I wrote a piece back in July of 2012 “Selling and Idea to Give Hope” with good response.  It wasn't a response so much I was looking for (though I would like to see more public action) as much as raising public awareness.  We need more public awareness to all situations that create in people a loss of hope, love and support. Aware Bears were created in my time of loss of hope; they are a labor of love and with each bear I make, my own sense of hope is renewed.

Recently, I was contacted by a member of an organization working with persons who suffer from IC – Interstitial Cystitis.  I had never heard about this painful disorder or the high rate of suicide as a result of emotional and physical pain this disorder creates. http://www.ichelp.org/ Together, we have worked on creating a new Aware Bear to represent IC.  I was not surprised that collaboration with others brings forth good things; rather I was surprised that my sense of purpose was renewed through witnessing an increase in awareness through the actions of myself and others.

Buying and Giving a Concept

The people who firmly believe they can buy anything do exist.  They believe they can buy happiness and have bought more money, bought, sold and traded people, and some have paid for life. I suppose if you have enough money you could try to buy anything including faith, but can money buy a person hope?  

Hope is faith and faith is intangible. What we believe in and cannot see is done with faith (a concept).  Hope does not fit into any of the physical senses, so how it it be bought or sold? You may answer through products or tangible items we give to people which is a valid argument, but, it's still not giving hope; it's giving a concept.

Many times we as adults forget a child or an adult in crisis may experience a temporary lack of ability to process concepts. They are in black and white (concrete) thinking mode for survival and protection of their emotions; however, they will process something tangible that represents the promise of hope.  Something physical to remind them of a special memory, moment or of their home. 

A Promise of Hope

The impact of a child being removed from their homes to a strange place is beyond my ability to express. They experience fear, self-blame, shame and some continue to experience these emotions for many more years. The same impact exists for teens and adults when they are removed or forced to flee their homes for their safety and safety of their children.  Shame and fear grip a person so tightly it becomes almost too much to move, think, speak or plan. Trauma becomes their world.

Fortunately, research has moved administrators, advocates, and those in the medical and mental health professions forward enough to understand the impact of trauma on children and adults. Some studies have found the trauma may be reduced when a person has a form of the promise of hope. 

I have seen the difference a bear, a blanket, a doll or other special item given to a child when they are placed out of home can make. I have experienced personally the joy of giving and receiving items some of you may take for granted: nice clothing, body sprays, special jewelry, a music cd, books to read or cosmetics. Each person reacts differently to the gifts, but most will recognize these gifts as a promise to them - that hope is theirs.  If they have nothing else, they have the promise of hope to hold onto and wrap around themselves when they feel lonely, lost and afraid. An invisible message is given with the items, "Have faith, keep hoping. WE will get through this."    

In the right form, yarn or other materials can create something tangible that brings the promise of hope and happiness.  I created Aware Bears in the efforts of providing the promise of hope to others, and more recently, the Windows of Hope Quilt. Did you know from each Aware Bear sold I donate $2.00 to the cause the bear represents?  The thought crossed my mind I can be giving more, doing more with this concept.  This is where selling an idea to give hope becomes my dream. While designing the quilt, I was able to place the pieces of my dream together beyond images and create a plan. 

Wanted: Many Hands, Hearts & Minds

Taking action is what will turn this dream into a reality with help from volunteers and donations of their time and skills. Can I do this alone?  No.  A project of this size needs many hands, hearts and minds.  A project of this size will need a lot of fabric and donated clothing to make Promises of Hope happen. It will take a little time, planning and most of all people working together.  My dream begins with you in your community.  This is a call to action.  I am not seeking money - I am asking for:

• Donating clothing: coats, suits, dresses, jeans & shirts in all sizes;
• Requesting donations of the materials needed (yarn, fabric, etc.)
  
• Accessories for Work Attire

A favorite song of mine, "One Voice" , comes to mind as I make my bold public request for volunteers.  I am one voice reaching out to the large communities of crafters, organizers, philanthropists, businesses and others asking for your time and skills to be applied in a nationwide collaborative effort.  Selling an idea that can't be seen is not easy, but together we can give what can't be seen - hope.   

I wish you much inspiration, today and always.

Sher

1. Save $ and make your own Reed Diffuser.  Using a dark colored bottle (lengthens the life of the EO), place 2 drops of EO in the bottle, fill half-way with a carrier oil, insert reeds and you are done!  You can refill the reeds and oil at a fraction of the cost of store purchased diffusers.

2. Oil Burners can be purchased in many places online or in stores.  They can fragrance a room or two in minutes, creating a lasting relaxing environment.

3. Place warmth or cold on the area where stress is affecting you most with a warming bag. Place on your  neck, forehead, chest, lower back, etc. Apply one - two drops of EO to the bag, heat in microwave (if you desire) apply and relax!

4. To fragrance your environment, place 1-2 drops of EO on a cotton ball and tuck behind any item (canister, dresser drawers, etc.).

5. Add an exotic fragrance personal to your Soap Making.   

6. Make your own Effusion Oil for your lamps.  2 C Alcohol, 2 drops of EO and 2 Tbsp of distilled water.  Mix well and you have your own favorite lamp oil!

7. Adding a drop or two on a padded hangar for your closet will fill your wardrobe with freshness.  Great as a gift idea!

8. Adding a drop or two of EO to your rinse water while cleaning will enhance the freshness.  Lemon, Sweet Orange, Bergamot, Grapefruit and Lime are wonderful to freshen kitchen and bathroom.

9. Add a drop or two of Eucalyptus EO to your bath water in summer for refreshing the skin and senses and in the winter to reduce dryness.

10. Fragrance your home for the holiday seasons by tucking cotton balls with Cinnamon, Thyme, Mint EO applied.  Simmer a few of these in a small kettle as well. 

11. Create a unique perfume with your favorite EO.  Nag Champa is a perfect place to start. 

12.  Create a peaceful and calm working environment with Grapefruit and Lavender EO blended.  Great for Reed Diffusers, application to cotton balls, etc.  It will enhance the moods, lift spirits and stimulate senses. 

13. Add a drop or two while making candles or add one drop to the melted wax for extra fragrance from your candles. 

14. Add a drop or two of lavender to your wash cycle before hanging out to dry.  The results are amazing!

15. Make your own after shower body oil. Mix 1 cup carrier oil with 30-60 drops essential oil. 

16. As a cleaner add several drops of your favorite EO to 1 C Baking Soda and sprinkle over mattress, couch, chairs, carpet. 

17. Keep our Environment clean by re-using an old container or spray bottle, fill with distilled water and add several drops of EO to your preference to make a fragrant room spray. Lavender is wonderful on linens for relaxing bedtime!

18.  One part Vinegar, one part water and a few drops of your favorite EO make a great disenfectant.  

19. Add your favorite EO to your meditation practices, whether in the candles, oil burner, diffusers or your warming bag.  

20. Add several drops of EO to your foot bath (Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lavender) for an amazing, relaxing soak. 

May 9, 2012 
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

 

I have long been an advocate for children tapping into their creative abilities so today I thought I would share with you a few ways children can create something positive and meaningful; these projects are for children of all ages in groups, communities, within their families or with their BFF's.   What do crafts have to do with bullying and/or mental health awareness?  Children want and need to feel creative and see the products of their work and imagination.  They want and need to express themselves and through the simple application of art (and it can be Green Art) they can express several feelings at once.  They want and need approval of those in their lives; the simple act of making something with a child can help with             1) Self - Esteem  2) Self - Worth    3) Achievement                4) Accomplishment    5) Validation    6)Sharing time with others   and more.   It's easy to start a conversation on how to stop bullying or find out if your child is being bullied by working with a child on any of the crafts.  It's a good time for talking and sharing.  Approach the topic of bullying and see how much they share with you...perhaps more than you were aware of. It's also a good way to get groups of youth together and start the conversation of bullying and how to stop it.  Action begins with sharing and talking about a topic that you want to see action taken with.  Take 30 minutes from your day to take action! 

Nebraska has been in the spotlight in the past several years regarding the care and treatment of youth and children who have behavioral or mental health disorders.  Many passionate people who are true champions of  children, youth and Adults with mental health/ behavior disorders work tirelessly to find sustainable solutions to the problems Nebraska families and individuals face.  There is a small but effective group, I see as Invisible Soldiers. They are sharing their ideas and voices directly with the children, families and youth, working silently in the background in an effort to bring a bit of joy, distraction, and daily tools to aid others in learning to live with Depression, OCD, ADD/ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder and more.  

These Invisible Soldiers spend countless hours as champions of youth and their families and many are family members (Parents of children diagnosed or suspected of having a diagnosis) themselves.  While raising my children I kept an open mind to new tips, tricks, methods, crafts and other ways to help my children work through the challenges they faced daily.  Some activities were too much of a challenge or were not what my children needed; others proved to be helpful as a tool to be counted on.  All my years of research for activities and resources has created a wealth of information to share with you today and in future posts.

* A note here to readers, other Bloggers/Craftsman and Advocates:  If you would like to share your ideas and/or what has worked for you and your family, please feel free to post comments.  I am always open to hosting Guest Bloggers/Crafters and Parents! 

I’m going to make an assumption here that by reading this post, you have access to the Internet.  I encourage you to bookmark the tools and share the resources with other Invisible Soldiers.  

Is Something Wrong With Me?

Stigma is the worst enemy of the Invisible Soldier or Advocate; however, education is the best weapon in the fight against stigma and the fear it generates.  Frequently, fear of the stigma surrounding mental illness or a behavioral disorder prevents Family Members from gaining the knowledge to pass on to their children or youth.  So many youth are convinced there is something "wrong with them".  Teach your youth or your young child there is nothing wrong with them through conversation, activities and unconditional love.  A Parent knows their child or youth best; so following this logic, when you know your child or youth best you will be better prepared to select the activities which may work the best and teach them through activities there is nothing wrong with them – it’s an illness or disorder (which by the way, 1:5 people are affected!) 

Take the Edge Off

Far too often we become too busy in our daily lives to recognize when a crisis may be building.  Here are a few healthy, mind calming, muscle building activities for you and your child or youth to participate in together.  Best of all, they’re FREE!

1. Outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, exploring are free, and use large muscle groups and are terrific distracters from anger, depression, and may stimulate multi-tasking.

2.  Dance!  It’s free, works large muscle groups, takes the edge off, and is simple fun!

3.  Make “telephones” from empty cans and string.  Once you have your phones made, place calls to each other in from your “Forts” (made of blankets, sheets, etc.). This activity sparks imagination and has the potential of generating some great stories!

4.  Make your own Playdough (Play-doh).  Not much expense and you have a silly and fun way to spend talk time and creative time with your child.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/

5. Make your own sidewalk chalk.  This is an activity where the end product could be turned into a fun game of Hopscotch or Four-Square.  Besides, what child doesn’t like to display their wonderful works of art for all to see? The sunshine and fresh air will do everyone good! http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/craftsupplies/ht/SidewalkChalk.htm