The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

Here we are in 2021! We made it.  As many have written before me, 2020 was a year unlike any other.   We faced a global pandemic, a divisive election, and a myriad of social issues.  While these events were beyond our control on a personal level, it forced many to reflect on themselves and subsequently seek mental health treatment.

Most people are probably with me when I say, I’m looking forward to a new year! Possibly more than I ever have before. This year has been extra-challenging, to say the least. And while we still may have a ways to go before things are “normal” again, we have had time to adjust and stabilize to a certain degree over the last 10 months and things seem more hopeful with the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine. I, for one, am optimistic that there’s a light at the end of what has seemed to be an interminably long tunnel.

Believe it or not, we have made it to November. This year has been anything but predictable. At the beginning of 2020, nobody could have imagined the way our lives would change.

This year has felt like a nightmare to most of us. The kind where the

scary shadow is tripping on your heels and no matter how fast you run

you might as well be running on an omnidirectional track because you’re

not getting anywhere. No matter how bad the nightmare is, however, we

still have hope.

My life significantly changed on Monday, July 13, 2020.  On that day, my dear sister died from a short and tumultuous battle with pancreatic cancer.  The sting of grief that I felt that day has lingered, and seeing the rest of my family’s response to her death has added to it.  Despite my faith, I long to be with her, to hear her voice, now…

I’ve read countless articles on how Covid 19 has negatively impacted mental health and how suicide deaths are predicted to rise as a result of the pandemic. Some believe that this is due to an over focus on physical health and a minimization of mental health during this time.

In case you haven’t noticed, back to school this fall looks a lot different than it has in typical years.

About a month ago, Dana wrote a blog post about the benefits of mindfulness and those benefits naturally extend to our children! In fact, I’d say that kids and teenagers who are more thoughtful and calm is a benefit to us ALL!

At my bridal shower many years ago, those in attendance were asked to write down one bit of advice for me on an index card for me to have. 

Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly interested in the concept of mindfulness and how it can benefit those who practice it. There is more and more research coming out that supports the many benefits from a mindfulness practice.

Let’s face it; we all anticipate some sense of normalcy sooner rather than later.  However, what does normalcy look like for you?