through a glass, darkly

This hits me. The difference between how I see things now and how my old bright-side self walked through the world is that now I’m fully aware that the worst can happen, and does. That awareness colors everything.

Credit: https://t.co/EOIV0SSqa1 ❤️💙💛 #grief #loveandloss pic.twitter.com/YAMn85rCFh

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 27, 2021

Mario Kart Monday: hallmark edition

It’s a @Hallmark #keepsakeornament #MarioMonday! So #DonkeyKong is the 2021 addition to the #MarioKart set. I love his expression: determined with a little amusement. I have a couple other new @NintendoAmerica ornaments, too. I’ll show them to you soon. ❤️💙💛 #Mario #Yoshi pic.twitter.com/XzzxDx5zS2

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 26, 2021

trying to organize my thoughts

I completely relate to this illustration from https://t.co/EVIbeAdycw. Do you? ❤️💙💛 #thinking #getorganized #makingsense #mentalhealth #overwhelm #sortitout pic.twitter.com/MwR8E2hkqJ

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 25, 2021

favorite podcasts tackle grief

Quick links to the Radiolab and Death, Sex & Money podcast episodes.

Rader and I loved listening to @Radiolab together. I highly recommend this week’s episode about #ElisabethKublerRoss and her controversial #fivestagesofgrief. Also check out the companion episode of @deathsexmoney called When #Grief Doesn’t Move In Stages. https://t.co/ElGPyJlK2x

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 24, 2021

your life matters

Thanks to Kim at @Miss_Mental0 for these words of affirmation. #YouMatter and #YourLifeMatters! Someone feels inspired by you. You being here makes a difference. pic.twitter.com/GmkWiOq81P

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 23, 2021

practice radical acceptance

Quick link to Mental Health America’s article about radical acceptance.

I like the sound of those outcomes! Seems like #radicalacceptance is a really good skill to work on. Click to learn what radical acceptance is and how to get to work on practicing it. ❤️💙💛 #mentalhealthskills #selfhelptools #copingmechanisms https://t.co/WHxYgTbAKU https://t.co/dpieOfcte2

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 22, 2021

plant progress helps my heart

Plant progress! We were out of town for a week and came back to several exciting developments. My #hoyacarnosa that came in a container garden received in condolence after Rader’s death, also known as #waxplant or #porcelainflower, has never bloomed in 4yrs but is now budding! pic.twitter.com/AzNmEUNt8C

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 21, 2021

This #unidentifiedplant is a three-sided #cactus that was the base of a dying graft I got last fall. In mid-April it put out a sprout, which since then has grown several inches. And now there’s a new sprout! Tending plants helps my #mentalhealth. Seeing them thrive is a bonus! pic.twitter.com/sXjVExHE5v

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 21, 2021

creating sparks of hope

Here’s a hopeful new blog post from psychologist @DrKathrynGordon, author of The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook, published this month! I don’t have a copy of the book yet, but it’s on my list. https://t.co/0UA1iauHie

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 20, 2021

follow dingitydingus for original mario art

I’m so excited to have found artist @DingityDingus this week and to be able to share his amazing work with you for #MarioMonday! Check out https://t.co/6LHj63prVg to see the process video where he creates this #PaperMario #OrigamiKing illustration. & of course follow him on both. https://t.co/cc3dgKgIdq

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 19, 2021

what's the grief-anxiety connection?

In our grief-averse culture, it's important to keep the conversation going. Here's a new interview with #grief counselor/author @clairebidwell about the correlation of grief and #anxiety. Haven't read the book she discusses, but when I do, I'll review it. https://t.co/6U8lnoqZej https://t.co/RrvSdJKZZE

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 18, 2021

after the bloom 🌼

What comes after the #bloom can be just as beautiful! I love the way this #leopardlily (#irisdomestica) folds up after its one-day bloom. Then it makes a seed pod for new life when it’s time. A flower’s bloom may be the showiest part, but is not the finale; just the first act. pic.twitter.com/D9GYnoYCwt

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 17, 2021

progress isn't linear — maria montessori

Progress is not linear! The wisdom of educator #MariaMontessori. (🎨: @/toyoufromsteph on IG.) @RaderWardFound offers elementary and middle school scholarships to @FiveOaksAcademy and #MontessoriofMauldin of #yeahTHATgreenville. Apply at https://t.co/UoCmXDQ07u. pic.twitter.com/pN4FhN05mf

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 16, 2021

join today's virtual town hall

Tune in today at 2pmET on FB live! Link below. #aapi #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth #MinorityMentalHealthMonth #suicideprevention #afsp https://t.co/PHLUvCyulM

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 15, 2021

spot subtle signs of depression

Useful tips on spotting subtle signs of someone’s worsening #depression, from @RealDepProject. Follow them and visit https://t.co/ehsMWE3Pcc for more. #depressionhelp #notalone 1/3 pic.twitter.com/h8ZpykIrh8

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 14, 2021

Follow @RealDepProject, and visit https://t.co/ehsMWE3Pcc for more resources, including to learn about the book in pic 4. (Additional subtle signs of depression listed in the first two tweets of the thread.) #depressionresources #mentalhealthresources 3/3 pic.twitter.com/gDt6MWL1fw

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 14, 2021

speaking through collage

Here’s a collaborative collage from two artists I recommend you follow: https://t.co/869xms2psX & https://t.co/93PDULRNII. Take a look; you’re sure to find some posts that make you think and some that just make you happy. ❤️💙💛 #collageart #wisewords #selfcare #mentalhealth pic.twitter.com/TcNcl7ZMVv

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 13, 2021

mario artwork from animal crossing

Happy #MarioMonday! Today I’m excited to share some fun original #Mario artwork from #AnimalCrossingNewHorizons. Credit appears below each. I found out about these from my son, Matt, who in addition to loving Mario also plays #ACNH. Here are the first 2 of 10. 2nd is my fave. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/5iOJK8rVsP

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 12, 2021

Even more #AnimalCrossing art for #MarioMonday. These custom designs are so fun and creative! 3/3 pic.twitter.com/WwtBEwWNpM

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 12, 2021

be less horrible

Today’s encouragement: Be less horrible! ✨ #goals ✨

🎨: https://t.co/etLGZlDchc
Quote: @TheElliotPage#makeaneffort #kindness #bekind #betterworld pic.twitter.com/u7I3wTu5eZ

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 11, 2021

what do you use to switch off your feelings?

I’ve learned SO much from @HiddenBrain and @99piorg, and love @pchh and @TheHamilcast. @ttfapodcast is a great reminder there are all kinds of grief and you’re not alone. BUT it’s good to identify any tool you use consistently to avoid your feelings, and make deliberate choices.

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 10, 2021

Here’s what Keeley Shaw wrote in her Instagram post:

“Do you have a feelings switch? What makes you turn it off? What patterns do you see yourself falling into when you do? For me, I watch shows that I’ve watched before from start to finish, avoid silence, and keep to myself...I used to not know what I was doing when I sunk into these phases, but now I can see it happening from the outside looking in and (sometimes) I can choose to turn the lights back on.”

hear this now: you spark joy!

Hey! @stacie_swift and I have something to tell you! ❤️💙💛 #affirmations #youareradiant #oneofakind #yousparkjoy #youaregrowing #youarefun #youremakingprogress #youbringlight #youarevalid #youareenough #youareloved #youyesyou #stacieswift pic.twitter.com/jApzuoB6ZU

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 9, 2021

try looking at it this way …

Sometimes you just need a change of #perspective. Look at yourself from your cells’ point of view! ❤️💙💛 #lookatitthisway #youareawesome #mentalhealth #dbgdesign 🎨: https://t.co/447T168Fi7 pic.twitter.com/vwT0xA2YN4

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) July 8, 2021