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Drug awareness…death of teenagers

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

I know I am often accused of having an almost black and white approach to drugs but over the years I have seen what drug abuse can do to families. So call me old fashioned but I have a zero drugs policy in my home.

However, I never turn away families that need help and often discuss the subject of smoking drugs and taking drugs with concerned parents. Both parents and teens alike often find themselves justifying what is taken on the grounds ‘it’s from a safe source’ whatever that truly means! I also know that a large percentage of drug users are young men who for whatever reason seem to lose their way or fall into drugs because of peer pressure.

I recently discussed this with a colleague from within the Police who raised her own concerns how the strength of the drugs are not always known and teens may well be taking far more than they intended with seriously tragic outcomes.

I will quote from one of my favourite authors Donald Walsch who explains in his book ‘Conversations with God for Teenagers’ how teenagers believe they get control by taking drugs…but the trick is drugs have control from the very start!

I have just read  in today’s ‘Mail on Sunday’ about the Lakeman’s tragic loss of their two young sons and my heart goes out to them. So today I would like to promote the charity Anyone’s Child.

Please visit http://www.anyoneschild.org to give support and/or donate.

 

Is more less?

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I never suffer from writer’s block but I confess today that I am deliberately not working on my book. I have been asked to expand the word count and I am probably two thirds the way through achieving it…

But and its a big BUT…I am worried about my beloved project losing its original magic which I believed I had captured.

I can hear voices of close successful writer friends saying…just get on with it. The thing is I have material already written that I could so easily use…BUT that word again.

Is less more? or is more less and I’m not talking about the word count now!!

A break away from it today will hopefully make me decide what to do next or what to write next!

The best thing being; the re-write has given me an opportunity to include recent emotive experiences and there is nothing better than writing honestly from the heart which is what I always try to do…more or less!

 

Sunshine friends

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There are some friends that just make life that much better, they are happy when you are happy and the positive energy feeds off itself.

Over the years I have been accused of being the clown or just a little bit crazy as I allow my sense of humour to show and/or improve a situation which is starting to be difficult. Defuse defuse defuse!

We all have the choice to bring out the best in people we encounter and it doesn’t take very much effort to make life easier for those around us by being kind and helpful.

Bringing sunshine and warmth to relationships is my tip for today…I know I ranted yesterday which I rarely do on my positive blog! But a few friends noticed as they look to me for words of wisdom.

Normal service has now been resumed so walk tall, be proud of who you are and live life to the full.

Negative thought processes

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So another bright celebrity decides to talk about what causes cancer! Not medically trained mind. Spouting that negative thoughts cause cancer is unbelievable. My wonderful mother and many people I know that are always positive have had and/or died from cancer.

Anybody trained in any holistic therapies will know that negative thought process can be altered through sessions of CBT or NLP. We don’t claim to be able to cure cancer though!

I also know a lot of depressive and negative people who are never ill though are always complaining they are -so I think this just proves what a stupid unfounded statement this was to make.

Indeed many people I know who had cancer and in recovery were positive before and even more so afterwards. Yes, we all know that being negative is not terrible helpful to our well-being which can in turn affect our health and state of mind but let’s not be hoodwinked by nonsense.

Stay positive, be kind to others and be mindful whatever your problems are this will help but anybody with an ounce of reasonable intelligence will not believe that if we are feeling down ‘we will go down with cancer!’ we may ‘go down with a cold’ but!!

 

 

 

Friendships

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I hope I never take my close friends for granted and I try to be grateful on a regular basis. It is no secret that appreciating what we have in terms of valued friendships is what real worth is about.

Nothing better than having a brunch with a study buddy who ‘gets you’ and is as passionate about your ambitions and achievements as you are…that’s true friendship.

What a fab start to the week not one but two sessions with like-minded people. Salad dinner out with another over-achiever who understands the desire to continually self develop and learn more.

Life is good if you allow it to be and invest in your own life and your friendships.

The mind, as I often say is a brilliant piece of kit if we just take time to learn how it works and what it can do!

Thank God for fellow mature students!

Kids parties solved

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Over the years I have organised and been to many kids parties and for parents the entertainer can make or break the best day in your child’s calendar.

Today I was at a party for around thirty plus age four and under children. The entertainer was DJ Mike. He was brilliant and I would have no hesitation in recommending him. He had the children under control, involved and having fun from the word go.

A disco for tiny tots may seem a bit chaotic to some but this young entertainer had everything pitched just right in terms of a variety of activities which held their attention (not easy with tiny ones).

At one stage he came out with a box of great dressing up accessories; brightly coloured wigs and imaginative hats, inflatable guitars and funny sunglasses. This encouraged both boys and girls to dress up and join in and gave an excellent photo opportunity for parents.

Whilst observing DJ Mike it was obvious to me that he enjoyed what he does and was great at encouraging reluctant children to participate but without applying pressure -this guy understands children! On speaking to him at the end of the session to congratulate him on his services he revealed he had previously worked at Disney and it showed.

This children’s entertainer went to a great deal of effort to ensure the children really did have a fabulous if not magical time.

 I loved the bubble machine during the disco a simple idea but very nice touch.

Check out his website: http://www.discofactoryuk.com

Not a secret to me!

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I have just watched the brilliant IT documentary ‘Secrets of growing old’. This really was a great testimony about the bonuses of growing old and how ‘the elderly’ should be respected and cherished. No surprise to hear how older people understand  how younger minds work in terms of conflict – we learn to defuse and love more I guess.

I am always saying how one is never too old to learn new skills and the amazing people in this magical portrayal of people over fifty++ proved exactly that. A must watch!

The people featured certainly showed how the mind works in many improved ways with age.  How the mind is much more free to explore new things and how the left hand and right hand side of our brain connect more giving us the bonus of both applying logic and creativity.

I often write about how smells unlock memories we have forgotten and this was covered in several ways confirming just what a great piece of kit our brain is. Use it well!

I particularly liked the discussions about how our ability to love and care is refined. Not surprising then that often people move to pastoral roles as they improve with age and have wisdom of experience to use their increased empathy skills.

Interesting feature about a project in a community for the elderly where they brought in chickens to care for; it brought lonely people together and gave many a purpose. Having kept chickens they are amusing and it has been proven that having pets to care for reduces the risk of heart attack..by a third!

As we get older we become more honest and wise – so we do deserve respect. However, we are not afraid of being childish and do not worry so much about what other people think. That resonated well with me! 

An 83 year old model now living her dream commented how the insecurities of youth prevent us from doing things. Proving age is just a number!

 

Supporting men

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I often mention on my blog how men are not so good at sharing their thoughts, feeling and problems. Sadly this often leads to depression, drinking too much and the ruin of many a good relationship.

What we are learning in modern day society is that in many ways men are under even more pressure for one reason or another. We also know suicide is one of the biggest killers for men and money worries frequently a contributing factor. ‘The desire to provide’ it’s in their instincts to be the hunter!

 Key trends from the Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2016:-

  • In 2014, 6,122 suicides were registered in the UK. This corresponds to a suicide rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people (16.8 per 100,000 for men and 5.2 per 100,000 for women).
  • The highest suicide rate in the UK in 2014 was for men aged 45-49 at 26.5 per 100,000.
  • The male suicide rate decreased in the UK (by 5.6%), England (by less than 1%), Wales (by 37.6%), Scotland (by 17.6%), Northern Ireland  (by 10.2%) and Republic of Ireland (by 6.4%) between 2013 and 2014.

Talk to your partner, brother, father, son and any other male friend and just check they are not concealing an inner sadness that maybe you can help relieve.

 

Freud always said the ‘talking cure’ works…and it does.

 

Gift of life

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For those fellow self-employed souls who may take  a screen break and watch ‘Loose Women’ and the lunchtime news…

Today the ladies were supporting the promotion of becoming an organ donor. It would be amazing if everybody did this as so many lives can be improved and/or saved by the ultimate gift of organs. Additionally teaching and research hospitals can continue their studies by utilising tissue samples.

I am registered to leave everything that can be useful -it can be an uncomfortable discussion to have with loved ones but we must be aware of our family member’s wishes.

Remember: Having to make decisions at the time of death can result with missed opportunities and confusion..be aware and be prepared.

Register now it takes such a short amount of time…do something and make a difference after you have gone!

‘Good Grief…Dancing in my Dreams’

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My above bereavement project which kept being neglected is finally being considered by my publishers. It deals with the loss of two fathers my real dad and my wonderful step father. I purposely touch on the subject of suicide which still remains even more of a taboo than death itself.

I always maintain that writing is therapeutic in many ways though I am not sure how cathartic it was for me as I kept dipping in and out of it whilst working on other projects. However, it was part reflective whilst gaining my counselling qualifications and I really hope the contents will resonate and help others.

I think one of the main things about feeling bereaved is one of losing one’s sense of purpose especially if it is a parent. Knowing that we are not alone in our feelings can be a source of great comfort.

I started my blog just over a year ago to reach out to those going through the loss of a loved one and I trust my positive thoughts and emotive writing has helped my followers.

I often receive private messages confirming my posts are connecting with many and that’s really appreciated.