the steps that we have taken thus far.  When we were last here, you were told to come back here, and have your notebook and the information from your Research (the year that your writing word that you chose from your soul was first used)...[my word was "Novelist", and the year my word was first used was 1728]...and then we would proceed to the next step of our Writing Project.

So here we are ~ You should have written in your Notebook information about the year that your word was first used.  I posted my Research about the year 1728 in the last Blog post.  What I found the most eye-opening about the year 1728 was one simple fact that caught my eye . . . The Historical Event that caught my attention about the year 1728 was The Beggar's Opera by John Gay, which premiered in London on January 29th, 1728.

You will have found out very interesting information about the year your word was first used that will catch your attention.  Personally, I had never heard of John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera".  So in doing my research on the Opera, I found out where it premiered -- London.  Since I was not even a thought in 1728, everything that I found out about the year 1728 was noteworthy.

Feel free to add your word (relating to writing), the year it was first used, and the interesting facts you found out about the happenings that took place in the year your word was first used in the comments section here on the Blog.  That should be fun for all of us!


RECAP (See previous Blog posts): 
1.  We each picked a word that related to Writing, such as Author, Journalist, PlayWrite, Novelist, Editor, Script Writer, Instruction Manual Writer, Copywriter, etc.

2.  Then we defined the word (in our own words)

3.  Then we looked our word up in the Dictionary of our choice

4.   Next, we printed out the Balancing Stones Sculpture photo from the first Blog post, and wrote our word on Stone 1 -- which was the 1st stone on the Balancing Stones Sculpture that attracted our attention.  [For each of us, the word, and the 1st stone is different].

5.  Next we all Researched the word that we chose, and wrote out all of the interesting information about our word in our Notebook.  (or printed it out if Research was done on the Computer).

6.  Then we looked up the year that our particular word was first used.

7.  Next, we wrote the year our word was first used on the 2nd Stone on the Balancing Stones Sculpture (to the right of the 1st Stone that we picked out with our word on it).  [If the Stone you chose for your 1st Stone was hanging off to the right, you would then place the year your word was first used on a Stone to the left of your 1st Stone].

8.  Next, we researched the year our word was first used, and wrote out all of the fascinating things, events, and/or happenings that took place during that particular year that caught our attention.

9.  NOW, here we are with all of our Research in hand written inside our Notebooks, and the print out of the Balancing Stones Sculpture with our word that resonates with our soul relating to writing on the 1st Stone of our choice, and the year the word was first used written on the 2nd Stone to the right of our 1st Stone (like the example above on the Balancing Stones Sculpture photo).

What you will do next is place your printout of the Balancing Stones Sculpture photo in front of you, and concentrate on where you will place your next word on the Sculpture (The spot will be on the Stone below your 2nd Stone choice). . .

Your next word will be the one piece of information that resonates with you from your Research.  For me it is "Opera".

Then you will place your Research word on the 3rd Stone, which should be just below your 2nd Stone.  Like so . . .

 

Current Balancing Stone Sculpture in our Writing Project process should have three Stones with information on them:  

1st Stone:  Your writing word that resonates with your soul

2nd Stone:  The year that your writing word was first used

3rd Stone:  The Research word that captured your attention from your Research Studies.

(Pictured above is my example of my writing process in our Project).

Our Writing Project utilizing our Balancing Stones Sculpture will continue with our next step after you have done further research study on the word you have written on your 3rd Stone.

Using the Computer (or your phone), Google your word.  Write down all of the information in your Writing Project Notebook.  Then we will see you back here for the next step!

 Peace, Love & Light,

René

© Copyright - René Allen - 2017 - All Rights Reserved