Mental health: Taking ownership is key to improving coping skills

Confusion and uncertainty are part of our emotional structure. We're not always rational and balanced.

Mood swings take us from happy places to sad places; light to darkness - everywhere in-between and back again.

The control of our inner selves that we desire can sometimes slip beyond our grasp.

We restrict, confine, internalise and too often ignore those negative aspects of our nature that we refuse to accept. Ignorance does not, however, result in bliss.

Everything reinforces the truth that, while we are different, we are not unique.

To a greater or lesser degree everyone is fighting the same battles, facing the same demons, experiencing the same hurts and insecurities.

The point of difference is that those who have the best coping skills are those who have taken ownership of their personalities and, in taking ownership, have accepted responsibility for positive change. Acceptance is wasted unless it goes hand-in-hand with action.

We can urge changes in other people. But, ultimately, the only certainty we have is that we can make changes in ourselves. We are personally responsible.

No-one else can write our life story. We are the author of our own book

We can either add complication or comfort to our life's journey. The choice is ours.