I’m Afraid Of A Relapse!

THE QUESTION: Last week, my daughter was released to go home from the psych ward. After she got depressed, she cut herself. I was afraid that she’d try to commit suicide. How do I know he/she won’t slide back into this again?

OUR REPLY: “Don’t focus on what might happen (but probably won’t); focus instead on things that affirm your future and guide your eyes toward hopefulness. You can both set and achieve short-term goals and remember to focus your attention on the positive things that you have in your lives.”

If you want to find the buried treasure you have to look for it.

One of the keys to finding buried treasure is to look beyond the obvious.

That applies to people too.

If you want to express your love and help your loved ones to experience personal growth look for the buried treasure.  Try to find the positives in what may often feel like negatives. 1

Negative: Nosy
Positive: He/She likes to be very alert, friendly or social.

Negative: Touchy
Positive: He/She likes to be very sensitive.

It’s the 13th, February 13th, today.

Yesterday I wrote about my lack of natural romantic notions.  I have not figured out how to discern what gift Amy wants at special occasions, when to push her and when to wait for her to ask for my advice, but I have been able to add.  Since we started going out we have counted months just like teenagers do.  Today is our 306th month anniversary!

For some readers that may not be a hope, dream or a goal. I understand, it was never a goal of mine either. My goal was that our love, our relationship, would never end.

If You Screw Up, Fess Up!   Say “I’m sorry” and mean it!

In the classic 70′s romantic movie “Love Story” Jennifer Cavalieri said, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

It’s a nice romantic notion to think if you really loved someone you would never say a hurtful word, always remember their favorite ___, text them back immediately, stop everything to take their phone call, always be certain to arrive when you said that you would, and never forget an item on the “pick it up on the way home” list.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.

I am timid and I am oversensitive

I am a lioness

I am tired and defensive

You take me in your arms

And I fall into you

I have insecurities

You show me I am beautiful

While she was embarrassed to stumble through the National Anthem on Super Bowl Sunday Christina Aguilera is an amazing vocalist. In her song “I Am” she explains her vulnerable weaknesses. Continuing:

Love me or leave me

“You Blah-Blah-Blahed me!”, Sammy said.

I laughed.

Recently to illustrate a point I intentionally misspelled a word while writing on a whiteboard.

When Ashtin pointed my error out I “ignored” her correction.

When Ashtin persisted I argued that I was right and she was wrong.

Undaunted Ashtin knew she was right.  She was quickly joined by Sammy and others in a chorus of voices correcting my spelling.

I stood my ground exclaiming, “oh, it’s no big deal!”

Finally standing in front of the board I defended by spelling with a dismissing “Blah-blah-blah!”

I have what you want!

It’s my birthday and I have what you want! And I want you to have it!

I know you may be thinking what’s he got? Does he have that 700 hp Shelby I saw on the Speed Channel? No, I don’t. Does he have my mortgage payment? No, sorry nope. My tuition? My future spouse? My health? My hair back? My fantasy football title? An iPhone? Sorry, none of those either.

I do have a copy of The Truth About Chuck Norris that I’m gonna give away tonight at TreeHouse. But you can buy your own copy.