• Sharing the Light

    August 7, 2021 /

    Had an interesting conversation today with a supposed friend. 


    My daughter asked her daughter (both are High School Sophomores) to come with us to a faire this weekend. My son was willing to give her his ticket. 


    Well, this “friend” proceeded to insult the concept of the faire and my spirituality as well. The faire is a spiritual fun event, similar to a spiritual Woodstock. Live music, entertainment, vendors, spiritualists, food and drink (no alcohol). She said the faire will stir up the “devil in people.” She has never been to this faire before. Her daughter is very ill with an eating disorder and is interested in attending with my family. We were trying to bring her with us somewhere positive and full of light. 

    The whole conversation brought to light how people judge what they don’t understand and instead of trying to understand it they would rather shame it. Similar to how people with a mental illness are treated.

    Her daughter is very ill with an eating disorder. She needs to go into residential treatment for it. I hope she doesn’t carry shame and prevent her daughter the treatment and understanding she deserves. She is not open to talking about it in great detail. We need to not be afraid to talk about mental illness. We need to not be afraid of the implications or stigma. If we don’t talk about it –NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

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  • It’s reading time…

    August 7, 2021 /

    My passion is writing and speaking about mental health but I also spend a lot of time reading and researching about mental health. Here’s some books I have my eye on to check out. Let me know if you’ve read them and if they enlightened you. As they used to say in my elementary school, readers are leaders!

    I did see Silver Linings Playbook with my significant other.

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  • Revive Ministries

    August 1, 2021 /

    I was on the Revive Ministries podcast, with the topic “Finding Freedom through Adversity.”

    Being adaptable and mutable has been my lifesaver throughout the years. Plus I always believe in a better tomorrow.

    Enjoy the podcast.

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  • Love-Listen-Talk-Repeat Podcast

    July 23, 2021 /

    I had a lovely conversation with Dr. Wendy Capewell. Check it out below, it will be posted on July 28, 2021.

    Wendy is in the UK and I am in the US, but we both understand the issues surrounding mental illness, treatment and the need for supports. Mental Illness is a global pandemic that nobody seems to want to cure.

    https://love-listen-talk-repeat.libsyn.com/104-lisa-jones-navigating-her-son-through-the-world-of-mental-illness.

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  • Laying in Bed

    March 12, 2021 /

    I never take naps. I hate wasting time in bed. There’s so much to do, so much to see. Unless you’re in a bipolar depression that is. Bed is their sanctuary. My son can sleep for 24 hours when stressed and depressed. They hide from family, friends, work, school and life in general in that bed. The comforter becomes a wall to keep everyone at bay. So how do you get them out of the bed? That’s the million dollar question.

    You can ask, you can beg, you can threaten doctors and hospitals, you can offer food–nothing will work to a great degree unless they want to and are ready to join the world again.

    Seeing the pain in your eyes, will only move them so far. The pain in their souls is way more powerful.

    Perhaps laying in bed with your partner makes them feel more connected, less isolated. It’s hard to say from a bystander’s viewpoint.

    In my opinion, the bed should be for sleeping and you know what only. They make the bed into a sanctuary or as I think about it…. maybe it’s more of an emotional prison. They are safe there but there’s not much to do and nobody really wants to visit or stay with them there.

    So, is staying in bed really helping restore them or is it just making matters even worse for our loved ones? It’s hard to say if they don’t even have the energy to lift their head off the pillow. I’ve gotten my loved ones out of the bed in that state. How? By offering up the things that THEY love to do. My significant other likes playing poker. If I ask if he wants to go play poker, even if he’s in that “place”, he’ll stir to get up and go.

    As a joke, I’ve threatened to lock the bedroom door from the outside and only I have the key. He laughs but in a way I’m partially serious. The bed makes him feel safe but the world isn’t safe for anyone and we all have to face our demons. Maybe his demon is….why can’t I get out of bed this week? Well, what do we do then? Call the psychiatrist? Go play poker? You need a PLAN. A rescue plan. And that requires owning your depression, trusting your loved ones and contacting your treatment providers.

    I want my loved ones in the world with me but we have to plan together to get them there.

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