My brother is the best guy I have ever known. He has done a lot for me in the difficult days as well as the good days.

How lucky I am to have a brother like him! We have done a lot together. Our sense of humor is similar and we have some good laughs.

Our love for one another will always be there.

He is my favorite brother, however he is my only brother.

Thanks Bro!

Exercise is an excellent source of mental therapy.

When I was a kid my dad bought us a set of weights.  After which, in many of our family pictures, I was seen flexing my skinny little arms and showing off my little muscles.

I enjoyed running in school on the soccer team and running on my own.

I also enjoyed running after girls.

I continued to lift weights and joined a few gyms along the way.

As I got older I started to walk and not run. About one year ago I stopped walking because I had trouble with my back. But, I am currently getting physical therapy and looking forward to hitting the road again.

I am so thankful for the health I do have and remember growing up with the saying “anything is possible that you put your mind to”.

The warm sunny weather inspires us all.

I remember at the hospitals they took us for walks on warm, sunny days and it helped ease the pain of mental illness.

Spring helps your mind feel better.

Mental problem or not – enjoy this beautiful Spring!

The worst mental illness I have ever had was depression.

I found it difficult to get out of  bed.

It seemed everybody was happy but me.

Nothing interested me and I had lost my sense of humor.

It seemed to keep me from learning anything.

I found it hard to talk to people about anything.

I tried reading and taking walks. I tried not to let it bring me down.  I got therapy and medication. Still it kept it’s grip on me.

But I fought back… and, eventually, with help, with therapy, with medication the depression finally left me.

You can beat it but it takes time. Keep the hope!

Yesterday was Sunday May 11, Mother’s Day and my birthday.  My mom is 95 years young and I am younger.

My sister and brother-in-law pulled out all the stops as they hosted our get-together. I had a wonderful birthday and Mom enjoyed her special day as well.

Mom gave me hope when I thought there was no hope.

For all these years I have been part of a family that cares about one another.  Mothers are special in a family, not just on Mother’s Day, but on every day.  Yesterday we took the time to be thankful for the mother who kept our family whole.

And to celebrate my many decades as her son.

As a baby, I was baptized Presbyterian.

Later in life I was baptized Baptist.

Then I  was baptized Methodist.

Still later, I was baptized Mormon.

The last church I was baptized in was Pentecostal and I have continued to worship there for the last seven years.

Even if you have never been baptized or have no desire to be baptized;

even if you do not believe in God or have no desire to believe in God;

you must believe in yourself and the importance of your life.

I believe in hope for  the mentally ill.

I believe there is a path for recovery for everyone.

I believe in one on one therapy and group therapy to help mental illness.

I believe in the miracle of medication to help mental illness.

I believe my time in mental hospitals helped me.

I believe there is a cure for mental illness.

I believe you’re never alone with your mental illness.

I believe God has helped me with my mental illness.

I believe my family and friends have been there for me in the bad times and the good times.

I believe that others with mental illness can become normal as I have.

I believe it is never too late  to enjoy life.

When I was 25 and 27 I tried to take my life.

At 25 I shot myself in the chest just missing my heart.  The bullet collapsed one lung and ruptured my spleen.

At 27 I took 50 pills of my medication and was told if they were any stronger I would have died.

That was years ago and since then I learned to have hope.  Those setbacks taught me to ask for help.  I remember thinking how can talking about my mental illness help me. As difficult as it seemed at times, talking about my mental illness and taking my medication saved my life.  I am very thankful for the help I have been given and the support from family and friends.

Today is another day of hope and it only gets better.

When I was in deep depression I remember thinking I did not want to live like this.  I wish I knew back than what I know today.

I cannot stress enough that if you give it some time the depression will go away.

Therapy and medication may be needed.  But remember every day you can get better.

Never think you’re alone with any mental, physical, or spiritual problems.  There is always somebody thinking about you or praying for you.

I’ll remain anonymous for now.

When I think of Shattered Mind, I think of my history of different mental illness’. Also, I think of normal times in my life. All of which from day to day I will write about in my journal.

It’s always a nice day to be alive!