Category Archives: Balance
Posts discussing ways to come back into a centred place.
Symptoms of Wellness
HOW ARE YOUR SYMPTOMS?
What are they like when they are well?
They could be symptoms like hoping around a 5, not too much and not too little.
They could be like joy are around a 5 , not too much and no too little.
They could be like being worried are around a 5, not too much and not too little.
They could be like being being healthy are around a 5, not too much and not too little.
How are your symptoms?
*What are the symptoms like when you are well with them?
- The answer is they could be organized. You could know that this about this category. And that these talks are about this category. And these talks complaints are about this category. And this worry is about this category. The Organizing could be times… I’ll deal with this at this time, I’ll think about this at that time, I’ll respond to this at that time, I’ll do the letter at that time, I’ll write the postcard at that time, I’ll drink the water at that time, I’ll be this kind of talented person on this day, I’ll prepare for this day in this way, I’ll buy things for this day in this way. I’ll have enjoyment on a certain day. I’ll have some exercise on a certain day. I’ll have say use some humour on a certain day.
2. The answer is they could be put in writing.
I’ll put this symptom in writing… in this book
I’ll put this symptom in writing.. in this book
I’ll put this skill in writing … in this book
I’ll put this skill in writing.. in this book.
These are ways having better symptoms.
The Girl Visit
She liked pink
then it was to much
she liked things too much
then it was too much
She exercised too much
then it was too much
she spoke too much
then it was too much
she helped then it was too much
but we miss her.
Nursing the Pains; The Gift of Voices
Part 2
As the New Year comes about many people are making resolutions. Resolutions are like goals to make to set a way of designing something you can do to make yourself a little better. It’s like deciding what race you want to run and what will be there for you at the finish.
Sometimes clairaudience, envisioning the future helps with these goals. What a gift.
To be able to help yourself with the care of this gift.
Put your feet up sometimes.
Gently wash your ears sometimes.
Sit with one of your plants and talk and listen.
Say thank you when the gift works in good ways.
Give yourself something when you help people with your gift.
Having a visions, a day dream or some communication with Heaven or things that can not usually be heard is a gift. People have this gift in different ways. It is unique and unusual. To use a gift like this well healthy foods, sleep and caring for self and others must have been on the path for a long time. To use it a little bit can be important to some who are still coming into balance. God bless and nature greetings. A favourite tree can be written about by using the gift like this.
THE Birch trees
I see them in my mind,
They are so gentle in their proud strength
They give lightness in uplifting ways.
I see them in my mind,
They offer me some elevation
They offer me a branch of happiness to hold onto.
I see them in my mind,
The gentle friendly birches.
The vision I have helps me feel better
and then I can help others better.
Nursing the Pains;The Gift Of Voices
There once was a person… she heard voices. She did much to learn to enjoy the gift and limit the gift and nurse herself. These are some of the ways she did this.
- Putting a clothe on her forehead.
- Putting her feet up.
- Listening to the tones of musical songs even the parts that are hard to hear… like the flutes in the background.
- Not having berry tea as it caused more voices.
- Not having too many sweets.
There are ways to approach a problem. One time I thought the problem was all about me… and tried to fix me. One time I thought the problem was all about others and tried to fix them. Sometimes I think there are problems that are a natural part of life. As we accept the struggle and enjoy the good times maybe that’s where I’m at right now.
Quote: “Acceptance is a daily task, that’s part of the struggle for me and for others and for where I’m at right now.” Melanie Knapp
Quote: “Imagination can be harnessed, or it can be encouraged, or it can be used with time limits and gentle coaching from cookies to children’s books. What things help the imagination to stay uplifted?” Melanie Knapp
Quote: “Courage to speak to those that speak and listen to those that aren’t here is a courage that shows much years of experience or a feeling of joy at the pretending aspects of living.” Melanie Knapp
Quote: “To those that label, or point a finger – look in the mirror first. Because talking or listening to yourself is one of the ways you can get to know yourself and overcome discrimination.”Melanie Knapp
Quote:” There are some times when clarity and connection happens and discrimination falls away, maybe not at all times but in some very pleasant times.” Melanie Knapp
Please read the parts of this blog that speak to you and let the other parts just sit and be here maybe for someone else, maybe for you at a later time or maybe for the writer. Thanks MELANIE KNAPP
A community group discussing relaxing stigma labels and being friendly.
Little Words of Mid-Summer Time Noticings
It used to be at this time I would feel sultry.. the hot sun would make me feel funny and I liked to listen to music that was bluesy and jazzy and lovely… and love songs… that would last for lengths of cd’s…. I liked to eat popsicles and go get ice cream… I liked to go camping and shopping.
Lately I’ve been noticing after a less sultry summer and a more active with peaceful times there has been a different feelings. By more active I mean up more hours in the day…. less naps… and more working writing… and more piano playing and more garden work. I used to stay up till nine o clock and things are different this summer. I’ve been sending off poems to the States… an environment book to England and entered some news poems in Los Angelas. I’m working on other writing and studying classes in nature.
Now things are getting sultry again. I feel like going to bed at nine… I feel like taking some naps…. I feel like listening to hours of slow loving music. But something in me says… sleep but not for too long…. something in me says … keep playing with the artistic talents that I have…… nurtured through the years. Keep reading my Treasure Your Talents Book… keep reading and journaling and resting inbetween things.. .with food… and change things around… and keep going….
But it’s the middle of the summer…. I’m a little tired…. it’s a little like time to relax in the warmth….. time to remember what thats like. Hmmmm…… Theses parts of me connect and nurture one another… and they feel good to know that they can work together and I will do each one and that will make me happy sometimes.
Although writing that feels strange… how can two things so different ….. be there at the same time….. can the sultry way of the past really be tired…. for small amounts of time… Can I be sultry and not dream of me being active through other people? Can I still stay up sometimes… can I exercise… can I remember what I’m doing.. I have a hard enough time with that anyways.
Oh I must keep going. and find a sultry hour here or there. An early night here or there. A nap here or there. And relax in the sunshine sometimes. I must because I must… but I do need an audience for some music soon. I could play music for my Toastmasters meeting when I give them the vocabulary work of the day. Even a little bit of my goal to have an audience might keep me going.
As I play with being here still even in the middle of summer and not dreaming I’m somewhere else doing what I really want to do here…. I might need a friend or two to send me a positive thought or a prayer.
Middle summer reflections are nice to spend a sultry ten minutes writing. The fan going… The warmth warming my self in the mid summer heat. It takes me to the place of here….. even if sometimes I can be here… that’s pretty good.
This tree is saying can you really be sultry in the summer you may have to find more time to enjoy the relaxing shades and sunshines and breezes of summer.
Psychology and Healthy Protests; A thoughtful response to the Risings in the States
When thinking about how great it has been to meet new Canadians I am glad things have been mostly peaceful here in this community. When thinking about climate change protests I am glad they have been mostly healthy with a hint of joy, courage and even some love for people and nature. I also think about Pride day and the joy and playfulness of that day that gathers people together to celebrate. When I think about protest I think up people standing up for one another. It my hopes that people do so in healthy ways.
How to use prevention to keep social protests helpful and joyful? Government and leadership can listen and respond to requests with wisdom, love and efforts…to prevent further uprising. Keep showing how people are being listened to. The atmosphere changes when there is real listening and a communication of solutions can be given. There is a respect in community between people that keeps the revelry down as people help each other to live well amongst one another. Then protesters can also make an effort to listen to each other and help each other calm down or rev up whatever the balance of a situation calls for and also to meet with better solutions in the longer run. But there should be some responsibility of the protestors to recognize when changes have been made and the enlightened may be able to use their own suffering to help others in difficult situations with protesting or speaking up. Changes sometimes are small or large but celebrating these changes and praising them and being thankful can be an important responsibility of the thoughtful protestor that gets far with their causes.
Lets try and help each other to live in healthy ways with each other even though we may be different in many ways or the same in ways when we don’t want to be or when there is too much competition. Let’s co-operate more.
people may be able to use their own suffering to help others in difficult situations both in Canada and in the States.
Wellness and Camp
There were some problems at camp. Mental health wasn’t dealt with just in older adult years. What were some of the ways we dealt with mental health issues at camp?
I remember that things weren’t labeled as much. If a child was upset we tried to help and then they became less upset. Being upset didn’t last longer than necessary. The goal was to get the kids back in the game. Back being able to participate and being able to join in the activities.
I have learned that time outs are more about being patient with yourself. Taking the time to cool off… let yourself come back to who you are and quieting down so you can hear the good thoughts inside.
We used time outs at camp a lot. But they were short and that’s why I liked them with kids. The kids only needed a few minutes away to be able to join back up again.
Sometimes kids have their own time outs. That’s why I write in a poem even the kids on the side-lines win the game. Being part of things when you are not in the action is important to children. It’s important to acknowledge that the watchers are important to the games we play.
I’ve been a watcher. When I’ve had to take medication and when I’ve been tired. I’ve watched many things and I remember many things to write about and to try and understand. Sometimes I can draw things because I’ve been able to watch life happening.
Some kids watch because they are not sure how to join in. Some kids simply watch because that is best for them at the time. You can watch with your eyes or you can watch just by being present.
Mindfulness helps with watching. Observing what is in front of you on this day in this experience. How are you breathing, how are your feelings, what do you see, what do you hear, what do you taste…. what are the things around you. Can you say a few of the items you see. What colour are they? What shape are they?
Often bringing things back to where we are…. and seeing a colour like purple will help us to feel better. We can let go a little. Our feelings dissolve a little and we are left feeling peaceful.
It’s been many years since I’ve been at camp. It helps to know that kids that were upset were important to the experience. It helps to know that we helped kids to join in and to watch at times. Camp is a special place. I miss summer camp and I hope that I can write more about camp. Thanks for listening to me write and I hope you have a good day!
Do You Miss Summer Camp?
Do You Miss Summer Camp?
I think healthy thoughts every day
As an adult do you miss being a kid? Do your kids miss being kids? Is it hard to laugh, play and have fun outside? This year a challenge is that there will be no regular summer camp. But don’t worry you can do some camp things at home!
Let me tell you something important! Ladies and gentlemen, children and youth of all ages, cultures and orientations! Also, kids that are a little diverse, a little hyper, a little funny or learn in different ways and for kids with different gender identities! Kids in wheelchairs, living with cerebral palsy, or crutches or with illnesses. Genius kids and artistic kids. All kids are special so listen, learn and lip sync!
My name is Melanie Knapp. While I was at University of Waterloo I directed a summer camp called Presqu’ile YMCA Rotary Youth Camp on the shores of the beautiful Georgian Bay waters.
Watching pretty green frogs, skipping smooth stones, sitting in the quiet woods. Whether you’ve been to camp or not you may enjoy this piece of writing. What do you do when you miss summer camp?
At camp there sometimes are canoe games, swim relays and soccer-baseball. When I was at camp there were places to laugh, learn and listen. There was time to be quiet or loud in nature too.
During the day there were fun activities and at night a camp-fire that helped us wind down. We sang songs like Fire’s Burning:
“Fire’s Burning, Fire’s Burning, Draw Nearer, Draw Nearer, In the Gloaming, In the Gloaming, Come Sing and Be Merry. “ (gloaming means in the dusk or early evening)
As the day ended stories of our favourite activities and friendship connections rang through the nice evening air. The counselors especially felt like they were part of something tremendous.
Now what do we do without regular summer camp this year? Is camp unique in its excellence? Whether you’ve been to camp or not, here are some ideas to fill the long days of summer. Maybe you can bring the spirit of camp to your daily life!
SINGING CAN CHEER YOU UP: Number one and most important is to sing. Singing helps to cheer up any cloudy day. Here’s a camp favourite which we sang before meals:
“Oh the Lord is good to me and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple tree, the Lord is good to me – Johnny Apple Seed – Amen.”
You can sing this song at home too. Some people that sing it say, Oh the Earth is good to me, and other people say, Oh the Lord is good to me. It depends on what you are comfortable singing.
Another grace I have loved through the years when I missed summer camp is:
“The eagles thank the earth for the mountains, the fish thank the earth for the sea and we thank the earth for our blessings and for what we’re about to receive.”
Once again, you could say thank the Lord, or thank the earth, it depends on what you are comfortable singing. Both the earth and the Lord can give great comfort to people. I know I have felt the comfort of the earth and the Lord. When you miss summer camp I know there can be tears, or sadness or feelings like crying. There can be hum drum hours. There can be rainy days. Maybe this grace can help you feel better.
It’s nice to sing grace at camp with a mixture of ages altogether. Maybe this year is different. Maybe brothers and sisters of all ages can sing or even say it together at home this year. When I feel sad because I miss camp singing these graces makes me smile, laugh and enjoy my life again.
USING THE GOOD IMAGINATION: Over the years I’ve missed the imagination we had in our camp activities. At camp we did things together and that was so much fun to be together!
We had special days like Dr. Seuss Day and Scientist Day. These themes took us through the day with stories, songs, costumes and special dinners like eating green eggs and ham.
At home this summer try using some colours: in pictures, with cards and in food. Yes you got it…. Even in food! A little food colouring makes pretty designs. A little drop of colour in cake, cookies, and macaroni… can be fun. But remember one little drop goes a long way!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: You know how you can make coloured Easter Eggs for Easter well how about making homemade presents for Christmas in July? You could put little homemade gifts in a sock. You could have enough socks for all the kids in your family and maybe even for the parent(s), grandparent(s), foster parent(s) or step parent(s). For Christmas on July 25th look in your socks for Christmas presents and have a little snack of a cookie and juice.
At summer camp when we had Christmas in July there were 70 people including the counselors and the kids. We made homemade gifts to exchange and all 70 kids received a Christmas present. There were wood signs, pictures, bracelets and more.
“You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list
He’s checking it twice
He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town”
CRAFTS AT HOME: The dollar store is still open. They have colouring books, blank cards, wooden beads, paints, popsicle sticks, plastic flowers, games and fun little balls. Get a few supplies. They go a long way!
Now that is something I miss! The craft cabin! We made painted pet rocks, popsicle stick houses and beaded bracelets and had fun with gimp! Gimp is a plastic lace used to make nice bracelets.
I want to tell you… take it step by step and make some things at home this summer. Camp is so special but being at home can be nice too. It might not be that great at first. Try and be patient! After you get used to it you may find that making things at home makes you happy too.
Work on a clear table. Wash your hands before and after. And make something cool or pretty to enjoy. Don’t worry about making something perfect. When you make something it’s special just because you are making it. Make something for a sibling, a friend, a neighbour or a parent. It’s nice to give a gift to someone and hear them say thank you smile or enjoy your creative crafts.
Some simple supplies to start with are crayons, markers, scotch tape, a ruler and paper. Later you can add stickers, sparkles and wool. You may need a big person to help with the scissors.
SCAVENGER HUNT: If you need something else to do here is a great idea. Try a scavenger hunt. A scavenger hunt is great fun! You get a piece of paper and make a list. Then you look for the things on the list and check them off when you have found them. On your list you may have a pine cone, a piece of cedar, a stone shaped like a heart, a stick that looks like a Y or a coloured rock. Use this list or make your own and find the things on the list. A scavenger hunt is special to do in your own backyard. It’s really a learning experience to see what you can find there! Nature is plentiful!
So you see there are things you can do when you miss summer camp. Even if you’ve never been there you can have fun singing or making crafts. Having fun is nice but sometimes doing things quietly is a good change!
If you still miss the joy and friendship of camp. I understand. I’ve missed it too for many years. I looked up some friends from camp and wrote letters and e-mails. This helped me feel better and they wrote back and that was nice.
CAMPSICK INSTEAD OF HOMESICK: Just like when you are homesick at camp and you write your family, now you are campsick at home so you can write letters to your camp friends, counselors, lifeguards, cooks, directors. Even if you don’t mail the letters to them you can send a positive thought as you write the letter and it may cheer them up in some way. And that could make you smile to remember your camp friends! I found the address of a camp friend and wrote him a letter. I felt a lot better.
At the end of the day we sometimes sang:
“Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest;
God is nigh!”
“THANKS FOR THE DAY CAMPERS!”
Drawing on the Arts
Creative expression is fulfilling, peaceful and important to me.
Drawing is one of the many forms of creativity. We often start off when we are young drawing houses or stick people and then a lot of people don’t go too much further than that. Well some people pick it up again in their adult years. I did! Read the rest of this entry
Why did I write a book?
May light and love bless you! © 2012 Kelly Babcock
Reading books has been a hobby of mine for most of my life. I’ve read a lot of self-help books especially. This may give you a hint of why I wanted to write my own book.
It all started back in 1999. I was hanging out with people who were interacting in spiritual ways where they were giving messages back and forth from a greater source of love and light. I was glad that they were kind messages and some of them were very insightful. Read the rest of this entry
Psychology Discussions 