Friday, May 11, 2012
It is OK to be...
Inhale, now exhale. Take a moment to just relax, and now the time has to come to open the pages of the new book! There is nothing like the adventures you can have when you read a novel. We can travel through time, over great distances and escape into another life. Books are great. Books can also be educational (think text books). For me, the novel I am reading was just that. Reading the story reminded me of a clear fact that I had forgotten.
The truth is that while it is important to live joyful lives, it is also OK to let yourself feel: sad, happy, scared, anxious, annoyed, etc. We all have emotions and life is about experiencing all of them. Life is crazy and mixed up and we are all going to experience the whole gamut, it is ok. Let yourself. Be honest with yourself about how you feel, and be honest with God.
Because we live in a sinful world, not everything we experience is going to be good. Some of it is the nitty gritty of life. Admit how you feel, talk to someone and that way you can move on. Just remember, however you are feeling, be honest about it.
Have a blessed Mother's Day!
-Me-
Monday, April 30, 2012
Music
By now we all know that music is very therapeutic. There is no denying that listening to music can change our moods. But, you don't even have to listen to music to be healed. Not long after I was raped I found a binder full of hymns that I had printed up. It also contained some of the lyrics of special songs. I remember I spend hours just reading those lyrics, and looking online for others.
The words and the stories behind those words had a powerful affect on me. They were able to soothe my soul. I felt comforted knowing that someone else had been scared, someone else had been in pain, someone else had a soul full of darkness. It helped knowing the history of the hymns and seeing that they used their words, words from their souls to help heal. It gave me the encouragement to try it as well, so I set about writing my own hymn.
It will never be recorded in a hymn book. It will never be considered musical, yet for me it had all the power, because I learned that I could release my thoughts in more than just my diary/blog. It was one way that I stay connected to God, even when I was trying to run from Him and blame Him. I was a paradox, I was mad at Him and blamed Him, yet deep down I still clung to Him. The clinging was buried so I didn't recognize most of the time, but as I look book, yeah my heart and mind might have shunned Him, but my soul was clinging for dear life. It was through music that I kept my connection.
It was through music that I began to heal. I sought comfort in those familiar words, words and melodies that I've known my whole life. It was through music that was able to journey. Music really is powerful. If you are struggling with sadness, fear, loneliness find some upbeat music, or just music with a powerful, life affirming message, it will help. If you happy, it is time to play music and dance, dance, dance! Let music be the therapy that God intended!
-ME-
Thursday, March 8, 2012
One More Step
The sun beams highlight the color of the bedroom walls. The cat is curled up at the foot of the bed, my daughter is sleeping beside me, and right now I am listening to Steven Curtis Chapman. All in all it is a pretty nice morning. It is one of those mornings that I thought would never come.
On Facebook there is a March photo challenge going on. Each day there is something new to take a picture of. Today's subject "Dreams". I love this subject because it could also be labeled "Blessings". I love dreams, I have crazy ones and generally they entertain me. I have many life dreams that I'm waiting to see come true, and I have other dreams that have already come to fruition.
When I think about how far I have come in the last 10 years I feel so incredibly blessed. Yet, I know that I still have a far way to walk. My journey is not yet over. There have been many bumps along the way, and there are probably plenty more on my path. Yet, just like you, I have to take it one step at a time. If I go slow and steady and focus on the day at hand, I can live joyfully, I can be in the moment. I can use the past to remind me of how strong I am, that I am able to take this next step.
-JLP-
On Facebook there is a March photo challenge going on. Each day there is something new to take a picture of. Today's subject "Dreams". I love this subject because it could also be labeled "Blessings". I love dreams, I have crazy ones and generally they entertain me. I have many life dreams that I'm waiting to see come true, and I have other dreams that have already come to fruition.
When I think about how far I have come in the last 10 years I feel so incredibly blessed. Yet, I know that I still have a far way to walk. My journey is not yet over. There have been many bumps along the way, and there are probably plenty more on my path. Yet, just like you, I have to take it one step at a time. If I go slow and steady and focus on the day at hand, I can live joyfully, I can be in the moment. I can use the past to remind me of how strong I am, that I am able to take this next step.
-JLP-
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
PTSD and Games
One of the coolest new ways to treat people suffering with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is to use games. One of the best games out there is Tetris.
We all know Tetris, the block game you play on the computer (or game system) where you use blocks to make lines and get rid of them. Tetris and games like it are a good form of treatment because they force the player to focus. You get drawn into the game and the rest of the world becomes background noise as you move from level to level.
As a counselor and a person with PTSD I like this treatment. Not only do clients get absorbed into the game and are able to forget about the pain (for at least a little while) the game also provides small victories. You feel good as you knock out lines. Those that deal with PTSD need something that provides victory.
We need to see that while there is this big event in our lives, that we can still move on, that we can do normal things and be normal again. Tetris and other games provides that for us. Victories, even small ones, are important in every life, including in the lives of those with PTSD.
As always, I'm praying for you as you walk this journey of healing. May you find ways to deal with your pain and may you know that God is there, that you are special to Him and He wants to walk with you on this road.
-JP-
We all know Tetris, the block game you play on the computer (or game system) where you use blocks to make lines and get rid of them. Tetris and games like it are a good form of treatment because they force the player to focus. You get drawn into the game and the rest of the world becomes background noise as you move from level to level.
As a counselor and a person with PTSD I like this treatment. Not only do clients get absorbed into the game and are able to forget about the pain (for at least a little while) the game also provides small victories. You feel good as you knock out lines. Those that deal with PTSD need something that provides victory.
We need to see that while there is this big event in our lives, that we can still move on, that we can do normal things and be normal again. Tetris and other games provides that for us. Victories, even small ones, are important in every life, including in the lives of those with PTSD.
As always, I'm praying for you as you walk this journey of healing. May you find ways to deal with your pain and may you know that God is there, that you are special to Him and He wants to walk with you on this road.
-JP-
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
10 Years Ago
We never know what our lives will be like. We never know where our journey will take us. We can plan and dream but we are not guaranteed any of those plans or dreams.
When I left home for college I THOUGHT that I'd go to school, meet a man, get married, graduate with my degree in elementary education. I was then going to move back to my home town, teach till we started our family, stay home with them till they were in school and then go back to teaching.
Life had other plans for me. 10 years ago, on Feb. 2, 2002 I was brutually raped (you could call it torture, based on what they did to me. The 2 men were into S&M). That event derailed all my plans and dreams.
It was a journey I went on, and one that I realize I'm still on. Even 10 years later I'm still dealing with the repercussions of my rape, miscarriage and suicide attempt. I still have nightmares once in awhile. I still don't like being in large crowds of people I don't know (I do it, because I want to reach out to people and share God's story of my life and offer hope to others, but it takes a lot prayer each time), even in large crowds that are full of family I have trouble.
Yet, it is a journey that is full of more hope than tragedy. I have hope and joy because through my experiences I have learned just how real Christ is, just how far He goes to offer us renewal and joy. It doesn't matter what we go through, God can use it for His glory, and if we let Him, we can see that there is joy in sorrow, there is life after _______________.
10 years ago I had fear, lonliness and despair. 10 years ago I felt abandoned. And now, I have the blessed assurance that Jesus really is mine, and all the amazing benefits of that! As icing on the cake I have a husband that I'm head over heels in love with, I have a new daughter that is the joy of our lives, I have family and friends that love us and support us.
10 years ago my journey took a sharp turn, and as horrific as that turn was, I wouldn't change it (wouldn't wish the experience on ANYONE, but wouldn't change it) because that new path I went on has brought me to where I am today and where I am today is a pretty good place. I am safely in the generous, protective, loving, forgiving, guiding, encouraging, disciplining, saving arms of Christ and as HIS princess I am abundantly blessed.
When I left home for college I THOUGHT that I'd go to school, meet a man, get married, graduate with my degree in elementary education. I was then going to move back to my home town, teach till we started our family, stay home with them till they were in school and then go back to teaching.
Life had other plans for me. 10 years ago, on Feb. 2, 2002 I was brutually raped (you could call it torture, based on what they did to me. The 2 men were into S&M). That event derailed all my plans and dreams.
It was a journey I went on, and one that I realize I'm still on. Even 10 years later I'm still dealing with the repercussions of my rape, miscarriage and suicide attempt. I still have nightmares once in awhile. I still don't like being in large crowds of people I don't know (I do it, because I want to reach out to people and share God's story of my life and offer hope to others, but it takes a lot prayer each time), even in large crowds that are full of family I have trouble.
Yet, it is a journey that is full of more hope than tragedy. I have hope and joy because through my experiences I have learned just how real Christ is, just how far He goes to offer us renewal and joy. It doesn't matter what we go through, God can use it for His glory, and if we let Him, we can see that there is joy in sorrow, there is life after _______________.
10 years ago I had fear, lonliness and despair. 10 years ago I felt abandoned. And now, I have the blessed assurance that Jesus really is mine, and all the amazing benefits of that! As icing on the cake I have a husband that I'm head over heels in love with, I have a new daughter that is the joy of our lives, I have family and friends that love us and support us.
10 years ago my journey took a sharp turn, and as horrific as that turn was, I wouldn't change it (wouldn't wish the experience on ANYONE, but wouldn't change it) because that new path I went on has brought me to where I am today and where I am today is a pretty good place. I am safely in the generous, protective, loving, forgiving, guiding, encouraging, disciplining, saving arms of Christ and as HIS princess I am abundantly blessed.
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