Paul Norg

When we think about what makes a connection meaningful, vulnerability often comes to mind. Being vulnerable means opening yourself up, showing your true self, and embracing the risk of getting hurt. It might sound scary, but it is a fundamental component in building strong, authentic relationships. Let's explore how embracing vulnerability can help us connect on a deeper level. Personally, I've spent years trying to avoid emotion, becoming stoic, able to handle any situation without being rattled. And it works really well when you are at work and there are stressful situations. But there are times you get taken advantage of, and disrespected by those you work for as a result. A better answer would have been for me to have 50% of that stoicism and 50% of general emotion.  Understanding Vulnerability Vulnerability is the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. It's about emotional risk, exposure, and uncertainty. Despite common misconceptions,

Social media permeates every part of modern life, providing platforms for communication, self-expression, and news consumption. It also has potential negative impacts, particularly on mental health. Here's a comprehensive guide on the impact of social media on depression, and my personal thoughts on how it has affected me and also others.  1. The Comparison Trap:    How It Impacts Depression: Social media often showcases highlight reels of people's lives, leading users to compare their everyday reality to others' best moments. This comparison can lead to feelings of inadequacy and deepen depressive symptoms.      Leaning on others for edification or dopamine hits from likes on your posts, pictures, or videos has become a sort of emotional currency. I tend to shut down and ignore some of my social media just due to being burned out mentally with trying to keep up with even friends, family, acquaintances, and contacts, some of which I will barely know, but interact with anywa

     As we navigate the digital era, social media has become an integral part of our lives. It's a tool for communication, a source of news, and a platform for self-expression. But beyond that, it's an arena where we can foster connections with a global community. This post will guide you on how to utilize social media effectively to nurture and deepen connections.     Not only has social media changed the way we connect, but it also became a predominant way of communicating during our COVID lockdown. Despite all of the misinformation, we as humans will continue to desire connection, and digital platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are only bolstering the use of digital communication.  Some of this is causing issues with our older populations, as they either aren't adopting it or are becoming agitated with it.  **1. Be Genuine**      Your authenticity is your greatest asset. Share your passions, interests, and experiences genuinely. Authenticity attracts

Despite advancements in mental health awareness, the stigma surrounding depression still exists. This stigma can deter individuals from seeking help, reduce self-esteem, and increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to overcome the stigma associated with depression: I am dedicating the thoughts and reason I am writing this post to many of my friends and family who were beside me even when I didn't realize it and sometimes when it made such a miraculous difference, but I don't even think they understood. To: Carol, Rachel, Jon, Katrina, Josh, Aurora, Kylie, Liam, Connor, Marie, Art, Carrie, Andrea, Tom, Stephanie, Michael, Bill, Dad, Debbie, Ken, Genna, Katie, Denise, George, Stephenie, Shari, Mike, Anette, Bryon, Megan, Jae, Chris(so many Chris' actually), Luke, Chris, Erin, Emily, Peggy, Josh, Ryan, Jamie, another Rachel, Christina, Secant, Aunalytics. I even had support from clients who visited me in the hospital.  I needed to have

     I'm as human as anyone else, prone to lapses in judgment. I even felt judged once, by someone from whom I sought help during my mother's passing. It was a pastor from the church I attended. The support I needed was lacking, fueling my depression and undermining my faith in the church.        Yet, despite that episode, I kept praying, kept asking God for signs. And He came through, repeatedly. He also made me a pillar of strength for my friends and family. While I could weather vast amounts of stress and loss, there came a time when even I needed help.        One sign from God took the form of a black Cadillac that collided head-on with my Saturn SL1 one morning as I was driving home. At the wheel was a priest, identifiable by the little white square in his collar - was he Catholic? It was a seven-thousand-dollar message from God. A wake-up call that I'd been heading down the wrong path in the months leading up to that incident. Even when I ceased attending church regul

     The support I received helped me fight off AML cancer a few years ago. And the time with family and friends helped me get through a terrible depression and fatigue from about 3 years of fighting the cancer. Some time ago, recently I lost more family. And as I spent time with family I knew and met more family that have connected and met for saying goodbye to the family member we had just lost, I felt the energy of all of the family I had lost, and all of the family I still have.        Supporting loved ones during times of stress, funerals, viewings, and times of sickness is what makes us human. Makes us bond together to ensure that the loved ones we have that aren’t able to handle sickness and stress on their own have the support we can give.        I have lost over three dozen family members, I’ve stopped counting. Because just keeping track only serves to keep me in depression. I had deep and severe depression for a few years myself. And no amount of support really kept that fro

     Going through cancer is not just a physical struggle. It's also a profound emotional journey. The demands it places on a person’s mental strength are truly significant, and having a supportive network of family and friends can make all the difference. They offer a much-needed pillar of strength, understanding, and compassion in times that may otherwise feel dark and solitary.      The battle with cancer is not one anyone should fight alone. It's a path fraught with moments of uncertainty, worry, and pain, but these moments can be made bearable by the loving presence of family. Each conversation shared meal, quiet moment of companionship, or simple reassuring touch has the power to bring comfort and even joy amidst adversity.      A cancer diagnosis often brings with it a loss of control. Medical appointments, treatments, and procedures can begin to take over, making it feel as though personal autonomy is being eroded away. Family support during these times can help restore

     In an increasingly interconnected world, many of our connections are formed and maintained online. These digital connections can be just as meaningful and rewarding as our in-person relationships if we nurture them properly. This article will explore strategies for developing and deepening your digital connections.     I've always haphazardly thrown paragraphs and paper-length posts to this platform or that. The end result was that I didn't see what I thought. I should have seen it in response. So I really never got a feel for what was sought after or what would be useful. Because at the core of my purpose, I want to give back to my community and also help them understand something that perhaps they need to help with.     Recently, in a community of an online game, I have come to understand that waiting for some response or edification that information was useful, is not necessarily a key metric of whether or not I was useful in my communication.        This is also a cent

I created a centralized page on a Facebook group page many months ago and started sharing there about my experiences with dealing with cancer, pain, and depression. Here is the link to that page on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CancerSurvivorHelpingBCFM If you would like to help support the organization that helped me in so many ways, please follow the link to the donation page I made on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/donate/300656985633050/