Welcome And Why Faith Matters

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Welcome to Healthy Waves, the place where we have honest grounded conversations about everyday mental health, the kind that doesn't ask you to perform wellness. Just to come as you are. I am Nazish, and tonight I'm joined by Gina Ekonompoulos to talk about faith and the quiet but powerful difference between mental health and mental strength. And by the end of this conversation, I hope you walk away with a softer understanding of yourself and maybe a little more commission to let faith be a part of your healing, however you define it. So I welcome you to the show, Gina.

SPEAKER_01 0:48

Thank you. It's nice to be here with all your listeners. It's good to be here. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 0:56

Dear listener, some statements reflect personal belief and experiences and are presented as individual views, not medical advices. So listeners should consult qualified professionals for medical conditions. So, Gina, before we start this conversation, I want to ask you when you think about faith in your own life, not the version on the Sunday or in a book, but the version that has actually carried you through something hard. What does that look like for you?

SPEAKER_01 1:28

Well, yes, uh being on a faith journey, it has different kinds of looks or outlooks in my life. And uh, but for me today, you know, faith is something that's greater than me, greater than Gina, greater than something good and something positive that carries me through anything. Anything. I mean, it's just something for myself, it looks like someone who that will help me through through through the storms of life that keep me moving forward in a in a positive way in the light. In a m you know, to respond to life in a in a faithful way. Uh knowing that there's something greater out there that will get that will help me through it.

SPEAKER_00 2:17

That is that is so true, and that is such a you know that is such a beautiful thing that you have said that because a lot of people are gonna benefit

Mental Health Versus Mental Strength

SPEAKER_00 2:26

from this. And I think there is so much language out there about mental strength, especially online. Uh, you know, push through, don't stay disciplined, don't break. A lot of people are quietly exhausted from trying to live up to it. So I am curious, what is the biggest misconception people carry about differences between mental strength and actual mental health?

SPEAKER_01 2:50

Well, that, you know, people do I mean mental health, um having some sort of a relationship with with a higher power, like I said, something greater can help you give you that strength to get you through anything, anything. And on the other hand, you know, there's mental stress, you know, and that's that kind of leads towards um negative. It to it doesn't leave anything positive in one's life. So if those who are struggling, like with any kind of mental illness, mental stress, or whatever it may be, because we all do, because our greatest uh our greatest uh battlefield, one would say, is in our head, is in our mind. We're fighting, we're fighting all the time, we're battling each other, we're battling the world, we're battling what we see sometimes. But most of it is we're bat battling against ourselves. And so, yeah, when you have a little faith or or something positive in your life, any kind of resources in that, that could help you stand strong within yourself to to uh how do you say to defend yourself from that battle within? Because it's all words. It's all sometimes, it's all negative words, it's lies. Most of it's lies, you know, telling yourself that I can't do this, I'm I'm not this, I'm um whatever it may be. And if and but that's but that's not what we're created to be. You know, we're created to be more in in a in the light. We're created to be in the light. So, so sometimes, you know, I think I I know that our struggles begin not only in our hearts, but it's really a battle of the mind that we have to uh support each other, you know, be on guard. It's like, you know, going forth, encouraging one another and learning different techniques that when something comes in as a negative, which is gonna begin a battle, like or whatever, stress, it's gonna become a stress. We try to turn it turn it around as a negative, like breathing, right? So there's so many different techniques that one could use. Okay, I got this. Okay, I'm not gonna listen to that voice. No way, you know. I have a I have a higher voice that's a better voice within me that could get me through this.

SPEAKER_00 5:12

Tan is such a beautiful thing to say, and you know the distinction actually matters because we often confuse between mental health and mental strength, and it is something that happens to the best of us, no matter if we are there in that field or if we are not, because we keep making we keep mistaking endurance for healing, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:37

And and to be honest, it kind of goes hand in hand. If we're gonna endure, or you're enduring in an apart in a positive bringing more positive into your life, into your mind, and to your surroundings, that's where the healing could take place. I mean, what one could endure and not not be open to the to the light of God, to the light of something greater than your mind. I mean, there's something, but the mind is powerful. You know, mental illness can be powerful, it can control us, but if we learn like, you know, I through my own personal journey, you know, you learn that, well, no, I can control my mind, I can control my thoughts, and that's and that is in a sense through faith and having that hope and that endurance, and it also takes the healing too. So it kind of it all combines if you're you're if your goal is to say, okay, let's let's go in this direction, let's something be in a light, positive way in our lives. I mean, there's because we all, I mean, we all created to be happy inside and joy. We have that in us. And and they it's also, but then yet, you know, sometimes it is a battle because whatever may be that may happen or circumstance in the life or you know, gr whatever, whatever, you know, could cause like uh a fracture, you know, like, oh, you know I can't be happy, I can't be this. And then your mind starts saying, no, it's not for me, but yes, it can be. I mean, we're we're greater, we're greater than anything with God, a higher power, not ourselves. And that's where faith steps in in my book.

SPEAKER_00 7:20

So that is that is very true. And I think a lot of what we call strength is usually survival in a nicer outfit. Like we are just endure, we are just calling it strength, but we don't know what it is, what is actually happening. So, you what do what are the deeper patterns underneath these things? Like the things that quietly drive people to push instead of pause.

Endurance, Healing, And The Mind Battle

SPEAKER_01 7:49

Well, be you know, well, I believe behind it there is there is God, there's a a faith, you know, that keep that has our strength, you know, behind it, that power behind it to keep us going. But then it's also being outside or something something that that we were attracted to that is something that is good. Uh because I think we all have know what's good and bad. We do. I mean, I don't we know what's good. When we taste good, we feel good. When we taste bad, we don't feel bad. We feel bad, right? Or we feel we're in pain, we're in suffering. And and some, you know, life brings us challenges, so we have to approach with those challenges and do the best we can as we are to go towards the good, towards the better way, to, you know, what whatever it may be. But it doesn't happen overnight. It's not like instantly. And and I think it's a journey. That's how I look at it. It's a journey. And I do think like behind it all, like we we may not see who's carrying us, but there's something greater that is carrying us, and it's not me, and it's not you, it's not that person. And that's where you get that strength. And like I said, it could be outside, it could be nature, it could be just breathing. I mean, you can find any kind of strength you want to get through anything. You could talk to someone. I mean, there's so many resources out there, groups out there that like-minded people go through the same thing. Oh, you know what, I'm not alone in this, you know. So I don't know if I had answered that question correctly, but I just uh that's what came to my mind.

SPEAKER_00 9:30

It is, you did, you did. And you know, whatever you said, it was such such a tender response to everything. Because I don't know if real faith does uh because real faith doesn't ask you to be okay. I think it asks you to keep showing up while you are not. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 9:49

Amen. Yeah. It is. I mean, what is the definition of faith? Do you know what the definition of faith? I'm I'll ask you a question. No, I'm just saying faith is believing without seeing. Yeah. So it's so we have to go through this life. We may not see anything that's going, we may not see it, but we have to believe, okay, I'm gonna get through this. Okay, yeah, I'm gonna make this step. Okay, this is my this is what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna make that phone call. I'm gonna, you know, you just keep moving forward and forward because that's what faith, faith is a mystery. Like you you can't like pinpoint it, you can't see it. You you just believe. It's just it's believing in something greater. I I remember I used to be, uh I used to be in the South Bronx of New York, and I'd be among young people. And I was a nun at the time. So I mean, yes, I knew a little bit about faith. And uh, and and the kids would be like, Sister, what is faith? Show me what faith is, and I would say the same thing. You know, it's believing without seeing. Oh, what is that? You know, like, and I would say, are you breathing? What are you breathing in? We're breathing in air, sister. Can you see it? No, there's your faith. You believe you, you, you know, you there's something that someone told you or whatever, make deep, but you're breathing in something, and that's where it is, you know. And I mean, it's it's just a little thing that it helped helps me to remind myself because sometimes I want to see things like, oh yeah, I want to see and touch. But it the bottom line is like when you said faith is ongoing, and faith, you know, goes, you know, it's just just knowing you just keep going. You just keep breathing and going. And even if it's dark, you just keep going and breathing.

SPEAKER_00 11:42

Absolutely. You know, you have to push through, you have to keep going for yourself because I think doing little by little every day gives out a beautiful result in the end.

SPEAKER_01 11:54

Exactly. Exactly. Yes, and then when I'm sorry, and then when you do that, that that that's such a uh it helps your mental health. It helps mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. If we could do one little thing to move forward or whatever, and I I I mean, just anything. Like, for example, if somebody's grieving, you know, they're in it, you know, they're meant they're they're out emotionally drained, mentally drained, but if they could get out of bed that one morning, that's it. You did it. You know, that's one thing for that day. You're doing something, you're moving something. So it just comes in all shapes, all shapes, size, and forms.

SPEAKER_00 12:42

It does, it does, and that is such a beautiful way to

Faith As Daily Practice And Small Steps

SPEAKER_00 12:45

put it. And you know, I think this conversation isn't abstract, it plays out in the morning, in marriages, in waiting rooms, in the silent moments, most people don't care, share. So, what tends to happen in real life, everyday life, when someone starts to live the difference between mental strength and mental health?

SPEAKER_01 13:08

Oh, when you start working with mental strength, like strength, as we said, you know, with the faith behind it and with the mental health, as you work these things, it's it all it and all the resources you work and uh for myself, it brings the peace and the joy within me, you know, as I do it, you know, as I, you know, with the um between the mental, the mental health and the, you know, it's it it it brings that peace. It brings that peace saying, okay, you know, I'm I'm not alone, you know, or I'm not, you know, I'm not crazy, you know, like things like that, that if we do these little things each day, if we have like a routine or something or something, or talk to someone, it doesn't matter. But as long as you said, because you said it correctly, as long as we keep moving forward, and and my moving forward may be different the way you move forward. But as long as we're doing something that's positive, something that's in the light to help us mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually growing, then all that darkness, all that the stress and everything, there would be less of it if we can continue continue to do this, you know.

SPEAKER_00 14:27

So that is that is so true. And you know, it is the kind of a shift that doesn't make headlines, but it changes a life, like from inside out, which is so important for it.

SPEAKER_01 14:44

Definitely. It's an inside job. And it's like what I said, we we might we we may not see it, but if we believe in it, like have a faith in it, say, okay, I'm gonna I'm gonna do well today. I'm gonna I'm gonna do one thing today, you know, and and because you know, mental health, anything, I mean life, core, anything, you wake up and you something, there's always something in our life, life challenges that brings to us and could affect our mind mentally, could affect our hearts, whatever it may be. And when challenges like that happen, you know, and if you're not familiar with the, you know, and what to do, you know, you could just breathe, take a step back, talk to someone, go for a walk and do something, yeah, or go help someone. You know, when we're in a rut, we're in our mental mind in our own battle, maybe your next door neighbor needs a cup of coffee. Go get the cup of coffee for your next door neighbor doing something like that. You get out of yourself and mystery things happen. Like, wow, that faith, you know, you know, the healing begins. It's like, wow, you know, when we come out of ourselves and take ourselves out or service, however you want to call it, opening up a door for someone. Like, even though you want to say, I don't want to open up the door, like you're shopping, like I don't want to do this, I'm not in a great state of mind. But you know what? I'm gonna do this. You know, I'm gonna if we're just fake smile and do it, and that means a lot for that person, whether they know it or not, and will help them out a lot.

SPEAKER_00 16:27

It does. It does mean a lot, and and I believe at some point it does help them out a lot. Yeah. So and I think faith means different things to different people. For someone it's God, for someone it's just universe, for someone it is a deep trust in becoming in becoming their own. But I am curious, what is the practical approach you would offer someone who's been carrying a lot, like wants to start letting faith be a part of how they take care of their mental health.

SPEAKER_01 17:03

But I would I would say for the person just not to give up and keep searching, because you're right, there could be a God in their life, it could be the universe. It's all I know it is something that's not us that will give us that peace and serenity and will give us that healing. So I do. I encourage if anyone's going through a struggle, the battle of the mind, that's like our worst thing. But that, you know, you

Routines, Service, And Gratitude Lists

SPEAKER_01 17:28

you find something, whether it's to go out with, you know, to do something, go for a walk or something to relieve. And like I said, the best thing also is um is to help someone. And then I have also learned when I'm in a rut, mentally rut, I I try to throw a gratitude list. Thankful, I'm grateful, grateful for this, I'm grateful for this. Even though I may not feel it, I'm grateful, I'm grateful. And it it's in some mystery, it does work because it does get me out of that rut or that mental saddest.

SPEAKER_00 18:04

So it does. And you know having that gratitude, having that, you know, thankful nature, it is so important. Yes. And what I love about that, it it does not ask anyone to have it all figured out. It asks for them to be just willing and willing enough to be there.

SPEAKER_01 18:30

It's like what you had said earlier, it's just to show up. Just to show up and showing up without you realizing you're willing. Yeah, and and you're also right in a sense, uh faith has a different form for everyone. So whatever you're willing to do, it may look different for my willingness, but as long as you show up and be willing, it will work.

SPEAKER_00 19:00

It will, it will, it will absolutely work. And you know, I think that this work isn't linear. I I also think that there

Staying With It Through Setbacks

SPEAKER_00 19:09

are going to be setbacks and there are going to be the nights when faith feels away and strength feels fake. So, how do you stay with this practice over time, especially when lies keeps testing everything that's been holding it together?

SPEAKER_01 19:25

Well, well, for me, I the way I continue is that I continue to grow in my relationship with my God. And that's my faith, my faith journey. Uh, for me, it's praying in the morning, for me is meditating, for me is reading scripture, for me, it's reading certain books that will in that will feed me. I read anything that will feed me in a positive way to say, okay. And I've also learned, you know, life is all about change and growth. And none of us like to change. And so, you know, but but the thing is is that it's such a good, you know, it's a good asset for me when when I change and I grow. I change and I grow. And then I can face challenges to the best of my ability, because I'm still human, you know. I'll still or my reaction could be negative. It could go back to that old mind, but then I'd be like, no, no, I know what to do. I have this, you know, whatever you, whatever I want to call it. I have my routine, I have my people, I have my God that I could just bring it to and practice. And it's all about practicing, you know, practice, practice, practice, you know, practice showing up, practice uh, you know, being willing. Because sometimes it's easy for people and sometimes it's not. And I know for me in the beginning, I didn't want nothing to do with peace or happiness. But yet, you know, here uh God did for me what I couldn't do for myself. And I was able, I did show up. I might have showed up and been angry and crying and want to throw, you know what I mean, kill someone, but I showed up, you know, and I was blessed. And that's how I look at it, is because another thing I've learned is that you got your feelings, you know, the and it's okay to be angry, it's okay to feel anything you feel, but it's like, okay, what do I do with it from there?

SPEAKER_00 21:22

So that is that is that is good, and you know, it is such a kind way to name it that losing the thread is a part of a journey, and and not a proof that you have failed. Coming back to it again is actually a practice and it requires a lot of strength, and that is what shows the real growth in you. Yeah, exactly. And I think that is what a lot of people listening tonight really needed to hear. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 21:58

I mean, because You think about it, I know from my like just say last week something came up and I was like, ah, and I have to face it. I face it, I did my whatever came to my mind or heart, prayed or whatever. Now, and okay, I got through it. I embraced it, right? I accepted it. And that's another key is to accept it, whatever it may be. And now, and then I'm saying, okay, if that ever comes up again, I'll have a better, I'll have a greater reaction, but it'll never come up again. You know what I'm saying? Like this, it would be always something different because it would be like a challenge for me to continue to grow in my faith journey. It's a challenge to me to continue to grow as me, as Gina, as the person that God created me to be, and to grow in that light and to keep growing. And and like I said, I mean, there, I mean, I'm not perfect, so I'm less than, you know, short from everything. So so I know that there are times I will stumble. And when I stumble, okay, what do I do? Okay, I got the tools or whatever it may be, whatever you want to call it. The best thing for me is breathing. I'm alive. Breathing, showing up. Okay. You know, it's not the end of the world, you know, it's not this, it's not that. You know, I I I talk to myself in a positive way. Yeah. If I got through this, if I could get if I got through 10 years ago, I could get through anything today. You know, things because your mind could, like I said, it's your mind that you we really battle with.

SPEAKER_00 23:38

Yeah, it is absolutely absolutely there. It is our mind that that plays a very important part in this. But I think uh once we keep coming back to it, once we sorry, have the approach that it is good for us, it really gets easy for us. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 23:58

Yes, yeah, as long as we stay on the right path. Yeah, as long as we continue to stay b because there are sometimes, you know, things may come in our way, and it's like it may be good, but it may not not be good for me. Okay, I have you know, so but it's so true, everything you said. Amen to that.

SPEAKER_00 24:18

Yeah, and like, come on, it it is it was all you, you who told us how important it is. And I think from this conversation with you, I can happily say that real strength doesn't mean you stop breaking, it means you should stop pretending you don't you and start trusting that something is still holding you while you put yourself together.

SPEAKER_01 24:42

Amen. Yeah, and just yeah, it's trusting and knowing and and it and it's also like I said, acceptance, and then and then there's a time of gratitude. Like, yeah, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for thank you for this challenge for me to grow in my faith. I don't want to see it again. You could be honest, I don't want that challenge again, but I thank you for getting me through. Um I'm breathing, I'm alive, I'm I'm uh I'm happy, there's that peace in me. Thank God, or you know, thank the universe or thank whatever source that helps you through.

SPEAKER_00 25:20

Yes, and that is so important. I cannot stress enough, Gina, how beautifully you have summed it all up for

Where To Find Gina And Closing

SPEAKER_00 25:27

us. And Gina, before we close, I'd love for our listeners to find your work, follow your work, stay connected with what you do. Where is the best place for them to do so?

SPEAKER_01 25:38

Uh, yes, my website is ginaecon.com. And on it, you'll find more about my story. I I even wrote my memoir, and my memoir is all about my faith journey. So, and uh, and then also there's a contact there if they want to contact me and if they have questions about their faith, I would be more, I mean, I'm not I I'm not the you know, know it all, but I could always share like my own personal journey.

SPEAKER_00 26:03

So absolutely. That is something which will be extremely learning and teaching opportunity for everybody who would connect with you. So I will include your details into the show notes so that a lot of people can reach out to you and learn from you. And Gina, thank you so much for this amazing conversation.

SPEAKER_01 26:22

Thank you, and thank you for this new show. And and that's great. That's that's been service to others, and uh, you know, many will benefit from it. So God bless.

SPEAKER_00 26:34

Yeah, and dear listeners, if something in this conversation softened something inside you, you or made you feel a little less alone in what you have been carrying. Stay with that for a moment. The softening is faith, doing its quiet work, and thank you for being your thank you, Gina, for honesty and warmth you bought to this. And this was on air healthy waves. I am Nazizh, and remember, you don't have to be strong tonight, you just have to be health, and you are. I will see you in the next episode. Bye bye.