Rock and Roll Saved My Soul

“Living with anxiety is like being followed by a voice. It knows all your insecurities and uses them against you. It gets to the point when it’s the loudest voice in the room. The only one you can hear.”  -Unknown This quote in my case with my battle with anxiety stands true and tells a story that most days I can’t tell myself. I haven’t been to therapy in about three weeks due to my therapist being ill, but I feel like I’m doing quite well with just taking my sertraline, even though I do miss the safe space to talk about things that are going on or bothering me. I have an appointment coming up Thursday. Sometime within the past two weeks I did experience my anxiety in a way that only happens sparingly, it’s not all of the racing thoughts over a new ache or pain. But just my brain racing through a bunch of fog, I guess is the only way to explain it. Everything in my head feels foggy and I am not able to focus on one said thing. Normally when this happens I go out...

Is it easier to hate or to love? Why? Kate: Honestly, for most of the world, it's easier to hate than it is to love. We're so full of prejudice that we are unaccepting of  anyone different than us. However, just because it is easier to hate, doesn't mean that we should. Easy doesn't equal right.  Sandy:  Michaelle:  I, also, believe it depends on your past. Facebook Weighs in: Depends on your past I suppose. I tend to hate easier than love. I’ve been fucked over a lot. However, I also try not to hate because hate destroys both you and the world. Hate comes easier for me and it’s also a task to let the hate fade away -Katie G. I think it depends on you as a person. I had a rough childhood and adult life. Those who have wronged me or stood silently by hate comes easy. On the other side there are people who I love and will love with my last dying breathe. One person in my life I both love and hate for different reasons -Shauna Y.

My name is Sandy Ashley. I'm an author, reader, mom, gamer & more. I have one short book published. It's called Stand Your Ground. It is about a personal experience that I had and what I learned from it and I hope it helps others to learn from as well. It's about emotional abuse and rape. So, it certainly isn't for kids, but still hope it changes someones life in some way. You can get my book here in kindle or paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Stand-Your-Ground-Sandy-Ashley/dp/1540543080 I am working slowly (super slow) on two full length books. One is a love story, but not your average love story. It has a special twist in it, that I personally haven't seen done before. My other book is about a girl who is half vampire/half human. She just tries to find her way in life and a little bit of a twist in that as well. I will finish them one day and have them out for others to read as well. Here is my author page: https://www.facebook.com/Autho...

4-25-19 - This week was pretty good. I got 8 hours less this week, but my days off I had were good. Spent time with my boyfriend which isn't something we get to do a lot. I have let go of the girl being upset about me getting trainer spot. Everything is good right now. I have to work Friday night, but I get to work with a friend so I'm not upset about that at all.

Humankind is facing a crisis: our ability to survive and thrive is at risk. Air and water pollution is rampant. Weather patterns are shifting at an alarming rate. Poverty is widespread. The entire globe is battling poor health for a number of reasons. And society as a whole is becoming more and more fractured. We must do something before it’s too late. The Arbor Day Foundation is committed to addressing these problems … through trees. Trees are an important part of the solution to many critical issues facing the planet and humankind. The Arbor Day Foundation goals are big. By 2022 — the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day — they plan to: Plant 100 million trees in forests and communities around the globe. Inspire 5 million tree planters to help carry the mission forward. Over their lifespan, 100 million trees are estimated to: Absorb 8 million tons of carbon, the equivalent of taking 6.2 million cars off the road for one year. Filter 15,850 tons of micro...

What is the best part of what we do at RRSMS? Lori: That we always do work for awesome charities Gina: The best thing about what we do is that we allow individuals to create and share their stories with the world who may not otherwise get a chance.  Sandy: That we are out there slowly trying to make this world better. Kate: Helping people. Both in sharing stories and changing the world through those stories. Heather:  The best part is donating all proceeds to charity. We publish topics that isn't talked about a lot.

Pet Partners is our chosen charity for our Second Chance anthology series.  Together we can improve human health and well-being through the power of the human-animal bond. Pet Partners, formerly known as the Delta Society, is the national leader in demonstrating and promoting the health and wellness benefits of animal-assisted therapy, activities, and education. Since the organization’s inception in 1977, the science proving these benefits has become indisputable. With more than 13,000 registered teams making more than 3 million visits annually, Pet Partners serves as the nation’s largest and most prestigious nonprofit registering handlers of multiple species as volunteer teams. Pet Partners teams visit with patients in recovery, people with intellectual disabilities, seniors living with Alzheimer’s, students, veterans with PTSD, and those approaching end of life, improving human health and well-being through the human-animal bond. With the recent release of its Sta...

Each year, Earth Day—April 22—marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Setting the stage for the first earth day: The height of counterculture in the United States, 1970 brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” War raged in Vietnam and students nationwide overwhelmingly opposed it. At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news. Although mainstream America largely remained oblivious to environmental concerns, the stage had been set for change by the publication of Rachel Carson’s New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962. The book represented a watershed moment, selling more...

Imagine you’re 65. Would you rather live another 10 years in good health with full mobility or another 40 years in deteriorating health with limited mobility? Kate: I already have poor health, so I think I'd rather live longer. Michaelle:  Definitely, the 10 years with full mobility. Facebook Weighs In: I would rather just live and let things fall where they may. I don't want to know when my time is up. -Anita S. I would have to go with 10. -Gina D. I’m loving the next whoever knows how long the second way anyway -Jenn W. 10 -Lisa S.

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly 30 A.D. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed), and Easter Sunday. Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre-Christian, pagan times. Despite its significance as a Christian holy day, many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter observances actually have roots in pagan celebrations—particularly the pagan goddess Eostre (or Ostara), the ancient Germanic goddess o...

4-15-19 - I was just cleaning up my line at work this morning and my boss and his boss came over. He wanted me to look over a paper. Which basically said that I will be a trainer and I'll be making x amount of money now. Which I'm thrilled about because first off no interviews happened, second then one girl just got put over there and so in turn was like well now she will get it. Not to mention she has been with the company longer. Needless to say I left work like I just hit the jackpot or something. I feel like things will be ok. :) Plus this week is only a 4 day week with us because we get Thursday/friday night off (I work graves). Days and swings get Friday off for good friday. 4-18-19 - Last night at work through this morning was pretty shitty. One of the people who also wanted the trainer spot I got is all kinds of pissed off. Like I already feel bad because I honestly don't even know how I got it. There weren't any interviews for it. I just got...

What Is Depression? Being depressed often feels like carrying a very heavy burden, but you are not alone in this struggle. Millions of Americans suffer from some form of depression every year, making it one of the most common mental disorders in the country. Gaining a deeper understanding of depression can help begin the journey to recovery. Taking some time to learn more about the causes and symptoms of depression will assist you greatly when it comes time to consider methods of treatment. Depression is more than just feeling sad. Everyone feels upset or unmotivated from time to time, but depression is more serious. It is a mood disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. If these symptoms persist for a period of at least two weeks, it is considered a depressive episode. Causes of Depression: There is no one cause for depression, as it depends on a unique combination of an individual’s genetic makeup and envir...

So the flare up finally started to to ease up only for it to slam back into me again. The fluctuation in temperature and weather is wreaking havoc on my body. It's not as bad as I mentioned previously. It's still there though. The pain hasn't been as bad but the fatigue and depression is bad, but my boyfriend has been very sick for almost two months and it weighing on me, the worry and stress for it. Stress definitely affects my fibro. I have found that the medications prescribed do not help me with my symptoms. The only thing I've found the helps at all is using CBD. I've used gummies and creams, but found that vaping CBD juice is the most cost effective option. I've been using it quite a bit lately. 

Bands and books the RRSMS Team highly recommend!  Kate:  Band: Scars on 45 Books: Bloody Jack, The Unicorn Chronicles, The Burton and Swinburne series, The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences  Lori:  Band: New Kids on the Block Book: Redshirts Gina: Bands:  Chiodos, The wonder years, Bright Eyes, Frank Turner, Craig Owens Books:  The Heroin Diaries, Alice in Wonderland, This is Gonna Hurt, Beautiful Boy Sandy:  Band: Just Surrender Book: V ampirates Series Colleen: Band: Coldplay Books: Anything by Kate Marie Robbins

4/15/2019 - Sometime around 2016 or 2017 I was diagnosed with thyroid issues. This diagnosis was made when I changed from my pediatrician to a new primary care doctor and they did new patient blood work. Upon receiving the phone call I was told to go to my pharmacy to pick up a prescription and that I should start taking one pill a day immediately. Then they set up a follow up appointment and put me in contact with an Endocrinologist in my area. According to The American Thyroid Association hypothyroidism is defined as “...an underactive thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland can’t make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally. People are hypothyroid if they have too little thyroid hormone in the blood. Common causes are autoimmune disease, such as Hashimoto’sthyroiditis, surgical removal of the thyroid, and radiation treatment.” Within less than a year this definition would go on to make more sense to me. After more blood tests and a thyr...

If someone told you a secret, but in keeping the secret, it put someone's life in danger. Would you still keep the secret or tell the proper person/authority?  Kate: In general, I don't share secrets that I've been told, but when it puts someone's life in danger in keeping the secret, telling is always better. I don't think I could knowingly turn a blind eye to it.   Sandy:  I never joke about someone's life. Depending on what was going on, I would find a way to keep them safe and still tell who needed to know. Secrets are good, but when it comes to life or death something needs to be said. Michaelle:  I'd try to keep the confidence and help the person in danger. Facebook Weighs In: Yes I’d break said secret -Katie G. I would protect the secret...but yet save the life and inform people who could help...maybe even lie if needed be! Nothing is more important than saving someone's life! -Twinkle V. I'd tell -Anita S. ...

National Volunteer month in the United States takes place in the month of April. This month is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the month.  April became National Volunteer Month as part of President George H. W. Bush’s 1000 Points of Light campaign in 1991. In the United States, volunteerism is instilled at a young age. In many parts of the country, it is the cornerstone of summer vacation or woven into after school programs. Most organizations in small towns, rural counties and the largest cities would not function without volunteers. In some families, the baton of volunteerism is handed down generation after generation. Rural fire and ambulance departments remain staffed due to the efforts of volunteers. The underprivileged receive much needed medical care thanks to volunteers. Long overdue repairs and upgrades are made to a senior women’s home thanks to an organization’s annual call for ...

4-12-2019 - Things this week we're fairly good on a depression level. I had a couple ehh times, but overall was good. My boyfriend got me flowers which makes me smile every time I see them. My Scentsy business is starting to pick up as well so that means all the time I been going home early from work, I'm still making some money. Go me!! I got this!!

Gina:  I imagine something by Bright Eyes, Marianas Trench, or Chiodos Kate:   Frank Turner’s We Shall Not Overcome Sandy:   "Let It Go" from Frozen Aisling:  Counting Stars by One Republic   Twinkle:   Little Girl Sid:   Probably Born this way by Lady Gaga Heather:   Either Fight Song by Rachel Platten or Invincible by Kelly Clarkson. Lori:   Dare You to Move by Switchfoot Radeyah:   Sit Still Look Pretty by Daya Poll from Facebook: Sad But True by Metallica -Heidi S. Fighter by Christina Aguelera -Jenn W. Where I Belong by Building 429 -Sara C.

If you consider your pet a member of the family, you are definitely not alone—six out of ten pet owners feel the same way! In fact, two-thirds of Americans have pets and the ASPCA estimates that there are 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats owned in the U.S alone. Fish, birds, gerbils, and turtles are not far behind too. There is one thing fur-sure—Americans truly love pets and National Pet Day is the purr-fect excuse to obsess over our furry, feathery, or scaly friends on April 11! Info from: https://nationaltoday.com/national-pet-day/ Check out these adorable pets submitted by our readers! Snowflake Obsidian  Buttercup Dexter Missy Violet Whiskey Boop Stormy Heidi (dog) and Oscar (cat) Oakley Cooper Leah Row 1: Biscuit, Saosin Row 2: Light, Einstien Row 3: Zachariah, Ed Sheeran Row 1: Jessica, Abu, Maxi, Lucy Row 2: Sugar, Holly, Lion Row 3: Lilly, Missy, Lola

Nearly a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life. This year we want to go beyond simply promoting autism awareness to encouraging friends and collaborators to become partners in movement toward acceptance and appreciation. Let’s embrace a new perspective. For over 50 years we have worked in communities (both large and small) to ensure our actions, through our services and programming, supported all individuals living with autism. Let’s expand this work to focus on the rest of us – ensuring acceptance and inclusion in schools and communities that results in true appreciation of the unique aspects of all people. We want to get one step closer to a society where those with ASDs are truly valued for their unique talents and gifts. Join us in celebration for 2019 ...