Jennyslight.org

I love doing my show for so many reasons.  It took me so long to finally figure out what I wanted to do in life.  You can read about it in my bio.  But I'll share a little of it with you.

I refuse to settle in life.  I want the things that I want, and I won't apologize for wanting them.  I feel if someone tells you that you shouldn't go after what you want, then they aren't supporting you.  If someone tells you that you can't get the job, guy, or life you want, then they don't need to be in your life.  This is easier to say pertaining to friends than to family, but if your family thinks this, then be around them only when necessary.  Or don't mention these things when you are with them, if you know they are not going to have anything positive to say.  I feel that when people say you can't get the things you want, they are saying you should settle for something else.  I refuse to settle.

When I graduated college, the first time, I had no idea what I really wanted to do in life.  I was told by many others what they thought I should do.  I went into sales, thinking maybe that's what I wanted.  Well, I didn't like it at all, maybe it was because I was trying to sell copiers and fax machines...yawn (no offense to those that do sell those items).

I went back to school for my MBA.  I did that part-time for two years, then moved to Los Angeles.  I was there a year before I moved back to finish my MBA.  I didn't know, at that time, what I wanted to do.  I decided to take classes that interested me to try and figure out what I wanted to do.  I thought, "Well, if I don't know what I want to do, I can narrow it down by knowing what I didn't want to do."

I traveled a lot of the next two years, while getting my MBA.  I also lived in Norway for 6 months.  I met people from all over the world.  That one experience helped me to learn so much about other people, cultures, and lives...and it changed my life.  I graduated with my MBA and moved back to Los Angeles.

In my two years I was there, I had a friend who had a local talk show and thought I should try it.  I thought, "I don't really have much to say," although people who know me would disagree with that.  I then thought, "Well, other people have stuff to say." I started my show and, years later, I'm still loving it.  I meet so many new and interesting people.  But more than that, I hear so many amazing stories.  Experiences and issues I never would have thought about.  There are so many things that go on in peoples’ lives that, given all the time in the world, I would never imagine.  I enjoy hearing the stories.  It allows me to learn so much and helps me to become more involved.  We, as individuals, tend to not give much thought about issues that don't directly affect us.  This show allows us to give those issues more thought...to give them more consideration...and to provide more support and understanding to those that are facing these situations.

I have learned that we have to hurt, to face decisions, to experience life, in order to help others.  When we share all that, we can help ease the life of someone else.  Peoples' lives, peoples' stories affect me.  I recently read an article in Glamour Oct 2008 issue about postpartum depression.  Jenny had given birth to son, Graham.  Jenny's twin sister, Becky, visited her and a few weeks later, Jenny took Graham in the backyard and shot him and then herself.  Becky started www.jennyslight.org in honor of her sister and Graham.  According to the article, the doctors think she has postpartum psychosis.  Becky wants to make it mandatory for new mothers to receive mental health screening to prevent this from happening to others.

What can you do?  Get involved and help build awareness.  Contact Jenny's Light at www.jennyslight.org for more information or to donate to their cause.  If you have experienced postpartum, talk about it.  We got a glimpse of it when Brooke Shields and Tom Cruise had the "discussion" about taking medication for postpartum depression.  Don't wait for a celebrity to bring it to the forefront of the news to think it's okay to discuss it.

It's always okay to talk about it.  If you don't feel comfortable talking about it with your family or friends or you don't think they would understand, join a support group.  Call your local hospitals and find out if they have any recommendations for local support groups in your area.  Having the support is the key to dealing with and getting through anything.

Postpartum depression is a topic that we don't hear enough about.  If you have not directly experienced it, people tend to really not know what it's like.  We hear things like, ";I can't get out of bed," or "Being a mother is not what I thought it would be."  To most people who haven't been directly affected by postpartum depression, we might think we've thought how we can't get out of bed.  We wouldn't think thoughts like this would lead to killing yourself or your child.

Spreading the word and getting the information out about issues like this is important.  It's nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about.  The more we talk about our issues, the more aware we make people, the more we help others.  Don't you want to help others who may be experiencing the same symptoms you have/had.  For those of you who have recovered from postpartum depression, talk, talk, talk.  Let those who are currently experiencing it to know that they, too, can make it through and recover.  Let them know it's okay to feel the way they are feeling, that they will get better, and, most importantly, you are there for them.  There's nothing better to know that someone has been through the same thing you are going through, dealt with it, and got better.  Just to be able to talk with someone...makes all the difference in the world.  I know.

Although I've never had postpartum, I've learned that support, an ear, and a friend can get you through anything...and everything.  I hope this inspires you to, no matter what you've been through, you take the time to help someone else going through a similar issue or be a little more understanding when someone else is going through another experience.  Because, who knows, if you grew up the way they did, had the same experiences they had, and were at the same place as they are...you might likely do the exact same thing as they.  So, next time, you judge, think...that could be you, and that person is really not that different than you.

Talk, talk, talk, especially if it's a topic you "shouldn't" talk about...that's even more reason to discuss it...and spread the word and give hope to the world!