The Greater Mind Centre

Make sure that wherever you’re at in life, you don’t treat it like a transitory period.

Don’t waste your school years wishing to have already graduated and have a job. Don’t waste your single years wishing for someone to be in love with.

If/when those things come, you will know. But there is nothing like looking back and feeling empty because you wasted literal years ignoring what you had because you were hoping for something better.

While it’s important to better yourself and reach for your goals, don’t neglect the present moment because that’s where you are now, and it’s your “now” that determines your future.
- Note to self
Artwork: ayepixel

People fade away,
With time
They fade more and more every day,
You will forget that one person who you are addicted to,
One day you will realize that it has been long since your curiosity made you check on them.
So if you are in pain, if you are still grieving or still addicted to someone who isn’t yours, someone who you can’t get out of your mind,
I’m here to tell you the sweet and sour fact:
They will fade away
And you won’t miss them
But you’ll always miss the true pure feelings you had for them.

art by deatoozhu
Written by Metanoia

It's a journey, not a destination.

Every mind is a universe, and just like the vast cosmos, our mental health is an intricate, delicate, and deeply personal journey. Sometimes, we're able to surf the waves with grace and poise, while at other times, we might feel like we're drowning in the storm.

Today, let's honor our mental health, not as a side-note but as a critical component of our holistic well-being. Remember, there's NO SHAME in admitting you're not okay, in seeking help, in expressing your feelings, and taking the time you need to heal and rejuvenate.

YOU are your biggest project, your greatest adventure. Your mental health matters, and so do you! 💙🌍

Tidus
art by alterlier

The Greater Mind Centre Counselling and Psychotherapy Services.
To share narrative experiences, and heartful discussions.

Sometimes being yourself will rub others the wrong way. It might make them uncomfortable, or even confrontational. But that's their problem, not yours. Your journey is about embracing your truth, living authentically, and if that makes others uncomfortable, they need to check their own journey.
art by rench75studios

Think of it this way: would you rather be a star that shines with its own light or a moon that shines with borrowed light? It's better to be disliked for being who you are than to be loved for someone you're not. Maybe we can embrace our authenticity and be free.
art by jocelincarmes

It's easy to feel the pressure to conform, to fit into the mould that others have set for us. But every time we stand our ground, every time we are unapologetic, it force others to confront their own lack of adaptability. We should stand tall in our truth. We owe it to ourselves
art by naranjalidad

There will be times when your decision to be yourself will cause others discomfort. These instances are not a sign of your failure but a testament to their struggles. Keep shining your light, your authentic light. Don't dim it for anyone.
art by liliwood_studio

Living authentically can often be a lonely road. Some people will find it hard to accept the real you. It's their loss, not yours. It's their inability to understand, not your inability to conform. Don't compromise your authenticity for the sake of acceptance. Be you, because you're enough.
art by rudd_san

The Greater Mind Centre Counselling and Psychotherapy Services.
To share narrative experiences, and heartful discussions.

There will be times when the refusal to conform will stir anger in those around you. This anger isn't about you but their own inflexibility. They are the ones who need to adapt, to grow, not you. You are perfect as you are.
art by mozza817

Think of yourself as a piece of art. Some may try to critique you, to force their expectations upon you. Yet, just as art does not change itself to fit the viewer's interpretation, you too should not change to fit someone else's perception. You're not clay to be moulded, but a masterpiece already.
art by heygiudi

As you journey through life, some people will form opinions of you, trying to shape you into their image. It's crucial to remember that their opinions are more about them than you. Their reaction to your refusal to conform is nothing but a reflection of their inability to adapt.
art by shaza.wajjokh

There will be times when your authenticity will be questioned, when you'll feel out of place for just being you. But know this, the inability of others to accept your true self is a limitation of their understanding, not a reflection of your worth. Let them see the real you, because the real you is wonderful.
art by hayleemorice

The Greater Mind Centre Counselling and Psychotherapy Services.
To share narrative experiences, and heartful discussions.

The world might be full of voices, some of which will try to redefine us. But remember, those who mind our authenticity, they don't truly matter. And those who matter, they won't mind. It's OUR story, not theirs. Write it, live it, be it.
Art by bastianilkk

The Greater Mind Centre Counselling and Psychotherapy Services.
To share narrative experiences, and heartful discussions.

Never attempt to explain or justify our actions to anyone who isn't willing to see the best in us.

There will be urges to do so.

There could be a part of our mind conditioned to believe that we must earn and demonstrate our worth to everyone to feel secure.

Be aware of this and expect it.

We can ask ourselves whether we feel respected and appreciated in other's company. Do they question our behaviour respectfully, with care, love or compassion?

If not, step back, disengage, and establish boundaries if needed.

Remember, every moment spent pondering, conversing, and navigating around people who don't hold us in the highest esteem is time taken away from those who genuinely do.

- Tidus Artorius

art by hokyoungkim_

People in our life may expect you to conform to their expectations of you. As we refuse, and they get angry, it simply highlights their own incapability to adapt. Don't let them stop you from being your authentic self - Tidus
art by gregorysculptor

I think sometimes, learning how to navigate healthy relationships is a challenge, especially when you've experienced suffering growing up, or without a role model. We try our best, but it's a learning curve.
art by Rbessaaa

Relationships that provide security and comfort allow us to be our true selves, without having to put up a facade or pretend to be someone you're not. Let that be our goal - to be honest and truthful - Tidus
art by hayleemorice

While I was traveling on the bus the other day, looking out the window as the trees go by. I overheard something important for me to hear. Someone behind me said to their friend, "you can only be the support, not the fixer". I wrote it down in my notebook, as it is something I need to remember.

art by hayleemorice

Dreams and thoughts go far and wide, but our heart stays in the same place. More importantly, let it be in the right place.
Art by maciekwolanski

We all have an inner child kept close to our hearts. Don't let the world around you make it fade, or to abandon it. Bring out that child as it is deserving of love - Tidus

Though "never quitting" may sound inspiring, but sometimes it's important to acknowledge when it's time to move on. Be willing to recognise when something isn't as expected, or when your values have changed. Quitting something doesn't have to equate to quitting on yourself, as perseverence and flexibility can coexist together.

Artwork by sakoasko

So I find out that life can be pretty peaceful - realizing it's not our duty to control other people's feelings, soothe their anxieties, settle their internal disagreements, their anger, or help with their personal journey. Emotionally, it can be a freeing, calming experience - Tidus

Art by Moonassi

On my journey, I've been feeling down,
My anxiety and stress abound,
It's been a challenge to get through,
But I'm still here and I'm still true.

I face my fears and try not to cower,
I strive to keep my head held higher,
Though my road has had more than its share,
I've made it this far, I'm aware.

The courage I have makes me strong,
Will help me make it through along,
No matter how hard I may stumble,
I will stay hopeful and humble.

There may be days that are hard,
But I'm learning to keep up my guard,
I will keep pressing on each day,
Working hard to go my own way.

Though I've been through a lot alone,
but I know I know I can do this.
My hope will be my guide,
To have a better future, I will strive.

- Artwork by Jolene Lai

When we are an over-responsible adult, we were once an over-responsible child that was taught to hide our needs - to protect us from being hurt. We may behave in ways that brings value to others, and to maintain being seen as good. We may reject some part of us we perceive as bad, shameful, or uncaring to appear ‘drama free’. We train ourselves to have minimal personal needs, and such neglect can be destructive to our ability to maintain a healthy relationship. We eventually get tired from only caring about others while hiding our personal needs.

We are not obligated to keep it all together for others if there is a disparity to how we feel inside. We are humans, and we have needs. We can be curious about our overly responsible behaviour to better understand its’ origins. By investing some time to understand ourselves, we may slowly open to being loved, cared, and not always sacrificing ourselves for others – Tidus Artorius

Artwork by instagram.com/chantalhoreis

I thought I’d post a little Winnie the Pooh story.

It occurred to Pooh and Piglet that they hadn't heard from Eeyore for several days, so they put on their hats and coats and trotted across the Hundred Acre Wood to Eeyore's stick house. Inside the house was Eeyore.

"Hello Eeyore," said Pooh.

"Hello Pooh. Hello Piglet," said Eeyore, in a Glum Sounding Voice.

"We just thought we'd check in on you," said Piglet, "because we hadn't heard from you, and so we wanted to know if you were okay."

Eeyore was silent for a moment. "Am I okay?" he asked, eventually. "Well, I don't know, to be honest. Are any of us really okay? That's what I ask myself. All I can tell you, Pooh and Piglet, is that right now I feel really rather Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. Which is why I haven't bothered you. Because you wouldn't want to waste your time hanging out with someone who is Sad, and Alone, and Not Much Fun To Be Around At All, would you now."

Pooh looked at Piglet, and Piglet looked at Pooh, and they both sat down, one on either side of Eeyore in his stick house.

Eeyore looked at them in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"We're sitting here with you," said Pooh, "because we are your friends. And true friends don't care if someone is feeling Sad, or Alone, or Not Much Fun To Be Around At All. True friends are there for you anyway. And so here we are."

"Oh," said Eeyore. "Oh." And the three of them sat there in silence, and while Pooh and Piglet said nothing at all; somehow, almost imperceptibly, Eeyore started to feel a very tiny little bit better.

Because Pooh and Piglet were There.

No more; no less.

(A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard)

There will be people expressing their discomfort for things that doesn’t affects them. It could be activities we do that makes us whole, happy, or contribute towards our sense of belonging. There will be people that will tell us how we should live, how we should act, how to succeed, and how we should love.

However, when a person expresses their discomfort of us, it is generally a discomfort they have with themselves. It is something we did, that triggered something within themselves- as they project their discomfort onto another to avoid confronting their fears and anger – Tidus Artorius

artwork by instagram.com/dylanmooney__/

As we practice self-love and compassion, we may experience moments of discomfort. We may experience some feelings of grief, or even guilt… because that is when we discover how much we have missed out, how our history affected us in unimaginable ways, and that our younger self deserved better.

We can’t change how people treat us from our past, but we can change how we treat ourselves. The moment we treat ourselves with compassion, we learn to trust ourselves. In return, we nurture our sense of self-worth – Tidus Artorius

artwork by instagram.com/alterlier

"The relationship between two people should be a safe haven, not a battlefield, the world is tough enough" - William Shakespere

artwork by instagram.com/miles_art