A Restful Mind

Daily Meditations for Enhancing Mental Health

Mark Allen Zabawa

• Publisher: Hazelden Publishing
• Year: 2010
• Print ISBN: 9781592857524
• eBook ISBN: 9781592859856
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Personal Success
• Index: Psychology

The only daily meditation book designed to provide inspiration, support, and focus for those living with mental health problems. With A Restful Mind, Mark Allen Zabawa offers the first book designed to provide inspiration and support specifically for people living with mental health problems. A year of daily readings address the common life issues that arise for those with mental health problems and help those dealing with a disorder start or end each day more at peace with themselves and the world.By focusing thinking on positive, health-enhancing messages and presenting the kind of empathetic support that fellow contenders of emotional distress can offer, these meditations help you achieve the mental rest and self-acceptance needed for a balanced, healthy mind and peaceful life.

JANUARY

• JANUARY 1 •

A NEW YEAR, A NEW BEGINNING

As the new year begins, we may be tempted to look back and focus on what we fell short of accomplishing, rather than looking at all that we have accomplished. We may sense failure for not completing every task we began. Or we may feel let down because some of what we wanted to have happen did not.

Let us be gentle with ourselves, however, for this is a new year and a new beginning. Let us look to our past for wisdom and guidance rather than failure and someone to blame. Let us look at what we achieved rather than at what failed to happen.

As we begin the new year, let us move forward with faith, courage, and the willingness to learn from each of our experiences. Let us focus on opportunities. But most of all, let us be true to ourselves and our recovery.

Am I stuck on last year or can I begin the new year today with faith and an open mind?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Today is a new beginning.

• JANUARY 2 •

MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT A WEAKNESS

Mental illness is not a moral or psychological weakness. We are not weak-willed, defective, or underdeveloped. Mental illness is a biochemical illness that can affect anyone at any time.

As we continue our journey, it is important to remember that our illness has nothing to do with our character, personality, economic status, willingness, nor any other mythological cause.

Today, am I clear about who I am and the source of my illness?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I have an illness, not a weakness of the mind or soul.

• JANUARY 3 •

SUCCESS

We often think that success is based on how much money we have or what we possess or our status in the community. But for those of us with a mental illness, success is more often defined by our ability to cope with our illness.

Many of us have turned what seemed an impossible situation into a new way of living. Some of us have returned to work. Most of us have gained a better understanding of ourselves. Many of us have achieved some goals and dreams.

On our journey we will have many opportunities for success. If today we have begun to manage our illness and take back our life, we have already tasted it.

Today, do I realize that success is already a part of my life?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I can succeed day after day by learning to cope with and manage my illness.

• JANUARY 4 •

OUR LIVES CAN CHANGE

Our lives can change if we let them. Once we have been lifted from the depths of despair and are no longer prisoners of our illness, we will have opportunities to achieve things we once thought impossible. We will find the courage and strength to cope with each day. Hopelessness will be replaced with hope and faith. We will learn that we are not alone and that others are willing to help us. We will come to know ourselves and accept ourselves as we are—not merely for what we think we should become. We will know serenity and become at peace with the world around us.

Do I believe my life can change today? Am I willing to let positive changes happen?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Sometimes positive change is an act of will, and sometimes it’s just letting good things happen.

• JANUARY 5 •

FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS

If we are to learn to cope with our illness and our life, we must begin focusing on solutions, not just on our problems.

But this means we must change our attitude and outlook. We can no longer live as if there are only problems in our lives. We can no longer consider ourselves victims and hold on to the attitude that our life will never change. Nor can we continue to be consumed by self-pity. If so, we will fail to take responsibility for finding solutions. We will continue to live within what we have grown to know so well: our problems.

Do I let my problems define me today or do I seek solutions?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

For every problem there is a solution.

• JANUARY 6 •

AN HONEST LIFE

If we have not yet admitted to ourselves and to others that we have a mental illness, we must do so now. We cannot live a lie. We must stand tall and be honest about who we are, including both our strengths and our limitations.

Let us put fear, embarrassment, and shame aside and let faith, trust, and courage guide us to a life of truth.

Do I live today in the truth of who I am?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If I admit who I am, I invite healing and acceptance.

• JANUARY 7 •

HAVING A VISION

As we progress on our journey, it is critical that we have goals and dreams and continually seek direction for our recovery and our life. We need a vision that begins within us and expands into the world; a vision that gives us energy to wake up each day and move forward.

Whether our vision is one of health, spirituality, belonging, or improving the world—or anything else worthwhile—it belongs to us. It may become our life’s work and perhaps the essence of who we are. Our vision can help us heal and become a force for good in the world.

Do I h...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Foreword
• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December
• Index