How You Can Start Soothing Your Soul

In the early days of my healing, I decided since I didn’t have any close friends in town that I would have to be my own support system.  I read the bible every day, poetry, and books like The Power of Positive Thinking and attended church at least several times a week.  On index cards, I wrote bible quotes and positive sayings which I read a few times each day.  Without regular access to the internet, I focused on positive songs like Kelly Clarkson’s song Break Away when I heard them on the radio.  

I suggest you start thinking about building your own support system or supplementing your current one.  You also might want to consider creating your own book filled with everything that soothes your soul, like your affirmations or a photo of someone you love and maybe choose a title for it like Well Deserved Love.  You can use a notebook, journal, or a hardcover book with a blank cover found at art supply stores if you want to design your own cover.  Don’t make it a chore.  Have fun with it!  Get a little silly or go crazy like you did back when you had art in school when you were a kid.  Hey!  Maybe add some Silly Putty in there, too, if they even still make that anymore.  Enjoy!

My Mystical, Musical Inspiration

On Sunday, 6/15/14, after going to a friend’s house in Lincoln Park during the Old Town Art Fair, I stopped off at a Village Thrift store on my way home because my backpack zipper broke, but I didn't find any backpacks there I liked.  After I turned the corner of the intersection and headed south, so I could catch a bus back home, I heard a cool, new song playing that I really like.  It has an old R&B rhythm which reminded me of the original Motown sound.  

I'm attaching the YouTube link to the song, too.  Why?  Because a young, 20-something African American man who lives above a store was dancing like he was in heaven outside on the landing of his porch between the 2nd and 3rd floor.  I couldn't stop watching him from across the street.  Then I found myself waving and thrusting my thumbs up to him three times.  He saw me, and pumped his arm up as if to say he's jamming and dancing alone, but he's a lot happier than Pharrell Williams.  I could see that he was totally absorbed in the present moment and relishing every single beat.  It was amazing!

He made me remember that I used to be like that, and I lost it along with most of my spontaneity and sense of humor.  I still feel lost in that sense, but I'm re-connecting with my true self that used to laugh and smile all day long just like my mom.  I'll get there, and this stranger will never know how much he inspired me to keep looking.  Here's the You-tube video of the lyrics:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnklzGJdsRQ.  Enjoy!

Wondering How to Pray?

If you’re uncomfortable about praying, or if you’re unsure how to start.  You might want to consider this mnemonic suggestion.

Present Moment
Relax
Attentive
Yearn


1.   Present Moment:  Remain in the present moment.  We’ve all had a conversation with someone so absorbed in the past or the future that we felt like we were all alone.  When you catch yourself time traveling, imagine you’re having coffee or lunch with God at Starbuck’s.   Unlike the real world, you can control all the distractions which are your thoughts in this case.  When you find yourself wandering off, gently focus back on the present moment.
  
2.   Relax:  The whole idea is to begin or continue a relationship with God.  Remember, like your closest friends, God doesn’t want you stressing out about talking to him, so just relax.  Don’t worry.  Chill out.
 
3.   Attentive:  No one likes trying to have a serious conversation with someone when the other person is more interested in what’s going on at the next table.  Keep ignoring someone with whom you’re trying to develop a relationship, and you’ll go nowhere.
  
4.   Yearn:  God doesn’t want you to spend time with Him unless you do so freely.  Most people wouldn’t like spending time with someone who acts like they would rather be somewhere else and something tells me neither does God.  

Now it’s time to try it out.  There’s no time like the present moment.

The Power of Prayerful Affirmations

We’ve all heard about the wonders of affirmations, so why not turn your spoken words in prayer into affirmations that can help you transform your life.  

When I started making prayerful affirmations, I truly didn’t believe what I was saying.  However, I committed to praying the same words over and over again until I believed them.  It didn’t happen overnight, but it was pretty cool when it finally did happen.  Of course, a lot of therapy preceded my even thinking about doing this.

I prayed “My Lord, and my God, I give you my heart, my mind, my body, and my spirit:  all that I am and all that I can be.  Take away all the darkness.  Take it all away, so I can be with you.  Be one with you and be truly free.”

Try it, but remember, the key is not to give up.  You're definitely worth it!

Beautiful Me

Today, I realized I’m feeling frazzled.  Looking back, I realize that I saw this coming.  I’ve been working too long and hard without checking in with myself.  That’s something I learned during a group therapy session at the YWCA.  

For six or eight weeks, we met and discussed stresses that we experienced in our bodies.  It wasn’t just a bitch session.  We kept going deeper until we found the source.  For example, earlier this evening my heart was racing, and my entire body felt tightened like a rubber band stretched to the max.  As it turns out, that’s exactly what I did to myself.  I’ve been there for everyone else, but I forgot to make time for me.

After you become aware of the stress you’re experiencing and narrow it down to a feeling and reason you’re feeling that way, it’s time to think about an action for you to take to begin healing your body.  For me, after I realized I was overextended, I started taking deep breaths.  Then, I took my hands and ran them from the tips of my toes to the top of my head with outstretched hands as I literally and figuratively gave myself to God and prayed, “My Lord, and my God, I give you my heart, my mind, my body, and my spirit:  all that I am and all that I can be.  Take all my fears, anxieties, and the rest of the darkness.  Take it all away, so I can be with you.  Be one with you, so I can be beautiful me.”

An Inspirational Story About a Hero That Stopped Rape

Here’s a beautiful and inspirational You-Tube video of a hero of mine.  He’s an ordinary guy who talks about how rape affected his life.  His message says, “I am opening up to you all on YouTube, sharing an experience with you all that has changed my life.”

Please watch it.  It will give you hope that there are good men in this world that have the courage to acknowledge that rape is rape, and prevent rape from destroying someone’s life.