A Subtlely Mindful Distinction

You know I’m obsessed with trauma—understanding it, digging into it, identifying what it is and isn’t. Earlier in a session, I stumbled upon a subtle distinction, like noticing the difference between hazel and brown eyes. It’s nuanced but meaningful, and here goes… Wound and vulnerability are entirely different animals. Maybe they’re part of the sameContinue reading “A Subtlely Mindful Distinction”

Wandering Wall (Book Part 26)

Previous Why isn’t she in Hollywood? I wonder. Her pixie-like frame, the soft slope of her nose, and her white-blond hair that moves as though it’s one with the wind all suggest someone larger than life. This far above civilization, she seems like an actress seeking solace at the mountain’s highest point. A small photographContinue reading “Wandering Wall (Book Part 26)”

Reason for the Season

I meant to write in my book—really, I did. But the funniest things popped up instead: cooking masaman curry and Mexican rice, Facetiming Paula, tackling progress notes, watching Klaus, and playing chess. Oh, and let’s not forget the ever-creeping stress of the holiday season. With just 17 days until Christmas, my biggest worry isn’t giftContinue reading “Reason for the Season”

The Woman Near Custer (Book Part 25)

Previous Stepping out of the Crazy Horse monument’s museum, the sauna-like heat blasts away the lingering chill from my skin. As I walk to my car, weaving through a parking lot filled with Harley-Davidsons, I glance to my right, soaking in the final moments with the mountain. Custer State Park is nearby, but paying theContinue reading “The Woman Near Custer (Book Part 25)”

Protecting Your Peace

Belly breathing—or diaphragmatic breathing—calms the nervous system. A fact I was reminded of in an educational video. So here I am, filling my lower abdomen with air, releasing it gently, and repeating. Because on nights like this, when writing feels de-prioritized, and the space for it seems nonexistent, that panicky voice creeps in. The oneContinue reading “Protecting Your Peace”

Self-Sabotage’s Sinkhole

I am no master of mental health. The thought hits as loud as a gong as I tread barefoot—lightly but quickly—across the super-fluffy bath mat, searching for a towel. It’s in moments like these, alone and freshly showered, that I find myself at war with my own thoughts. This realization comes as a defense, anContinue reading “Self-Sabotage’s Sinkhole”