May 1, 2024 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello Stronger Together Group,
I know when things don’t go my way I can start ruminating about them, and it can be challenging get out of that place even if I know I am doing it. The short video below is about all of that. We will have to get past the short advertising by the presenter for her other products and we are not endorsing them here:)
Here is the link to the video: Two Things You Can Do To Stop Ruminating
Idea for a warmup question: What is your favorite time of the day, and why?
See you all tomorrow, Thursday, at 7pm. Stay cool!
Dee
Jun 1, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello friends,
The first line of our shared article for this week sums up the oft-experienced frustration perfectly:
One of the hardest things for me in the aftermath of a conflict is getting out of my head and accepting that what happened, happened.
Why can’t we just summon up a little bit of Elsa magic and “let it go”? Why do we keep playing and replaying the situation in our minds, analyzing every word we said or should have said, even though there’s nothing to do about any of it?
In this week’s discussion we’ll talk through three practical strategies to reduce these “negative ruminations.” We’ll also watch a very brief video on ways to set better boundaries, which as you’ll see in the article is central to reducing the number of times we find ourselves in the types of conflict that lead to negative ruminations
Our warm-up question for this week:
Which Disney princesses are your most and least favorite? Yes, you read that right.
See you soon,
Alex
May 18, 2023 | Mental Health Ministry, Stronger Together Support Group
Hello friends,
Whether you call it “overwhelmed” or “anxious,” we all know what it feels like: your mind becomes preoccupied with worrying thoughts, you probably tense up a bit, minutes begin to feel like hours, and so on. It’s not a pleasant state, but it’s also a normal part of the human experience. Of course there’s also a point at which these feelings become so persistent and intense that we classify it as a form of mental illness.
So how can we respond in healthy, effective ways when we feel overwhelmed? And what should we not do? In our conversation this week we’ll go through “5 Mistakes We Make When We’re Overwhelmed,” which also gives us insight into what we can do instead to prevent overwhelming feelings from not becoming so…overwhelming.
We’ll also watch a brief personal testimony from Florence Mukangenzi, a medical student who describes in wonderful clarity how she has developed strategies and tactics to manage her chronic anxiety.
Our warm-up question for this week:
What activities allow your mind to wander in healthy ways?
See you soon,
Alex
Dec 28, 2021 | Mental Health Ministry, Prayer, Video
January 6, 2022
Recently the St. James’ Mental Health Leaders Group thought it would be helpful to release some “on demand” prayer videos. These prayers can accompany those who would like a companion or some guidance in their prayer time. We are happy to pray with you.
Our hope is to release a batch of four prayer videos each month. This month we have three prayer videos from the Rev. James Isaacs, and one musical offering from Jeanne Lehning.
Our first video this month, “Night Prayer,” addresses the times when we want to fall asleep, but are kept awake by regrets and thoughts of the day. In this compline prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book, you are invited to release anxiety, regret, and fear to God, and to imagine a better morning.
Our second video, “Be still and know that I am God,” offers a repeated phrase, gradually decreasing into a single word, that is designed to slow and clear our minds. It concludes with a blessing by Rev. James Isaacs.
Our third video, “Veni Sancte Spiritus,” can be viewed whenever we are feeling alone. We ask God’s presence to be known to us with us in this familiar Taize chant, which means “Come, Holy Spirit.”
Finally, let us relax and feel God’s presence with music played by Jeanne Lehning on piano, recorder and flute: “The King of Love My Shepherd is.”
Are there other ways you would like to pray? Specific topics you’d like prayer videos for? Please let us know. Send email to Rev. James Isaacs at james@stjamespotomac.org.
