Stigma THIS.

Hey readers =) Thanks for checking in today. I've wanted to blog about this topic for quite awhile, so here is a hot button topic that I KNOW touches more than one person who reads this blog. (Myself included).

Mental health issues.

Anyone who knows me, knows I've had my share of experience with depression. And I probably have equal amounts of friends who have dealt with or know someone who has a mental illness, as I do friends who have no experience with it.

Let me be honest, though. I really doubt there are many people whose lives have not been touched in any way, shape, or form by a mental health issue.

For instance, if you saw anything about the kids who have been posting on YouTube for the It Gets Better videos, you are connected to someone who has been affected by someone with mental health issues. That is, to say, that the people who have been posting It Gets Better videos are addressing those videos to all the LGBT teens who have committed, are considering committing, or have known another LGBT teen who has committed suicide.

Maybe you have a cousin, or a niece, or a parent, or a friend, who has dealt with depression. Maybe you just know someone who knows someone. But regardless, you are affected.

So now my real point: stigmas.

One of my biggest pet peeves is someone who assumes they know another person because that person has admitted to fitting into a label.

Whether that label is of sexual preference, religion, political preference, or having a mental illness, no two people are alike. How would you like it if someone made assumptions about you because of something you admitted to?

It takes a lot of courage to admit you have a mental illness. More courage than it takes to pick a side on the political spectrum. And yet people who identify themselves as a Democrat, or Republican are not ridiculed for that choice. Which is, by the way, a choice. Having a mental illness is not. Would you make fun of someone for having pancreatic cancer? I didn't think so.

Have you ever been the recipient of, or witnessed someone being marginalized because of a mental illness?

My truths

You never truly know yourself until your lowest moments, and every day you learn even more about your core truths. Here are the things I learned about today... my truths, if you will:

I love tootsie pops.

Inspiring quotes sometimes describe my life better than my own words.

Mylifeisaverage.com, http://onesentence.org/, http://averagewizard.com/, http://www.ted.com/, and http://1000awesomethings.com/ all represent websites that can infinitely cheer up my day, soothe my heart, and change my perspective.

It makes me crazy when people can post on Facebook but cannot respond to a text message.

I am incapable of the silent treatment.

Life will get easier.

Editing and organizing are like electric shock treatments that can calm even my wandering mind.

Today is a good day because I got to eat three meals, sleep in a (mostly) warm bed, go to work, and see friends.

There are people in this world that will always hold a place in my heart, no matter what they do or where they go. Megan, Maggie, Nicole, Ryan, Amanda, Sara, Michael, Amber, Ashley, Steph, Josh, Stef, AJ, and Darius - I love them all, even though some are no longer a part of my life.

What are some truths you discovered about yourself today?

37 Pick-me-ups

Today I was feeling a bit under the weather, so I am writing an easy blog... since I still have the urge to write even though I can't keep food down. (Yeah, I don't really understand that phenomenon either.) What are the things you really enjoy doing? Your hobbies that, no matter where you are, if you get to engage in one of these your day is significantly improved.

When I initially started brainstorming, I could only think of maybe 5 things. But then I looked up "List of Hobbies" and found that I am much more diverse than I give myself credit for. So here are 37 things (with little explanations) that make my life a bit brighter.

1. Art - Where I live, one of the best times can be had on the first Friday of each month, when a road in the city called "Gallery Row" opens up all the Art galleries and serves wine, fruit, cheese and crackers for people to browse and nibble as they observe the art.
2. Baseball - I'm a Phillies fan. Enough said.
3. Bicycling - This has become a necessary enjoyment, of a sort, because I need my bike to get everywhere.
4. Blogging - Hello? Obviously.
5. Board Games - I'm not very good at these unless I play on teams, hah, but I still have fun whenever one of my friends throws a game night!
6. Camping - I haven't been on a long camping trip in years, but the nostalgia from when I was a kid is carrying me over until now. Just don't ask me to go to the bathroom in the woods!
7. Card Games - I love learning new ones, and I love the fact that I can just carry a deck of cards and find something to do with anyone. Go fish?
8. Cooking - I enjoy this in spurts - sometimes it is all you can find me doing, or I'm putting in a full day of cooking in the kitchen. Other times I just want to eat cereal and leave the kitchen alone.
9. Crafts - Think less Popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners and more picture frames and bookmarks.
10. Dancing - I feel like Kevin Bacon from Footloose.
11. Eating out - There is something to be said about fine dining. Or really, about eating anywhere that doesn't involve cooking in my house.
12. Entertaining - When I have my own place... I like to be able to put out a spread and just have friends over. It's nice to know I can have fun with friends without going out and spending a fortune.
13. Going to movies - I'm game for pretty much every movie! Except scary movies... I have a strict rule about going to those with only guys. I'm going to see the Avengers this week!
14. Hiking - The last time I went was on a  first date a few weeks back to watch the sunrise. So. Sweet.
15. Jewelry Making - This one falls under crafts a bit, but it's also its own creative endeavor. Since I learned to make earrings, it's certainly been helpful when holidays come around!
16. Jigsaw Puzzles - I never thought I would enjoy these as much as I do, but when I was in the hospital this guy and I would sit around a table for hours and just work on them. Since then, I've been hooked!
17. Keep A Journal - I'm pretty sure I've been doing this since I was old enough to write. One of my best stress relievers is being able to make lists of things to do.
18. Laser Tag - No explanation necessary.
19. Learning A Foreign Language - Porque quiero hablar en espanol cuando voy Espana. (Because I want to speak Spanish when I go to Spain.)
20. Listening to music - From The Beatles and Elvis to Queen and Def Leopard, from Nickelback and Saving Abel to Pink and Katy Perry, and from LMFAO and Christina Aguilera to Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood - I love music.
21. Meditation - I was lucky enough to be taught how to meditate by an Indian man who was an excellent teacher. I don't do it often enough, but every time I do I feel better about just about everything going on at the time.
22. Motorcycles - How do I put this? I want.
23. Origami - The Origami crane still alludes me, but I make a mean swan, and it is one way to keep my mind occupied when I am bored and waiting for an appointment or something similar.
24. Photography - I wouldn't even call myself a novice, that is how much I don't do this hobby. But when I get on a photography kick, everything becomes a muse.
25. Pottery - Painting, not making. Although I want to try making it too!
26. Reading - If there are words, I will read it. Almost.
27. Shopping - I take "retail therapy" to a whole new level, hah.
28. Singing - If I'm not singing, I must be sick.
29. Sleeping - When things get just a little too overwhelming, I take a nap and feel instantly better.
30. Swimming - If we had a pool, I would be swimming every day.
31. Traveling - Whether it be a school trip to Washington DC, a day trip to see a friend in Philly, or really - just going into the city for the day - I love to travel. I hope whatever job I get in the future allows me to travel on a regular basis.
32. TV watching - Sometimes, escaping into another reality (almost as good as reading) is just what I need to feel better. Now if the show has a musical element to it... I feel even better.
33. Urban Exploration - This falls into traveling, too, I think. I love to go through a city and find the best little places to eat or read or get lost.
34. Video Games - When I have a TV, you'll find me on my Wii. But right now, I'm enjoying my DS.
35. Volunteer - I hope to one day be a volunteer firefighter. Right now, I just get my volunteer fulfillment from working at homeless shelters, food banks, or the YWCA whenever I can. Community cleanup days work too ;-) 
36. Working Out - When I started working at the gym I thought the people who enjoy working out were crazy. But really, I enjoy it too. I don't really get the adrenaline rush, but I do feel very accomplished when I finish a great sweat session. Plus, by working out I am working towards a 5K, a goal on my bucket list.
37. Writing - Do I even need to touch on this one?

What are your hobbies? Can you think of more than 3 or 4 things that really brighten up your day? Thanks for reading!