Here is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. I am grateful for each and every amazing contribution. You are invited to join; learn more here.
Beautiful Crochet Mandala
This juicy crochet spoke mandala is worked in lovely shades of pink and purple that make it look good enough to eat!
Meet the Maker
I was thrilled to receive this crochet mandala from Gwen Blakley Kinsler, author of a terrific crochet art book called The Fine Art Of Crochet (available on Amazon) and also the founder of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). Visit her blog Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings where she shares terrific crochet book reviews, interviews, news and more. You can also connect with her on Ravelry in her Cro-Kween Designs group.
Words by Wink
Instead of Wink’s words today, I’ve got one of those images that says a thousand words, a self-portrait she posted in 2013 during a photography course she was taking. She loved photography and it shows all across her blog.
About Depression
One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post will end with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health.
Low self-esteem goes hand-in-hand with depression. It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. In some cases, having low self-esteem causes depression, in other cases depression causes distorted thinking including low self-esteem. The cycle perpetuates itself.
Margarita Tartakovsky, in an article offering tips for boosting self-esteem, writes:
“Low self-esteem leaves individuals vulnerable to depression. Depression batters self-esteem. *
“Depression often distorts thinking, making a once-confident person feel insecure, negative and self-loathing,” said Deborah Serani, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist and author of the book Living with Depression.
Past positive or neutral thoughts become “I am incompetent,” “I suck at everything,” or “I hate myself,’” according to clinical psychologist Dean Parker, Ph.D.”
How I Beat Depression writes:
“One of the most important discoveries of the 20th century is acknowledging the powerful influence of self-image. Self-image determines action. If we see ourselves as a a victim we’ll be victimised, if we see ourselves as a failure we will fail, if we see ourselves as dumb we will under-perform. And when the self-fulfilling prophecy comes to pass it is paradoxically welcomed as it’s strengthens and supports the deeply latent self-image and continues to add fuel to the destructive mental fire – burning down a persons chance of genuine contentment, happiness and enjoyment of life.”
And Dr. Alice Boyes explains:
“One of the thinking patterns that’s common in people who are depressed is what psychology PhDs call the “Negative Triad”.
The Negative Triad is negative thoughts about:
1. the Self (e.g. negative perceptions of yourself),
2. the World/Other People (e.g. thoughts that people are generally untrustworthy, cruel and rejecting), and
3. the Future (e.g. pessimistic thoughts about what your future holds or the future of society/the planet).
Low self esteem is most closely linked to the first part of the Negative Triad – Negative Thoughts about the Self. But, on average, people with low self esteem also tend to be more pessimistic about other people and the future”
All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke are welcome and will help raise awareness about depression while honoring her work in the same way that this great contribution has done today. Details to join here.