"It Is Okay To Be Not Okay"

 Good Day my fellow crafters, friends, followers and viewers.

Today is Monday, August 31, 2020.  The last day of August.  We shall commence with September on tomorrow.  The time doesn't feel as if it is moving at a face pace as it was last year.  Could it be that the pandemic has something to do with it or is it my imagination?

My question for your consideration is:  How can you tell if a person is really, really okay?  Their response to you may be one thing but the way they act or their actions tell a different story.  Is he/she depressed and don't want to get help or just don't want you to know the true answer.  Depression strikes millions each year, often with debilitating consequences. This psychological disorder is so common that it is sometimes referred to as the "common cold" of mental health, with nearly 10% of the population suffering from a depressive disorder at any given time. (source: National Institute of Mental Health).  Depression is classified in a number of ways: major depression, bipolar disorder, cyclothymia (a milder form of bipolar), dysthymia (or chronic depression), postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Each one presents different symptoms and represents a distinct diagnosis. 

Are you or someone you know depressed?  Do you/they have difficulty falling asleep at night?  How often do you/they feel tired and run-down?  Do you/they often feel that life is not worth living?  In the last six months, have you/they gained a lot of weight or lost a lot (not due to dieting)?  How would you rate your/their daily levels of stress and anxiety?   Do you/they experience any delusions or hallucinations?  Do you/they "put on a happy face" to hide feelings of sadness?  How would you/they describe your/their mood over the past several months?  Have you/they been though a recent traumatic event, such as divorce, death of a loved one, or losing your job?

My desire for you or someone you know that is dealing in the area of depression, is to be HAPPY.  Nothing I can do or say can make you happy.  As a matter of fact happiness is an inside job.  You already have everything that you need in order to be happy and live an extraordinary life. It resides within you. In the words of Democritus, “Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold. Happiness dwells in the soul.”

A card expressing my commentary for today and others that you've missed if not on Instagram:

I used Ciao Bella "Tango" and Studio Light "Art by Marlene" to create this card.  It will be shared on https://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

posted on Instagram from 8-20 through  8-28-2020

If someone you know is truly depressed and they need help...no matter how much they keep saying "I'm okay...help them get treatment.  It is okay to be not okay.

Thank you so much for your continued support and love.

Sending a hug and love,

Lois

"A Community In Mourning"

Monday, April 20, 2020
Good morning/afternoon/evening/night to all the beautiful people.
I'm doing okay, not 100% great but just okay.  People in my community are succumbing to the Covid-19.  Two people that I worked with in the school system and the sister to one of these individuals died within this time frame:  Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.  The husband to one of these individuals is still in the hospital due to this virus. Four people (three from one family and a coworker to one of the family members).  People are protesting because they don't want to stay at home...what is wrong with them?
Okay, I can understand you have cabin fever.  Even if you go out in public why is it that you don't want to put a mask or gloves on?  Do you want to see just how many people you can affect with this virus?  Four people...three in the same family. Think about how quick it can spread in one house.
This stuff is real and it is in my neighborhood.  I'm not fearful but I am in mourning with my community because I know these people so well.
I'm loaded with card shares today because I didn't have time on Friday to post here.
Take a look:

this was done on Friday and posted to Instagram

this one was done on Friday and posted to Instagram.

this one was done on Friday 

This one was done on Sunday for the the family of the two sisters who passed away.

This one was done this morning.  I was trying to get myself out of this feeling of sadness.  No matter what is going on in this world, I know that the God I serve has it under control.  I still have hope in the invisible.  What I can't see, God is working through this trouble using it for our good.
I will submit this one to https://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

  

Have a blessed day everybody,
Lois

"Let's Dream and Dance"

Well, well, well, we've made it to Wednesday.  The middle of the week on this February 19, 2020.
Hello to all the beautiful people.
What did you dream about last night?  Was it about dancing?
Have you ever danced the Tango or just twirled in your dream?
Do you just move your body and think you are dancing but the truth of the matter is...you're not (lol)?
That's where I am...moving my body to the beat but not necessary doing one of latest dances.  I've watched "Dancing With The Stars" and became fascinated with the Tango and Paso Doble. I'll never make it to a Ballroom to learn these dances so I'll continue to dream about them.
Here are two cards inspired by my topic for today:

With just a few pages left in my Stamperia Azulejos  paper pad, I combined a piece with another piece from 49 & Market Vintage Remnants to make this card.
Other items are chipboard flowers from Recollections and chipboard ballerina from Kora. To complete the card, I added a silver brad and a piece of lace as embellishments.

 It's Wednesday and it is the new sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  I love to play along and this is what I did today. 
Enabler's List:
cardstock: Neenah white; Recollections black; DP from Ciao Bella "Tango" and a piece of red burlap
I used a Fiskar paper trimmer to cut out my paper; a Sizzix framelits tag die; an ODBD circle die.
This will be an entry for Splitcoaststampers.com and https://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com

If you would like to participate in the sketch, here is a copy:

Enjoy your day.  Dance when nobody is looking.
Thanks for viewing, following, and commenting.  This is well received and appreciated.

Sending you a hug and love,
Lois