It isn't the mountains ahead that wear you out. It's the grain of sand in your shoe.
- Anonymous |
Building Mental Strength!
Life is very difficult. For a lot of people.
Everywhere we turn, we are told what we need to do to feel ‘good’. We can find ‘authorities’ in the media (TV, commercials, videos, books, magazines, social media and more), in clinics, and even among our friends and family, who may tell us what we ‘need to’ or ‘should’ do.
When the pressure builds, it’s helpful to take a break and just be, To breathe. To accept, or question, or let go.
We humans are strong; we’ve been through a lot. We can learn from others.
This page is a tiny library of ideas and support. The links connect to free resources..
Please remember that your mind needs nourishment, just as your body does.
Drink lots of water and get outside for fresh air when you are able.
If you know of other resources, I hope you’ll share them: sue (at) fairshake (dot) net
MINDFULNESS VIDEOS
How and why to spend more awareness in the present.
A Moment in Time Dave Gray
Appointment with the Here and Now. Thich Nhat Hanh
Assorted Mindfulness Videos from Mindful Magazine
Expand your possibilities by examining your assumptions.
by Dave Gray
Simple, Calming Breathing Exercise
for Anxiety, Stress and Panic
www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress
Place: Anywhere you can make yourself physically comfortable.
Time: 5 min
Let your breath flow as deep down into your belly as is comfortable, without forcing it.
Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Breathe in gently and regularly. Some people find it helpful to count steadily from 1 to 5. You may not be able to reach 5 at first.
Then let it flow out gently, counting from 1 to 5 again, if you find this helpful.
Keep doing this for at least 5 minutes.
ADDICTION RECOVERY GROUPS
In The Rooms (ITR)
“ITR started with a simple goal in mind: to give recovering addicts and alcoholics a place to meet and socialize when they’re not in face-to-face meetings. This basic concept has grown into a global online community with over 1,000,000 members who share their strengths and experience with one another daily.”
https://www.intherooms.com/home/
Recovery Dharma
Recovery Dharma is a peer-led movement and community that is unified by our trust in the potential of each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. We believe that the traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma, offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix’s mission is to build a sober active community that fuels resilience and harnesses the transformational power of connection so that together we rise, recover, and live.
Smart Recovery 
12-Step not your style? “SMART Recovery has helped millions of people around the world beat their addictions and lead rich, happy, healthy lives. Our help is FREE and available to anybody with any addictive problem.”
5 Actions Webinars
Self-guided webinars to support you in addressing the challenges of addiction.Provided by the Digital Therapeutics Group. If you live in New Mexico, you can participate in the free program! https://nm5actions.com/
School of Life
8 Very Important Considerations
That can help us suffer less and become stronger despite the challenges in our frustrating, difficult, and often tragic lives.
The Eight Rules of The School of Life (7:26 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JCJVaK48RM
- They help us with:
- Imperfection
- Friendship
- Our Unique Weirdness
- Our Unique Ignorance
- Struggles to be Good Enough
- See Beyond Romanticism
- Accepting Cheerful Despair
- Self-Transcendence
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The wisdom and generosity of 
THICH NHAT HANH
and others. These videos are generously shared by Plum Village.
Sah D’Simone
For more on Sah, visit his website: https://www.sahdsimone.com/
How To Be Alive!
by Tom Asacker
Become Fiercely Authentic in a Delusional World
A self-guided, free study guide to help you “infuse your life with power and possibility”. Tom presents a way to learn “the most important skill that nobody taught you” through 19 short and powerful videos.
Self Care on the Inside
Self-Care-on-the-Inside-Guide 2017
Resource Page: https://srlp.org/resources/
SELF-Therapy For People Who ENJOY Learning About Themselves
Freely browse through the topics and explore those that are relevant to you now. Everything is easy to understand and to use. Self-disclosure is never needed. Completely confidential.
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Tutu Talks
The Tutu Foundation aims to nurture the courage to heal through conversations.