DenzelAJackson

Mind State

Mental health is something everybody deals with, whether we want to or not. And that which affects our minds goes by different names: Anxiety, Pleasure, Stress, Euphoria, and many more. It is easy for us to talk about the good stuff, because it's fun and not embarrassing (most of the time). Contrarily, we seem to be more silent when it comes to the negativity inside our minds. Is it because when we let others see what is weak about us, we feel vulnerable and at risk of being abused? Possibly. But I am just a person, and you are just a person too. It's silly for us to pretend that we are more.

When we are honest about our situations, with our self and with others, then I think we can all collectively take steps towards whatever the solutions may be. Ideally, we can all have someone we share enough trust with to talk about these things to. But if any of you do not have that, you don't have to be alone this time, because I put together this list for you. These are true stories of people dealing with the health of their minds, and I'll start with myself:

Denzel - I overthink things in hyper-detail. Sometimes I can't even enjoy a song because I become occupied identifying the instruments on their own, and I try to understand how the music was created. Other times, I can be talking to someone, and instead of hearing what they say, I might stare at their mouth to study how the lips and tongue work to create syllables, then I imagine the difficulty of animating that. It may sound petty, but this has hindered me in numerous social settings. To deal with it, I try to be present in the moment with that song or person, and not get bogged down staying in my head.

Stephanie - "As is common amongst women: self-judgement. Something I struggle with is unwholesome thoughts and judgement upon myself. Those judgements can be about how I look, feel, or whether it is good or bad that I think a certain way about things in general or other people. The fact that I realize I am self-judgmental allows me to step back and reevaluate my judgements. Then I consciously decide how to respond, rather than allowing myself to unconsciously jump to those judgements."

Cody - "I find myself over analyzing situations that have affected me greatly. I try to dissect every little thing and it increases my anxiety. After talking with my mom about what is bothering me, exercising and spending time with friends and family allows that anxiety to subside, and occupy my time in a healthy manner."

Erin - "I feel like I have a whole bunch of bugs in my brain like school, my horses, grandparents, mom, financial shit, my well being- anything that affects my emotions. If I were to pick the biggest bug, it would be between financial and family. I can make myself sick just thinking about them. So, if I can recognize that and stop myself when first thinking about it, I can prevent stressing. Or, since I'll think about it anyway, I find ways to occupy my mind like ride my horses, exercise, or surround myself with people, things I enjoy and don't cause me stress."

Keenan - "Stress, fight, or flight responses activate when all I am doing is ordering McDonalds but I get pissed off instead of acting rationally when the dude doesn't get my order correct. Best medicine is meditation or realizing right now I can think rationally and compassionately."

Cindy - "When something bothers my mind, it feels uneasy. For me, there is no worse feeling than uneasiness, because it encompasses anxiety, hurt, pain, fear, panic, uncontrollability, sadness... To deal with this, I drink a good deal of water. It seems to wash and dilute the problem. If I still feel uneasy, I will sleep. Usually by the time I wake, it has passed and I feel better."

I personally spoke to each one of these people and I would not have asked them to be a part of this if I felt like they had nothing good to share. They are different genders, colors, sizes, ages, wealth brackets, and etcetera, but we are all still just people, pleasantly weird in our own ways.

'I have only seen so far because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.' We build off of those before us. I came across this idea a few years ago, it has stuck with me, and it seems like a wonderful sentiment. This is an easily recognizable notion within the science community. The ologists of today are only conducting their level of work because of the sweat of their predecessors. But I believe that this pattern of growth goes much further than a field of study, this idea reaches around the world. Instead of someone having to begin at the absolute starting point, what others have done in the past allows us to do a sort of skip-ahead as they pass us the baton.

As for my personal experience, and how we can all directly relate to this, is by looking at the people who have raised us. My parents have gone through more struggles than I wish they would have had to. But despite that, the best thing they have done is set me and my siblings up with enough for each one of us to get our own things going. Growing up, we moved house numerous times, and as a boy, it was tough the first time I had to switch schools because I never had to say 'farewell for good' to anyone prior. Eventually, I had gone to eight different schools in Stockton, and all around the San Joaquin Valley. Those experiences did something for me, something that now makes me feel very lucky. From a young age, I grew to be very comfortable interacting with all kinds of peoples with naught hesitation, whether they be from different cultures or generations. What may seem like a drag, having to move so many times, actually helped me alot as I entered the adulthood.

Worldwide, the giants whose shoulders I have stood on are all those creative people who have taken it upon themselves to push their crafts to areas previously uncharted. Their pains, gains, and pursuits of unordinarily extraordinary discoveries made the world a better place for all of us, and they deserve thanks.

That is wonderful and all, but it doesn't mean that we get to live off of what others have done and leave it at that. Now we get to go through our very own muggle struggles, we have to be the ones to create the magic. Regarding that, I have an example I want to share with you. The lady J.K. Rowling- society intimately knows the world that she created, but not everyone knows the world that she came from. Some time ago, I researched her background and learned about how her life was wrapped in a darkness, but she had the light of her little girl to keep her going.

I try to understand and appreciate the severity of her circumstance, but I am really glad that I took the time to learn about it. We are very lucky to be able to watch a piece of literary history come to life, it is a story that will exist as long as we do. Things like this help me to realize that even though I always had crummy grades in school, particularly among my writing assignments, I can take it upon myself to practice and become great. I think that I am on the right write track, and I will continue refining my skill as I am fortunate enough to now run this, Column 33.

Nowadays, I always remind myself to remain in the student's seat, but I also have to push myself to venture out and pioneer new lands. Thank you to everyone who spends their time adding positivity to the world, and I know right now is my time too, so I will continue to do the same. I hope that by the time I become a wrinkly old bag of bones, my weathered and decrepit shoulder will have grown to help those after me see further.

(my most recent contribution to The Current)




The Artist that Concocted the Perfect Recipe

All people have the potential to do grand things. We just have to figure out what we want to do, and perhaps the most important step is to actually do it. And do it in a very kick-ass way. Marvelous things will happen. Now, we are all born into our own unique set of circumstances and this is important to keep in mind. Some people are born into a place that doesn't inspire or push them to build and be creative. Perhaps they are surrounded by humdrums, don't have money, or whatever type of other ailment. But don't let that get you too down. On the other hand, some people are lucky enough to be born into an environment ripe with opportunity, whether that be in finances, wonderful mentors, or whatever else you imagine would really help someone blossom. But don't let that get you too up, because we all still have to figure out how to navigate. We aren't born with all the knowledge needed to excel.

Take a step back with me and notice something, see what those two circumstances had in common? Both have their own situation that needs to be figured out. Every single person has to discover how to become a better version of themself, so don't think that you are the only one out in the cold. Everyone of us has to scrape our knees while learning to run, and that's part of what makes our journeys so painfully wonderful, the ups and downs. Imagine if that youthful energy were paired with a vision, and that is something that can be described as a superpower. Envision this recipe: a young attitude + burning interests + time to explore. Mix those things together and it is highly likely that something stunning will occur.

Proof of this is in the Stock Market, which is a monthly event that takes place in Stockton, CA. Under the shade of a friendly environment, it brings together a mass of creative energy, and provides a temporary platform for artists and businesses to reach new audiences. Check them out @ stockmarketca.com for info and see for yourself. I've attended multiple times and think you should experience it for yourself. Nextly, what may be one of my favorite events in this area is called StocktonCon, which takes place every August. This is a very big pop-culture event, which brings in 25,000+ people, and has so much to see for all ages. As a visual artist, I have been exhibiting in this show since 2013, and recommend you all check it out. To come say hello to me, of course . These two events didn't simply fall from the painted clouds, it took loads of effort and many people working together towards an idea they believed in, and it turned out very well. Marvelous things will happen.

I remember being a teenager and thinking that if I worked really hard on the comic I believed in, and focus on it day 'n' night for weeks, I'd be on par with Stan Lee in only a year or so. I know, it sounds ridiculous and funny, but oh well. As comical as that idea sounds, it lit a raging fire under my ass and I created some of my best stuff. I matured from that experience and grew immensely as a creative person. I was young and naive. I write stuff like this because it inspires me and I believe that this inspires others, as well. I still am young and naive.

in Modestooo, CA

Thanks for everyone who came out, it was a lot of fun! I have been doing loads of writing for my current project and in the quad digits with the amount of hours in it already. Not spending too much time on the internet has been helping me to stay focused and create at my highest level. There is a universal language to all creativity, and I have been discovering that seemingly everything that I have learned with visual art is able to be applied in the writing art form, it just needs to be utilized in a different way. Interesting stuff!

- denz

It is difficult to find other people who have the same enthusiasm as you, but do not let that hurt you. It is so so wonderful to be around other people who believe in being all that they can be and you all can be inspired together, but that magical chemistry is difficult to find. Stay in your own creative place and create the best things possible and it will attract other people. Enthusiasm is contagious. Don't hide what you can be due to potential embarrassment, rejection, or bullshit like that. Ain't nobody got time for that!