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Why,

    why does this day,

    that marks my introduction to this world

    elevate itself above all others?

I do wish,

    I wish this was reality –

    that when the clock strikes midnight

    on this day, life suddenly magical.

It’s as if,

    as if, suddenly, I am happy –

    as if, suddenly, I am glad to be alive –

    as if, suddenly, I don’t resent this day.

Why is today happy?

Why is today good?

Why must I celebrate the day I abhor?

If a birthday was going to help my mental illness – I would have been cured before it even started.

Self Compassion

Henry has learnt how to be an expert at self compassion; choosing to ignoring the internal and external critics and instead, showing himself kindness, grace and acceptance.

We are constantly being compared and comparing ourselves to others. We see our sufferings as weakness. We see mistakes as failures and our illnesses as brokenness. We are constantly believing we are not good enough. I call bull-crap. They’re LIES! All lies.

To endure suffering is strength, to feel emotions makes us human, to persevere makes us strong and to measure ourselves up to no one but ourselves is freedom. The reality is that crap that is out of our control happens all the time. We all have bad, hard, painful and unbearable seasons in life. So instead of beating yourself up (or allowing others to do it for you), remind yourself; you’re doing the best you can, emotions are okay, you’re not perfect (and that’s not only alright, but what makes you human) and that you’re pretty, freaking amazing.

Begin practicing self compassion by putting your hand over your heart and saying to yourself, “may I know kindness. May I know grace. May I know happiness. May I be at peace. May I be at rest. May I know love. May I know empathy. May I show myself compassion.” Or “I am suffering. I am being kind to myself and giving myself permission to feel whatever emotions I am experiencing.”

Be like Henry, learn the skill of self compassion. Be kind to yourself and stop beating yourself up! Self-compassion has been a life changing skill for Henry as he manages depression and FND.

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Spiritual reflection

For those who believe in God, remember he is a compassionate God, who continually shows compassion to his people.

Is. 49:3 – Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Jesus is the perfect example of this… oh, and we are also made in His image and are called to imitate His character.

Col. 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

So, let’s follow God and show compassion to everyone, including ourselves.

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Some more information/resources on the concept of self-compassion:

• http://self-compassion.org/
• https://hbr.org/2017/01/to-recover-from-failure-try-some-self-compassion
• https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/self-compassion-exercises-worksheets/
• https://ed.ted.com/featured/pDulIc5E

Self-Care Day!

Self care is so important & Henry agrees… so we are spending the morning at home, drinking Choc Mint tea from a beautiful pot and cup, watching Netflix and doing some art.

Never forget to practice self-compassion and look after yourself.

Happy Easter

Henry is wishing you a happy easter!!! As he celebrates Jesus rising from the dead, he is also thinking about his own resurrected body – and it’s pretty awesome!

Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so we can have hope! Come Lord Jesus, come!

Meet Henry

Meet Henry.

I created him at an Access Arts workshop. He has a depressive disorder & FND. He also loves pink flowers, art, the theatre, chocolate, going on adventures and talking about uncomfortable but important issues.

Keep an eye out for his fun adventures – he’s just taken a trip to space to spread awareness & break stigma about mental illness across the galaxy.

A Psalm: for Depression

Mighty God, Powerful Saviour;

My heart is breaking at its very core.

    When I look at the sinfulness and brokenness of this world,

    the injustice and hypocrisy –

    I just want to leave it all behind, forever.

My body is so tired and weary –

    every movement aches

    every motion is laborsome.

A knot sits in the pit of my stomach –

    I’m nauseous.

    I’ve stopped eating.

I wake during the night –

    my sleep is restless, fragmented.

My brain has turned against me –

    it has become my enemy.

    It has betrayed me,

    it is trying to kill me,

    it wants me to die –

I have no greater enemy than myself.

I am lost,

I am torn,

I am broken,

I am hurting, and

I feel stuck in the depths of this pit of despair.

But you, Lord, you hear my cry,

    you read my thoughts,

    you feel my pain, my anguish –

and you never abandon me,

    you never leave me alone in the mess.

Lord, please deliver me –

    rescue me from myself

    and the web of lies my brain has caught me in.

Lord, lift my soul from this darkness

    and bring me into your glorious light.

Lord, show me your loving kindness –

    your mercy and compassion.

Don’t leave me alone and abandoned in this lifeless pit.

Lord, please remind me

    of your glorious deeds

    and perfect promises

as you fulfil them every day.

I know the day of the Your return is near!

    But please protect and preserve me

    during these dark hours of the night,

that I may not be destroyed in my despair.

 

Watercolour cloud painted by Alexandra Ellen on 29.1.18

A Must Watch Video on Disability and Employment

The QLD Government released a video yesterday called ‘The No Pile‘ and you need to watch it! The video, co-created and performed by IndelabilityArts, an inclusive theatre company that I’m a member of, uses music and humour to address the issues people with disabilities often have when trying to gain employment, despite being more than capable of doing the job.

The video is part of the “All Abilities Queensland: opportunities for all” campaign launched by the Queensland Government this week and it looks amazing. I was so encouraged to hear that the development process of this plan included consultation with the people whom it would affect the most -people with disabilities. The state disability plan which will be rolled out over the next few years focuses on 5 area’s to make QLD a more inclusive state. These are creating inclusive communities for all people, encouraging lifelong learning, accessibility to everyday services, participation and leadership and improving employment opportunities.

People with disabilities can be completely capable of maintaining employment and excelling at it. Hiring someone with a disability may mean time flexibility for appointments or creating an accessible workspace. Unfortunately, this means employers usually exclude people with disabilities from employment at their organisation and the rejection excuses people have heard are ridiculous. ‘No Pile’ presents this sad reality in a humorous light because everybody has a role to play.

Watch the video, enjoy and share!!

Painting as I enter 2017

My prayer for 2017 is Jeremiah 17:7-8; that each day I will place my trust and confidence in the creator, like a tree planted by a stream. May I continue to grow and bear fruit, even in the metaphorical heat! Praise the Lord for 2016; a year of mercy, grace, blessings, mourning, sorrow, growth and transformation.

#2017 #2016 #newyear #art #arttherapy #jeremiah1778 #faith #personalgrowth #spirituality

Diversional Therapy: Turtle Time

When the facilitator at diversional therapy tells you to make and write a postcard to your future self…

#turtlelove #diversiontherapy #christmaspresentideas #futureself #reminder #crafty #arttherapy