About a month ago a friend of mine said that my "superpower" is vulnerability. I took it as a deep compliment as I believe vulnerability and speaking our fully embodied truth opens doors for others to speak their experience and truth as well. I gained a wealth of wisdom on vulnerability from the work of Brene Browne and highly respect her work.
Mental health stigma needs to stop for us to be able to truly support one another in our healing journey as individuals and as a planet. Journaling and why I stress the research backing a journal for life practice for mental health is the backbone of this book.
Today's episode explores a suicide plan I did not go through with. Listen to hear who was there, the reasons I'm still alive today, and how you too, can get through your own dark night of the mind, body, and soul.
The years 2017-2022 were hellish for my family. I had no grief expert by my side, a handful of friends and family who walked us through it, and many who straight up abandoned us. Burning out and growing horribly ill after the stress of wave after wave of grief and loss was almost inevitable. But God. Thank God for the National Suicide Hotline, my treasured few who loved vs. judged and neglected us, Faith, and of course, journaling.
Today's research includes statistics from Boston University, breathwork and journaling are highlights again, and as always, you're invited into a meditative journal prompt to journal along to with the mindful, meditative sounds of Masood Taj's "Unconditional Love" track (short version-5 minutes), or you can choose to extend your experience by adding a track from my accompanying Spotify playlist: track 6, created just for this chapter-Hop over to listen to "Still, Still, Still."
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BKHHSFspfTqv7G7smvYVP?si=2c045ed4df6a443e
Interact with today's chapter, Chapter Four, Embodying Joy: A Heart Journal-A Memoir for Body, Mind, & Spirit Health (Amazon 2023). https://tinyurl.com/embodyingjoyaheartjournal or venture on a standalone journey of self-expression by responding to today's journal prompt. Three-percent of proceeds from this book go to the Life is Good Playmaker Project, helping a million children a day in the U.S., Haiti, and Ukraine, who are experiencing adverse and challenging circumstances. These children greatly benefit from optimism and hope found within trained adults who work with them to build resiliency. Check out where the money goes: https://www.lifeisgood.com/playmakerproject/project-home.html
This episode is not just a summer sojourn but an invitation to tap into the joy within you. Join me in this self-care sojourn as we get gritty and journal our way to the other side-JOY.
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Did you know that I'm also an International Bestselling Author in four categories, three countries? Ignite Your Faith, Ignite Publishers, released with my co-authors in June, is sure to light a fire in your heart. Proceeds from the book will build a Classroom of Hope. Read it here or order an autographed, deluxe paperback. DM me to order. Here's the Kindle link! https://mybook.to/igniteyourfaithbook