Turning Darkness to Light
Whether you are having a down day
Or experiencing the darkness of Bipolar or Depression
Patricia Potts is Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a time…Please also visit my blog:
fromdarknesstolight.wordpress.com for additional ideas
experiences, and inspirational stories to help you go from feelings of darkness to feelings of light.
Ever since 1982 I've been writing or speaking about ways to turn from darkness to light.
I'm excited about having this web page to share my discoveries. I'll use the home page to
post updates on writing projects, speaking engagements etc.CLICK HERE to download 3 new helpful indexes for Journey !
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more
July 31 , 2010 Issue #23
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello and Happy July!!
I’m writing to you from beautiful Park City, Utah at a get-away with my husband
and some friends. The moth of July has flown by for us and here we are facing
August and our week long family retreat!
Here I am with my daughter and grandaughter
My biggest announcement this month is the birth of a new book written by
my dear friend, Darla Isackson.
I’m also excited to let you know about a new site that helps us learn more about the medications we are on. At http://www.drugwatch.com/ we can also learn about drug interactions and thus be more informed and able to find greater mental health through wiser medication choices.
Tips for Tough Times
When I find myself looking at the negative it sometimes helps to stop and think of 3 positive things for every negative. Example: “It is so hot, the air conditioning is crappy…I can’t believe she said what she did…OOPS! 3 positives… hmmm…. the weather is nice, I have 5 functioning fingers and…my computer is working at the moment…”
Have a wonderful month!!
Patricia
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more
June 29 , 2010 Issue #22
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sorry I’m so late about getting this newsletter out but one of my reasons was
our newest grandson Parker Kayde Simon- 8 lbs. 10 oz.
Short Stories about Depression and Bullying
While looking for something else I ran across a very helpful site
that has 41 short stories of people who have dealt with depression.
Some I could relate to and others I couldn’t but some of the stories
I found helpful. I plan to include my story next month. Maybe you could too!
http://www.helium.com/items/371561-short-stories-depressionMy short story is now available on DBSA:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8789&news_iv_ctrl=1041I found short stories about bullying. I related to some and thought you might also:
http://www.helium.com/knowledge/101524-short-stories-bullies
BIBLE SCRIPTURES TO HELP WITH DEPRESSION
With the help of friends I’ve compiled some bible scriptures on
overcoming depression. If you’d like a copy simply email me and
let me know. patripotts@mstarmetro.net
From Overwhelmed to SimplifiedOften my discouragement is preceded by the feelings of being Overwhelmed!
I have been listening to some CD's from Tony Robbins. I loved one of
his suggestions about simplifying goals. Simply fill in the blank
"My Day is successful when I..." Keep it simple and short! Here is mine:
My Day is successful when I am:Always Remembering Him (Jesus Christ)
Having His Spirit
Showing Charity for Myself
Showing Charity for Others
Making a Difference
Creating OrderKind comments/endorsements from others that make my day!
I wanted to let you know I finished your book. I thought it was very well done. As a therapist I am always very interested in hearing about the perspective from the other side of the desk so to speak. Just to share notes a little, I have found as you seemed to indicate that individuals who improve generally need to learn new philosophies and cognitive skills in addition to taking medications. Thanks for your nice contribution, Russ
Dear Patricia,
Thank you so very much for sharing these things with me. I do know that the Lord is mindful of me. He has been leading me along has placed angels in my path to give me the guidance and direction I need to heal and come unto Christ. Thanks for being one of my angels
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more
May 14 , 2010 Issue #21
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello All!!!
Happy May!May has been busy for me. It began with a trip to Grace, Idaho to speak at an
elementary school.The topic was BEAUTIFL, NOT BULLIED! I got to present with my granddaughters.
I also took a trip to Vegas with my hubby,
My daughter’s baby due any day, I hosted an overnight Mother’s Time Out
and held a guitar recital for my 17 students in addition. My friend says it’s amazing
that I have such a rich, full life…what a miracle after my depression days!
I feel most grateful!SHARING HELPFUL INFO. AND LINKS:
My Story is featured on DBSA
(A network for bipolar people with great
support and information)
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&id=8789
Butterfly oil has developed some essential oils for depression. They are
called “heart song”and “connection”. I found them helpful. I found that
crystal clear was also good for those times I couldn’t think straight.
Eucalyptus is also good. This company is very responsive to
phone calls and has great prices:
http://butterflyexpress.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=BEYippee! I finally have my audio book MY JOURNEY FROM DARKNESS TO
LIGHT available online. Check out bumbleladyThank you for your kind comments.
Here are some I wanted to share:
“I applaud your efforts to understand your triggers and manage your depression--I wish you'd been around for a family member who struggled with this same disorder after a traumatic life event. Good for you to speak out. You'll never know how many lives you'll impact.”- Rebecca“She's (my wife is) absolutely flabbergasted...has nearly finished the book and says it almost "spooky"...as though she's reading about herself. She was in tears when she was telling me about it....guess she's just not all that aware that a lot
more people face that than she could ever realize.”- Kyle
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more
April 9 , 2010 Issue #20
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Hello and Happy Spring!
(At least we hope spring will be here soon)
My Story on a 7 Minute Video
I I was asked to tell about my experience with bipolar in a nutshell.
The hard times led to lessons and hope for a new day. This can be found on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pqqDi8gq2Q
Dreams Coming True
Most of my efforts this past month have been going
toward formalizing a speaking group I’ve been part of
and preparing for presentations. As I do this I
reflect on hopes and dreams. From the time I was little
I wanted to be a speaker. I wanted to speak up and be
heard! As time has passed I’ve found others who feel the same way.
Whether writing and speaking is you passion or perhaps animals or painting
you can help make your dream come true!
Check out our blog and face book:
http://www.peaceinanewday.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=107344985950182&ref=ts
Learning to Visualize in Jr. High
How is this dream is finally coming true? I believe that in addition to prayer, a supportive husband, opportunities and the magic of joining with others who have similar dreams, it has happened because of what I learned in an old Jr. High gym.
One day while passing the gym I saw a girl in my school, Liz Nezi, who was in the nutcracker ballet, doing a floor exercise routine on the mat. Liz had dark hair and a Barbie type body. She looked like a ballerina floating and jumping across the mat. I was mesmerized and wished I could be like her. After a while Liz came over and asked “Do you want to learn?”
Shrinking back I explained how uncoordinated I was. I felt so ugly compared to her. Liz told me she’d help me learn and encouraged me to join her the next day. I imagine she regretted her offer more than once as she gently coached my stubborn body to move in ways it had never even imagined but somehow she persisted as the weeks and months went by. Early in the training she said “When you go to bed at night imagine yourself doing the routine over and over.”
When the day of competition finally came I didn’t take first place. Liz took first, but I took second! Oh how I wish I could find her today and tell her again about how much her gift meant to me. I learned that Strong desire + practice + prayer + visualization = success.
With the daffodils nodding and the wind whipping round the trees let’s take a minute and consider what our dreams are then with this success formula in mind let’s go out there and make them happen!
Two websites I have found helpful lately are:
CABF- support for those with bipolar children
DBSA- support for those who are bipolar.
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home&cvridirect=true
Patricia Potts
patripotts@mstarmetro.net
patriciapotts.com
8018793427~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more!March 25 , 2010 Issue #19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello All!
I’m excited to announce:
FREE RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING
1. I have a friends who has a good deal of experience in Relationship Coaching and is EXCELLENT! She is offering free email coaching till the end of March 2010. If you are interested please let me know and I’ll give you her info.
EDUCATION AT MANY LOCATIONS
2. I have joined forces with two other speakers to form PEACE IN A NEW DAY. We speak at many places sharing our experiences and information on overcoming depression and preventing suicide. Most of our presentations are free. Check us out at http://www.peaceinanewday.blogspot.com/
We are also on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000747664182&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=107344985950182&ref=ts
HOW-TO WORKSHOPS AND SUPPORT
3. I have been asked to teach workshops on Understanding and Overcoming Depression. They will be in my home in Murray Utah on Thursday mornings from 9-10:30 beginning April, 2010. The first workshop is free the others are at a minimal cost. If you are interested please email me.
Have a fabulous rest of the day!
patripotts@mstarmetro.net
patriciapotts.com
8018793427
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more!February 3 , 2010 Issue #18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HI, HAPPY FEBRUARY!
My grandsons, Michael and Joshua—a model of super heros just like
We will be as we learn how to overcome our mental illness and use it
To serve others!!
Moods can be like the waves of the sea, rising and falling then rising again. Just when we think we are “on top of it”, we fall and get up all soiled then start again. Then somehow we carry the lessons of the soil with us, stabilizing us for the ride up ahead – Patricia Potts
My dear friend, Angie, told me about a website devoted to us bipolar folks. It offers on-line support groups, related reading and they are even collecting videos of people who are successfully living with their illness! I hope to do a video to add soon and I hope you will too! Check it out:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
Another event you may be interested in is the one being held in Salt Lake City Utah on February 25, 2010. It is an all day event aimed at promoting MENTAL HEALTH ON THE HILL. I have to research the ultimate intent of this effort besides awareness but it sounds like fun and a good education. I’m thinking about going. Let me know if you want to go too.
If you have something you would like to share please send it to me at patripotts@mstarmetro.net
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PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION!
Sometimes when we deal with depression we need a new focus or direction. This may help:
My daughter, Heidi, heads a fun blog for all of us who still like to make “wish lists” for the year. It is a group of ladies who like to set goals and cheer for each other. This is my most recent post:
I cut up one of my FIRST-AID FOR FEELINGS thought/stories book and created little notes to stick in Dan's lunches.
I liked the quote this morning "Progress doesn't happen in a perfectly straight, uwavering line...there are some periods of peace and some periods of serious war." - Colleen C. Harrison. pg. 82
If you would like to part of our blog just email me and we’ll get you set up! There is no cost, it’s just fun. patripotts@mstarmetro.net
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Thanks for stopping by to visit. I’d love to hear from you.
J Patricia
Patricia talking about her first book, First-Aid for Feelings
Patricia talking about her 2nd book, My Journey from Darkness to Light
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A newsletter all about Changing and brightening YOUR world
one step at a time…one idea at a
time… through books, recordings,
videos and more!January 13 , 2010 Issue #17
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello! Happy 2010
Thank you for stopping by to visit. I appreciate your willingness to spend a few minutes with me.
I’m back from the Panama Canal cruise with my parents. It was a real blessing to be able to be with them and enjoy them for 2 weeks! Christmas and New Years has come and gone. I sincerely hope your holidays held some magic moments.
Need Help for those time you are feeling behind?
Our family had magic moments during the Holidays but after the trip I also experienced some overwhelmed feelings as I played catch-up. I found myself using some personal peace worksheets http://patriciapotts.com/Down.html. I also found the depressurizing technique on page 94 of My Journey from Darkness to Light helpful.
Is My Journey from Darkness to Light available as an Audiobook?
I’m excited to finally offer my book as an audiobook. I remember when I was going through major depression. I didn’t have the mental strength to read but I did listen to books on tape. I’m working on getting it onto Amazon and Bumblebee but right now you can order it from me at the wholesale price of $17.00 (includes shipping and handling). Just send me a check and I’ll get it off to you.
Patricia Potts
888 Walden Hills Drive
Murray, Utah 84123
How does Depression today compare with depression during the great depression era?
See what this recent study revealed:
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=9323855
Are you offering any seminars or classes in the next few months?
Yes. I am part of a speaking team that will be presenting at UVU February 8 – 12th. Our title will be:
HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND SURVIVE THE CHALLENGE OF DEPRESSION
FINDING HOPE IN THE RUBBLE OF DEPRESSION
We haven’t settled on our title but Kerri, Angie and I are passionate about sharing our message of Hope vs. despair. I’d love to get your feedback on our title. If you are interested in attending please email me at patripotts@mstarmetro.net or call me at 8018793427.
Do you speak at Elementary Schools?
Yes. In January I teamed up with a professional speaker, Margaret Millom, and we did a presentation at an elementary school in West Valley. The title was: FEELING GOOD ABOUT ME!! We covered topics such as bullying, peer pressure, good hygiene etc.
We are currently scheduling for the remainder of the year. If you’d like to have us come to your school please email me at patripotts@mstarmetro.net or call me at 8018793427.
