I want to suggest and even underscore that practicing gratefulness does not entail denying the difficulty in our lives.
Consider gratitude
Anniversary posts: first 8 years off psych drugs documented
After about two decades on psych meds I came off a six drug cocktail in about six years. This proved to be a gargantuan task. I see in retrospect that some core, vital part of me was always there during the drugged years, learning and remembering much that would help me in these years of coming off meds and now being med free. I no longer believe that I lost my life to drugs, though the life I had to lead has been unecessarily agonizing due to the drugs. It's tragic that those of us drugged in these ways cannot be more conscious and thus learn to help ourselves in ways that are not so detrimental to the body/mind/soul. During the drugged years my body became toxic, polluted and chronically, painfully ill; and this is why I help others learn to avoid what happened to me.
Earning a living
Taking a break to reallocate energies.
Recovering or adjusting to illness?
By Lewis Mehl-Madrona M.D. (psychiatrist) -- Many of us were not surprised when the research failed to support the currently dominant biomedical model of psychiatry. A 2015 panel at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting in Toronto confirmed that even more research is accumulating to question the benefits, if any, of the long-term use of anti-psychotic medication. Paris raises the question, why doesn't research change anything? ... [click on title to read the rest]
Following the heart instead of following the crowd
"Fortunately, some are born with spiritual immune systems that sooner or later give rejection to the illusory worldview grafted upon them from birth through social conditioning. They begin sensing that something is amiss, and start looking for answers. Inner knowledge and anomalous outer experiences show them a side of reality others are oblivious to, and so begins their journey of awakening. Each step of the journey is made by following the heart instead of following the crowd and by choosing knowledge over the veils of ignorance." ...
Mental wellness: empowering ways to consider our difficult experiences
Part of coming to understand our profound capacities to heal and transform is to first know that it's possible. I know 1000s of folks who've been able to discover this now. I have met them in mental health circles and chronic illness circles both. I've also met them among people who've never suffered in these ways but were lucky enough to be born into situations where they simply learned how to do it right from the beginning. Imagine that. We can create a world where we teach children how to profoundly take care of themselves and others. ...
Addiction in a Consumer Culture
For me addiction is about having trouble letting go of ANYTHING that has ever been helpful. That includes people, food, experiences, substances of all kinds etc. I have no conventionally understood addictions right now, but I am deeply resonant with the concept of addiction. Our consumer oriented culture teaches us to cling to everything. Healing for me is learning to stop clinging. Completely. ...
Violence
By Jen Peer Rich
Where is violence, really? In the heart of a mad gunman? In the heart of a woman who intentionally blinds herself with chemicals? In the heart of a presidential candidate who takes pride in sensationalizing human suffering?
Who is really violent here?
Maybe it's me. ... [click on title to read the rest of the post]
No, I was not #MedicatedAndMighty but I sure as heck was medicated
In a nutshell the updates: The point is not to compete but to make clear that all our voices matter whether we find ourselves using psych drugs or not. Being pragmatic and recognizing that the context of every life is unique is the most important thing. Diversity is real. It's about learning to understand that we can have what seem to be contradictory experiences and both be legit #MedicatedAndMighty or not. Yes, diversity is real...it's not about whose experience is right or wrong... One persons medicine is another's poison. It's clear that people have experience of being helped by and harmed by drugs both.
Story telling as means for transformative growth
I practice not attaching to belief...that includes the stories I make up to explain and interpret my life.
"Those who do not have power over the story that dominates their lives, the power to retell it, rethink it, deconstruct it, joke about it, and change it as times change, truly are powerless." — Salman Rushdie
Suicide: Learn to listen to and support yourself and others
People who are suicidal are all too often met with terror and control. Most people who feel suicidal need to talk about it. Approaching people with love and openness means NOT being terrified of that persons dark places. And not reacting in a knee-jerk and controlling manner. That has never allowed anyone to feel safe to open up about the painful vulnerability they are most assuredly experiencing when feeling suicidal. ...