Toddlers screaming with joy when playing with parents and grandparents.  Listening to music from our favorite CDs, and audiobooks from popular writers.  Hearing from relatives and friends about confirmation at university, employment opportunities. Cascading water fountains in backyards.  The cheers from attendees at wedding ceremonies.  These sounds and others like them are a delight. Unfortunately, there exist sounds in the universe which are unsettling, and if we’re not careful nurture in us an unstable mental health.  Noise.

Figuratively speaking, the noise comes from newspapers, and literally from the evening news on television and radio.  To expand further through these mentioned platforms, some members of the following entities generate the most disturbances:  Public officials–Celebrities–The famous for being famous–Average citizens. None of us can escape because it’s everywhere.  As soon as we turn our backs there’s additional noise disturbing the peace of our lives, rupturing the fabric of the universe.  It can leave us in disbelief, produce a quiet anger, and sometimes the noise is tragic.  How do we protect ourselves?

There are particular areas in life which we can’t control, to be sure. However, those areas which we can influence provides the means for building up a stronger infrastructure. In the process, it allows us to have more meaningful lives.

Volunteerism

• Nursing homes
• Veterans’ Hospitals
• General Hospitals

Bringing fruits and other treats for the patients.  Their lives will become enhanced instantly because visits enable them to overlook ailments for awhile, and possibly loneliness.

Mentoring

• Big Brothers-Big Sisters Organization
• Girl Scouts
• Boy Scouts

Children never forget the one individual who made a positive difference in their lives.

Assisting Veterans Retired medical staff members can bring disabled Veterans into their homes to live.  It could be one of the greatest compliments the Veterans ever received for military service. Household members can learn from each other.

Creating/Joining Causes We’re Passionate About

• Child Protection Services
• Sports Programs for Children (when school districts are financially unable)
• Philanthropic Organizations
• Military Groups (sending care packages:  non-perishable foods, cell phones with batteries, computers, personal hygiene items, cards and letters, etc.)
• Habitat for the Humanities (many couples with children will appreciate)
• Animal Rescue Agencies

That noise.  Well, it’s not going anywhere.  But when we live more purposeful lives, by pouring the cement for a sturdier universe, we also create the foundation for maintaining a positive mental health.

Vikki