Admittedly, I'm cheating a little in the alphabetizing of this series but, I finished this book yesterday and it's all too relevant. Angels and assassins are not mental health conditions; they're metaphors explaining a hopeful neurobiological discovery in the most recent book by scientific journalist, Donna Jackson Nakazawa. I'm a huge fan. What do all…Read more Book Review: Angels and Assassins
Arms Length
When the apples Leaves And branches Have been insatiably devoured And there's nothing left to take You lean Frozen against the rigid stumps Who give pants, whimpers, howls From what remains? Blown out veins and petrified trust Hungry doormats Objectified Devoting at your feet Praying for the vacant pat Of hollow Apologetics "now, let us…Read more Arms Length
A is for…
Let's jump right in, shall we? Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACE's is the largest public health study to inextricably link early life traumas to adult health outcomes. It was conducted in the late 90's by two, white, male doctors at Kaiser Permanente; a fancy healthcare corporation, not a german King. It's important to note that…Read more A is for…
Leaving the Palace
When young Buddha snuck out of the palace to see what life was like for us mere mortals, he freaked out. He saw all the awful parts of life he’d been sheltered from his entire, young, privileged life. Kind of like what’s happening now for privileged people who’ve never had limitations forced on them by…Read more Leaving the Palace
Break Her
The Breakers is one among a string of grandiose abodes, against which the restless Atlantic bangs her white capped head. You would too. They're embarrassingly excessive erections; temples of oppression can hardly be considered homes worthy of priceless admission with their velvet ropes and closed off rooms, everything hermetically sealed in prophylactics, much like their…Read more Break Her
Mental Health A-Z
Lofty goals for a new year! In this non-comprehensive series I'll be taking us through decolonizing perspectives on both traditional mental 'disorder' diagnosis, as well as symptoms associated with mental illness and well-being. I'll also address the dangers of pop psychology. Together we'll question: How do we define mental illness vs mental health? What is…Read more Mental Health A-Z
e’s
Last year I decided to choose a single word intention instead of a resolution; Elevate. In spite of 2020 being kind of a nightmare, I found ways to raise my previously very low bar, set and achieve realistic goals and take the high road whenever possible. For the most part, it worked! The only minor…Read more e’s
Wings
On our way there, we pulled over to take a picture of the profusion of wildflowers. Bordering on obscene, they sprung from the earth, tickling the belly of the sky which hung bright, blue and heavy over acres of untamed fields. While some flowers are edible; red clover, chocolate daisies, dandelions, this feast satisfied a…Read more Wings
Love Lessons
Admittedly, we'd had better hikes. Mom sat by me in the snow and dad stood next to us as we watched a flock of birds fly in descending waves across the sky. I couldn't tell them that, like the approaching solstice, my light was fading. All their extra love and care the last few days…Read more Love Lessons
Hunger
How do we gain weight when society demands we stay hungry? As a trained clinical professional, I know the eating disorder I've battled for over thirty years has been both my armor and enemy, the root of which is society's fear-fueled pecking order. I never wanted to stay hungry but was forced to starve myself…Read more Hunger
