The Grateful Equation

   

      This month my town has been talking about mental health awareness. The local hospital has issued challenges to the community to help strengthen mental health and is doing giveaways to encourage people to participate, the Pony Express Mental Health Riders came through town, a mental health resource center was held in the park that should probably be called our town square, and people have been talking openly about how they struggled with mental health during the pandemic. 

    It's been nice seeing people talk about mental health like it isn't something to be ashamed of. It's not, by the way. There is nothing wrong with feeling sad, or depressed, or anxious, or needing help because your brain is trying to convince you that everything in your life is wrong and no one loves you. I had an interview with someone for the newspaper I work at and she said that if you go to the hospital for a broken arm you should be able to go because you're sad. 

    A lot of people don't understand how important mental health is. It needs to be taken care of just like our physical health. In fact, if it isn't, it can affect our physical health. 

    I was watching Tik Tok the other day, because I have a problem and am addicted to it, lol, and I came across a video about mental health and gratitude. If you're a part of my Instagram tribe, you probably know that I dabble in things. Things like crystals, and pendulums, and manifestation. I believe in the power of the Divine and the power of the human soul. My brother likes to say I'm a clusterfuck, others have claimed I'm a witch, but I prefer the term spiritualist.

    Anyway, this video I was watching was about the power of positivity and how you attract what you are grateful for. 101 Manifestation. 

     Basically, manifestation is the belief that if you want something bad enough it will manifest itself in your life. That's not saying it doesn't take work. It's not the belief that you can make a wish on a shooting star and all your dreams will come true. It's that if you truly, really, deeply desire something you will unconsciously and consciously work towards it which will lead to it becoming a reality.

    The Tik Tok video was by a guy who practices manifestation using the 10-10-10 worksheet. Which is a technique that even doctors recommend using. What you do is grab a piece of paper and write the numbers 1-10 in three columns. In the first column, you write ten things you desire, in the second you write ten things you are grateful for, and in the third, you write ten things you enjoy. By writing these down you are focusing on A) what you truly desire, and B) what truly makes you happy. This is a great way to think about long-term goals or to boost your positivity on bad days.

    One of the challenges the hospital issued this month was to make a list of things you're grateful for and I was originally going to do this in my journal but I'm still struggling with opening it because of where it came from. So, until I locate a new journal that I feel drawn to, I'm going to be using this blog as a sort of journal. Which isn't bad. I mean, I started this to help people work through their anxiety, understand mental health, and talk about writing. So, basically, everything that gets put into my personal journal anyway.

    I've decided that for my entry into the hospital's Grateful List challenge, I'd do a 10-10-10 worksheet. Work on manifestation and positivity. Feel free to do one too. In fact, I encourage you to. It's Sunday here and I've found that Sundays are a good day for meditation. It's the day between two weeks. You have a chance to reset yourself for the upcoming week and let go of the last week. I do most of my meditation on Sundays. 

    10-10-10 Worksheet

Ten things you desire:

1. To own my own house.

2. To get a second cat.

3. To publish the Secrets of Sera's Point.

4. To own a yellow BMW with a black stripe and the number 53.

5. To be able to say I lived my life to the fullest.

6. To travel to Europe. 

7. To renovate an old school bus into a travel bus.

8. To go on an Odyssey.

9. To get a semicolon tatoo.

10. To host a book signing.

Ten things you are grateful for:

1. My cat, Spook. 

2. Sunshine and rain.

3. The smell of sage and lotus.

4. Time spent with my family.

5. My nieces and nephews.

6. To have the opportunity to explore my town and learn more about its history.

7. Knowing I have the freedom to run away into the woods at any time.

8. Fresh herbs.

9. Friends who always have my back.

10. An amazing work team.

Ten things you enjoy:

1. Writing.

2. Reading.

3. Gardening.

4. Hiking.

5. Exploring.

6. Cuddling with Spook.

7. Playing video games.

8. Yoga.

9. Watching the way the smoke of my incense sticks dance in the air.

10. Hot bubble baths with oil and candles.