I am an Angel artist and several weeks ago while listening to the late night news, a news story came on that really touched my heart. On the way home in the wedding limo … a drunk driver caused a horrible wreck, resulting in the loss of a child and the limo driver. This story stayed in my mind. A few days later, a woman emailed me requesting my help. She wanted to know if an Angel painting could be created for this family. I immediately knew who the family was. I heard a voice say …”Yes, you can help … Create an Angel of Comfort for her painting … their energies are needed here.” I emailed the woman and she immediately commissioned the painting.
The painting took on a life of its’ own. Upon delivery, the woman emailed back saying this was perfect and just what she had envisioned to help this family. I know my paintings help others all the time and had never thought of them helping in this way. The voice is still saying “There are more to help”. I am researching grief and loss, thus the Angel of Comfort Gallery was created.
In my research, one of the definitions that I found really struck a chord with me. “Grief is the reaction to loss.” Losses can range from loss of employment, divorce, pets, social status, a sense of safety, order, possessions, to the loss of the people nearest to us including friendships and relationships. Having experienced several of these losses myself, I would never have described the pain that I was going through as grieving unless it was the death of a loved one or pet. When I thought about what I had experienced during these times I had a light bulb moment … I realized the pain felt no different. I was actually grieving. This put a new comprehension on what I had been told … “There are more to help” … and why the Angel of Comfort Angel paintings will help so many.
Grief is grief and loss is loss and our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies respond the same with a deep and profound sense of loss. This has opened within me a new understanding of the work I have been given and why this new additional door has been opened on the path of my spiritual journey.
The bible verse in Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted”, keeps running through my mind. It is through the mourning that healing takes place. This is the way releasing deep pain was intended by God, with the promise that comfort will be and is provided. God sends His Angels for all things, for we are dearly loved and cared for and never alone.
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Sharae Taylor is a well known Intuitive Angel Artist whose paintings are in world wide collections and her works have been exhibited with other well known Angel Artists Andy Lakey ,Donna Terody Sheratan,Gary Markowitz, past art editor of “Angel Times” magazine and K. Martin Kuri, Angel Artist and Author. Sharae has also participated in many Angel Expos and Angel Conferences with other well known Angel Authors, Alma Daniels author of “Ask Your Angels” and John Ronner author of “Do You Have a Guardian Angel”. Her Angel paintings are featured in the newly released “Angels” DVD by Llewellyn and New World Music and was featured in the February 2005 issue of
Planetlightworker.com. Sharae is a published author in magazines and ezine magazines. To view Sharae’s Angelic art and for further information visit her website at:http://www.angelsbysharae.com
For those who have deeply loved and lost their animal companions, the answer is obvious and yet disturbing. There are still far too many people in our culture who minimize and trivialize the loss of a pet. They tell the grieving friend, colleague or family member, “What’s wrong with you? Get over it. It was only a dog (or cat, bird, horse, etc.) Get yourself a new one! After all, it’s been a month already. You shouldn’t be so torn up over this.”
Having been a grief counselor and a pet loss support group facilitator for many years, I have encountered a wide range of stories from people who have suffered cruel and insensitive statements from those around them, to others who receive wonderful support and unconditional love from their family and friends after the death or disappearance of a beloved animal. The truth is that grieving an animal companion or grieving the loss of a human companion can feel devastating emotionally and encompasses all kinds of feelings: sorrow, depression, anger, confusion, physical pain, guilt and a profound bittersweet love. If you add on the stress of dealing with an unsupportive work, home or social environment that makes you feel guilty or like you’re an emotional misfit, the grief process becomes more difficult and complicated.
Animals, like humans, are spiritual beings having an earth-experience. Many people in my pet loss group recognize these spiritual beings as their teachers and healers. Mourning their physical absence in our lives is not only normal, but honors their incredible gifts to us. As most of us know, the grief process has no timetable and is unique to each situation and relationship. As a spiritual experience, it offers the opportunity for positive transformation of self and of giving more meaning and purpose to our lives.
Healing Suggestions
* Allow yourself to feel all your feelings. It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to feel deeply. Doing breathing exercises can relax you, and allow your feelings to move more freely. Writing a letter to your pet can ease the pain in your heart.
* Stay connected to others who care about you and understand, as best they can, your attachment. Be receptive to receiving their kindness and help with daily activities, such as shopping or laundry.
* Attend a pet loss support group to help you get through the initial difficult mourning period.
* Be kind to yourself and allow yourself all the time you need to grieve. Nurture your spirit, mind, body and heart with activities, books, movies and friends that uplift and soothe your soul.
* Do your best to stay healthy, through proper nutrition, rest and exercise. This is difficult to do; imagine what your pet would want you to do.
* Honor your animal companion through a memorial service, a tree-planting, community service or helping a friend.
* Plan activities for days that will be especially difficult, such as holidays, birthdays and anniversaries.
* Some depression is a normal grief response. If you feel you are in trouble, have suicidal thoughts or plans, substance abuse problems, or long-term depression, please seek professional help at once. Call your local crisis center.
* Balance negative thoughts about yourself with positive ones, such as “I did the best I knew how for my pet.” “I am a loving, compassionate guardian for my animal companions.”
* Take walks or interact with nature in some way. Nature heals.
* Don’t sweat the small stuff. Allow your perspective on what really counts in life to expand.
Grief is a process that affects not only spirit, but mind, body and heart. As a grief counselor, I focus on strengthening all aspects of self in order to give more balance and integration to the grief journey. As a creative arts therapist, I use a variety of tools for expression and integration that open new vistas and depth to the healing process. Grief is a sacred rite of passage, a doorway to a more loving, compassionate and purposeful life. Move with the energy of grief, rather than fighting it, and you will discover the gifts and treasures that are part of path of healing!
Marcia Breitenbach, M.A., is a licensed counselor, author, speaker, and musician living in Arizona. Get your f.r.e.e. downloadable inspiring songs and proven strategies for living your best life at http://www.griefandlosshelpsongletter.com
The “devil depression” hits now and then and makes our lives miserable. We feel blue and gradually it becomes a habit. Blame it on life and the unfortunate incidents in life that was beyond our control. But only few incidents of life where we proved ourselves to be unlucky do not have enough reasons to lead a life of frustration and depression. This life is a gift of God and we deserve to be happy and healthy through out our life.
Trust me, it is not that easy to challenge the depression within you, but it is not tough either. You just need to love yourself and realize that you deserve to be happy! Just follow the simple tips mentioned below;
Set small goals on daily basis. When you get up in the morning, decide what you are going to do for the day. If you are to submit a work assignment, make it your goal for the day. Put serious efforts to accomplish that job and take it to a level of your personal satisfaction. If there is no assignment pending for the day, make it a point that you do not leave anything pending for the next day, you finish your days work within the 8 and hours, of course without having to stay back. This will make your everyday a special day! And believe me! These small efforts will boost your self confidence. Practice this for a week.
Try to remember what you enjoyed doing the most, I mean a long forgotten hobby, anything you like under the sun! Fishing? Doing the garden? Reading, playing guitar, listening to music? Playing foot ball? Swimming? Think of an activity you enjoy doing most and devote an hour to that. Make it a point to do that everyday, and do not let anything upset your daily routine. This is the way to love yourself and this activity will relax your inner self and you will start enjoying your daily life.
Engage yourself in physical exercise everyday at least for 15/20 minutes. This will increase the blood flow and fill you with energy and activate the hormone secretion in the body that is required to keep the body and mind healthy and happy. Remember, there is a very close connection between body and mind; a healthy mind can live in a health body and vice versa. So, take care of your health, if required go to a doctor for regular check up and make sure that you are physically alright.
Do not sit idle, when depression hits, you may feel lethargic; you will not feel like leaving the bed and may sleep all day during your weekends. Avoid doing so. Make plans, go out and meet people, go for a picnic or anything you enjoy doing, but not alone, with a person or a group of persons you like to be with. But, NEVER SIT IDLE.
At last, find out someone trustworthy and speak your heart out. You will be able to vent out your inner frustration and if you feel like crying, do that. There is no shame in crying in front of a person, whom you know to care for you. Crying is a way of expressing pain that is given by God. So do cry sometimes, you will feel better. If you are not comfortable talking to someone, keep a journal or diary, and pour down your thought on that. Writing down what you feel will give you relief from your inner frustration and suppressed anger, may be that was a hidden reason behind your depression. Talking heart to heart or writing down sometimes can bring some unknown facts about your own self to light. So do that!
Follow the simple ways so that you can help yourself in the mission of leading a happy life, so that you do not have to opt for depression and anxiety medications like Xanax. Life is worth living till you love yourself, trust me, every man and woman have something special which no other person has. You are worth being loved and you worth the happiness knocking at your door. Just open the door to happiness and start living.
The author, Monalisa Hyden, addresses psychological issues. If you wish to help yourself and your loved ones to fight emotional problems, you can log on to http://www.buy-xanax-online-now.com for more information and advice.
In this article we’re going to visit with a psychic who is still alive and predicting today. Her name is Elizabeth Baron.
Elizabeth Baron was born in Tennessee. She was an orphan as her father shot himself right in front of her when she was just 5 years old. During that same period she successfully won her fight with cancer, a tumor under her tongue, by laying her hands on local ministers in her neighborhood. At least that’s how legend has it. Supposedly, it was during this time that she got her gift of being able to look into the future.
Her mother died when she was a very young child and after than Baron was bounced around between 15 different foster homes as she was growing up. She has said many times that all the pain she suffered during those years was God’s gift to her in that it made her have compassion and empathy for others and prepared her to become the medium that she has become today. It is said that she can lay down on a couch, go into a deep sleep and give messages to up to 150 people at one time in her sleep.
After she graduated Crandall Business College with honors, her first job was working for the director of military personnel at the 14th air force. After that she worked for the Deputy Base Commander at Robbins Air Force Base as a secretary. While she was there she worked with prisoners of war from Germany. She also did schematics for the Jupiter space program that sent the first missile into orbit.
She moved to Chicago, Illinois at a very young age and took a job where she eventually became Assistant Advertising Manager for a private brand hosiery manufacturer. While she was there she met with executives from many magazines such as Vogue and Town and Country to try to get advertising for her company’s products. Eventually, with her husband who was a war hero, she opened up her own search firm and became President and CEO of two firms for 14 years where she oversaw 35 employees, most of which had masters degrees.
However, it wasn’t until a bitter divorce and being beaten half to death in a gang rape that her life really changed. While she was hospitalized after the attack, a spirit in white, who she believed to be God, came to her and said, “Come upon the mountain with me. It is time to do your mission. Remember, you gave your life to me when you were 13 years old.” It turns out that when she was 13 years old she gave her life to God, asking him if she could be one of his missionaries for life. At first she told the spirit that she wasn’t worthy but the spirit told her to let him decide if she was worthy or not.
The rest, as they say, is history. From that point she began teaching and counseling people all over the world. Today she works with people from TV executives to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and is one of the most respected psychics in the world.
The February 20th issue of U.S. News & World Report features Miracles of Brain Repair on its cover. The article is a very good resource for learning more about vagus nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment for depression.
Welcome to the new science of brain repair notes the author, Josh Fischman. Doctors are now using tiny electrical devices to help mend broken brains–and not only those injured by Parkinson’s. Neurologists at several hospitals have just started a major trial of a promising implant that can fix brain damage caused by strokes. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration also approved a nerve stimulator to treat serious depression. And at a neuroscience meeting in Washington, D.C., in November, scientists showcased a brand-new implant that allows a quadriplegic to control a remote robotic arm with, literally, his mind. Says Harold Sackheim, a brain stimulation expert at the New York State Psychiatric Institute: “There’s a ton of stuff going on.”
Dr. Sackheim, the nation’s leading psychiatric thought leader commented, it’s all being pushed by tremendous advances in brain mapping, allowing doctors to target tiny areas, and new implants with computer chips to control them that can fit in these small spaces. “But the big thing is that our understanding of targets has changed,” Sackheim says. “The brain is an electrical organ. And there is no more efficient way of getting it to act than by using a tiny electrical current. You can’t get drugs, for example, to target just one region. That’s why you see all sorts of bad side effects. We’re seeing the start of a whole new class of medicine.”
Vagus nerve stimulation is a ninety-minute out-patient procedure which targets those key areas of the brain responsible for depression.
Charles Donovan was a study study subject in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of depression. He is the author of:
Out of the Black Hole: The Patient’s Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
which is available on Amazon.com, 1-888-VAGUS-88 and at http://www.vagusnervestimulator.com/book/
Many people who are suffering from mild to moderate depression, are choosing to either forego drugs entirely, or to supplement the minimum dosage their doctor will prescribe, with natural treatment for depression.
This can include a number of lifestyle alterations, and even herbal treatment for depression. The choices are entirely up to the patient, who as always, should consult with their physician before undertaking any regimen on their own.
One of the first things that Naturopaths will look at for a client suffering from depression, is dietary deficiencies. They may ask you to have blood tests that will measure levels of such things as the B complex vitamins in your system. These have been identified as some of the vitamins that figure largely in natural treatment for depression.
Of course, a balanced, healthy diet is of prime importance. Next, comes vitamin supplements, with an emphasis on those your body is lacking.
Add to those things, a good exercise program consisting of at least three “aerobic”, or concentrated sessions of exercise a week. This can not only reduce stress, but burn off the adrenalin that comes with anxiety. Exercise produces natural endorphins as well.
With your doctor’s approval, you can also try some of the herbal treatments for depression, but only if they are aware of what you are taking, in order to check for contraindications against any other medications you might be on.
St. John’s Wort is the herb cited most frequently for treatment of depression, but the amount to be taken can vary greatly between patients, from as little as 300mg daily to as much as 2700mg. This is where consultation with your doctor and a Naturopath can help.
Some studies have also show that Gingko Bilboa is beneficial, as are herbs specific to treatment of “female problems”, such as PMS, menopause, and post natal depression.
If natural treatment for depression is the path you want to follow, get the very best advice you can, and get yourself back on the road to good mental health. =========================================================== Find out what causes depression and how to deal with it. Sign up for free blog and get daily updated articles and news about depression treatment. Click http://www.depression-treatment-101.com/
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Jill is a 21 y/o college student who used to do well until about a few months ago when she started to experience “weird” attacks almost daily. She described her experience as “horrible.” When she has the attack, she feels that she’s about to die or develop a stroke.
One day while she was in a mall, she suddenly developed an “overwhelming” sensation all over her body. She was sweaty and tremulous and felt that her heart was pumping so fast. Within a few seconds, she also suffered from chest pain and shortness of breath. This episode lasted for about 10 minutes but she felt that this was her worst ten minutes of her life.
Overwhelmed by her experience, she has stayed away from malls and has avoided being in a crowd of people. Because of the frequency of the attacks, Jill can’t anymore function normally. She is afraid to leave the house and go to work.
Jill’s experience is typical of someone with Panic Disorder. A person with panic disorder develops anxiety attacks associated with the thought that he or she would die or develop a stroke or heart attack. Physical changes such as fast heart beat, shortness of breath, fainting episodes, sweating and tremulousness are some of the accompanying symptoms.
A typical episode usually comes “out of the blue” and not precipitated by any triggers. It can therefore happen any time and anywhere. An attack can last for a few to several minutes.
One episode can make a person feel scared of having another one. In fact, a lot of people feel distressed anticipating the occurrence of another attack. So most individuals prefer to stay at home and isolate themselves from friends, co-workers, and even relatives. Eventually they become incapacitated.
If you’re like Jill, is there any treatment that can help?
Yes, there is. Individuals with this condition are successfully treated with an antidepressant such as the serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. Usually, the dose should be started low, for instance 10 mg/day of citalopram. After a few weeks, the dose should be gradually increased depending upon the person’s clinical status.
Cognitive behavior therapy is likewise very effective. This type of “talk psychotherapy” helps the individual to restructure his or her thinking. Negative cognition associated with the illness should be addressed in therapy because it creates more harm than good. Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises should also help.
During treatment, patience is very important because it takes a while before any intervention helps. However, don’t despair. After a few weeks, the medication should start working and should give you a feeling of comfort.
What’s the role of benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam or clonazepam) in the treatment of panic disorder? This type of drug can provide acute relief but should be used only on a short-term basis because of its addiction potential. For long-term treatment, antidepressants and psychotherapy are still preferable.
Do you know the difference between being depressed or just being sad?
Most people don’t. However, this matters because perhaps the best way to avoid health complications arising from depression is to deal with it in its early stages.
It is normal to feel sad from time to time. Sadness is a natural reaction to something upsetting which has happened. Depression on the other hand is more extreme. It is more of an emotional or mental illness which has a lot more symptoms than sadness and can, if not treated lead to suicide.
One huge difference between sadness and depression is that a person experiencing feelings which they find disconcerting can reasonably tell you what it is that is causing their unhappiness, however a person suffering from depression may not necessarily be able to do so.
When one is sad, we tend to know that things will get better over time; on the other hand, a person going through depression may not see an end to his or her problem and may consequently think things are or will get worse.
This may lead to a depression that could last for a long length of time. With the negative feelings being so intense and overpowering, depression is oft times something one just can’t snap out of, at least not without assistance or taking exact measures to match or overwhelm its hold on a person.
Though it is safe to say anyone going through depression experiences sadness, but not every sad person is necessarily depressed, both emotional hindrances might need to be addressed and catered to the same or very similar ways.
However, since depression is usually more burdensome than just a state of sadness, one needs to be able to distinguish between the two to determine the amount of effort that may need to be done to correct either state of these negative emotions.
In order to be able to attack depression-advisably in its earlier stages-below are its symptoms in no specific order.
1. Irritability and mood swings.
2. Hopelessness and extreme pessimism (a negative outlook on life)
3. Loss of energy, extreme fatigue and tiredness.
4. Loss of interest in hobbies, having a good appearance and even associates and loved ones.
5. Extreme feelings of helplessness and no self worth.
6. Suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)
7. Insomnia (lack of) or excessive sleep.
8. Inexplicable weight loss or gain thereof, triggered by eating disorders.
Though not a conclusive list as characteristics vary by patient, these symptoms of depression listed above are the most common ones.
If you happen to experience any of these symptoms, the first step, in my opinion and based on research will be to look within and ask why this may be occurring. Thoroughly assess your situation to see what it is that could be triggering these symptoms of depression within you. Could it be a failure at something or the loss of something or someone of importance?
If you go over the problem carefully, you would be able to target the cause and consequently solve it. Remember, the mind is the most powerful force on the earth, He who can control it can control all things my friend.
I will also mention that for both sadness (a symptom of depression obviously) and for the emotional disorder-depression-which we have now characterized for the purposes of distinguishing between the two, some steps you can take on your own for help will be engaging in some form of physical activity such as exercise or other hobbies.
This step exercises the motor centers of the brain, making the blood flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently one becomes more receptive to positive thoughts.
In addition to this tip, an observance of nature will show us that when animals are frightened or angered, they abstain from eating until after the passage of some time. Moreover, it is true that under stressful circumstances many civilized people refrain from eating and find in truth that they lack the desire for food, but it is also too often that most of us will eat large meals under these circumstances.
Now, worry, fear, anxiety, excitement, hurry, heated arguments at meals: all prevent the secretion of the digestive enzymes of the body and hinder not only digestion, but the whole nutrition process.
This considered, perhaps the last thing you may want to do while dealing with depression or sadness-be it its causes or symptoms is to eat excessively, I may go as far as to say to even eat at all.
It is also advised that at this crucial stage of emotional encumbrance, try and seek out the company of uplifting friends, relatives and associates. As much as possible, purposely surround yourself with uplifting and positive elements like your favorite DVD comedies, books, sitcoms and things of that nature.
So if you are unsure if you are truly depressed or just sad, take heart, neither of these negative emotions can overpower you-if you take charge and overcome them. It may not always be easy and you may need help, however, the desire to be-little their effects over you will be the first step towards success.
In Friendship,
Foras Aje
Foras Aje is an independent health researcher and founder of Bodyhealthsoul.com. For more information on Depression Treatment, feel free to stop by his website today.
Depression and anxiety appear to be two different emotional responses humans are capable of having. We do not usually associate these two disorders with each other. But research has shown that depression and anxiety do in fact co-exist, much to the detriment of their sufferers.
When you picture someone with depression you think of all the normal symptoms associated with it: Despair, hopelessness, anger, fatigue, an unwillingness to be a part of society and a feeling of being overwhelmed by everyday life. A depressed person withdraws into themselves and seek to sever all ties with the outside world.
Anxiety attacks on the other hand seem to happen for no reason at all. Feelings of fear and panic happen in situations in which most people would be perfectly calm. These anxiety attacks come on suddenly with no warning and with no outright reason for them to happen. After awhile a sufferer of these attacks begins to live in fear of the attacks themselves, wondering when the next one is going to happen. Before long, and without treatment, both anxiety attacks and depression can begin to affect the sufferers lives in negative ways by not allowing them to hold a job, have a relationship, or even go out into society
What many sufferers of these two diseases do not realize is that either one can lead to the other. Being depressed can weigh heavily on the mind leading the depressed person through a maze of different emotions. This in itself can lead to anxiety and eventually panic attacks. Panic attacks signify a loss of control and when this happens more and more often the sufferer can become depressed with their situation of not knowing if and when the next attack will occur.
Why these two disorders seem to occur at the same time is still largely unknown. But many studies show that major depression is often accompanied by an anxiety disorder. Both are likely caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry, but exactly why the two seemingly opposite disorders can coexist in the same person is not completely understood. What is understood about anxiety disorder is that the fight-or-flight reaction in the brain does not work the way it is supposed to. It can go off at any time, even in seemingly peaceful situations. Those who have anxiety disorder always feel that they are in danger.
One thing that psychologist agree on is that having a combination depression and anxiety is much more debilitating than having just one or the other. It can take patients with both disorders a much longer amount of time to resolve their depression which makes treating them much harder. It has also been shown that people who suffer from anxiety and depression both have a much higher suicide rate.
While this sounds bad their are options for treating both these conditions. Anti-depressant medications can be used to treat both depression and anxiety. When these medications are used in conjunction with behavioral therapy there is a high success rate of treating depression accompanied by anxiety.
Andrew Bicknell is a writer and owner of Depression and You.com. Visit his website for more information about depression and anxiety.
