Gentry's Journey
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Gentry's Journey
Your Mental Health Matters: A Christian Nurse Practitioner's Perspective
What happens when faith meets mental health? In this deeply insightful conversation, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Tanya Gooding brings her 30+ years of healthcare experience to bear on one of today's most pressing issues: maintaining mental wellness in a chaotic world.
With warmth and wisdom, Tanya draws important distinctions between depression ("worrying about things in the past, things you cannot change") and anxiety ("worrying about things in the future"), while offering practical strategies for addressing both. Her unique perspective bridges the gap between spiritual practices and evidence-based mental healthcare, demonstrating how these approaches can work together rather than in opposition.
The conversation explores mindfulness as a powerful tool for mental health—described as "focusing on the now...what's going on with you right now, what are you feeling and where are you feeling it." Listeners will discover how simple practices like deep breathing, journaling, walking, or enjoying music can become pathways back to this mindful state where healing begins.
Particularly moving is the discussion about COVID-19's devastating impact on our collective mental health through isolation. "We're not meant to be alone," Tanya emphasizes, explaining how even small actions like stepping outside or briefly driving somewhere can activate neurotransmitters that improve mood and reduce anxiety. Her insights on setting boundaries with negative people and media consumption offer practical wisdom for anyone feeling overwhelmed by today's constant stream of negative news.
Throughout the episode, Tanya weaves in spiritual perspectives without being preachy, referencing how biblical principles like "be still" and focusing on what is "true, noble, and lovely" can reshape thought patterns that contribute to mental distress. Her closing reminder that "it's okay to not be okay" extends compassion to listeners while encouraging them to seek help when needed.
Whether you're struggling with your own mental health journey or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers both practical guidance and spiritual encouragement. How might combining professional care with mindfulness and faith transform your approach to mental wellness?
One. Good morning everyone. Good afternoon everyone. This is Carolyn Coleman. Welcome to Gentry's Journey and we have a subject matter expert, tanya Gooding, and she's going to speak with us regarding mental health and she has a different perspective for us to kind of look at. So welcome T Tanya to the program. Thank, you.
Speaker 2:Thank you, Carolyn.
Speaker 1:And now I want you to tell the audience a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2:Okay, again, my name is Tanya Good. I'm a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner for the last two years. My background actually was in. I worked in the nursery for some years at Carraway Hospital Now that has been destructured, torn down and I worked at UAB for over 30 plus years, of which I worked at the nursery again. I did management, utilization management, case management and then I got involved in addiction recovery and psychiatry and I found out that was my passion, that was my calling for the last five years in psychiatry. I've been married for 42 years. I have four adorable children, so my husband and I are nesters now.
Speaker 1:Well, that's great.
Speaker 2:But this is a subject matter most passionate to me, that I enjoy walking in my calling now and helping people who are not only just physical hurting but mentally hurting also.
Speaker 1:That's good, that's good, that's good. So you, hey, you got a dual purpose going on, multi, multi purposes going on. It is really good to walk in your calling, you know when you nursing is so bad, you know it's so bad, but when you nursing is so bad.
Speaker 1:You know it's so bad, but when you find a particular area that really gets you or you get it, that's even better. It makes it not like work Right, you know, it makes it truly a ministry, and not to say that it's not going to be difficult, but it makes it a pleasure.
Speaker 2:It makes it a pleasure. It makes it a pleasure and it's it's your. You find out, it's your purpose and then what you're doing, you can see the results.
Speaker 1:For the most part, you're being effective in helping people when they're hurting true, very true, very true, and I never would have put um 40 years on, but I wouldn't have put 40 on me either. So anyway, we have been hanging in there, we have, we have, okay. So anyway, um, you can get started and I think of a question. Then we can go from there. Well, I have one to start off with when you're doing your initial assessment, or at some point thereof, because sometimes that initial assessment you have to stop, you can't complete it at that time. What role does that spiritual assessment play in your initial assessment with your clients?
Speaker 2:and listening to them. As I'm sitting and talking to them and making that initial assessment, I'm gathering information for what has brought them in to see me, what has brought them to the table? For the most part, it's things that they of course. Depression is things you worry about in the past, things you cannot change, things you wish you would have done different. Anxiety is more so, things worrying about things in the future, and I try to emphasize, focusing on not things that you could change.
Speaker 2:You cannot change the things that you can change and those a lot of times, with depression and anxiety, they have ruinated thoughts that cause them enhanced anxiety and depression. So I I listen to them and a lot of it is from fear, uh, fear-based um, and, as we know, god didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. So what has what is happening now? For the most part, when they come, uh, they're having worried, depression and other. Those thoughts have lingered over and now they're having physiological problems high blood pressure, diabetes, a heart condition.
Speaker 2:So those are the things that I try to address, to see and ask that we're not just not trying not to try to be diplomatic and not bring up. A lot of people don't believe in God, don't believe in Jesus Christ't believe in jesus christ. So I asked them um well, who is your higher power? And in in previous challenges, how have you managed to overcome that particular situation without bringing up christ and jesus, unless they go ahead and admit that's who they look for for direction, for their spiritual direction, and then I can really hone in on them then, but really talking about, because we're treating just the symptoms. But when you get down to the core of what's going on, their value system, their beliefs, how they were brought up, you can kind of determine from that an ongoing initial assessment of what's going on with them.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 2:I try to hone in on the root of the problem, and it's not just medications. A part of my job not only is in assessments but determining, based on their diagnosis, what medication is going to work best for them. But medication doesn't work just with medication in itself. You need therapy. You need therapy and I also try to focus on things that they enjoy, that brings them peace and calm. Do you remember as a child what did you enjoy doing that brought you peace and calm, before all of this other external chaos? And grown up, stuff came into play Journaling, walking, art, any musical, and do you enjoy music? Going to the theater All of those things play a part in our calmness and our peace. Do you do mindfulness? So all of those things I try to explore with them when I have an initial conversation with them.
Speaker 1:Okay, Now what is mindfulness?
Speaker 2:Mindfulness more so, is an act of focusing on the now. Focusing not not looking, uh, what's in the past, or not even thinking about what's in the future, but just being mindful of what's going on with you right now, what are you feeling and where are you feeling it, and doing some exercise and coping skills to kind of calm your behaviors.
Speaker 1:Not to be redundant, but that makes sense. What's going on with you at this point in time that you need to address or you need to release it?
Speaker 2:Tell me how you feel about it Absolutely. Sometimes people just sit worrying about things that may not even happen. I agree with that. I have talked with clients and one of the first questions I asked them is how is your mood today? And they would say, well, it's fine right now, but I just woke up, I hadn't got started with the day, so they're already anticipating something catastrophic is going to happen that day. And so just thinking, OK, I'm going to wake up.
Speaker 1:And as.
Speaker 2:I do. I pray God to direct my day, that day, my thoughts, my mind, my actions, how I treat people, and not to say to expect the best I do. But if I don't, I'm not going to put those expectations that I have with people on them, because people are just going to be people. I tell them all the time People are just going to be people, so don't expect you. Just treat them how way you think they should be treated, even if they don't treat you the same.
Speaker 1:What's the phrase? I'm going to meet you where you are.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, exactly, absolutely, absolutely, even as as a christian. Um, you know, in john 16, 33, it says in this world we're still gonna have trouble. We're gonna have trouble. He didn't promise us a bed of ease, but he said take heart, I have overcome the world and that's what get, and his victory gives us that courage and calm amid life's storms, because you know there's a lot going on now.
Speaker 2:There's a lot going on but he didn't promise a trouble free life. But what he does promise is peace in the middle of, and he's going to be with you you know I'm glad you brought it up that we're.
Speaker 1:It is a lot going on sometimes. We need to step away. Yes, um, visually, socially, um. I'm not saying go hide in a cave. I am saying whatever is bringing you angst or anxiety or bringing you where your mind feels flooded with so many issues, you need to take a deep breath and something you do need pull yourself away from. How do you feel about that?
Speaker 2:most definitely. My husband and I taught a small group this past fall on stillness, on stillness, going through the Bible and not and whatever's going on with you or what challenges that you're experiencing at this time. Find a scripture and just meditate on that. Read that scripture not just one time and not maybe even two times. Read it three times Each time. God is going to speak to you in stillness on how to go about that situation, even if you don't understand it. He said not to lean to your own understanding, but we need to continue to learn to trust God. But it does a lot just to get away in stillness.
Speaker 2:When we would talk to the members of the group, I would always tell them that that was kind of hard for me. It's really easy for my husband, but it's hard for me to just be still. Just be still, because that's when God speaks to us in quietness and stillness. But you know, as mothers and wives, we're always going and we're always thinking of what we're supposed to be doing next and even after that, what are we supposed to do with something? How are we supposed to prioritize our day and activities? But sometimes we need to just sit back and allow God to speak to us and continue to direct on how to handle a situation, instead of having to wheel all the time.
Speaker 1:I agree, I find myself buzzing around, buzzing around.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1:I look around, no one's buzzing but me no.
Speaker 2:It was so fun the people sit back and just look at you. They will let you buzz.
Speaker 1:As you're buzzing around. Yeah, they will look at you as you buzz around, exactly. We're always thinking, well, let me go ahead and do this, or when I finish this, I'm going to do this, and no one's buzzing, but you. Exactly.
Speaker 2:I said I need to readjust myself because and when you come to that conclusion, the family member will say well, I was wondering when you was gonna come to that conclusion they won't even help you out.
Speaker 1:I guess they figure we enjoy that. But to a degree we do and to a degree we find it necessary. But it's not mandatory at all times. Right, it may be necessary. I don't like a dirty kitchen, you know so you know that's top priority you know, but it's not mandatory that I have to buzz around the entire house.
Speaker 2:Exactly, some things can just wait.
Speaker 1:Some things can just wait. Some things can just wait, absolutely, absolutely. You help us put our things in perspective.
Speaker 2:You really do. You really do, especially when you got so much other things going on around you. You really do, especially when you got so much other things going on around you. That's things you know. Um, you can't change. You know we have you there tanya?
Speaker 2:Thank you. They're seeing prophecy revealed. Now let me see something is going on. Yes, okay, you know you have more hatred and violence, and that's being perpetrated by a lot of things that President Trump is doing, so so it's more prevalent and we have still a lot of I talked about that in the prior presentation trauma. People are having anxiety and depression in a generation, of trauma that has transcended down to other generations. So people are trying to man all this on their own still and just releasing and surrendering to what God has promised us and not trying to handle it on our own. That's why it's good.
Speaker 2:Medications, like I tell them, medications has its place, but it's good to seek therapy To talk about some of your thinking.
Speaker 2:Some of your thinking may not be in the right place, it may be wrong, so it's good to talk about things with your therapist, to kind of review your thought process, um, and then some of the things, like I said, activities that bring about your peace, uh, and calm, and you know, of course, seeking help through prayer, uh, because definitely there's nothing wrong with prayer and it's good. Back to when I said talking about it. And also it's great now that mental health now is being talked about so much now that we're trying to get through the trauma, breaking that trauma, not having people staying sour because of the shame. But now mental health. I seem like I'm noticing that it's being brought to the table at all platforms and that's good. It's good to get your family members God told you get your children around the table and talk about things, and talk about your past and talk about some things that mental illness in your family so they would know where a lot of this come from I agree it shouldn't be.
Speaker 1:It shouldn't be a taboo issue. It should not be a taboo issue, um right but it healing.
Speaker 2:Healing takes help, it takes help, it takes help. It's going to take therapy, medication, pastoral support, of course, prayer. All of that working together to bring about hope and healing. Just healing ourselves and healing the land, I agree. And also community, bringing everything is on the platform now. Community, it's healing ourselves and healing the land, I agree. Yeah, and also, you know, community, bringing everything is on the platform now. Community is critical. Isolation worsens mental illness. We all need connection, love and grace. You know, when you get depressed, sometimes we feel as though we're the only one going through, so we withdraw from people, and that's what the enemy wants. When you get depressed, sometimes we feel as though we're the only one going through, so we withdraw from people, and that's what the enemy wants. He wants you to pull away, to think you're the only person going through this.
Speaker 2:Woe is me, but we need to stick. That's why I was so devastated with COVID-19, because you know the kind of broke connection with family members, people everywhere. We were dealing with a lot of stuff at home by ourselves.
Speaker 1:You know, I totally agree and I've talked with many people during COVID Anyway, I talked with many people during COVID, anyway, I talked with many people during COVID and they were like I'm just sitting here, I'm just sitting around. I said that's not good, that's not good at all, we can't go anywhere. I said you can go on your porch.
Speaker 1:You can go outside, you can go in your yard, you can go places. We're not meant to be alone. We're not meant to be alone. That's a guy that designed us to commune. We're not meant to. We're not supposed to be in a cave. Is that we need to get out? I'm not saying go get on a crowd.
Speaker 1:I even told my son. I was looking at him as I was walking through the house and I didn't like the way he looked and I said, son, get in the car. And he said go where. I said, just drive up the street 15 minutes and drive back. He was a new person coming back. He was like Mom, why'd you have me to do that? I said because we're not meant to be isolated. I said now, it's one thing to go in a crowd, because that was at the height. No one knew what to do. I'm going to always say no one knew what to do. I said but we just can't be in our work environment. We cannot be here. The nurses at the hospital are masked. I don't even recognize them anymore. They look like they are, you know, in outer space with everything that they had to have on. But we know it's PPE, we know it's protective gear, but that's the way I was explaining it to them. But they're still able to commune with one another. We need that.
Speaker 2:We need each other. We need each other and when we're around other people and releasing those neurotransmitters oxytocin and serotonin and dopamine to enhance our mood, to reduce the anxiety, to increase our focus, we need all that when we're around other people and then going outside in sunlight, that's going to help give you some vitamin d. You need that also. So it all works together. It all works together together it does, it really does.
Speaker 1:And, um, I was frequent at going to the y. I mean, that was like monday through friday was the thing for me. So it was odd not to be able to go Right, but I understood the importance of it. Yes, but it's still. I had to find another, healthy alternative. I couldn't work out with the machines, couldn't get on the treadmill, the elliptical, we couldn't go in the rooms and do our group activities.
Speaker 2:I started back to doing what old-fashioned walking just just get, just get on and move, even if you can't get out go out to the mall or go out in a park. You can move around in your, in your home.
Speaker 2:You can't you don't have to have all those expensive equipment, just moving regularly. They show a lot of videos on exercises you can do just sitting in a chair, exercises you can do just lying in the bed. But moving regularly releases endorphins, it improves your mood, it reduces anxiety and that matches the effects of taking medication it does. And then the, the therapy that a therapist would teach you, uh, they call it cognitive behavior therapy, cbt techniques, where they teach you coping skills to challenge those negative thoughts.
Speaker 2:Prioritizing your sleep, one of the main things, no matter what diagnosis they come in with, one of the signs they're not getting enough sleep, they're not getting enough sleep. And, like you said, when you can spend time outdoors, in nature, I love to walk in nature and just listen to the trees, the birds and just walk, and I like to people watch I do too and that, uh, you know, reduces uh, stress. And also it create, it creates connection and strong societal ties, that kind of lower depression and promotes resilience. And, like I said, you know, your mindfulness and your relaxation, yoga, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, journaling all of that soothes the nervous system I mean because once you finish, you feel like a new person.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's a struggle, you know, and I love to walk. It's still. If it's not on the forefront of my mind, I go ahead, I get my little walking stick or my golf club and I'm just going on about three minutes up the road, it's on. You know, after three minutes it's on I mean I'm ready to go, I'm going forward you know when you come back you're like okay, hey, I'm done it.
Speaker 2:Uh, it's over, that's the major part just getting up, just getting up, just just just listen. This is something I got to do. This is something you need to just really just push yourself to go ahead and get up and do what you need to do, and once you get started, then it's okay. It's okay, it's being intentional. It's being intentional.
Speaker 1:It's being intentional. Intentional, you have got to want to do it. Just like I want the kitchen tidy, I should want my body in motion.
Speaker 2:Exactly, exactly. It's just like we go to the doctor, to get our lab work done, get our heart checked. They're checking your blood pressure, checking your A1C, checking your liver enzymes. That's the same we should feel about having our mental checked.
Speaker 1:I agree.
Speaker 2:Being mentally checking your mental status, your mental health to make sure that we're like we had in the presentation. We're showing up the way we should show up.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, but we're still getting it done. Yeah, we're getting it done.
Speaker 2:Exactly, it's not the norm.
Speaker 1:It's becoming the norm, but it's not the norm. It's a part of your routine to have it, but it's just a different spin on how it is getting done Right, and so we do, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. No, nothing to be ashamed of I don't feel good and they're like, oh my goodness, what's wrong? Say you know I think I'm overthinking too much. It's okay to say that, um, why?
Speaker 2:because once, once, I find, once you go ahead and let it out, yeah you, you'd have a tendency to relax a little bit and sometimes, you know, we exhaust ourselves because we are stressing about what somebody else is thinking about us, uh, and that's something we shouldn't do. Just focus on what God thinks about you.
Speaker 2:That's it Staying anchored in what God says about you. You are chosen, you are equipped, you are called, you are loved. Go ahead and talk about those things and talking with somebody, as you may find out, they're the same challenge and that's and that will create a connection there. But we so caught up on what somebody else is thinking about us and that we're suffering alone and we're feeling guilty about that.
Speaker 1:I agree, you need to take the focus off those people and put it on yourself.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And it's OK some days to not be OK. It's OK to not be OK every day.
Speaker 1:I agree, because I had a client.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a new client on yesterday who came into practice where I am and there was a first day we went out on an outing on the first day, uh, so of course she struggled with, uh, panic attacks, so you know. She was just overwhelmed with everything and I just assured her it's, it's okay to not be okay, just forgive yourself. Uh, you're in a crowd, a huge crowd here. You're overwhelmed. You look kind of, appear to be kind of confused because you kind of don't know what's going on. It's okay. And so she kind of just told us just to breathe, do some breathing exercises and that helped us, help her. And sometimes when we get in situations where we our anxiety gets very, very heightened, especially when you've gone through some type of trauma, you have to remind yourself just breathe.
Speaker 2:God is with us yes, yeah, just breathe just take a breath yes and I'm not trying to minimize anything- just letting them know it's okay to not be okay today.
Speaker 1:You still there, carolyn, you still there, carol, um, when you're in traffic and there is a near miss, um, yes, that's going to make you panic, you know you still have to breathe. You have to control your breathing to bring yourself back down from being um so very anxious, because that is an anxious time, right, so go ahead.
Speaker 2:Well, the first thing I do is, um, if nothing, as you said, near miss, I'm thankful that didn't anything happen. But then, uh, and then a couple times that is happening, and then the other driver would look at me in a mean manner or do something, throw a finger up and I would say, well, lois, you know, I don't know what they're going through. Maybe they're going through something. I'm just going to pray for them right now. Yeah, that's true, pray, the peace of God be over there. So I just really kind of laugh at all for the most part, because you don't know what people going through you better say it you don't.
Speaker 2:They'll tell you if you ask them. Feel like just the weight of the world is on their shoulders.
Speaker 1:So now, with so much going on and they just don't know where to turn, yes, you can see it in people, you can see it in their eyes, you can see it in their mannerism and you're like it's okay, it's okay to just calm down. And you know it's like when they realize that they have gotten all been out of shape. You know they have a tendency to be embarrassed and you're like we all go through something. You know it's just don't let it control you. You control it.
Speaker 2:Exactly, exactly, and with each challenge or crisis we go through, we pretty much grow through it. We grow through it. We're better on the other side if we trust God, if we're leaning on Him. It's something we've learned that we can take to the next challenge. It's something we can teach our children or teach others who may go through a similar situation. And then the group I had mentioned.
Speaker 2:We did a group this past fall on stillness in Christ. We kind of focused on lessons out of Philippians 4.8, brethren, whatever is true, honorable, right, lovely, pure, admirable and, if anything, is excellent and praiseworthy. Just think on these things. So it's all about a mind renewal. Uh, in the group, uh, someone was going through something with their spouse and we had others going through different things. So tell them to stop and think about it. What you're worried about thinking about, is it really true? Yeah, yeah, sometimes it's not. It's just what we're thinking. And even if it is, it's nothing in your capacity that you can change certain things, but you know who can, who can when somebody has where things are not going your way. Think of things that are pure and lovely Because, like I said, it's a lot of mean-spirited people out there now. People are just mean and violent. We have to change our mindset and treat them in an amount that Christ will want us to treat them.
Speaker 1:Oh, I agree, we really do Some people, just that there's always going to be that person who's just negative and if you allow them, they will have you just as negative as they are. So you need to and you're around them all the time, yeah yeah, you know, sometimes it's no escaping. I don't care how much you try to move, there is no escaping.
Speaker 2:I don't care how much you try to move, there is no escaping.
Speaker 1:And I said, lord, now you know I don't like negative people. Why he keep coming over here.
Speaker 2:That's why we also take care of ourselves. We have to set boundaries too. We have to set boundaries. We do yeah.
Speaker 1:We were in a work environment where we could not. We had to work together. And I was like man. You know he doing the most overhead to children. They weren't using that term back then but he was doing the most and I was like, ah, he got to go, one of us had to leave and I'm getting ready to take a smoke break.
Speaker 2:That's gonna be perfect exactly give, just giving me a break too, that will be perfect.
Speaker 1:That will be absolutely perfect you know so that's what we need to uh allow that to happen. So um, so we have to guard our own peace, so to speak.
Speaker 2:Yeah, guard your mind, guard your heart. Yes, yeah, because it will infiltrate your mind and your heart and be rounded all the time, absolutely.
Speaker 1:You can pick up stuff like that when you start feeling a certain way and your emotions go to change, and so okay, okay, god then, it's time for me to break away from this at this moment sure, um, we have to do what we have to do, um, but you know, as long as it's for the greater good, oh yeah oh yeah, god may have just placed you in that particular situation to uh show that person.
Speaker 1:Sometimes we're in places just for a season so you can be so you can be the light, that's true that's true and uh, but you know, I just found out, so I'm just trying not to. I'm just trying not to go there Because you know you don't want to be rude. You have to work with people but at the same time you don't need them draining quote, unquote the life out of you.
Speaker 2:That's true, that is so true, that is so true, but God's going to get you away and escape. That's true, that is so true. That is so true.
Speaker 1:But you all, guys, gonna get your way in this escape yeah, when he said he was gonna take that smoke break, I was so relieved, but you still have to you're gonna be there just for just remember.
Speaker 2:You're gonna be there just for a season it's true, and that's what I said, you know.
Speaker 1:I said, well, he took more. Well, you know, he took a lot of smoke breaks and I never complained. Well, I did complain. You encouraged him. No, I didn't encourage him. I didn't encourage him, but I was like smokers get all the breaks. We non-smokers need to find another break that we need to take, because they take more than one 15-minute break, you know they take several take because they take more than one 15 minute break.
Speaker 2:You know they take several and there's a lot of times, you know, uh, uh, in a situation you know you have to be at work anywhere, where you know you have a person approach you that they don't come across in your spirit, uh, where you don't you feel uncomfortable. So we have to come up with certain ways of escape to kind of keep our mental state in a place where it needs to be in a positive manner. So, yeah, we have to do that a lot because we're going to deal with people as long as we live in this earth. That is true.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Sometimes you have to be mindful of Christians who say they're Christians. It's not just what they say, it's how they treat each other, how they treat people.
Speaker 1:It's how they treat people. I just wonder do they realize they're coming off so brash? Yeah, because I notice it so and so notice it, because you can tell by the look on their face and you can't. You got to be careful because your walk is your walk and your talk is your talk and you can't be so hard on another individual who is trying yeah, they may not be where you are, and obviously you're not where you think you are.
Speaker 1:Uh, there's no way that you can justify to me how you treat people and then you holler in old glory no, go right, don't do that. Sit down somewhere. Sit, sit down.
Speaker 2:And it takes another person on the outside to speak into them.
Speaker 1:But when they won't listen, Well, what you do? Then you pray for them. Yeah, you have to pray for them, and you better pray for yourself, because you don't want to be out of character, that's true. Because they will keep poking as they said poking the bear.
Speaker 2:Yeah, poking the bear.
Speaker 1:And you can't always get away with that. Are they missing? No, you should have left them alone, yeah.
Speaker 2:You just need to own it. You just need to own it. Ownership, that's true. Yeah, you do.
Speaker 1:You know being in church all my life, you know. Sure, you know we thought the best of everybody, we thought you know everybody. But as I started growing up into young adulthood, you see that there's a lot of facades and I'm not putting my um, you know my christian brothers and sisters down, but I'm just saying there's a lot of facades and I'm not putting my um, you know my Christian brothers and sisters down, but I'm just saying there's a lot of facades. What you see inside the church doors and what happens outside the church door are two different things, because, um, people take their households and they can't. It's their home, uh, and they run it a certain way, but they run it with that iron fist, so to speak. But when they come in the church door, everybody is smiling and grinning and you don't realize that until you walk into that at some point in time yeah, so you know there's a lot.
Speaker 1:The journey is not easy. It's not. It's not easy. It doesn't have to be as difficult, right, because you have to constantly pray and cover yourself in prayer in order to get through Exactly.
Speaker 2:Exactly. But, as you know, as stated before, mental health struggles are real and it's not shameful, it's real. We need to continue to, you know, break the stigma by bringing conversations, uh to the table at all platforms, without judgment. Uh, offering and what I try to do, offering my clients peace through price, is a deep and lasting peace that transcends all circumstances, because he's the only one who really can heal you. True, we can offer you all types of alternatives medications, therapy, coping skills but God is going to get through the root of it, of what's all going on with you fear.
Speaker 2:Where did all that come from? And teaching you how to give, all surrendering and giving all that fear to him. True, very true, you know, of course, scripture going off the gallows and to renew our mind and to cultivate that peace, because it's all about mind and heart renewal, renewal, um. And just once, you acknowledge that that's what's and recognize that's what's going on, with you seeking help, and you know, um, that you and you know it's according to what, what era of people you're talking to, because back in my age, you know, they only just wanted to out of the church. They just said, well, if I can't just take it to my pastor, we can get through then. You know I don't believe in all that other stuff, but God worked through people also all the time all the time?
Speaker 2:because you go to your doctor for your medical issues. So why you go to your doctor for your medical issues? So why not go to to to therapists, psychiatrists, providers for mental health seeking help through prayer, counseling and medical?
Speaker 1:care.
Speaker 2:You know, that's just wise counsel, that's just wise counsel.
Speaker 1:It is it really is Seeking wise counsel. There's just wise counsel. It is it really is Seeking wise counsel. You can't get counsel from everyone. Some people are very conflicted and confused themselves. You don't know that until you really get to having a conversation with people. At that point in time, because they're in their feelings, they may not be able to give you wise counsel. So that's why we, we should always pray oh, yeah, oh yeah, they send me.
Speaker 2:Send me somebody, oh, that's gonna speak into me, speak life into me, me, and not just tell me what I want to hear, but tell me something that's going to promote my growth, spiritually, mentally, socially, all of that. Send me people who are going to speak life into my existence. Send me people who are going to speed life into my existence. Not just people just to be around and lollygag and just talk, but talk about in-depth things in the world that's going to. You know, promote humanity, lift up humanity.
Speaker 1:I agree with that. I definitely, because the negativity really just keeps you in that little pit that you're. Yeah, it kind of keeps you down. Yeah, it will, I don't know. So you just need to. Um, one thing I've had to over the last several years is just institute boundaries with certain people. You just have to set your boundaries and you don't have to be rude about it.
Speaker 2:You just say no, I'm okay.
Speaker 1:Well, no, I'm good, I don't have to do anything, I am fine.
Speaker 1:Exactly because at the end of the day or at the end of the event or whatever is going on with them, you know you're going to be more aggravated leaving there than you were. Okay, and it's because of that individual, because they're going to do or say something that is really out of character, and they're going to do it on purpose. What do they say? A mistake is kind of like once, but a habit is continuous. It's their way to be. That is their way to be. That is how they do things. You just have to accept who they are and go on, but you can't let them run you.
Speaker 2:Right. Right, you have to accept who they are and go on, but you can't let them run you right. Right, you have to. You have to know, uh, who you can surround yourself with, who's going to bring positive energy, and recognize who's bringing that negative energy. So you, you have to separate yourself and it's not being. It's not being mean, you just you are protecting your mental health, your, your heart, your mind. Uh, because it takes that today.
Speaker 1:It takes that today it does you have too much?
Speaker 2:stuff going on externally in the world up, so to say, with just nonsense.
Speaker 1:Oh, I agree, I used to be a CNN queen. At night, when I'm done, got my kitchen together. I was a CNN queen. I just don't like to wake up with anything that's out of place in my kitchen.
Speaker 2:I'm not saying what's going to happen during the day.
Speaker 1:But CNN would be where I would get caught up on today's or whatever you want. Even if you want to say yesterday's event, that's old news, Well, it's fresh to me, it's new to me, Right, and I just enjoy watching them. Okay, for years Not just recently, I mean for years and knew the hosts like I honestly knew them. But when everything started unfolding in such a way to me things were spiraling out of control, I went no, no, I can't do this, I need to debrief, I need to walk away. I have not seen um. I think I've limited myself to 30. Less frustrated Now if I watch it, fine If I don't find. But I still like to be informed. I'm not going to run from what is going on because we all need to be informed. On whatever level you want to be informed, whatever subject matter you want to be informed on, Okay, but at the same time you have to protect your peace.
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh yeah.
Speaker 1:I, just, I have always, you know, as I prayed included our religious and political leaders.
Speaker 2:He tells us to yes, he tells us to. He tells us to pray for those who have rule over us. You better because they're making rules that's going to affect you for your livelihood.
Speaker 1:So I have always incorporated them, but it's just incorporated them the more now because I want them to make a sound decisions for the masses, not for the front. And yes, you know, and, and that's it, I said, give it to god. You know, as my mom always say, god hadn't turned this world over to nobody. And that is so true. That's true, he's not turned this world over to no one.
Speaker 2:He's still in control. He is totally in control, he's got all by himself, all by himself.
Speaker 1:But I did. I had to take myself away from CNN. I just had to. Like I said, cnn, I just had to. And, like I said, that was my favorite platform at the time, because when I'm watching television it is truly after our local hours. I might catch that 1030 news if somebody has that, you know because I like to know what's going on locally. But if I missed it during that time I did not feel bad about it because I knew to know what's going on locally. But, um, if I missed it during that time, I did not feel bad about it because I knew I was in that job, um, because I like being informed, you know, just having a working knowledge of things.
Speaker 1:So that's when I knew I had to step up and protect my peace and that I. It just had to be done. No questions, questions asked. Let's get it, let's get her done, yeah.
Speaker 2:That was it. My husband and I usually watch the world news to catch up on what's going on around the world that's affecting everybody and what may affect us. But when we get to a point where they are going over the same thing especially with stuff that Trump is doing because you know he has created so much chaos and distractions Some of that stuff can just kind of get to you. So we'll, we'll not watch it for a couple of days and I said, no, we need to, we're not. We need to kind of turn away from watching the world news and news period because you're really hearing the same thing every day. You really are. If he's not doing two things, he's doing five things, because he wants to keep you distracted from what he's not doing as a president.
Speaker 2:Sure, so we like to watch the world news also, and then when it gets away, it's kind of disturbing uh, my peace or his peace, and I say, okay, it's time to kind of withdraw for for a minute and then, um, get back into the word. Let me remind myself okay, god, I see all this going on, but you you've already told me you know you have control over everything and most of this stuff. Hopefully I'll be taken away before, uh, before all this stuff, his get here and hits the earth anyway.
Speaker 2:Um that's true, but you have to protect your mind and and your uh, your heart, or you'll get caught up you'll get caught up.
Speaker 1:It's easy to do and it doesn't have to be with what's going on the world stage, so to speak. You know it can be just everyday family and friend drama, neighbor drama You're like why are they doing that? Why can't they be quiet?
Speaker 2:Why are they doing that.
Speaker 1:They don't have to do that. Then I said to myself if some people don't realize what manners are respect to you, I can't tell you, but they look, growner than me, you got what I'm saying yes, they look growner than me, but you know you still have to lay that foundation Especially when you have children. They see that you're like that don't matter, don't have to lay that foundation, especially when you have children. You know they see that you, that don't matter. That is so sick to me but, that's just me, you know.
Speaker 1:So I said let me not say a word, let me just water my flowers and go on about my business.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and you go on and just realize when something. Yeah, and you go on and just realize when something my husband, I know especially with me. One of my pet peeves is customer service, especially when you're going to a lot of these restaurants and fast food places. You know a lot of the young adults and children. They're not being taught customer service you know. Now it's to a point where they just hire people and just paying them oh, I agree.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they're just hiring them. And that's a big piece too, because your customer service skills spills and they just put them on the page.
Speaker 2:No, good morning hello does. And and it's a pet peeve of mine, but my husband always have to remind me that that's your expectation. That's your expectation, don't don't put it on somebody else. So I have to recognize that's mindfulness. I have to recognize what's going on at the time and take a breath, because it really bothers me that you know we have not taught our children from home. But their parents are grown people. They probably either weren't taught or they don't care anymore. Just weren't taught just basic common courtesy and customer service. So that's a pet peeve of mine. So I have to practice that myself.
Speaker 1:And I think it's because customers are everywhere. They're just not in the fast food industry, they are in every industry.
Speaker 2:And you're serving.
Speaker 1:Yeah it's customer service.
Speaker 2:It's customer service.
Speaker 1:I find it in a couple of doctor's offices.
Speaker 2:I find it in various places. And you're like.
Speaker 1:I can't believe this. You know, when we started out and when I started out in nursing, everybody was on their game. I'm not saying everybody was 100%, but they were on their game. We did what we had to do.
Speaker 1:You didn't know there was a ruckus behind the scene because they did not spill out to where the patient and the family members were. That did not spill out. I saw it spill out once and the gentleman in the wheelchair he said ladies, don't argue, I was sitting behind someone and I said lord the pope patient got to break up the fight between the two women and uh, it was comical after the fact, but it was one and I I worked with her and that was just her way.
Speaker 1:It was gonna be her way on the highway. She had been there for so long and she let. Everybody knew it, so she felt like she was entitled. Uh, but this other, um, I think it was a volunteer that brought the patient up and she said, um, I have everything you need. And she said, well, obviously you don't. It's like lord, here she go. Gentleman in the wheelchair had to say and he wasn't wheelchair bound, but that's how they brought patients up back in the day and he said ladies, don't argue, you know. So that calmed them down, but I I just wonder who got the message, cause I'm sitting, I'm watching it from afar.
Speaker 1:And it, you know, whoever sets in and can handle the situation, then fine, you know. But nowadays it might be just whatever. You know, people don't answer the phone. When they do, they don't identify themselves. If they answer the phone, if you leave a message, they don't return your message and they wonder why you're changing positions. Well, if I can't get to them, I don't need. You're blocking us, you know, because it's not for him to answer the phone. It's not for him or her to answer the phone, whoever, your position may be, but you're losing customers with that bad attitude, exactly.
Speaker 2:And we have to be mindful of that. We really do that is a pet peeve of mine and it's one of mine as well. I agree with you it is one of mine.
Speaker 1:It's not that I need you to pick me up and bow at my feet. Let's just be respectful. Let's just be respectful of one another and and uh, let that be right. Yeah, so, um, I've enjoyed our talk. Now, what else would you like for the audience to know?
Speaker 2:I what I want to leave with them, especially for those who are battling with anxiety, depression or whatever mental disorder you may have.
Speaker 2:Just remember, in this world we're going to have trouble. Say that, but take heart. God said I have overcome the world, but you first need to be grounded in truth, in God's word, or I don't push my beliefs on others. My belief is in Jesus Christ. He's the head of my life and I ask him to take control each and every day. But whatever higher power you have, but I believe in Jesus Christ, god is only going to provide that peace that we're looking for, because everybody is just anxious, anxiety. They don't have peace and that's why we have a lot of mental discord and heart issues.
Speaker 2:But to think on what Philippians 4 8 says think on whatever is true, noble, lovely. Think on whatever is true, noble, lovely. Think about such things because renewing our minds by focusing on Godly truth helps reshape your thoughts, especially if you're one that, always having ruminating thoughts, you can't sleep at night because your mind just keep racing. You can't sell, and encouragement just to continue on is a scripture from Matthew 11, 28. Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Speaker 2:So only in him is where we're going to find that peace and that calm. You're not going to find it in the world. That's, I think, what the issue is. We're trying to find peace and calm in all places. Where it can't deliver, it just can't deliver it.
Speaker 1:It can't because it doesn't contain it.
Speaker 2:How can you?
Speaker 1:give me something you don't have.
Speaker 2:Right. So God is telling us to come to him, all of those who are weary and burdened, and he will give you peace.
Speaker 1:And that is so true. And you know, I think sometimes in our busyness, we forget to just say Lord, help me, help me, lord. Yes, Help me, help me, lord, slow me down, I'm moving too, fast help me I think, it's in our busyness, it's in um, and we just need to settle down, take a deep breath and know that he is god just being like I said the group with my husband and I talked this past fall.
Speaker 2:Just be still. God speaks to you a lot of times, in just stillness and quietness. We so busy trying to conquer the world and devil here and devil there, and trying to be into everything and compare ourselves to others. We got to be on top and it's it's things that's not priority, but just be still I agree with that.
Speaker 1:And, um, I asked a friend of mine what's the rush? I hear you rushing in your voice.
Speaker 2:I just want to get it down.
Speaker 1:I said make sure that is it and not that you're trying to outrun someone else.
Speaker 2:Because it doesn't matter.
Speaker 1:You know, this is a big world that we're in. And we just need to take it day by day, step by step.
Speaker 2:Right, and that that you saw the rush involved in what is your goal? What is the outcome.
Speaker 1:What is the goal? What is the outcome? I agree.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm, you know, just take a breath.
Speaker 2:Just take a breath.
Speaker 1:Slow down, it will be here. It will be here. It will be here, exactly, mm-hmm it will be it will be here. It will be here exactly, and once you completed it, it's complete, exactly. But, uh, just to be busy, just to be busy to say that I'm busy, not so, no, no, uh-huh, yeah, well, tanya, I have truly enjoyed having you.
Speaker 2:Enjoyed the conversation with you, carol.
Speaker 1:I mean great reminders, great points on how we should be walking this walk and talking this talk, and it's OK to be, to not be, ok, it's not to take a breath and you just breathe, just breathe. And I think we get in such a rush we just forget the simple things.
Speaker 2:Right of that need to be done right and just thanking and thanking god in all things also amen, amen, amen, because he's still in control.
Speaker 1:He's in control.
Speaker 2:Whether you know it or not, he still is. Listen, my family was wanting to know how to connect because it's being recorded correct.
Speaker 1:Yes, I'm going to send it to you. Okay, very good, I'll send it to them?
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely, I'm going to send it to you. Okay, very good.
Speaker 1:And I'll send it to them? Yeah, absolutely, I'm going to send it to you, maybe on a couple of different formats, on YouTube and on Facebook, and it may even come off of Spotify or Amazon. You'll get it in several different and you can put it on your LinkedIn page. Yeah, you will have it give me a day or two but as soon as I send it over, you will know it.
Speaker 1:Okay, okay yeah, I appreciate you having me and I hope something I have said will be able to help somebody, if it's just one person, even if it's just one, but I think it will, because we need those little nuggets of reminding from time to time that we ain't running nothing Exactly.
Speaker 2:We can't run nothing.
Speaker 1:We can't run nothing. I'm going to close this out and give me just a second. Okay, Thank you everyone. We have had Tanya Gooding on and she has fed us today with mindfulness and just mental health from basically a scripture basis, so we have truly enjoyed her. Thank you for joining Gentry's Journey and we'll see you next time you take care, calvin, and be blessed okay.