How does one stay hopeful when overcoming tragic events in life?
This is an excellent question and the answer is one that I spent many years searching for. Unfortunately, there is no quick solution as everyone’s healing is unique and different. Personally, it took years to find a place of healing from the sometimes unbearable journey that was my life. And for a long time, I didn’t think I’d ever find it. In addition to time, it required all the…..
Have you ever felt guilty for having a mental illness? Have you ever felt that it was a weakness that made you less than? I have. And I worked hard to keep it a secret for as long as I could. Sadly, guilt and shame are two paralyzing feelings that are still widespread, and I can only imagine all the people who continue to suffer privately because they are too ashamed to ask for help.
For me, fighting the stigma…..
When I began my journey to healing in earnest (I started and quit many times), I eventually discovered that my pain didn’t have to define me. This discovery is one that contributed to a significant improvement in my quality of life. I’m grateful to have found various methods that helped me address my struggles and allowed me to tackle my fears in a way that felt safe. Maybe I’m stating the obvious when I say that everyone’s journey is unique…..
An Imperfect Pilgrim first started 35 years ago when I began to sense the need to put my story down on paper. The idea of writing this book was frightening because I knew I would have to go back in time and relive the memories of loss and abuse that live within my past…the memories that belong in the long period of darkness I have since recovered from. Was I ready to relive those parts of my life again? I’ve…..
We’re coming upon a season of change here in Virginia, and right now the weather is beautiful, the air is crisp, and nature’s palate is beginning to blossom with rich, vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold. If only it could stay this perfect. But the cold, colorless winter season that follows can easily throw a distorted lens over our lives, and for those of us who already struggle with depression, this just adds to feelings of despair.
According to…..
September 10-16, 2017 is National Suicide Prevention Week. Personally, I think every week should be suicide prevention week. The number of suicides in girls age 15-19 has doubled since 2007, and that terrifies me. I wanted to know a little more about what this special week involves, so I did a Google search and found the American Association of Suicidology (yes, there really is such an organization, www.suicidology.org). I went to their website and clicked on the link for…..
One time after class, a student pulled me aside and told me that she cried during class. She was worried that I might think she was nuts and asked if anyone had ever done this before. How much time do you have?, I thought of asking her. I told her that she’s NOT crazy, and that this can be a normal process of working emotional issues out of her body.
When we engage in asana and pranayama (movement and breathing,…..
Welcome to my new blog. My former blog, The Imperfect Pilgrim (sounds a bit like this one, eh?), was developed in my early years of having an online presence, but now that my book has launched, I thought this would be a perfect platform for all of us to gather and lift each other up.
I’m here to get the conversation started. What conversation, you’re asking? The one about our pain. The one about feeling isolated. The one about how…..