Intentional Journey

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Things I have learned and observed sitting on the other side of the sofa as an evolving humanistic therapist:

1. We accept the love we think we deserve.

2. We learn our way around mistreatment. We create excuses, settle with default when we’re hurting.

3. We think self-maintenance is the same as self-care.

4. We blame God when it is wrong. We credit God when it is almost right yet not what we prayed for. We dismiss God when all is seemingly perfect.

5. We minimize trauma by defining it as a “curse” more than acknowledging the defining impact of traumas on our soul and our psyche.

6. We devalue the ability to love in which Love requires.

7. We are numbed by the wounds.

8. We transcribe healing as if it’s an actual band-aid and not a necessary journey.

9. We love until we are lost and broken…and describe that brokenness as a means to keep “coloring.”

10. We live pain well and treat wellness as temporary.

11. We give up in the in-between, more so out of weary and fear; we are consistent in losing hope.

These are not listed in any certain order. I know that with time, wisdom is learned, wisdom protects and wisdom remains a great guide. Experience is my evidence, wisdom is not gained without experience. #LearnTheLessons

Lately, as a clinician, I smile more because the world is finally learning that the slogan: “It’s okay not to be okay” is truly not okay. What I know: living, loving, healing, growth, exhaling, Being—-are synonymous with making mistakes, crying the ugly cries, forgetting to breathe, busyness, struggling with health issues, rejection, abandonment, disappointment, aging, disbelief, unforgiving, anxiety, depression, numbing, self-doubt, selfishness…natural pieces of our Becoming. #ChooseYou

I went into the career of therapy believing that I could pick and choose who I work with, wanting only rainbows and sunshine. Throughout the years, clients with deeply experienced traumas were nurtured in my heart and released through my prayers; this is my journey. I am now in this career, extending therapy better as a woman, an educator and a listener—my love hard is more of love softly. I pray you understand the difference in mental health, mental wellness and mental awareness.

Know your worth, do your work, love anyway. God knows best. I encourage you to follow His lead.

2 Peter 3:8: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” New International Version

Intimately Worded,

Michelle

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