Day One: Introduction

Hello to all of my future followers! My name is Crystal Channell, and this is my very first blog.  I have started this blog on the advice of one of my kids.  I usually have a lot to say about certain topics, and I thought that this type of forum would reach out to more people than it would on Facebook.
So, let us begin this with a little bio about me.  I have five great kids:  Bryan, age 23, Brody, age 22 (and his wife, Lindsey, age 21), Brylie, age 19 (serving an LDS mission in Guadalajara, Mexico), Kyson, age 17, and his identical twin brother, Kade, age 17.  As you can see, most of my children are grown and independent, and I am also facing the dreaded "empty nest" in about a year and a half.  Eek. This sure makes me feel geriatric.  However, I will still be pretty young when everyone is gone, so I intend to enjoy myself.  I don't know exactly how yet, but I am sure I will think of something when the time comes.
Some of my interests include photography, reading, and, of course, blogging.  By creating this blog, I hope to reach out to people and inspire them to better their lives.  See, I also suffer from severe depression and anxiety, so much  that I have been hospitalized many times in the past year.  I want to share my story and experiences as an individual that suffers from debilitating mental illness in hopes that I can help remove the stigma attached to this illness, as well as help others understand this illness.  A lot of people are under the impression that depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses can be turned off and on like a light switch.  This is not the case.  For those who are not in the know about the physiological aspect of mental illness, it is caused by the brain either secreting too much or too little of certain neurotransmitters, which, in turn, create the illness.  It cannot be controlled, but it can be maintained by medication and psychotherapy.  As you can see, I am an advocate for mental illness awareness.  As I mentioned before, that is part of the reason I have initiated this blog.
I have discovered that one of the best forms of therapy for me is my photography.  I am but a mere amateur, but I learn a lot through trial and error (and photography classes).  My preferred subject matter is nature;  you never have to pose it or coax it into cooperation like you would a human subject. All you have to do is photograph what you find beautiful and inspiring, and chase the light (the inspiration for the title of my blog).  Nothing is more fulfilling to me than a peaceful drive out in the hills (I live in a small town, Weiser, located on the Idaho/Oregon border, and our area is high desert) and take pictures.  The other day, I drove out about 15 miles east of town, through open range for livestock (so I encountered many cows and horses) and copious amounts of sagebrush.  Much as I wanted to explore, I refrained from doing so due to the fact that the disgusting rattlesnakes are coming out of hibernation.  Eecchh.  Anyway, I got plenty of good shots while I was out, and it was the most relaxing day I have had in a very long time.
Well, I think that this is enough for today.  I hope that those who choose to follow me will enjoy what I have to say and be able to take something from this blog and be able to be inspired, moved, or amused.
Until next time.................