The Red Road to Recovery
August 19, 2008 9:05 am Friends and HealingI am so blessed to live where the road is red, like terracotta clay and there are friendly folks most every where I go. This has made my journey to wellness and recovery colorful and alive. Greeting nature with my eyes wide open has served to mend my wounds and light the way to better and better days. It is over a year now that my health has taken an upswing and my days have been filled with the challenge of seeing the glass half full.
I am inspired by a new country side and made the move to my new home without much disruption. I have had time to lovingly place my special collection of stones, shells and pictures around in my new place. I have touches of memories in my dwelling place that make my heart beat with joy. Many of the things I treasure have been packed away since I lived with my sister and space was limited. It is over a year since I lived with my partner and then grieved her death. She and I collected many of the treasures that filled our home with nature and love. I am blessed to move to the next phase of recovery in my own space. I don’t cry at her passing too much but rather celebrate the beauty of nature that filled our home.
I also celebrate my connection with so many folks in the blogging world. I am committed to restoring those connections. The friendships with each of you are a significant part of my recovery. I feel less isolated and sense a bond that is grounded in compassion and healing rather than an illness. My mind is clear and I am at peace. I wish for each of you a similar sense of wellness.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear Annie,
I am so sorry to hear you lost someone so close to you. Losing my Mom has been very difficult to overcome. I am sure losing a partner is so hard too.
I too look to the beauty of nature to help with my healing process, both for my depression and my grief. I find nature and living in the country to be a santuary. It sounds like you feel that too.
I hope both nature, and your community of blogging friends are able to support and care for you through the healing process.
…aqua
August 19th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Dear Annie,
Where you are living sounds so lovely and peaceful. Thank God for leading you to make the move and blessing you with this place. So glad that it helps you in your recovery and wellness. You can write very well. Always enjoy your post.
I love nature and also find spending time in nature therapeutic. Helps me to remember God and get connected with Him and His creations.
I am so thankful for the friendships with you and so many others through blogging too. It is also a significant part of my recovery. Thanks for stopping by, your prayers and encouragements. May God continue to strengthen and restore you, and make you a blessing to many. Take care and have a blessed week!
With hugs and prayers,
Nancie
August 19th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Dear Annie,
What a lovely post. I’m glad you’ve moved into a new house where you feel so comfortable. And that you’re able to surround yourself with things that remind you of your partner, and sustain you.
Yes, I, too, so appreciate the community of bloggers who provide such a strong feeling of support. And I am glad you are a part of it!
Susan
August 20th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Aqua, Thank you for your kind words. It is a special kind of support that helps me through each day. Peace, Annie
August 20th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Nancie, I feel blessed each time you leave comments. Your faith and prayers are strong. I thank you for your words of kindness and support. Annie
August 20th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Susan, It is good to hear from you. I share so many feelings and views of life with you and wellness seems to be the the strength of the connection. Thank you for stopping by. Annie
August 20th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I came accross this web site, and have been looking around to see if i can find a therepist for my freind who has bipolar for many years, and takes medication, but is at the point, where he would love to find a therpist who has bipolar too, to help him get better and understand the process. I said that i would look for him, and came across this blog. Hopefully somebody can point him in the right direction. Please do email myself, and i would be so happy to pass some information along to help him. A little about myself, i do not have bipolar, but to some degee, i have been abused so i deal with the tramra of my past, and been on the road to recover for many years. My heart goes out to people that suffer in silence, and it took many months for my freind to share his illness with me, so that is why i am looking for him. thanks Jane
August 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Annie,
I’m so glad to hear you’re comfortable in your new home. And glad to hear that you have reached the next phase in your recovery. Hugs to you, and congrats in taking this big step!
Love,
Jazz
August 26th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Jazz, Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your supportive comments. I know from reading your post that you are very busy. I hope you are taking care of yourself and enjoy your children in this process of returning to school. Peace Annie
August 26th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Jane, I am sorry for taking so long to respond but I recently moved and have just now found the time to give your comments the attention that they deserve. I am not sure how one would find a therapist with bipolar who is in practice. I am on disability after 30 years of working and could not remain in practice. It is like you said we suffer in silence and it is risky for therapists with bipolar to acknowledge that they have bipolar. I certainly was fearful of disclosing my illness and did not do so.
There are therapists who have specialties in work with folks with bipolar. One thing I would suggest is to select a clinic that has a number of therapists and ask for someone who has extensive experience working with bipolar. It may take interviewing the therapist to see if your friend feels comfortable in the relationship with the therapist.
In terms of having contact with me and sharing my experiences with your friend, I will be willing to chat back and forth to help him as best I can. He might want to create his own blog and connect with other folks who experience bipolar. I find it so helpful and supportive. I feel less lonely as well. You might check the blog roll on my blog and simply click on them and they will come for your friend to read.
I hope I have provided some information that will help your friend. Take care and peace to your friend, Annie
August 26th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Yey, more new beginnings!
August 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I appreiciate your comments on my blog, it is always good to hear from you!
It’s great to hear that you are on the path in a new chapter of life. That’s fantastic!!
I, too, REALLY appreciate our blog world. This is where I get the most understanding, answers, and feeling of community with like minded people!!
Thanks for sharing with us!
August 30th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Hi Annie,
How are you? Just stopped by to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and have a blessed weekends and Lord’s day! God bless!
Praying for you,
Nancie
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:07 am
Dear Annie,
Haven’t heard from you recently. Just want to make sure you’re okay. I realize you recently moved, which must be a big adjustment, and you have a new job, but I want you to know I’ve been missing your posts and comments.
Susan