Have A Happy Hour

Be Happy:  Have A Happy Hour

Whatever thoughts are causing you pain, they are only thoughts.

You can change a thought. Happiness is a daily decision.  

-- Andrew Matthews

This morning I read an article in the Philippine Star Column of Soul Train by Katrina A. Holigores entitled “Have a Happy Hour:  The Natasha Goulbourn Foundation launches a new campaign. and was inspired to share this with you.

The Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) was set up in 2007 by Jeanne Goulbourn and a group of friends from various sectors in memory of her late daughter, Natasha Goulbourn who suffered from depression.  This foundation aims to educate and inform people all about depression – what causes it, how to manage it and how to heal from it.

Just recently, NGF has launched its new campaign, “Be Happy!”  The movement aims to bring light to depression by empowering every person to consciously make an effort to find happiness in their lives.  People are encouraged to set aside an hour each day to be happy or give happiness to others and live happier lives one day at a time. 

The foundation is trying everything to catch people who may be on the road to depression.  As Jeanne Goulbourn realized after the sudden death of her daughter, “Depression is a condition that knows no social class; it could strike anyone regardless of intelligence, educational attainment and financial standing.” 

Dr. Lou Casimiro-Querubin, a psychiatrist at The Medical City depicted depression as a hidden illness, which does not confine itself to a specific group of people.  According to Dr. Querubin, the symptoms are so common that it is easy to mistake them for an ordinary feeling of “the blues” that we all have at some point in our lives.  Physically, there may be frequent headaches, fatigue, disturbed sleep, lack of energy, dizziness, pain, gastrointestinal complaints, sexual dysfunction and menstrual problems.  Emotionally, there may be a constant “low” feeling, anhedonia or inability to derive pleasure out of things that used to give one great satisfaction, a sense of guilt, hopelessness, low self-esteem, impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, anger and irritability.  It takes anywhere between two weeks and two years for these symptoms before the onset of a major depressive episode. (Source: Manila Standard Today June 1, 2011 issue)

It is a fact that one in seven individuals will suffer from depression at least once in their lifetime.  However, the trouble is… they are not even aware of it.

Depression can take on many forms, and it can take root from something seemingly trivial.  Each person has a different perspective on how they view life, how they see and handle things that come their way.  One thing can have a deep impact on me, but could be a no big deal for you.

I’m sharing this “Be Happy!” movement with you because infertility is a very stressful event in a person’s life and could lead to depression if we do not consciously make an effort to fight it.  Some would not understand why infertility can lead to depression, but those who are in this infertility journey will surely agree with me that at one point in their lives, they have experienced depression – the feeling of hopelessness, sadness, anger, pessimism and a general loss of interest in life.

So, this “Be Happy!” movement is very helpful for us... It serves as a reminder for us to give ourselves a Happy Hour each day.  It enables us to break away from the pressures, the worries, and the burden of infertility or life in general and deliberately change our thoughts from sadness to happiness by doing something that makes us happy.  Or at least, through this conscious effort to be happy, we find a way to deal with our “lemons” with more positivity.  Having a “happy hour” is essential to keep you balanced and healthy in body, mind, and spirit. 

There is a My Happy Hour page on Facebook where people share their stories about how they spend their happy hour for that day.  As of the moment, there are two hundred and two people who liked My Happy Hour including me.  With the help of social media, more and more people will be aware of this foundation’s core mission – What is it that you do or can do to go from sad to happy?  Here are what some people have written so far:  Spending quality time with family and friends.  Eating good food.  Trying something new.  Playing games.  Sleeping.    And like me, writing my latest blog post and sharing it with you.  It’s basically just about making yourself happy or someone else happy.

Let us help each other rise through the pains and heartaches of infertility and learn to appreciate and see the brighter side of life.  Let us reinforce each other in celebrating the little joys of life as we journey through infertility.  Let us find joy in the simple pleasures of life.      

So, how about you?  How will you spend your happy hour?  Go forth and make you own happy hour, share your story and inspire others to do the same. 

My Infertility and Blogging Story

                                                    http://www.flickr.com/photos/aidanmorgan/

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!  This old saying simply means that if life gives you something sour, turn it to something sweet.  In my case, my lemon is infertility.  I have been married for 6 years already, but have not been blessed with a child yet.  I have never been pregnant, at least not to my knowledge.  Sometimes, I find myself thinking, if only I could just know it’s possible...  But when I hear stories of people who have lost their children through miscarriages, I know that God has not allowed it to happen to me for a reason.  
    

Infertility is indeed a very stressful event in a person’s life.  It is only those who have been or is in this journey who can truly understand and relate to this.  As for those who have never been through it, count it as your blessing.

It is just but normal for anybody in this situation to have feelings of anxiety and depression.  I too have my own share of getting depressed specially during times when fertility treatments and test results don’t turn out that well.  But, we all know that feeling depressed about any situation in your life is not going to help us.  So, why dwell on something you have no control over?  You have to learn how to accept infertility and brace through this journey with optimism.

That is why, instead of focusing in this one aspect of sourness in my life, I thought of turning it into something more fruitful and more useful… like… This Infertility Blog!

I created this blog to share with you my journey in dealing with infertility… an outlet to discuss my feelings and all the ups and downs of trying to get pregnant and conceive a child.  I hope that my infertility story can provide a resource for others who are struggling with infertility and through this they may be inspired to keep the faith and never give up.  Live one day at a time.  Enjoy life amidst infertility.  This infertility journey may not be what we have wished for, but I do believe that God has reasons for everything.  This could just be a part of a bigger plan He has for us.  Be patient and we’ll see it through… together.

Although in all honesty, there are times when it would be hard to keep the optimism… because it is not only the sourness but also the bitterness of the lemons which we can taste…  But, hey, why not make the best of what you are given.  Stay positive and laugh it out!  The dream of getting pregnant and conceiving a child makes this infertility journey all worthwhile.

How about you?  What do you do when life gives you lemons?  Here are some suggestions I have found in the internet…

• When life gives you lemons, don’t forget to say Thank You :)
• When life gives you lemons, go get yourself some salmon and some sushi rice. It's lunchtime ;-)
• When life gives you apples say: Oi! What happened to the lemons?
• When life gives you lemons, alter their DNA and make super lemons.
• When life gives you lemons, ask for salt and tequila!
• When life gives you lemons, look it hard in the eye and say "I didn't order this!'
• When life DOESN’T give you lemons, you’ll soon find that you miss them.
• When life gives you lemons, be thankful, it could have been ... .
• When life gives you lemons, great, lemons contain Vitamin C!
• When life gives you lemons, grow an orchard and start a lemon business making millions.
• Life gave you lemons? Life didn't give me anything!
• If life gives you lemons, ask for the receipt so you can exchange them for oranges.
• If life gives you lemons, ask why it can't give you money instead?
• When life gives you lemons, do what we all do with unwanted gifts… Thank the giver, then re-gift it to someone else.
• When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Then, find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party! Don't forget to invite me ;-)

As for me, when life hands me lemons, I’ll blog about it!  Happy Infertility!