Balance motivates me to give … just because: Meet @audriana

May 17, 2022 | Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Comments (29)

Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.

Audriana member spotlight

TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect? 

@audriana: in general, I rely on Mayo Clinic as a reliable resource for current and accurate information. For years, I've asked my behavioral health providers to establish a support group, unfortunately to no avail. So when I discovered Mayo Clinic Connect, it was serendipity.

TERESA: What motivates you to take part in the patient community?

@audriana: My motivation to participate in the community is based on the principle “birds of a feather flock together.” I find individuals who are supportive, empathetic, and knowledgeable.

There is a sense of integrity, confidentiality, and trust. I appreciate the positive feedback and, because the group is moderated, I don’t feel I’ll be verbally attacked if there is a disagreement.

I want to step out of the shadows, acknowledge that I have a myriad of disorders that affect my physical health and that of my brain's health. Yet, I am a good person, a compassionate person, a person with Time & Talent (TnT) and I want to interact with humanity and nature because God has given me a purpose to live.

TERESA: What groups do you participate in?

@audriana: I participate in the Neuropathy and Sleep Health support groups, but focus mainly on the Depression & Anxiety support group.

TERESA: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect. 

@audriana: I feel the moment that fellow member @clutch acknowledged that I had succeeded before and pointed out that I deserved to pursue overcoming the obstacles I was encountering was an important turning point for me and my mental health. When I had cancer in 2006, I had support from my family and friends. Getting that degree of support to treat my depression is just as important.

TERESA: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?

@audriana: I appreciate the variety of answers and comments are fair & balanced and sometimes unexpected, offering options that wouldn’t have occurred to me.

TERESA: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?

@audriana: Balance is difficult for me to maintain because I have so many chronic health issues that affect my mental and physical wellness and my everyday life from pain, thinking, mood, chores, social-interactions. As my depression kicks in gradually, I can tell I’m shutting down and withdrawing. The balance of body, mind, and spirit are important to me. When I begin to experience a sense of “awakening,” I feel I have a moral obligation to take advantage of what energizes me. That often involves being creative, gardening, writing, learning, teaching, or advocacy work.

TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@audriana: I have a vast list of interests. I’d like to think I’m a Renaissance woman. My favorite activity is floral arranging. I used to participate in craft shows, so I still have a stash of craft supplies. My husband suggested that rather than “throwing your stuff away, make your decorations and give them away. That way, when you feel like making something, use up your stuff and give gifts just because.”

This past autumn, I decorated 12 cinnamon brooms, several wreaths, and a bunch of little arrangements. Plus, I really enjoy making miniature fairy gardens with succulents. They live forever.

TERESA: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?

@audriana: It’s a tie between two favorite quotes:

“To thine ownself be true.” from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet
“This too shall pass.” Abraham Lincoln

TERESA: What food can you simply not resist?

@audriana: Dark chocolate-coated sponge candy.

TERESA: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see cast as you?

@audriana: Bette Midler because she is musically inclined and full of “Hocus Pocus.” And in her words, “sometimes we share the wind beneath our wings.”

See more Member Spotlights.

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the About Connect: Who, What & Why blog.

A special thanks to Connect member, @audriana, for participating in this Spotlight about the Who, What, and Why she participates in Mayo Connect! It was delightful to get to know you better, @audriana, and I'm sure that the Connect community will enjoy your Spotlight as well!

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@audriana
Nice to meet you.
Another candy lover.
I like sponge candy too, milk chocolate though. I dip mine in carmel sauce then enjoy.
I always thought of it as honeycomb candy.
Take care
Jake

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Welcome @audriana, we don’t share groups but it was a pleasure reading your spotlight.
You call it sponge candy, @jakedduck1 calls it honeycomb, we call it seafoam, and I will take it in any chocolate. Lol

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@auntieoakley

Welcome @audriana, we don’t share groups but it was a pleasure reading your spotlight.
You call it sponge candy, @jakedduck1 calls it honeycomb, we call it seafoam, and I will take it in any chocolate. Lol

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@auntieoakley I've read some of your posts. I remember because I got a kick out of your handle.
Btw...dark chocolate is a mood stabilizer...lol
Antoinette's in Depew, NY is the best. Hand made on the premises by a crew of lovely ladies. Their "seafoam" is enrobed in milk, white, orange, or dark chocolate and I also will "take it in any form." But...my favorite is dark chocolate sponge candy--impossible to make in NC.

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@jakedduck1

@audriana
Nice to meet you.
Another candy lover.
I like sponge candy too, milk chocolate though. I dip mine in carmel sauce then enjoy.
I always thought of it as honeycomb candy.
Take care
Jake

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@jakedduck1
If I double dipped sugar & chocolate into caramel, I'd have a hypoglycemic event...lol
It's wonderful that a simple response about my favorite candy is generating common threads...sponge, honeycomb, seafoam...and conversation.
Thanks!

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@audriana

@jakedduck1
If I double dipped sugar & chocolate into caramel, I'd have a hypoglycemic event...lol
It's wonderful that a simple response about my favorite candy is generating common threads...sponge, honeycomb, seafoam...and conversation.
Thanks!

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I’ve heard of this candy being called “angel food”. The only time I could indulge in it would be to treat a hypoglycemic event!
@audriana I enjoyed your member spotlight.

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@audriana - How lovely you sound! It's nice to meet you.

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Thank you! I feel like the Grinch in the most positive way:
"Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then the true meaning of Christmas came though, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches plus two." Dec 3, 2018

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@cehunt57

I’ve heard of this candy being called “angel food”. The only time I could indulge in it would be to treat a hypoglycemic event!
@audriana I enjoyed your member spotlight.

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@cehunt57 thanks...let's add to the list:
Angel food
Seafoam
Honey comb
Sponge candy

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@hopeful33250

A special thanks to Connect member, @audriana, for participating in this Spotlight about the Who, What, and Why she participates in Mayo Connect! It was delightful to get to know you better, @audriana, and I'm sure that the Connect community will enjoy your Spotlight as well!

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@hopeful33250 Thanks to you and your director, Connie. At times, I'm sure you were confounded or a little perturbed, but you were persistent and never mean-spirited. Thank you for being relentless. I have been inspired and I am joyful.
Why is it that the airlines can permanently lose baggage? Yet mine keeps finding me.
My friends helped me sort out some stuff:
A friend, who is wise, yet humble, shared these strong, yet comforting words with me:
Friend 1: "You can't worry what people think ... there will ALWAYS be someone with an opinion. I think you have to be willing to accept yourself and be comfortable to know your own SELF WORTH goes a long way"
Me: We are invaluable! Now let's have a good cry...🙏🏽 ❤️
😿 "Tears are a gift of grace from God, and their fruit is always joy. Weeping arises from the heart and signifies an open and softened heart."
Friend 2 visits me regularly. She always tells me she misses me and needs to get a dose of @audriana. ✨️
We've been talking about her daughter-in-law's suicide that took place about 6 weeks ago. At the time, I had read my friend my "UNSUICIDE NOTE" hoping to reassure and comfort her.
Friend 2 asked me "why" I get a treatment [Spravato] every Friday.
She said, "I wish I could give you a pill that would cheer you up." (Right out of the Mother's play book.)
Ironically, that made me laugh!
I am grateful!

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