Monday, April 28, 2014

Recovering Hope

In sum, today was marvelously miraculous. It’s one of those days when you’re on the mend, that you see evidence of a true breakthrough in healing occurring. I thank God for the healing process.
Today has been a miraculous day. I stayed in bed most of the day, watching the rest of the “Prison Break” series. I did not feel guilt; I did not feel like I was doing it, because I was incapable of doing anything else. I truly wanted to be like plugged into these lives that resonated with me, who I am in my innermost self. The series is all about this guy who continually sacrifices everything, and ultimately his own life for others in order to bring about justice.

This guy is a genius and able to do whatever he wants with his mind, but what he ends up doing with his unbridled intelligence is to spend his last year of his life rescuing those he loves and encounters from various forms of darkness.

I think there are probably some veiled attempts at spirituality in the series. There are numerous episodes regarding relying on faith for justice to be achieved. Then there is this idea of a rescuer who sacrifices his own life, literally and figuratively for those he loves, so they can be free. The show has this on-going these of being set free from so many different things that hold people captive.

It’s deep, intense, and somehow mattered to me in a very real way.

The last couple of episodes show that he has died, and how he died. It was in a way that basically served as a signature for who he was in life. Everyone around him is sad, but all who were unjustly captive, are free.
I could not stop crying fully during the last couple of episodes.  Everyone is free, and yet super sad that one of the main reasons they wanted to be free is gone. As I cried, it really felt nice. I was thinking, ok my counselors have told me to avoid watching violence and things that are too sad. They even told me I had to cut back on my news junkie ways. And here I am crying – am I sad, am I more depressed? What do these tears reflect, will this lead to another depressive thing?

Thinking through it, and being able to think through it, I identified why I cried. I cried, because his life and his demise were all about giving of him for those he loved, despite every opportunity to be selfish and worldly. I cried, because he got it right, and he lived what I, when well, find myself doing. Living most by continually attempting to give myself more to what I care about, and those I care for.

I realize that I long for that, for having a few people near me who I can sacrifice for, and who deeply care for me. I was thinking about this longing, and whether it seemed so far off that I felt hopeless about reaching it. I did not, nor do I now. These feelings and desire for these sacrificial, life-bounding relationships of love are not hopeless. I remember the feelings from growing up, and when they became more defined as I entered college. I remember that these feelings of connection to others were what made adulthood so miraculous and worthwhile to me.

Connectivity; it is still my favorite part of existence. And while I want greater connectivity, whether it be through a future mate, or in the form of a friend who is near me – I have this since of knowing that God has brought me to this great connectivity before, and I truly believe and know S/he will bring it again. For the Bible speaks truth when it says, remember where God has brought you from and the blood of the lamb during your trials or rough times. And God gave me more than I could have hoped for as a child when I entered adulthood, and the seventeen years of waiting for it made it so worthwhile. The nice thing about coming from a difficult place is that, every wait seems shorter than what was the greatest wait to escape, when I felt so powerless and blind to the idea of a future at all.

Hope. I thank God for this sense of hope about the thing that matters most to me – connectivity to you, those who have come before you, and those who will still come.


God is GOOD. I thank Hir this day for the blessing of the miraculous – for emotions, and the beauty of connecting to and forming life-bonds with others. Miraculous.  Giving thanks to the Lord, I also pray may God continue to bless me with this renewed sense of being able to feel (yes, it means I’m cornier than I am now) and the patience to wait for what it is I am certain God is in the process of blessing me with.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Living Life With and Without Fear

I’ve been thinking about profile description on Instagram, it’s simple, “Living without fear.” Every time I see it, I wonder if it’s truly what I am doing. I’ve reasoned in the photos it is true. Most of my photos are pictures of moments in life when I have chosen to truly live as I want to, to no fear externalities, and to venture out and do what I want without fear.

However, this makes clear another truth – the moments not captured on camera, are not documented, often out of fear. Fear of being judged for doing the mundane in part, but also largely because those off-camera moments are when I am living with fear. Undocumented moments have included for me, hiding in my room, in the car in places where I am not known, and only doing life when I think no one else is around. The picture-less, fear-filled moments of life are those in which I unreasonably, and hyperbolically fear the judgment of others, or the one criticism, negative word, or look that will make me fill worthless or a cause of pain. This fear is not seen; it is the moments that I hide from others and that I do not let people see overtly. Admittedly though, I do live with fear, despite how I’ve often thought of myself as fearless, and expressed that I am fearless – I realize there are moments of fear that others never see. It’s sad because when I am living in pure fear, often it feels like not living at all; and perhaps living only feels real when I am existing without fear. This is perhaps too metaphysical for a simple care group e-mail, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about, and working out within myself for some time.

These thoughts help me to understand why I likely feel such a deep vocation for traveling. When I travel, very often there is this ability to be alone in almost every moment. When I travel, I do not fear others, because I know they do not know me, I know that the only moments they know me are often short enough that I do not have to fear being hurt or causing hurt. It’s funny, to see that the reason I love to travel, is because it provides me this sense of safety, this ability to live as my most honest self - without fear. A lack of fear allows me to love others, myself, and God in the purest of forms I know, and perhaps this is why traveling feels so good for my soul.

As some know, one of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 John 4:16 onward. One specific verse I think about just about every time I think of fear. It is a verse that I have probably recited or referenced to each of you, even if I did not state the verse by name. So, this should be familiar to you.

1 John 4: 18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

I speak of vulnerability in order to love beyond what we currently know how to, I speak of beginning friendships and romance by stepping on and over fear that makes us feel awkward to pursue another. These thoughts and words come out of my experience and the roots that 1 John 4:18 has placed within me.

It is sad, that I know over the last few years, fear has become a bigger part of my life. Cowardice drives me to not live well. I know this, and yet I only cry at understanding it, because I fear still more that I will not be able to gather courage to overcome this malaise.
This is truth: I have lied to many, and been a hypocrite – for I do live in fear. God forgive me, and may you forgive me, too.

May God help me in His great sovereignty, mercy, and grace, as Hir (He/Her) feels fit to do. Please pray with me on this matter. May God grant all of us the courage to overcome fear and live our lives more fully.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Science behind suicide

Dear beloved,
As many of you may or may not know, I have struggled with depression since early childhood. Whatever the cause, the issue is real and quite difficult for me. I've had a rough bout of depression the last few months, and it had lead to increasingly contemplative thoughts about all things. 

In recent wondering about suicidal individuals, and the factors contributing to suicidal behavior, I came upon a site that confirmed what I figured to be the reason for suicidal reasoning - and that has now been proven in the social sciences. I have highlighted sections that I personally have related to, and noticed.


In his new book, "Why People Die By Suicide,” Joiner says that those who kill themselves not only want to die, they have learned to overcome the instinct for self-preservation through practice. Suicide victims get used to danger, fear and pain. They may do this in a variety of ways over their lifetime. some this practice is deliberate. They engage in reckless behavior, cut or otherwise hurt themselves, or have repeated suicide attempts. Others may have a history of accidents or medical procedures, while still others become inured vicariously, that is, they are exposed on a daily basis through their work to pain and suffering. Eventually, self-injury and dangerous situations become unthreatening and mundane, according to Joiner, making suicide easier to carry out.
"Some people think that those who commit suicide are weak," he said. "It's actually about fearlessness. You cannot do it unless you are fearless, and this is behavior that is learned."

Knowing the risk factors makes prevention possible, Joiner said, noting that maintaining good interpersonal relationships is essential. "If you think you belong or that you are contributing, you are going to be protected from suicide no matter what else is going on. Part of the tragedy of suicide is that, unlike other conditions, it’s often just a perception, one that is correctible through the right kinds of treatment.”

Friday, September 6, 2013

Change in the Daily Tune

9/6/13

The last few months I have been working pretty arduously at paying my bills by working far beyond forty hours each week. I’m trying to bring my weekly load of work hours down to fifty to sixty hours per week at the agency for adults with disabilities. It’s refreshing to have a steady schedule forming.

Indiana University has also begun their school year – meaning my fantastic research partner (Kathleen) has returned! As such, we’ve begun chipping away at the research project and associated journal article we worked on endlessly last semester. While I have graduated, I still love learning and using analytical abilities to create fine products. It’s a thrill to give the mind an opportunity to exercise its abilities.

My five year college reunion is approaching, but I am uncertain about whether I will have the opportunity to join in Houghton College’s festive weekend. If you plan on attending, let me know – it might just get me to try that much harder to free myself that weekend!


I am going to attempt to respond to last week’s e-mails in this coming week. I look forward to being in touch, and appreciate all the notes sent my way!! I love hearing about your happenings and life. If you have a blog, please clue me – leave your address below!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Reconnecting

Something happened today – I think I realized I need to actually try to get myself out of this three month funk. I apologize for general delayed communication with so many of you. The last three years at school in Indiana have always just seemed like a waiting game, a necessary holding stall to wait in. As such, I have just been living as if I need to tuck my head and bide my time to do the things I love – such as spend time with family and friends in written form or otherwise. Perhaps I have been dishonest with myself, and have been less intentionally than I want and should live.

This is my attempt to move forward, to act in a way that contributes to me becoming the person I want to become.

Where am I; what am I doing with my great and wonderful life? I am currently in Bloomington, Indiana, working 60-100 hour weeks as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for people with developmental disabilities. In May, I graduated from Indiana University with Masters in the field of Public Affairs (MPA) and Environmental Science (MSES). I have applied to hundreds of jobs that specifically focus on my interests and skills in risk assessment and hazardous materials and waste management. But around June, I stopped applying so much, and just settled behind the ease that comes with continuing to work at the same place of employment for three years now. While I enjoy my current work immensely, I am aware that I have not been entirely authentic in putting forth effort to become who I should be temporally, professionally, or spiritually.

Settling… Not ideal, and typically not my style. The only voice of reason as to why I am here, resting still is because I am tired. I to some degree enjoy the anonymity of my life here. Somehow someway I need to move on. May the dear Lord help me to do so, for I am in desperate need of mercy and some power that comes from a place outside of my own weary spirit.

What’s next? I still do not know. Any ideas or words of encouragement are welcome. My sister (TN) has quite frankly reminded me – it is time to begin writing again. I will be attempting to continue this social reconnection process in the coming weeks. God give you the grace to bear with me, but also to share your life with me, too.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Summer Schedule


The semester is winding down. In all honesty, I am sad about such a splendid semester coming to an end. I feel as if each semester gets more interesting; I hope next semester continues this trend, despite fewer of my courses being environmentally focused.

My summer schedule is firming up - woohoo! If you are near any of these places, please tell me - perhaps I can stop in for a visit!?

My projected dates and locations:
May 6th-11th: Savannah, GA & Asheville, NC
May 21st-May29th: St. Louis, MO>Memphis, TN>New Orleans, LA> Baton Rouge, LA>Austin, TX> Monterrey, MEXICO> San Antonio, TX
May29th-June 1st -on the road to CA
June 1st-15th: In California @ wedding and visiting family
June 17: Layover in NYC
June 17th-July 13th: NYC>Lagos, NIGERIA> Porto Novo, Cotonou, Parakou, Kalale, Natitangou (all BENIN)
July 16th-August 24th: DC @ EPA
August 26th: Indiana

An exciting summer - may God bless it, and may it all happen if it is His will alone! All the best!

What are your summer plans?
I am in my fourth of six semesters in grad school! I am loving it. Currently, I am very focused on my Risk Assessment and Toxicology courses, and all that I am learning from them. I would have to say that it seems like each semester of study gets better and better, as each semester begins to feel more and more like I am working on issues related to my career interest.

In other news, this summer will include a trip out to California to see and participate in a dear friend's marriage, and the opportunity to see family. I will be in DC for 6 weeks at the EPA, too. 

My boyfriend, Valere, and I are doing well. This summer, I will be headed to Benin (West Africa) for about 4 weeks to see him, meet his family, and visit my own friends and "family."

All of this is Lord willing of course - but definitely hoping all these things will come together! Feel free to update me on your life - looking forward to an exciting next couple of months!

My projected dates and locations:
June 1st-15th: In California @wedding and visiting family
June 16th-17: DC 
June 17th/18th-July 14th/15th: Benin Visit
July 16th-August 24th: DC @ EPA
August 26th: Indiana