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reading

More FB Likes. Another Poem

By | Poems, Social Media | No Comments

Although I know I wasn’t a child when I wrote this next poem, I was a teenager. This particular poem is very long, so I think I’ll share it in segments (I’ll still have the preceding stanzas each time so you can read the whole poem in its entirety should you desire to do so.)

Enjoy! 😀

A Ring, A Hobbit and a Quest
A ring can be powerful,
The power of greed is a driving force.
A journey is at its start,
And hobbits have begun changing what always has been.
For they shall shake the fortunes of all.

How I Deal With Postpartum Depression/Negativity

By | Website stuff | No Comments
So this post was already on my DanielleWAM blog, but for those that follow this site I wanted to also let you know, why I haven’t been blogging in a long while.
To all my faithful followers and readers, thank you for sticking with me. It’s been an interesting time. I haven’t posted (other than a few book reviews) in almost two months. I apologize for the lapse.
Part of the reason why I haven’t posted is the above title. Another part is this time and courage it took for me to actually sit down and write this post.
Inspiration for this post comes from the amazing courage and strength it took for CJ Redwine to speak out about her opposition to censorship and the fact that she is a rape survivor. Read her heart-wrenching  but soul sparking post here.
The subject of this post isn’t anything quite so devastating and life-altering. But it has been a big deal for me. So as hard as this is for me to admit, here goes:
About 5 months after my son was born I realized I had postpartum depression. It took a comment from someone else to help me come to terms with what was happening to me. I’d watched 17 seasons of tv in a single month. It scared me and humbled me to know that I wasn’t myself. I hadn’t yet got to the point of extreme regret and bad feelings towards my child, but I was so worried it could go that way. In consultation with my doctor I tried to work through it with the help of my husband, friends and family. After a month the decision was made for me to be on anti-depressants. I was on them for four months. Once I found out I had postpartum depression it was so enlightening for me to see just how many other women have dealt with this themselves or know someone who has. In learning more about postpartum depression I found out that those who have previously been diagnosed with depression are more susceptible. Two years previously I’d been on anti-depressants for about 5 months.
I don’t conduct myself as though I am on expert on this subject. I’m sure there is a lot I don’t know about depression and postpartum depression. I do however know what it has been like for me and how it’s affected my life. At times it has been completely debilitating. Other times it is simply tiresome and I want to smack myself upside the head and say “Smarten up, you’re better than this.” But it still happens and I still have to deal with it. I don’t know why this is a trial in my life. I do know though that I can conquer it each time it happens to me, especially if I rely upon my Saviour, and my loving husband, son and family.
Since that time I have had three more bouts of what I call a ‘Negativity Funk’. Times when I haven’t been in full on depression, but periods of my life where I can feel myself headed that way. Watching a a fair bit more of tv than I should, not doing laundry for much too long, neglecting my writing, not bathing myself or my son as often as I should. It all adds up.
I have however been able to get myself out of those ‘Funks’. And the whole point of this post is to help others who might be dealing with the same thing.
A note: This post took an few weeks to write, because I got into another little funk while in the middle of writing it. But as is obvious by the fact that this post is finished and done, I got myself out of it.
So here’s what and how I go about pulling myself up by my bootstraps.
5 Things That I Do To Get Back Into A Positive Frame of Mind
1. Read good books & listen to good music
– this is such a great enabler for positivity. Instead of always listening to the radio I play my own positive music — whether that’s a CD or songs from my iPod, doesn’t matter. Two of my favourite books that have helped me are: Sunny Side Up by Lucile Johnson & Body Clutter by Marla Cilley and Leanne Ely
2. Get all the vitamins and minerals my body needs
– a good friend knew I was struggling with postpartum depression and she asked me if I was getting a enough Vitamin B & D. When her daughters were having trouble that was always the first thing she did — made sure they had enough Vitamin B & D. My solution? A Dr Oz episode spoke about how your body can absorb more vitamins and minerals if you split up when you take them. Therefore I take two supplements in the morning. A Vitamin B complex (so I get all the B’s) and a Vitamin D 1000 IU. And I also take a generic multi-vitamin supplement at night. It wasn’t until I’d been consistently doing this for two weeks that I started to feel different, but it really did help me to feel better and have a more positive and upbeat outlook.
3. Exercise (even if it’s just walking)
– I still struggle with this, but when I do make time for exercise it always helps my positivity. Most especially if I get outside and walk in addition to some good cardio or weight-training. Some of my favourite exercise things to do? Workout videos (tae-bo & pilates most often) and Zumba. 😀
4. Get support from family and friends
– I cannot emphasize this enough. Be up front and honest with those who are close to you. They care about you and want to help. Give them specifics on how they can help you. Even if it’s just a text message each day asking how you’re doing. Talk to those who love you. Hearing about other people’s successes and joys allows me to be more positive.
5. Pray and keep praying
– I don’t think I can fully express exactly how much this helps me. Nor do I think I ever will be able to do so. Having a loving Saviour in my life who knows me and my trials is something I truly cherish. Going on each day and being able to express all of my trials and successes in prayer is something that, when done consistently, aids me in all I do.
As hard as this post was for me to do, if what I have said helps even one person who is dealing with depression, postpartum depression or negativity, then it has been a success. Stay strong, know that others understand what you are going through, and be positive.

LEAP INTO CHAPTER ONE

By | Mer Archives Details | 3 Comments

It’s here. Chapter One. LEAP IN!
Read, enjoy, and comment. 😀
   Thank you
Ways to support the book and me as an author?
Like my page on facebook: here
Share a link to this post on facebook.
Invite friends to the public facebook event for Leap Into Chapter One: here
Follow my blog by email >>

Subscribe to my posts or comments >>

Join my site in the box to the right (become a follower) >>

Join my other blog: here
Follow me on Twitter: here
Listen to the radio interview I did for Lasera: here
You can listen to the podcast of me reading Chapter One: here (coming soon)
Email your friends. Tell your friends. Tell every teenager in your life about this book: daughters, sisters, nieces, nephews, brothers, cousins, friends. Please share these characters that I love with others who might enjoy meeting them.
And now on to the Preview!

Lasera – Leap Into Chapter One On Leap Day

Some people have said, the above document preview didn’t work. For the text in it’s entirety go to the above tab ‘Read Chapter One’.
© 2012 Danielle Mathieson Pederson

Win These Bookmarks

By | Uncategorized | One Comment

Read, read, read and read some more. And with these bookmarks keep your place in those books you love. Anyone who comments on my Chapter One when I post it up on Feb 29th has a chance to win these! It’s open internationally so post from anywhere. Here they are:

The quotes on the bookmarks are:
Far left – Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away
2nd from left – Dare to Go Far
3rd from left – Faith Hope Love The greatest of these is love

Oh and btw? It’s T-minus 6 days until we can Leap Into Chapter One!

Leap Into Chapter One On Leap Day – Some Details & A Contest

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So as the day gets closer and closer there’s going to be more and more going on for Leap Into Chapter One. Keep an eye on the posts here as there’s going to be a number of surprises even before we finally get to Chapter One.

A couple details:

On Feb 29th I will be doing a live author reading of Chapter One at the Teen Advisory Board Meeting at the North Shore Library in Kamloops, BC. The meeting starts at 6:00pm. I’ll be looking for feedback and I’ll also be doing a Q&A session about writing and publishing.

I will also be doing a podcast of Chapter One so that those who are unable to read can listen to it and for those who wish to hear the chapter read in the author’s own voice. Keep an eye out for the link to that!

And now for the Contest!

On March the 1st I will randomly select one of the comments on Chapter One and that person will win five gorgeous bookmarks! The better to read with of course. In the very near future I will post a picture of the bookmarks but in the mean time, make sure to mark your calendars for Feb 29th and leave a comment after you’ve read Chapter One. Leave a critique, a suggestion, a question, whichever. Anything and everything is welcomed. (This is a family friendly site though, keep it G-rated with no profanity please). Oh and the even better news? This contest is open internationally! So no matter where you are be sure to post. 😀

And spread the word! I’ve included a pic of the promotional poster I will be peppering all over Kamloops and Calgary. Take a gander and then share it! Share it on facebook, email it, maybe even print some off and give them to your friends! Most especially share it with the teens in your life: nieces, nephews, sisters, daughters, sons, brothers, friends. Please help me get the word out about this great event and a book that I truly adore.

Cheers!

p.s. If you’d like to print this poster off, email me on the contact page and I can send you a higher quality file of a larger size. Thanks!