Talk Stigma

Wow. Hi everyone. Um, I'm pastor Seth Perry. Uh, and this is a pastor only two weeks before Christmas. Two weeks, two days. That's how the scattered episode two days for Christmas. I'm definitely, um, I'm ready for a break. Um, and I hope that you all bring it well. So here's what I wanted to talk about today. Um, gosh, I've done, I've done a lot of stuff at work in the last four weeks. Two funerals. Um, a memorial service at the, uh, and hello Shannon and Jules. Good afternoon. Hello everyone. Uh, so I've done a lot, a lot of stuff.

I did a funeral yesterday as well. Um, and super sad to do a funeral back close to the holidays. Um, that close to Christmas. So my question to you is, what's your number one thing in your mental health, um, toolkit? What is the number one thing? Um, I want everyone to kind of think about that one thing. And this is kind of, and what do I mean by thinking your mental health toolkit here? I'll tell you this. Uh, what is that one thing that you can pull out. Um, when work stresses too much. Uh, when whatever you deal with has kind of been aggravated in some way.

Um, what is step one to say, I'm first self care. Um, and I need wellness. Um, I need to take care of myself. And then without a doubt every year for me around Christmas time. I look at December 25th as a time to really, um, do, do that one thing for myself. So I'm wondering for you. What is the number one thing? What's that number one thing for you that you pull out of your toolkit to use for yourself. And, uh, I'll say it for myself. m. That is, that is the foundation for me without that, without screens in bed.

Um, you know, there's so many other things that I could do for my mental health . But if I don't do that, then I'm hooped, right? Um, you know, I'm, uh, I'm a pastor. I care for people. Um, the holidays is the time where the most crises happen. It's just, um, without a doubt. I know that every year. Um, so Jules says working out. Um, so what do you do to exercise? Tell me more about that. Um, last night, my wife and I went for a walk and we went down to the, um, to the Christmas market in St. Paul.

And, um, and, and so that was so good for me. That was something I, I totally needed to spend 45 minutes walking with my wife. And that kind of did hit hit the reset button for me. And then as we're walking back, I'm like, yeah. Mm hmm. Ready for bed. Look at my, uh, my, my watch. It's like 705, right? Oh my gosh, I am middle aged. And, uh, you said, think about something I can plan with my kids in the new year, like a, a trip where it's just me and them and quality time. Yeah. Oh, okay. And, and, yes, spending time with people that you love and, uh, in a, in a good environment for that.

And I used to do trips like that with my mom. They were really, yeah, they're special to think about. And Jules says, uh, that she runs and lists weights. And yeah, excellent. Um, I love that. So yeah, I'm thinking about all these things. Um, I'm starting a new project in the new year, which is, uh, going to kind of look at my habits. Um, look at, look at self-improvement. Um, and kind of have fun with it on, on my, uh, on my YouTube channel where I'm going to be looking at my habits. Developing a system to, um, introduce new healthy habits every day, and to just do, uh, add one small, tiny habit a day.

Um, so I've been thinking about this a lot as I prepared for this project and, and my, my, uh, video series that I'm going to be doing on YouTube. And I'm really glad that all of you have, um, have shared these things. And I want to say this too. I know that every holiday season, it will be incredibly stressful. I know that, uh, every holiday season, there will be, you know, the odd crisis that I'll have to, that I'll have to manage and I'll have to deal with. And I know that every holiday season, um, it's going to, you know, cut into my sleep a little bit here and there.

Um, but I know that I always recover from this too. You know, um, so it's interesting that, um, that normally December 22nd rolls around and I just go, o oh, exhausted. I'm tired. Um, but, but I know, um, I know it's worth it. Um, I know the way through and I, I know the foundations that I normally, you know, December 25th to January 2nd, I look at just reestablishing that foundation. Um, because it just seems to be as soon as, as soon as Thanksgiving hits, then, um, just seems like the dominoes fall in terms of the church world where everybody who needs help suddenly, you know, is reaching out.

And, uh, and I wouldn't change my vocation for the world. It's, it's, it is so totally, um, just affirming of, of, of my gifts, my ability to have compassion for people. I love that. Um, yeah. Uh, and so two more services. Uh, and then I can take a break for the 25th. I've got a service at 3pm and a service at 10pm. So whatever you do to celebrate this December, if you celebrate Christmas or if you just take the day off, um, I just want you to know that, uh, your tools are only, you know, arms reach, arms width away, I guess.

Yeah. So reach out, use those tools, um, because I will, I will certainly so, rest up, have a good holiday and enjoy the time with your family if that's what you're doing and enjoy the time by yourself if that's what you're doing. Thanks for, um, um, visiting with me during this, uh, low key talk stigma, and I'll see you again soon.