SILVER LINING STORIES
Michelle & Christina
Michelle & Christina
Michelle & Christina
Watch this incredible story about finding and connecting with family members previously unknown during the pandemic! Thank you Michelle and Christina for sharing your story with Claire and Jenn.
Bathann D
Michelle & Christina
Michelle & Christina
I miss the gym. I miss the instructors encouraging words, the other ladies and gents, the routine and accountability it gave me. But I have cobbled together my little workout corner, yoga area and meditation spot. It is a different, kinder workout for my body and the ability to meditate in the morning when the house is quiet is amazing. #shareyoursilverlining
Joe W
Michelle & Christina
Joe W
This all is surely a silver lining helping our most vulnerable, but there's more. Additionally, the silver lining is the volunteers that help make the magic happen. Several volunteers helping weekly with no expectations, other then to help others. They follow the covid protocols and deliver many boxes to various homes. The program wouldn't of been as successful without their help. We are so very thankful for these dedicated volunteers and the silver lining that they bring.
Photo- Volunteer Ardda Colley
Amy W
Ashlea S
Joe W
A huge silver lining in this pandemic is the increased funding, awareness and conversation about mental health. The sad reality right now is that instead of 1 in 5 people experiencing mental illness or psychological distress, CMHA has shared that it's pretty much everyone. We are all going through something. As hard as that is, the silver lining is that we can understand each other better, we can be more compassionate about what people are going through and we can talk about it more openly. This is a huge step forward in reducing the stigma around mental health. #shareyoursilverlining
Ashlea S
Ashlea S
Ashlea S
Our silver lining this year has been our free weekend schedule! My young family has more time together to play board games, go out for walks and go sledding. We also adopted our kitten Cosmo, who has been a delightful distraction during these hard times. #shareyoursilverlining
Judy P
Ashlea S
Ashlea S
2020 presented too many challenges to recount here. The silver lining for the whole world, especially in light of what occurred yesterday in the US capital, is that Joe Biden legitimately won the presidential election in November. No matter what his rival, who hopefully will be removed from his position of 'leader of the free world' before he can do any more damage, says or thinks, the majority of the American people have spoken and want him out of office. The USA and the global community will then be able to deal with the pandemic and a multitude of other issues more effectively moving forward in 2021. God bless all of us! #shareyoursilverlining-savealife
Alice W
Alice W
Alice W
#shareyoursilverlining - The changes and challenges of 2020 have helped me to be a better person. To love who I can, to help where I can and to give what I can. Whether it is helping with dog sitting , getting groceries for a senior, or connecting to people who are sick, alone, grieving or feeling blue. This past year has given me many silver linings in knowing that I can bring joy to myself by helping others. Helping hands make a Happy Heart.
Rachel C
Rachel C
Rachel C
My silver lining story. I adopted Willow as a 9 month old rescue puppy to join my 8 year old dog Lucy and 2 year old Cat Willow. I was spending more time at home due to the lockdown and decided to get another dog to join the family. Willow the dog was scared of everything and anything. And didn’t know any commands. She had lots to learn but was a smart girl and her personality shines now. I kept her name so now I have one Lucy and 2 Willows. They all get along great #SHAREYOURSILVERLINING
Yoanne T
Rachel C
Rachel C
My silver lining this past year.. was spending more time with my daughter which allowed me to become closer with her. Also to be able to make my marriage with my husband stronger. #ShareYourSilverLining
Abe U
Rachel C
Paolo V
Over the last year I have struggled being a homebody. In my line of work, I lived out of hotels and travelled on planes weekly. Was so used to being away from my family that when I came home it felt like the hugs were so much more meaningful, the kisses were that much more true and social visits with friends and family were that much more fun. As the lockdown commenced, and everyone in my household was deemed essential workers, I found myself suffering in silence and sinking further and further into self isolation and with that the reality of depression. Fortunately I have been blessed with an ability to realize when I have reached my limit. Unfortunately, this is due to the amount of people I have lost in my lifetime through suicide. I started on a journey of self healing and that came from physical activity, focusing on my faith and surrounding myself with good people. When I say good people, I mean people who will tell me to smarten up!!! People that aren't affraid to criticize while picking me up and people that I speak to about my feelings. I have realized that my circle of friends and family is just big enough to make sure I don't mess up and I also realize that my circle of friends and family is always there for me. This was my silver lining within the last year. #shareyoursilverlining
Paolo V
Paolo V
Paolo V
My silver lining from 2020 is that I retired from Toyota in March after 30 years (two days early due to lock down #1). I know this has been a challenging year for so many people but for me, it’s been a year of reinventing myself. After an extensive training course I recently opened my own Home Inspection business. I also do home repair and handyman services on the side. It’s something I really enjoy. It’s been a welcome change of pace for me. I enjoy helping others and working for myself. This has been a complete turn around for my mental health. Thank you Claire and Jenn for raising awareness and funds for the CMHA #shareyoursilverlining
Alice
Paolo V
Lisa B
#shareyoursilverlining - The past year has helped to increase my appreciation & awareness of nature's beauty. It has helped me to set negative thoughts aside & fill my mind with the wonder of the changing seasons in nature. Singing birds, sunsets, blue skies, fresh air, warm sunshine, dancing snowflakes and so much more. Nature shares a gift of beauty every single day if we can pause and notice.
Lisa B
Paolo V
Lisa B
The most difficult challenge, however, was that being by myself forced me to look at things I didn’t want to deal with. I had no opportunity to escape, physically or emotionally. It was just me, and all of those thoughts and feelings that I had stuffed down inside over the years.
I persevered, only because I had no other choice.
Looking back now, I am so very grateful for the period of difficulty and darkness, because I came out the other end, stronger and more at peace. Facing my fears head on, especially during such a challenging time for the world as a whole, led me to a renewed sense of self, to replace the distorted version I didn’t know I had. It also provided me with immense gratitude … for my family, my friends, my home, and for all the opportunity I have to make a difference in this world. #Shareyoursilverlining