Serenity

“Whatever you are physically...male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy--all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light inside.”
- Cassandra Clare

Wildlife photography has been my way to enjoy the present, to focus in on the wonder of nature and see it in its purest form. In mother natures arms there aren’t the human constructs we are bound by there is no time, no expectation, no judgement, no fear, no insecurity nor need to identify and control just a place to be, to be me connected to all things and free of thought and full of life. Man have I felt my pain body calling me of late, showing me all the many dark and negative sides, urging me to fall so it can feast but in existence there is always polarity so for every negative thought there is the light of the now, there is a way. Remember always and right now that you are more than your mind, more than your illnesses and struggles the light of existence is in you all. When you feel yourself falling into a cycle use that as a trigger to remind yourself of your blessings, to be present and connected. It’s so easy to surrounder to the notion your life story is written in the pages of your past but we can turn the page, change the narrative and trust the journey.

I wish every single one of you happiness and joy

#Depression #Anxiety #Hope #Presence #Serenity #mind

Whether you have a chronic illness, emotional issue or any other struggles in life, it is very easy to feel defeated and to constantly see the ugliness of life. However, it is because our lives are full of trials and trepidations that it is vital that we train our eyes to see the beauty that surrounds us. Because my chronic illness has robbed me from many things I love, I intentionally look for ways to see beauty. I find beauty in writing, reading and taking photographs. Would you believe that the first thing I took a photo of (photography art in my mind) was a mold on the ground?🙈 For some reason, the mold intrigued me. There was something in the way it existed, the color and the shape, so I snapped a photo. After, I edited, it, no one would have been able to tell that it was a mold. I wish I had kept it. It would have been really amazing for you to see.

Anyway, moral of the story is, beauty surrounds us everyday. However, we need to be intentional and train our eyes to see them.
Here’s one for you all! #Beauty #MentalHealth #ArtTherapy #migrainesufferer #HemiplegicMigraine #warrior #dystoniawarrior #Dystonia #Serenity #ocean

It’s a daily, even hourly battle sometimes! My pattern of self judgement, having a negative perspective of myself and having a powerful self critic has won battles (mostly in my head) for decades. But “listening” to all those comments and owning all the things they have kept me from doing has given me the opportunity to observe and acknowledge those thought patterns and start to replace my judgemental brain’s processes with positive thoughts…like at the end of the day instead of saying “I’m overwhelmed” say “It was a long day but I accomplished some goals and learned a lot about myself…and I’m going to rest now so I can start again tomorrow”. Those specific words don’t always fit, but the perspective and positivity has changed things for me…even if it’s been a busy draining day, I can say things like “I survived another busy day filled with challenges and I look forward to start with them again tomorrow…now I’m going to have some pizza and binge watch some TV” 😉

Just flipped the script, paid attention to how I said things and how they made me feel, and not defeat myself and allow myself to feel overwhelmed. I worked on this for weeks with a life coach to define them and now my main homework from her is simply practice Awareness…paying attention! I even named that inner critic and wrote out lists of what it has said and what it’s kept me from doing…like living in the moment and seeing myself in a positive way. “Grant me the serenity”… it’s that simple (but can be so hard to do!) But I learned a long time ago that some of the most difficult challenges can be the most rewarding …and leave me feeling really good about myself! “…and the wisdom to know that I’m a good person with a kind heart”…yessss

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #PTSD #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #twelvesteps #12steps #Serenity #wisdom #courage #BackPain #Pain #HIVAIDS #Sobriety #COVID19 #Migraine #RareDisease #MightyMinute #TheMighty #MightyTogether #MentalHealthHero

I have spent a large portion of my life, desiring, acquiring and protecting “things” that seem like they were most important for me and defined my reality. But over time I have found I was born with everything I need…a heart that feels, a soul that can soar and a healthy body that can take me anywhere! And along the way I’ve been blessed with finding a network of family and friends whose kindness, support and unconditional love are things to truly treasure. If Gods forbid my house got flattened by a hurricane, burnt by a wild fire, or swept away in a tornado…what will I really have lost…THINGS! But if we all survive and have our health then just the memories of what happened inside that house would be the most important things that we will always possess!

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #Trauma #PTSD #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #HIVAIDS #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #COVID19 #Migraine #MightyTogether #MightyMinute #MentalHealthHero #peace #Serenity #Joy #happy #Hope #Selflove #Selfcare #Gratitude #thanks

Let's see some pictures of the things that bring you back to good. The things that help you get centered and bring peace to your mind. The things you are passionate about.
*No pics of people please*
I'll start... :). #passion #HealthyHabits #Serenity #hobbies #idlehandsarethedevilsplayground

New Smyrna Beach , Florida

❤️
Have a great day...

#Serenity #Nature

My husband took this picture yesterday. He came in to tell me all excited. It made me wonder, when was the last time I felt that kind of excitement? Am I just numb to everything and dead inside? If so, why? What happened? Did I ever feel it?