Day 4 - 168 -- Struggles and Strategies

A bit of work got done today, but most of the day was spent avoiding tasks and thoughts.  While trying to get through the weekend 'to do' list, without much success, I chose to think through several things that seemed to be impeding progress today. My mind went back to two interviews I'd watched recently. Each dealt with mental health from a different perspective. The first was a video of the young royals discussing the importance of mental health, with Prince Harry noting that it took him years to face the loss of his mother. This video presented their new project "Heads Together", to help reduce stigma of mental health difficulties. The other was an interview with Lisa LaFlamme speaking with Prince Harry about the Invictus Games -- games for veterans with physical and psychological injuries. The third games will occur in Toronto in late September this year. Prince Harry noted that he felt it was his leadership role to face his demons when he was encouraging others to face theirs. He stated that it was OK to struggle and be brave enough to ask for help -- a sign of strength not weakness. Reading materials for educators recently, from Canadian data, it appears that the stigma is being lifted, yet support programs have not kept pace. Projects like Bell Let's Talk, Heads Together and Invictus games are helping for both stigma and services. It will take time.

Invictus -- it is a word that I've heard several times and not fully studied. It comes from the Latin for 'unconquered.' In the latter half of the 19th century, William Ernest Henley wrote a poem that he left untitled. A quarter century later, an editor of a poetry anthology gave it the title, Invictus. The themes expressed in the poem involve the struggles of life and not letting these  be dominant. No matter how big or how small, we all have struggles. Addressing these in ourselves or helping others to see they are not alone are important roles everyone can play.

The song chosen for today is by a Canadian artist. The lyrics describe a struggle and the will to fight to be free. Enjoy!

You Can't Take Me -- Bryan Adams