INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It is common for people suffering from mental illnesses, especially those like depression and anxiety, to feel as though they should be able to just “snap out of it.” However, just as you wouldn’t expect yourself to “snap out of” diabetes or heart disease, you shouldn’t judge yourself because you’re struggling with mental illness. Having a network of people who accept and support you is important for everyone, but especially if you’re dealing with a mental illness. Friends and family are good places to start. There are also many support groups available. Check for a support group in your community, or find one online. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a good place to start. They have a help-line and a directory of support resources. While  meditation cannot replace qualified professional help and/or medication, it can help you manage the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, particularly those related to addiction and substance abuse or anxiety.  Mindfulness and meditation emphasize the importance of acceptance and presence, which can help alleviate stress.  You may find it helpful to seek instruction from a trained meditation or mindfulness expert first and then continue on your own. NAMI, The Mayo Clinic, and howtomeditate.org all provide tips for learning how to meditate. Keeping a journal of your thoughts and experiences can help you in several ways. Writing down negative thoughts or anxieties may help you stop focusing on them. Keeping track of what triggers a particular experience or symptom will help your mental health provider give you the best care. It can also allow you to explore your emotions in a safe way. While diet and exercise cannot prevent mental illness, they can help you manage your symptoms. Maintaining a regular schedule and getting enough sleep are particularly important if you have a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. You may need to be particularly mindful of your diet and exercise habits if you have an eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating. Consult with a professional to ensure that you are maintaining healthy habits. Alcohol is a depressant and can have significant influence on your feelings of well-being. If you are having trouble with an illness such as depression or substance abuse, alcohol may be something you should stay away from altogether. If you do consume alcohol, drink in moderation: usually, 2 glasses of wine, 2 beers, or 2 shots of liquor per day for women and 3 for men. Alcohol should not be consumed at all while you are on certain prescription medications. Talk with your prescribing physician about how to manage your medications.

SUMMARY: Avoid judging yourself. Establish a support network. Consider meditation or mindfulness training. Keep a journal. Maintain good diet and exercise habits. Limit your alcohol consumption.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Since you're going to confession and all, you probably want to have an idea of what to say! Sitting back and reflecting on your actions is referred to as "an examination of conscience." So take a moment to call to mind your behavior since your last confession -- from the smallest to the largest of sins. If you wish to pray to the Holy Spirit during this time for guidance, you may. Don't know where to start? Here are a few questions you can ponder:  Have I disobeyed any of the commandments? Have I nourished my faith? Has anything else in my life influenced me more than God? Have I denied or doubted my faith? Have I hurt others, either accidentally or purposefully? Have I rejected any part of my faith? Have I been forgiving? What are the causes of my sins? What temptations do I surround myself with? Most of us commit venial sins on the regular; they're nothing to be ashamed of, though forgiveness should still be sought. These are your everyday sins -- lying to a friend to get out of a party, using God's name in vain, etc. Then there are the mortal sins, which are no laughing matter. Three conditions must be present in order for a sin to be mortal:  It must be something serious You must understand what you're doing at the time you're doing it You must have done it according to your own free will Keep in mind that whatever it is, your priest will keep your secrets. Whatever it is, he will not (and cannot) pass judgment or let your secrets out. Even under threat of death! He can be trusted. You needn't worry about the consequences of telling him. In fact, neglecting to tell him is a sin in itself! This can either be done by dropping in or making a phone call; many churches have designated times for confessions. Though a priest can usually be found at most times with enough looking, going to a scheduled session is easiest. However, a quick phone call or brief meeting and you can schedule a private session as well.  If you're nervous to go into the church, don't be! Many churches have publicized when confession is -- either on a sign outside the church or as part of the church bulletin, which can almost always be found at the entrances. Some are even up online! Private sessions are a good idea if you have a lot to talk about. A normal confession may last 10 or so minutes. If you think yours will last a lot longer, feel free to ask for a private session. It's always a good idea to do a little prayer before confession to ensure that all goes well, nothing escapes your memory, and to ensure that your penitence is meaningful and true. You want to go in with nothing but the best of intentions. A large part of a good confession is meaning it, is seeking forgiveness, is putting your heart and soul into it. Even if you sat down with the priest and only muttered out an, "I hurt my friend" between sobs of regret, that'd be so much better than listing out every sin you've committed since your last confession between eye rolls. It's all about being true and faithful. The act of confession is about contrition -- wholly rejecting sin.

SUMMARY: Examine your conscience. Understand the difference between mortal and venial sin. Find a confession session. Pray that you may be honest and repentant.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Taking her to a party is probably not the best date idea for a shy girl. Instead, take her somewhere quiet where she can open up to you. For example, take her for a walk in the park or to a picnic in the park. If you aren’t sure what she’d want to do, you can ask her if there’s somewhere she has been wanting to go. If the park is a little too quiet for her, you can suggest going out for ice cream. It’s stress-free and there are some people around. A movie is another low-key date idea because it’s something you can do together without feeling the pressure to talk. If she doesn’t like ice cream, suggest going out for lunch or dinner. Even if the date goes very well, do not move very fast with a shy girl. Moving too fast could be overwhelming for her. For example, don’t go in for a kiss without asking permission. If you feel like she’s having a good time with you, ask if she’d be okay with holding your hand. You can move on from there if she seems okay with holding your hand. Depending on how the date or dates go, you may want to ask her to be your girlfriend. First, try to get an idea of how she feels about you. You can ask if she enjoys spending time with you. Or, if she has opened up to you a lot, ask her if she likes you in the same way that you like her. If she does, ask if she would like to be your girlfriend. For example, you could say “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you. I’ve come to like you a lot, and I was wondering if you would like to be my girlfriend?”

SUMMARY:
Take her somewhere quiet. Go out for ice cream or a movie. Take things slowly. Ask her to be your girlfriend.