I have spent many hours trying to rid my brain of unwanted thoughts. It is totally exhausting. The best way I can describe what having OCD is like is this…think about a horrible time in your life maybe you got fired from a job or someone you love passed away, and you feel extreme anxiety. Your chest hurts, you can’t sleep . . .

. . . only hearing nice things in life isn’t really being alive and that just being old isn’t any good without that alive part.

Your body felt different; we weren’t in sync anymore.

I was the spoon and you were the fork.

What did mine feel like?

Was it familiar or different?

Your arm rested heavy across my scars.

Let’s all make an effort to encourage people to continue striving to live. To let them know that they’re not alone and that they’re loved and they matter.

We’re taught from a very young age that if we don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. We’re taught from a very young age to be kind to people no matter what. We’re taught from a very young age to love people unconditionally, and not to judge . . .

Jack Mierop, a life coach, is working to help the homeless

BY MEGAN MENDIBLES
Certain homeless shelters in Orange County can add workshops that focus on well-being to the list of services provided, thanks to one Cal State Fullerton professor.

Jack Mierop, part-time lecturer for the department of Human Communication studies and motivational speaker, is reaching a new audience . . .