Cherished Moments: Monday, Hum Day

I noticed that many people used the month of November for giving thanks to the things in their life. A person battling any type of mental health issue is thankful for the strength to just get out of bed each day.

On that note, I am using the month of December for a time of reflection on the daily blessings. These are the daily things that I have recognized as my joy; happy moments that I cherish. Consider this my journal for this month. On my blog site www.reflectionswithrhonda.com and last blog "Holidays and Depression", I wrote about my experience with Lupus and mental health issues. My psychotherapist suggested I keep a journal on the moments of joy so that feeling can be recreated.

Journal Entry: December 3, 2012

Do you ever just have one of those days that you could do over? Yes, it was one of those days. However, I had to mentally catch myself at every turn.

I stayed up late the night before. We were like the 3 Stooges sitting on the new couch watching movies. So what do you think followed? The teens didn't have school today, so I figured I would catch an extra hour of sleep since I didn't have to motivate them or drive to school. I asked Mr. Man to wake me up at 7:30am. Guess what? He woke me up at 8am with a kiss good-bye since he was walking out the door. Really?!? I asked him why he didn't wake me up. Response: You know my alarm goes off at 7:45am. Duh! I was sleeping and don't pay attention to his alarm. His phone is always going off; the joys of being self-employed and owning a shuttle service. Silver Wings Shuttle Service 651-917-4202. :)

On the bright side: I woke up in a pleasant mood, Mr. Man let the dog out while I prepared for work, I got to sleep in longer, I didn't have to drop the boys off at school, and I still made it on time to work.

Of course, that was just the beginning of things. It is Monday and I am at work. lol

My day at work didn't start of so well. I read the new attendance policy they want to put into place company wide. So, you can be written up if you are Zero to 60 minutes late more than 3 time in 6 months. Really?!? We live in Minnesota, of course we are going to be late more than 3 times in six month due to weather conditions alone. Not to mention I am 1 exit away from Wisconsin and drive to South Minneapolis; do you know the number of accidents I see? And yes, they do hold up traffic. On top of that I struggle daily with just getting out of bed due to mood swings and/or medication. Yes, I have FMLA and can request Workplace Accommodations, but it isn't the point. I feel like we work in a production plant and not an office. Just waiting for them to install time clocks just in case we are two minutes late to work, 5 minutes to long at break, or leave my desk 5 minutes earlier than usual. So, per my psychotherapist I spoke my mind to my manager, inquired on our department enforcement of the new attendance policy and even suggested that I find new employment as I am not in school or punch a clock. She said they are still working out the kinks and she would get back to me on Friday.

The upside to the situation: I still have a job, my manager likes my production, and I felt so much better after I addressed the situation.

A co-worker approached me in a way I did not appreciate it today, but I caught the words before they came out of my mouth. I am so proud of me. :)

Mr. Man was even concerned about me after I expressed that I did not have a good day. He actually called me and asked what happened. That was so sweet.

The best part of my day was coming home to find James and Tory home. With having two teenage boys, they are more interested in their friends than hanging at the house. James came into the kitchen to lend me a hand with dinner and putting the dishes away. It felt great just to talk to him.

He even brought a smile to my face when he said, "Mom, are you venting to me?"

I normally don't discuss what is going on with my kids. I am use to them being younger and figured that they wouldn't understand. I tend to forget that he is going to be 16 next month. Furthermore, when I am in one of my "moods" I tend to be crabby and do a lot of yelling. It was a nice change just to be able to have a conversation with my son.

James and Tory are both very loving, comical kids. They both hung out with me in the kitchen while I prepared dinner. We had incessant chatter and light banter going on. It really improved my mood.

My oldest son, Johnathon called after dinner. I am so glad my mood was so much better. He needs to hear me in bright spirits and things are going well. I need to be a good support system for him. He is incarcerated and has severe mental health issues. He learned to self-medicate which led him in the wrong direction in life. He is realizing his mistakes and is now taking prescribed for him medication.

So yes, the greatest blessings I have do call me mom.

Not every day is going to be perfect and adventurous. However, you need to take notice of the little things each day that can put a smile on your face or even change your whole mood.

When you are having an off day, what helps put you in a better mood?

Related articles

• Cherish Every Moment (idolizejournal.com)
• Ex-Goldman banker-psychotherapist diagnoses your mental health issues (news.efinancialcareers.com)
• Wheat, Gluten and Mental Health (wheatbellyottawa.wordpress.com)