Depression: A coiled snake waiting to strike at the smallest disturbance. I have worked hard over the years to learn how to manage this “snake” with coping mechanisms and awareness, but it always seems to be there, lurking. My struggles might not seem prevalent at times, but are always relevant. The darkness has ironically become … Continue Reading
“Psychosomatic” is a loaded word. Many interpret it as “not real” or associate it with being a hypochondriac. In reality, “psycho” simply refers to the mental side of the equation and “somatic” refers to the body. Put it together and you have mind-body pain. In other words… pain. This is a massive subject, but let’s … Continue Reading
The healing of our most painful experiences often needs to happen in small parts. Part 1 of this article talked about understanding, and potentially using, our difficult emotions. This discussion is about the consequences of unresolved emotions and how to transform them to bring us closer to wholeness and optimal health. We previously mentioned how … Continue Reading
Disclaimer: This article contains references to disturbing childhood experiences. Reader discretion is advised. Fear is a powerful emotion that shapes our behavior and can dictate the way that we live our lives. For those of us trapped in a cycle of fear, the pain can be relentless. I have lived with fear since early childhood, … Continue Reading
A few years ago, I left my dream job. My work was fulfilling and rewarding. I had great relationships with my co-workers, but my boss was toxic. One day my boss would give me gifts and compliment my abilities. The next day she would threaten to fire me. Her moods rose and fell like the … Continue Reading
When I think about the impact that psychedelics have had on my life, it’s difficult to overstate their significance. What started out as a relatively innocent curiosity into minutely perturbing my consciousness 7 years ago has led to an unimaginable unfolding of eye-opening events. My journey with psychedelic experiences began with cannabis while I was … Continue Reading
My son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism when he was 17 years old. For years, I had that nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right, but I didn’t know who to go to with my concerns. Michael used to come home from school every day and draw a map of the state of Minnesota by … Continue Reading
What is dementia? What are the causes? Alzheimer’s is one of many types of brain diseases which have in common progressive difficulties in brain functioning: memory, judgment, planning. While we can describe dementia under the microscope, how it actually occurs is largely unknown. Scientists study how accelerated aging in dementia is associated with substances (such … Continue Reading
Addiction; Predator and Prey When an eagle seizes a salmon too heavy to carry yet its talons cannot release it, they both plummet. The predator becomes prey of the sea. My dearest friend lost her 39 year old son in this epidemic of poisonings with the contaminant Fentanyl. He was addicted to heroin; with compulsions, lack … Continue Reading
Bipolar Alcoholism I once self-medicated with alcohol but now have 13 years of sobriety. I’m a 57 yr old mother of 3 with 2 grandsons. Thirty-eight years have been spent as the wife of a saint. I’m a daughter, sister, friend, teacher, mentor, and colleague. Many people have been affected by my soul sickness. Besides … Continue Reading