I was beautiful before someone said I was

I was beautiful before someone said I was

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Recovery

I know that’s controversial, to call myself beautiful. Trust me, as someone who was raised in a puritanical cult – a cult with teachings that went out of their way to convince us all how worthless, sinful, and wrong we were – that’s not an easy thing to say. The...
What’s all this about Post Traumatic Growth?

What’s all this about Post Traumatic Growth?

by | Jul 20, 2020 | Recovery

Someone messaged me on my Facebook page last week. “How do you do it,” they asked, “the Post Traumatic Growth?” For those who haven’t heard of PTG – Post Traumatic Growth – it’s kinda the other end of the spectrum from PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is...
Leap to freedom

Leap to freedom

by | Jul 6, 2020 | Recovery

This powerful poem by ansel elkins was pasted in my Facebook group for Moonie Second Gens. It floored me. I don’t know if it resounds as deeply and mind-shatteringly for people who weren’t raised with strict, confining religious teachings – and specifically strict and...
Notice the tension and tightness – and let it all go

Notice the tension and tightness – and let it all go

by | Jun 29, 2020 | Recovery

I am playing with awareness. They say, “awareness is the first step.” I’m noticing when I feel tense or tight. And I’m (doing my best to) breathe it all away. Then I’m noticing it again and (doing my best to) breathe it all away again. It’s an on-and-on process for...
Take a self-care act of political warfare

Take a self-care act of political warfare

by | Jun 8, 2020 | Current Events, Recovery

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Audre Lorde Often when I tell people they need to take care of themselves – to up the self-care; to do what brings them joy and ease; to put themselves first,...