Fundraiser for Capillary Wave-Mental Health Support Group for Men

 Please help Nelson Borges and support this fundraiser in any which way that you can.  

Nelson started this mental health support group for men back in January here in Burlington.  

It is called Capillary Wave and here is the link for more info:

https://capillary-wave-community.org/shop-talks/

As posted on Nelson's FB page:

Very excited to share that we are having our first major fundraiser! 

So go register, bring a kayak, canoe, paddle board, sea doo or boat... we are going to be setting a record that day at Burlington Beach!

If you're not able to participate, you can still donate to a cause that makes an absolute difference to men in our community. 

With immense gratitude, thank you.

To Participate use this link:

https://bit.ly/3ynOuc9

To Donate use this one:

https://bit.ly/3yEHV4Z

Self Esteem-Karma Gaia

 

Improving Self-Esteem

Practice Self-Compassion

The gentle skill of treating oneself with the same tolerance, understanding, and empathy that we show to our friends and family is known as self-compassion. It's about accepting our imperfections, owning up to our errors, and realizing that these are normal aspects of being human.

Practicing self-compassion begins by noticing this internal dialogue and actively working to change it. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would extend to a friend in times of difficulty or disappointment.

Switch out your self-criticism for self-encouragement. Remember that everyone faces difficulties, and no one is exempt from making mistakes. Consider the lessons you can learn and the progress you can make rather than focusing on the bad things.

Set and Achieve Small Goals

Imagine the sense of accomplishment that washes over you when you cross items off your to-do list. Now, make that feeling even stronger by establishing and completing minor objectives that support your larger ones. Establishing and reaching these modest goals not only helps you go forward but also boosts your confidence as you go.

The key to this strategy lies in breaking down larger, often intimidating goals into manageable steps. Suppose your goal is to pick up a new language. Start with a modest objective, such as learning ten new words or practicing for fifteen minutes every day, rather than focusing on becoming proficient right immediately. Reaching these manageable goals gives you a sense of advancement and success that motivates you to carry on.

Embrace Self Improvement

Life is a continuous journey of growth and learning. Embracing self-improvement is not only an essential aspect of personal development but also a powerful way to boost your self-confidence. It takes more than just logging five miles of daily exercise or dentist appointments to improve oneself. It enhances your entire being in addition to your outside look.

When you actively engage in activities that expand your knowledge and skills, you send a clear message to yourself: you believe in your potential to become better, to evolve, and to excel. By practicing self-improvement, you strengthen your belief in your capacity to grow, change, and conquer challenges.

Practice Positive Affirmations

The words we say to ourselves hold a lot of power. Our self-talk shapes our perceptions, influences our actions, and ultimately impacts our self-confidence. Positive self-affirmations are a straightforward yet effective technique that can change your inner monologue and raise your self-esteem in situations like this.

Think of self-affirmations as personalized, uplifting mantras. These are declarations that capture your goals, values, and strong points. Positive self-affirmations are a powerful tool for reprogramming the brain to focus on your worth and ability rather than self-doubt or criticism. Repeating them often can help achieve this.

Surround Yourself With Positive Influence

The people you surround yourself with have a significant impact on your self-confidence and overall well-being. You are inspired, uplifted, and given a nurturing environment that fosters your progress by positive influences. On the other hand, negative or unsupportive individuals can drain your energy, undermine your self-esteem, and impede your progress.

Consider the friends, family members, and colleagues in your life. Do they encourage you to pursue your aspirations and goals? Do they inspire you to take on new tasks and go beyond your comfort zone? Your sense of self-worth can be greatly enhanced by surrounding yourself with positive individuals.

Raise Your Vibrations-Karma Gaia

 

How To Maintain High Vibrations

Why Is Maintaining High Vibrations Important?

In this great symphony of the universe, everything has its own frequency of vibration – from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxy. These vibrations combine to form the world that we live in today. This is where the adage "like attracts like" comes into play: we attract the same energy that we put forth. Our resonance frequencies are what draw people, circumstances, and events into our lives.

This symphony is mostly composed of two kinds of energy: low vibrational energy and high vibrational energy. Love, joy, and compassion are higher vibrating energies that facilitate our connection to our true selves and a higher power. Lower vibrational energies (fear, anger, or negativity) disturb our inner peace and make us feel heavy or detached, which slows our progress on the spiritual path. Conversely, when we are filled with these emotions, we feel inspired or supported by everything around us, which leads to spiritual growth.

How to have high vibrations:

1. Be Mindful of Your Inner State: The first step in maintaining high spiritual vibrations is being mindful of your inner state. This suggests having awareness of one's emotions, ideas, and reactions. It becomes easier for you to recognize that you are being affected by someone else's low vibrations when you are aware of what is going on inside of you. Take a little break during the day to look for yourself. The question "how do I feel at this particular moment?" is one you can pose to yourself. By keeping your feet firmly planted, this easy technique will allow you to navigate interactions without being drawn into lesser energies.

2. Set Boundaries and Detach: Setting healthy boundaries is crucial when dealing with people who have low vibrations. It's acceptable to minimize your interactions with people who deplete you or bring negativity into your life in order to preserve your energy. Being detached is not the same as ceasing to care; rather, it is the opposite of let their energy control your own. Learn how to say no when necessary, and tell yourself that it's acceptable to stand back for your own wellbeing. In this manner, you can continue to vibrate at a greater level without experiencing guilt or overwhelm.

3. Take Care of Yourself: Taking care of yourself is essential to keeping your vibrations high. Engage in energy-replenishing activities such as hiking, meditation, or creative endeavors. It might also be beneficial to eat healthful meals, get enough sleep, and surround oneself with positive people. Think of self-nourishment as filling your cup—you can’t pour from an empty one. Your resilience against lesser vibrations will increase with the amount of emphasis you place on your well-being.

4. Hold Yourself Accountable: While it’s important to recognize the influence of others, it’s equally vital to hold yourself accountable for your own energy. Accept accountability for the ideas, emotions, and behaviors you select. If you notice that you are becoming more negative, accept it without passing judgment and take action to raise your vibration again. This could be looking at things from a different angle, being grateful, or doing something constructive. You give yourself the ability to continue being in tune with the energy you want to live out by holding yourself accountable. Raise your Frequency, Binaural Beats Meditation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpavrcr03gg

DBT TOOLS

 Below is a link to a very useful resources on DBT-Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of talk therapy for people who experience emotions very intensely. 

It’s a common therapy for people with borderline personality disorder, but therapists provide it for other mental health conditions as well.

https://dbt.tools/emotional_regulation/stop.php

STOP Skill

The STOP skill consists of the following sequence: 

Stop, 

Take a step back, 

Observe, 

Proceed mindfully.

Virtual Rec Connect is a virtual Adult Day Program. We support individuals attending or waiting for Adult Day Services. Virtual Rec Connect is a collaboration of the Adult Day Program Providers in the Mississauga Halton Region.

 

Here is the link 

https://www.virtualrecconnect.ca/

We're connecting Mississauga Halton with virtual adult day services and resources.

Virtual Rec Connect is an online recreational program designed to offer therapeutic activities to vulnerable and isolated older adults, as well as individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities who are either on a waitlist for in-person adult day services or are unable to attend in person.

WHO WE ARE

We are a network of 9 organizations that provide recreational and social activities for vulnerable and isolated seniors. 

R

REACH MORE PEOPLE: WIDER COMMUNITY OUTREACH, REACHING THOSE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND PROGRAMMING IN PERSON.

E

EFFICENCIES IN ADULT DAY SERVICES: ADDRESSING STAFFING SHORTAGES.

C

CREATING RICH, DIVERSE AND PERSON-CENTERED PROGRAMMING          THROUGH COLLABORATION AND IDEA SHARING.

Capillary Wave-update-Mental Health Support Group for Men

 Just sharing this post from Nelson Borges...

2 years ago I went through a mental health crisis as some of you know.

It's been a long road to be where I am today. I still have my days, but I'm in a good place.

In January I started a weekly men's support group and it's been heart filling. I've met some awesome guys! We had 5 guys at first meeting, now we have 65 in our group. Not everyone has come out yet but we're trying! My purpose now is to help as many men as I can... even free therapy for those that can't afford it.

With that said, I've started a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide a pit stop crew of resources, services and support to help men get healthier in mind, body and spirit.

The website is live!

www.capillary-wave-community.org

3 favours...

1. If you or someone you know needs help, I'm here.

2. If you can donate, that would be amazing as all dollars go directly to providing programs etc.

3. If you can't, that's totally OK. Donations are not just financial... maybe just share this to your socials (as the kids say)

I want to thank everyone who supported me, friends, family and especially yes, my lady friend. Love you all day.

Acupuncture Points-Karma Gaia

 

 I highly recommend this FREE very detailed and informative course.  

I took this about a year ago and it was phenomenal.  

A very passionate facilitator who is super kind, patient and very compassionate!

CMHA Halton Region Branch

Now open for referrals: 12-week Coping Skills for Change groups. 

Choose from 2 sessions beginning in September. 

Read more and register: https://halton.cmha.ca/groups-workshops-webinars/

Creative Community Hive (art making drop in) -Burlington

 I am sharing this info for the @Creative Community Hive.

We are community art hive collective that host free public pop-up art studios for community members to come socialize and make art together!

You can see more details in the poster below.

Thank you , and hope to see you there!

Coping Technique for Anxiety-Karma Gaia

 

5-4-3-2-1 Coping Technique for Anxiety

The 5-4-3-2-1 method is one of the most effective, simple yet powerful coping exercises for anxiety that helps manage anxiety by focusing on your surroundings and engaging your senses.

It works by shifting your attention away from anxious thoughts and bringing you back to the present moment.

Step 1: Identify 4 Things That Are Visible Look around and identify five things you can see as the first step of this coping exercises for anxiety. It can be anything in your immediate environment, from a piece of furniture to a picture on the wall. This step helps distract your mind from anxious thoughts and anchors you in the present.

Step 2: Identify 4 Things That You Can Touch Notice four things you can touch as the second step of this anxiety relief method. This could be the feeling of your clothes, the texture of a chair, or the warmth of your coffee cup. Touching physical objects helps bring your awareness back to your body and the present moment.

Step 3: Name 3 Things You Are Able to Hear Listen for three things you can hear. It might be the sound of birds outside, the hum of your computer, or your own breathing. Focusing on sounds around you can help quiet your mind and reduce anxiety.

Step 4: Name 2 Things You Can Smell Identify two things you can smell. This could be the scent of your soap, a candle, or the fresh air. Smelling something pleasant can help soothe your nerves and enhance your sense of calm.

Step 5: Feel the Taste of 1 Thing in Your Mouth Find one thing you can taste. It could be a sip of water, a mint, or the lingering taste of your last meal. Paying attention to taste can further ground you and complete the sensory experience.

Learning to love ourselves-WE the Medicine Family

 

Dear We The Medicine Family,   I hope this email finds you all well and thriving.   Today, I want to talk about a topic that is fundamental to our well-being and happiness: learning to love ourselves.   In a world that often pushes us to strive for perfection and validation from others, it’s essential to remember that the most important relationship we have is the one with ourselves.   Loving ourselves is not about vanity or selfishness; it’s about recognizing our worth, embracing our imperfections, and treating ourselves with the kindness and respect we deserve. Here are some profound benefits of self-love:   Improved Mental Health: Loving ourselves reduces anxiety and depression, fostering a more positive and resilient mindset. When we accept ourselves, we’re less likely to be overwhelmed by negative thoughts and more likely to seek help when needed.   Healthier Relationships: When we love ourselves, we set healthier boundaries and attract positive relationships. Self-love helps us understand our needs and communicate them effectively, leading to more fulfilling and respectful connections with others.   Increased Motivation: Self-love boosts our confidence and motivates us to pursue our goals and dreams. Believing in our abilities and worthiness propels us forward, even in the face of challenges.   Better Stress Management: Loving ourselves equips us with better coping mechanisms, making it easier to handle stress. We learn to prioritize self-care and recognize when we need to step back and recharge.   Enhanced Self-Esteem: Recognizing our value leads to higher self-esteem and a more fulfilling life. We become less reliant on external validation and more secure in our own skin.   Authentic Living: Self-love encourages us to live authentically, embracing who we truly are without fear of judgment. This authenticity fosters deeper connections with others and a more genuine approach to life.   Greater Compassion: When we love ourselves, we become more compassionate towards others, fostering a more loving community. Understanding our own struggles and imperfections makes us more empathetic towards those of others.   Improved Physical Health: A positive self-image often leads to better physical health through improved self-care habits. We’re more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as regular exercise and balanced nutrition.   Increased Resilience: Self-love builds resilience, helping us bounce back from setbacks more effectively. We develop a stronger sense of self and a belief in our ability to overcome difficulties.   Overall Happiness: Ultimately, loving ourselves leads to a deeper, more sustained sense of happiness and contentment. We cultivate an inner peace and joy that external circumstances can’t easily shake.   Now, let’s explore some practical ways we can learn to love ourselves:   Practice Self-Care: Dedicate time each day to activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. This could include taking a relaxing bath, reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing yoga. Regular self-care rituals remind us that we are worthy of care and attention.   Positive Affirmations: Start your day with positive affirmations that reinforce your self-worth and capabilities. Statements like “I am enough,” “I deserve love,” and “I am capable of achieving my goals” can rewire our brains to think more positively about ourselves.   Set Healthy Boundaries: Learn to say no and set boundaries that protect your emotional and mental health. This means recognizing when something is draining or harmful and taking steps to limit its impact on your well-being.   Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness and meditation to stay connected with your inner self. These practices help us stay present, reduce stress, and gain a deeper understanding of our thoughts and emotions.   Celebrate Your Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing our successes builds confidence and reinforces the belief that we are capable and deserving of good things.   Forgive Yourself: Let go of past mistakes and practice self-forgiveness. Understand that everyone makes mistakes and that these do not define your worth. Learning from them and moving forward is key to self-growth.   Surround Yourself with Positivity: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Positive and encouraging relationships reinforce our sense of worth and provide a supportive network for when we face challenges.   Engage in Hobbies: Pursue hobbies and activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Engaging in activities we love brings happiness and a sense of accomplishment, enhancing our overall well-being.   Seek Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re struggling with self-love. Therapists and counselors can provide valuable tools and insights to help you build a healthier relationship with yourself.   Gratitude Journal: Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life and your achievements. Focusing on what we’re grateful for shifts our perspective and highlights the good in ourselves and our lives.   Loving ourselves is a journey, not a destination. It requires patience, practice, grace and perseverance.   But remember, you are worth the effort. By embracing self-love, we not only transform our own lives but also create a more compassionate and loving community.   Let’s embark on this journey together, supporting and encouraging one another every step of the way.   With love and gratitude, David & Janine We The Medicine

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