When they come near, you freeze up. You are drained, immobilized. Your very life, your soul is consumed. Every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of you. But that is not their worst. Dementors will find your worst memories and turn these into torture, using them against you. “For Dementors, your pain becomes their … More Harry Potter: Defeating Your Dementor
You can’t get too far in this life without a few scars. Fingers, knees, elbows carry the leftover memories of childhood decisions… and for some of us our faces bear the scars of adolescence. For Harry Potter, his scar is difficult to hide. Every time he looked in the mirror, his scar was a constant … More Harry Potter: The Scar That Burns all The Way to the Light
I have declared this week to be Harry Potter Week. Mostly because my daughter and I watched all 8 Harry Potter movies last week. I took notes and I will be using quotes and ideas from the movies as part of a course I am teaching in April. Today, we have a quote from Harry’s … More Harry Potter Week: Magic is Everywhere
Memories can bring up many things for us. Sadness, regret, longing and at times, gloom. But memories can also be a way to strengthen ourselves. They can be like an inner armor. Thinking about memories and situations of loss or longing, we can sometimes feel deep and difficult emotions. But these memories also remind us … More Your Memories Can Be Your Armor
I am a fan of the Netflix Sci-Fi thriller, Stranger Things. If you are not familiar with the show, imdb contributor Charles J. summarizes it this way: In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a peculiar incident starts a chain of events that leads to the disappearance of a child, which begins to tear at … More “Rebellions (and Recoveries) are Built Upon Hope”
Does the mental health system have it wrong? Mental health experiences, like depression and anxiety, are common for most people. In reality, it is rare if a person has not experienced some depression and anxiety. Feeling sad is normal. And so is feeling anxious. Is it healthy to feel sad or to feel anxious? “By … More When is Unhappiness a Good Thing?
“Hopeful thinking requires space.” Wendy Edey, Therapist. April, 2018 I wanted to drop a note to let you know that for the summer, I will post less frequently. The past few months have felt like my family life has become very busy and more demanding. I have not been sleeping well and this seemed to … More How are Making Time for Hope this Summer?
“Hope for the best and prepare for it. Also prepare for the worst, and hope the time you spent preparing for it will turn out to have been wasted.” Wendy Edey ___ “I have counselled so many people with depression so crippling that it will not allow them to hope for the best. Everything they … More Hope Can Be One of Your Greatest Allies in Your Recovery
“You are like a candle. Imagine you are sending light out all around you. All your words, thoughts and actions are going in many directions. If you say something kind, your kind words go in many directions, and you yourself go with them. We are transforming and continuing in a different form at every moment.” … More Your Actions Today Are an Investment for Tomorrow
Toxic hope is “good at being good.” Empowering hope is not good nor bad, it is how we live through what feels like the mud and guts of our reality. To learn more about how empowering hope can make your load a little lighter, click on photo.
Getting High on Recovery 