Expecting A Better Future In A Realistic Way

Hospitalizations and other Tangents

New Episode by Gary and Brandan. Love all our follwers!! Thanks for all your time listening, and all your support.

Expecting A Better Future In A Realistic Way

Gary and I discuss, what a better future in a realistic way is.  And how it's perceived.  Many folks living with mental illness have trouble with expectations.  Actually many without mental health disorders also suffer with this idea.  Should we expect, a better future?  Should we accept a better future?  Should we be in control of, or out of control when it comes to our "wants, needs, and desires".  What does "a better" Future look like.  Is it the same for everyone?

Mental Health and Homelessness

Today, Gary and I talk on the topic of homelessness and mental health.  We discuss how "Self Love", might be a real catalyst for change in both homeless people, and those living with mental illness.  Knowing this, we don't believe self love is easy for all people to practice.  We believe it is something that can be learned and practiced, and are hopeful that many people who suffer living on the streets with no shelter, or who are addicted on drugs are taught this simple recipe for change.  We should all love others!!  But more so, loving ourselves, gives us the capacity to love others.  Love is a circle.  It is a give and a take.  This is true for both self love and for the way we love others. As Gary mentioned in this episode, most humans know it's acceptable to love and care for others.  They feel love when they give their time and resources into helping others, and may seem asuradly confident that they are doing there part.  Self care is, taking a nap, reading a book, working in the yard/garage.  It's gardening, working on cars, doing your make up, getting a pedicure, taking a shower, eating breakfast.   We believe that self care is personal.  It's individualized.  We get to choose how to care for ourselves.  We also feel that community can help shape our conception of self love.  We learn from others, and incorporate their skills into our daily living. Having mental illness, and being homeless at one point in my life, has given me the ability years later to look into my own mind.  What was I thinking when I got Manic and had to go to the hospital?  Where was my mind at, when I was living in my car?  I've had to reflect on the sad state of my mind during those very difficult times in my life.  I know I didn't love myself.  I didn't care for myself.  I was confused.  I was angry.  I was resentful, and I was very selfish.  Things can, and do change!  They change every single day! The more we respect, love, and honor ourselves, and the more we teach others how to do the same; I believe the less homelessness we'll see.   Our hopes are that this podcast sparks curiosity in you.  We hope it opens your minds to concepts you've never thought of before!  Thank you so much for supporting Melding of the Minds!

SLEEP

Gary and I talk everything sleep.  We talk about meds and sleep.  We talk about insomnia and sleep; and much much more.  We hope you find this brief talk on sleep, helpful and beneficial.   Just to be clear, both Gary and myself strongly feel that sleep is imperative to living a healthy lifestyle.  Men and Women both with and without mental illness benefit greatly by having enough sleep in a 24 hour period.  Our presumption is that anywhere between 6 and 9 hours of sleep is considered "Good Sleep". Or as my wife would say "Hard Sleep", which she considers good rest. Thank you for listening and supporting this podcast!!

Medication

We put out this content on medication, to increase awareness on the potential benefits vs the potential side effects of taking prescription medications. Gary and I believe that medication is a powerful tool to utilize, along with, a therapist, and a psychiatrist in combating the negative side effects of mental illness.   We also believe that psychotropic medications can have severe and life altering side effects.   Our hope is that our listeners find this conversation piece worthy of sharing.