Gary Green's Blog, page 7
March 10, 2016
Penny-wise and Pound-foolish
There were a couple of news items I saw on TV this last week or so that really caught my interest.
The first one has to do with the Minnesota Regional Treatment Center (for mentally ill adults). Minnesota, like most states, used to have a system of mental hospitals across the state. Most of them have been closed and replaced with 16-bed “Community Behavioral Health Hospitals (CBHH’s). Typically, people stay in the CBHH a very short time. This works well for some people. However, many people need a longer stay in the hospital. Those people are often transferred to the only remaining Regional Treatment Center in Anoka. The problem is that there aren’t enough beds to meet the need.
That brings me to the second story. Law enforcement officials from across the state were testifying that the penal system is being over-run with mentally ill people. In fact, over 70% of the prisoners in the Minnesota penal system have diagnosable (and treatable) mental illnesses. The problem here is they do not typically receive treatment while incarcerated. Also, our jails are bursting at the seams.
It would be easy at this point to conclude that mentally ill people are dangerous. I assure you this is not the case. However, untreated mental illness can interfere with employment, relationships and other important life issues; making people poor, lonely and desperate. Poor lonely and desperate people might just be more likely to break the law. I won’t even get into the whole chemical use issue.
Here is the ironic part. The motivation for closing the Regional Treatment Centers and keeping the stay in CBHH’s is primarily financial. It costs more to keep a person in prison than it does to keep a person in an RTC. In light of all the crazy things happening in the world, perhaps there is a better way.
Signs of Spring
The calendar may not say it is spring, but the robins apparently think it is. This morning while I was walking with my dogs in the woods behind my house I saw a flock of probably hundreds of robins. It has been unseasonably warm lately so I guess the robins took the hint.
In other miscellaneous news, nine years ago today I married my cute red-head wife. So, it’s a good day.
Also, I wanted to remind everyone that “Rebecca’s Initiation” (Redemption #1) is now perma-free on numerous sites and “Rebecca’s Destiny” (Redemption #2) will be free on Kindle tomorrow and Saturday. Be sure to grab your copy.
March 7, 2016
Redemption
Ok, so it’s been a while since I posted. I’ve been busy trying to figure out this “author” thing. I mean, my books get good reviews and one even won an award. However, sales are slow.
The fact that my “Redemption” series seems to have a small but enthusiastic group of fans makes me think that perhaps there are others out there who might like it too.
Here’s my plan. Feel free to tell me what you think.
“Rebecca’s Initiation” (Redemption #1) is now perma-free on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobe and Scribd. Get My Free Copy Now
“Rebecca’s Destiny” (Redemption#2) is now 99 cents on Kindle. However, next Friday and Saturday (March 11 and 12) it will be FREE for two days. Be sure to grab your copy. You won’t be sorry. Get My Copy Now
I am running a Goodreads giveaway for Rebecca’s Destiny. Today is the last day. Enter The Giveaway
“Rebecca’s Coronation” (Redemption #4) is available on Kindle and in paperback. I have reduced the price from $4.99 to $2.99. Buy Today
You could join my Readers Group. You get a free short story just for signing up. Also, members get access to exclusive material and advance notice for new releases. Sign Me Up Now
So, that’s what I’ve been up to. I really hope you try my series.
February 7, 2016
February 3, 2016
A Most Unusual Review
“Rebecca’s Initiation” recently got a most unusual review on Goodreads:
“I received this book as a Goodreads first read and have been waiting to review it as my niece borrowed it and it’s since been passed around to all her friends and other cousins. They’ve all absolutely loved this book so although I haven’t yet had the opportunity to read it first hand I’ve been strictly instructed to rate it 5 stars!”
January 31, 2016
December 31, 2015
Happy New Year
Well, 2015 has been quite a year. It seems that things got a little crazier. Violence seems to be on the upswing, not only terrorist attacks but other mass shootings. With increased scrutiny, we learn that some of our police resort to violence when it is not necessary. Speaking of crazy, how about the presidential race? I can’t remember a time when there were so many candidates or when a guy like Donald Trump could be doing so well. Even the weather has gone nuts, with many places enjoying spring-like weather on Christmas day.
There were some good things. The economy continues to improve. Fuel prices are down. I published three books, “The Mindful Lifestyle”, “Rebecca’s Initiation”, and “Rebecca’s Destiny”. I even won an award. “In Pursuit of Joy” won the bronze medal from Readers Favorite. There were about 450 entries in the motivational category and I got third place. I felt pretty good about that.
As we start a new year I wanted to leave you with this thought. In a crazy world it’s not the events that determine how your life will go, but your reaction to them—most of the time. I choose to do what I can to make the world less crazy by not giving in to the fear-mongers or the terrorists. Face each day with acceptance. Advocate for people to use their wise-mind when making decisions. I have found if you live in the present moment as much as you can that most present moments are good. I feel gratitude for that. Most of all, exercise compassion in all your dealings with others. If I can follow these simple ideas I know I will have a happy new year. If you do these things you will have a happy new year too.
December 23, 2015
My Christmas Wish
Christmas is an interesting time of year. Of course, Christmas has become very commercial. It has become the backbone of many retail businesses. Then there are the crowds. Today I went to the grocery store and could hardly find a parking spot. This is at 1:00 PM on a Wednesday.
This blatant commercialism isn’t the whole story, however. There are plenty of people reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas; plenty of people reminding us of the importance of family and friends and wishing everyone Peace on Earth and good will toward all mankind. Or, my personal favorite: “May you keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the whole year.”
It is also a time of year when people look back over the year—for whatever reason. When I look back over this last year several things stand out. I think the most disturbing is the fact that there were over 300 mass shootings in the last year. While each incident, each perpetrator is unique, there are similarities and patterns. For me, one thing stands out: Anyone who decides to murder as many of his neighbors as he can is sick in spirit and mind.
This proves to me that: MENTAL HEALTH IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS. You might say, “What can I do about it?” Well, today s your lucky day. I’m going to tell you.
The pay of those working with the mentally ill is generally awful. While most are mission driven and do the best with resources at hand, many are not. Sometimes you get what you pay for. What can you do about that? Pay for mental health workers is often a legislative issue. Write your legislators.
What are you doing about your mental health? There is this idea in this country, especially among men, that we should logically decide what to do and through strength of will make it happen. No consideration is given to our feelings. People work long hours at stressful jobs. Henry David Thoreau said that most of his contemporaries lived lives of quiet desperation. Has that changed? WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
A little compassion goes a long way. Whenever you notice yourself being afraid of something, ask yourself where compassion fits into the picture. Remember compassion means “suffering with”. The time for compassion is not when somebody pulls out a gun and starts shooting. Compassion is most effective when applied early. Perhaps we could shift our emphasis in education from competition and (dare I say it?) sports to ensuring each child knows they matter, that they are part of a community.
As a nation we have to stop bullying people around. You can’t beat someone into loving you. It DOES matter IF you vote and WHO you vote for. I believe that everyone who has the right to vote also has the obligation to vote. Listen to what the candidates are saying. Don’t let them use fear to bully you into voting for them.
Learn everything you can about mindfulness. Practice every day. If you are feeing less stressed, everything is easier.
This may sound a bit simplistic, but here’s the thing: A society is made up of individuals. How the majority of the individuals in a society think defines the society. Therefore, the more individuals who are not ruled by fear, who acknowledge their emotions but are not ruled by them, who exercise compassion when dealing with each other; the more peaceful that society will be.
Merry Christmas. My Christmas wish for you is that you keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the year.
December 18, 2015
Christmas Party
Every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas we have a tree decorating party. We cut a tree from our property, bring it in and decorate it. This is me bringing in the tree and some kids with my little tractor and wagon. The dog is Basil Wigglesworth.
In other news, I will be signing books tomorrow at Bookworld in the Kandi Mall. I will have copies of all four books to sell: “In Pursuit of Joy”, “The Mindful Lifestyle”, “Rebecca’s Initiation”, and “Rebecca’s Destiny”
December 1, 2015
Rebecca’s Destiny Free
Have you downloaded your FREE copy of “Rebecca’s Destiny”? The second book in the Redemption series, “Rebecca’s Destiny”, was released on Monday and is free all week. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017AJ4SYW
