As we travel deeper into the depths of the human heart and ultimately the love of humanity, we have the unique gift of acquiring wisdom through our suffering. This piece reflects on this idea using my personal experience of struggling with a serious mental illness.Continue reading Reflection: The Reception of Wisdom
Mental Health Awareness – Raising the Issues
This month, reporter John Wm. Dunn spoke with NAMI Washtenaw volunteers and staff to understand why they believe it is important to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health conditions.Continue reading Mental Health Awareness – Raising the Issues
Finding Hope in Love
In all my articles to date, I have presented my interpretation of some very abstract virtues such as hope and love; however, I would like for you to consider the fact that these virtues can be developed in very specific and concrete ways such as self-care, personal responsibility, and reading the testimonies of others who have experienced circumstances you may or may not have found yourself in.Continue reading Finding Hope in Love
The relationship between environment and well-being
Mental health has been propelled to prominence during the pandemic, and with newfound social isolation comes a need to reflect on how drastically our environment shapes our well-being. Continue reading The relationship between environment and well-being
The Virtue of Love
“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” – Meister EckhartContinue reading The Virtue of Love
Virtues in Recovery
As an individual who has suffered a considerable amount of emotional trauma in my adolescent years (typically an emotionally volatile period of life), I have found this goodness and love—the most fundamental virtue of my relationship with my creator—in the early years of my childhood, which has paved the way for my personal recovery through mental illness and has revealed abundant avenues for immense personal growth.Continue reading Virtues in Recovery
Pele’, the Voice of My Thoughts
Since I could attribute the thoughts as coming from outside my centered self, I could choose to do something different than lie there and entertain them. I could write about them. And quickly the thoughts ceased. What was left was thinking about the thoughts. It led to something quite a bit more productive than getting down on myself or falling into despair.Continue reading Pele’, the Voice of My Thoughts
Opinion: Our Unfortunate Love Affair With Romanticism’s Non-existent Romantics
“We will always have flaws. And I think it’s best for our own health if we accept that. As hard as it is, I think it benefits me to try to keep the fact that I am not perfect, and that I am not expected to be, in the forefront of my awareness.”Continue reading Opinion: Our Unfortunate Love Affair With Romanticism’s Non-existent Romantics
Virginia Woolf’s Battle With Manic-Depression and Her Writing
Many persons known for their creativity have suffered from manic-depression. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941), author of several novels, many essays and works of nonfiction, an absolutely brilliant woman, was one of them.Continue reading Virginia Woolf’s Battle With Manic-Depression and Her Writing
Film Review: Words on Bathroom Walls
Many years ago, my younger brother had his first psychotic episode when he was 18. It would be a wonderful film to view with families or high school classes to open up conversations about mental illness. Continue reading Film Review: Words on Bathroom Walls