From the Echoes of a Mind, a Unifying (Healing) Force was Born

When Twitter first arrived on scene as the latest social media tool, I was very leery about its purpose.  “Why would anyone want to tweet to the world about every moment of their day?  I thought.”  However, late last year, I joined this movement as a way to spread my message about behavioral health issues, and am grateful that I had a change of heart.  How so, one may ask at this juncture?  Let me tell you.



     I have written extensively about my struggles with post-traumatic stress (PTS), and within my tweets I included #PTSD.  As a result, I was followed by a woman named Kate Gillie, who resides as a neighbor just north of the United States borders.  Kate deeply struggles with PTS, far greater than I.  As a small child she “physically” (I use this term lightly) survived the violence of the Rhodesian Bush War of the 1970’s.  Kate eloquently tells her own story which you can read or follow at www.kategillieart.com.  Therefore, I will not expound on these details, but rather relate how my association with this kind soul via Twitter has been most beneficial to my own journey towards wellness.  For it was from the echoes of her mind, that a unifying (healing) force was born.

Courtesy of Kate Gillie

     Kate is the founder and voice for #PTSDChat, which as she put it: “was the brainchild of a friend who knew her way around the social media world, and knew what I wanted to accomplish” (sic) - that being, to advocate for others who share the same struggles as herself.  This weekly chat via Twitter brings together a legion of followers to include: military, fire, EMS, and law enforcement personnel; those who were abused/neglected/victims of violent crimes or witnessed the same; behavioral health specialists, and those who speak on behalf of the above mentioned groups.  Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST, a different topic is offered (such as the stigma of PTS) for all who attend to comment on.

     This dynamic platform allows those attending to relate their own personal stories, coping strategies, healing successes and/or struggles.  Some may enter the chat and observe because they are not ready, or it is too painful to share their feelings just yet.  In my humble opinion, even through observation the healing effect is felt, as like-minded people carry on a meaningful dialogue.  This is peer support (of the highest order) that is provided in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.  The ultimate goal is to provide education on PTS, end the stigma associated with behavioral health struggles, and comfort those who feel isolated from society at large.

 

     I am honored to attend these chats, share my story, and learn from others in kind.  #PTSDChat is a fine example of what it means to make this world a better place than we found it, before we leave it.  I know this is a daunting task, but every foundation is laid one brick at a time.  Thank you my fellow chat members for existing in this world in order to make this possible, as well as help each other heal.

     The echoes of the mind will never let us forget what we have seen or experienced first- hand, but this unifying force that has been created will most certainly ease that burden for years to come.

In Health and Wellness,

Tim

 

In the Face of Adversity, Always Have the Courage to Take the High Road

     In 1956, then Senator John F. Kennedy authored the book Profiles in Courage for which he received the Pulitzer Prize in 1957 (2000).  Kennedy chose to highlight the works of eight of his contemporaries who occupied the Senate Chamber long before he first stepped foot through those hallowed doors.  These men rose to a challenge (on certain issues) and stood by their convictions against either the populist views of the country, or the wishes of their own party line.  For several, it cost them either another term in Congress or a chance at the Presidency.  In the end, they maintained a high level of integrity at a sacrifice to their own personal aspirations, something Kennedy termed heroic (2000).  Facing adversity, they took the road less traveled, and left a lasting legacy to the advancement of these United States.

     While not all of us will ever aspire to political office; many, as a course of human design, will face our own challenges in life.  How we respond to and overcome these bumps in the road, can steer us to become something far greater than ourselves which, in the end, will benefit humankind for ages to come.  Leading from the front (and not standing on the sidelines) is one of the best ways to teach others how to always take the high road.  Let’s explore examples from everyday life:

·         In a story coming out of Chicago earlier this year, a young girl lost her battle with the most aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Instead of curling up in a ball and accepting the fate that she was dealt, this inspirational individual began to advocate for others who may beset with the same illness by asking that fundraising efforts for research into this disease continue long after she was gone. Her story commanded a strong social media presence that brought light to this terminal illness for which she will always be remembered.

·         Think of a time when you stood by a friend, family member, or work colleague when he or she was in dire straits due to circumstance; only to be ridiculed by others in your circle who had turned their backs on this same individual.  Even though it cut against the grain of the majority view, the lasting friendship that you maintained and strengthened, more than likely outweighed the others that fell by the wayside.  A great reward (example of courage) in and of itself.

     In the foreword to the 1964 memorial edition of Profiles in Courage, Robert F. Kennedy left us with some sage advice that still rings true to this day when he said: “This book is not just the stories of the past, but a book of hope and confidence for the future.  What happens to the country, to the world, depends on what we do with what others have left us.”  The next time you are faced with adversity what are you going to do:  take the high road or remain idly on the sidelines subservient to the majority view?  In the end I leave that for you to decide on how you want to be remembered.

     On this past Wednesday, during the 2015 ESPY’s, the Pat Tillman Award for Service was presented to Danielle Green.  Her story is an example of how one could rise above circumstances for the benefit of the greater good.  Enjoy this short inspirational video-

 

 

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References

Kennedy, J.F. (2000). Profiles in Courage (Perennial Classics ed.).  New York: HarperPerennial.

    

The Silence of the Blue Ridge Mountains

     Last year, I wrote a post about a beginner’s guide to meditation (aka Meditation 101).  In retrospect, I believe that most readers probably envisioned someone sitting cross-legged on a floor, eyes closed, a straight back, with his or her hands resting on the knees.  Do a Google Images search of meditation and I bet the results will generate several pictures of this pose.  The next thing that probably ran through a reader’s mind is how am I supposed to sit for periods at a time while trying to turn off the constant chatter inside?  This is the conundrum that faces all who seek a more balanced existence of body, mind, and spirit.

     When I first began my meditative journey this time last year, I truly found out what an active mind I possess.  I have since worked up to 45 minutes at a time either sitting or lying down, with my eyes closed, listening to soothing Zen-like music.  If my mind wanders, I acknowledge the presence of these thoughts, return to the breath, and repeat this process over and over again. Eventually, I find myself in a calming meditative state (or sometimes fall asleep for an hour or more).  Most recently, I learned that I do not have to utilize these classical poses to achieve the calming bliss to which I have become accustomed.  My latest lesson was found right in the heart of a beautiful parkway.

Sunset Cocktail Terrace

     Last week, Judy and I took our annual vacation retreat to Asheville, North Carolina where the weather was spectacular: not too hot, not too cool-just right.  One evening, we sat on the Sunset Cocktail Terrace at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn and watched the mountains slip into their nightly slumber.  As the show unfurled before us, I began taking time-lapsed pictures of this mesmerizing event over the course of the next hour or so.  I suddenly entered a deeply contemplative state, and even with the chatter around me, I could hear the silence of the Blue Ridge Mountains calling.  While this may sound funny, I really could hear the silence within those mountains.  The next day we traversed the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopped at several picturesque outlooks, and I experienced this same silence calling- all the while maintaining a still mind and a calm soul.

     The lesson learned here is that meditation does not have to take a classical form to achieve the desired results.  Find your meditative place in this world be it at a beach, ocean, mountains, or your own backyard. Appreciating the natural beauty that our world offers may be all that you need to quiet your mind and awaken the soul.  Thank you Blue Ridge for showing me the way. I now leave you with the beauty as it unfolded:

 

 

In health and wellness,

 

Tim