Monday, March 11, 2024 A Random Thought . . . What you want may not be what you actually need Blogs Newsletters National By Quentin Steen, Representative/BC Member Education Coordinator There are beliefs that I still hold deep down about myself that are shame-based and certainly don’t serve me. So, instead of judgment, I’m creating curiosity around these beliefs that move me toward asking the right questions to release me from the prison of my beliefs. It’s become evident that my life is currently marked by a certain level of grief over what I’ve lost inside and outside of myself. But, as I’ve said before, not all of our losses are of the harmful, damaging variety. I’m in the process of dying to something and waiting for something to be born in its place. I’d tell you what that is, but it’s a little too raw to put to pen. But what I can tell you with certainty is that more often than not, what you want is not what you actually need. It’s the presence of mind to know the difference in these moments and the strength to pause long enough to choose wisely—even when you don’t necessarily want to because you’re caught up in your racket. It’s this self-regulated kind of response to your feelings of living with a certain level of ambiguity that can be the difference maker in experiencing a healthy state of mental health. Quentin Steen is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Get your BRAIN right and your MIND will follow! 3 Mental Health Resources to Help You If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health issue, CLAC has a number of resources and interactive tools available to help you at My Health and Wellness. Stronger Minds features videos and quick reads from mental health experts, activities to help you gain resilience, and ask-an-expert videos in response to questions. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) provides accessible, reliable, and professionally produced resources on an array of health topics including (but not limited to): addictions, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, etc. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026