Some days are better than others. Some days feel like an impossibility to get through – you’re sapped of energy, of purpose, of initiative, of drive and of hope. You don’t know if tomorrow will be harder or easier, so you do your best to look after yourself as time slowly passes by. That’s depression.
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.”
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.
Some more information/resources on the concept of self-compassion:
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.
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!
What an honour it is to celebrate that the Son of Most High God, who is the creator of the entire universe was;
betrayed,
bound,
broken and torn,
falsely accused and charged,
hated,
mocked,
whipped,
crowned with thorns,
spat on,
stripped naked,
nailed to a cross of wood,
separated from His Father and
given the weight and burden of sin,
yet remained silent to change the course of history forever.
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. 
While I was looking at the 5kgs I put on during my 5 week hospital stay and thinking about the fact I had been in a mental hospital for 5 weeks, I was beating myself up… but then that small, kind compassionate voice reminded me, “you’re alive. You’ve survived. You got this.”
If you’re in recovery be kind to and nurture yourself. Remember; you’re alive. You’ve survived. You can do this.
‘Fun’ Fact: when you are discharged from hospital, they don’t expect you to leave “well” and ready to fully engage in normal life, as it was before you were unwell. They wait until you’ve made a change in direction, lasting a few days to show you’re moving toward wellness.
I was so surprised when my Psychiatrist told me that’s how it is. So, I leave the psychiatric hospital, returning home tomorrow and I am excited, thrilled and a little bit apprehensive. I’m feeling better than I was 5 weeks ago, but I am not where you may expect me to be in my recovery – I am not yet “well.” The real test will see how I am going in 6 months time.
If someone you love is being discharged from hospital, they need your love and support to adjust back into life, slowly. Realise they’ve just left a safe, regulated environment, where they didn’t have to cook, clean or work. Leaving can be scary.
So maybe offer to clean their toilet, cook a meal, do some dishes, a load of washing or bring over some groceries. Be a legend.
Remember there will be more good days than before, but don’t be surprised when their are bad ones. Remember that and be a legend.
Be patient, be kind, be empathetic, be thoughtful, be compassionate – show love and genuine care. Be a legend! It will be worth it as you see your loved one become more and more ‘themselves’ again.
So, please, be a legend and lower your expectations. They’re still ‘getting better,’ just in a different environment, at home, hopefully with lots of love.
Mighty God, Powerful Saviour;
I just want to leave it all behind, forever.
my sleep is restless, fragmented.
I have no greater enemy than myself.
I feel stuck in the depths of this pit of despair.
you never leave me alone in the mess.
and the web of lies my brain has caught me in.
and bring me into your glorious light.
Don’t leave me alone and abandoned in this lifeless pit.
as you fulfil them every day.
Watercolour cloud painted by Alexandra Ellen on 29.1.18
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.
CHRONIC ILLNESS. MENTAL HEALTH. SPIRITUAL REFLECTION.
A chronic illness life is a crazy life. We can handle it together- with humor, kindness, and a few meltdowns along the way. Peace, love, and health.
Travel - Vegan - Zero Waste
