Prescription Perfect

            For me, every day is a struggle to be a kind, wise, nurturing mother, and keep my emotional instability under control. I am always fighting off an outburst and trying to prevent myself from inflicting any emotional hurt to my children, while maintaining a healthy and safe environment for them. I do not currently see any practitioners for my mental health or take any medications. I have found my own spiritual practices and self-care routines that reflect my values and embody my beliefs. This has empowered me to use what society has deemed mental illness and disease, to learn I am on a journey of self-discovery, universal studies, and holistic wellness.

I am certainly not a doctor or specialist of any kind, nor do I claim to be. Although, I have participated in my fair share of experiences and “treatments” with different therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists in all of whom I concluded to be ill-prepared for someone with my particular blend of mental health and addiction issues. On one occasion, the doctor himself admitted he was incapable of devising a treatment plan for me. Perhaps it is that the darker minds such as my own, are more commonly found in asylums or behind bars rather than dressed up as homemakers, posting their weekly meal prep on Instagram.

I have been prescribed a number of things, few of which helped solve any real problems I had, internally. I had moments where I did severely need the intervention of modern medicine to keep me from losing myself entirely. Despite this, I have enough awareness of myself to know when the strength to overcome anything resides within me, and when it does not. I don’t feel the solution was to be found in trying to balance any hormones or chemicals that may have been misfiring inside me, by flooding my body with man-made, synthetic versions of the same. Trying to make ourselves “normal” by simply adding un-natural substances to our bodies is just nonsense.

Mindful Minute:

• Take time to consider your personal experience, history with modern medicine, and clinical interactions with therapists, psychologists, etc.
• Have you been satisfied or experienced improvement in life with these methods? Why or why not?
• Have you sought out help from a religious/spiritual counselor or healer? (Christian, “New Age”, Pagen.... anything!)
• What was your experience with a spiritual-based approach to wellness?
• What do you think is lacking in your spiritual life?
• Where do you feel you can turn with spiritual questions?

Now take another minute to write yourself a short story of your most enlightening experience yet. Pay attention to the details that flood your mind first...the smells in the air, what sound tickles your ear. What were you doing with your body and where were you directing your mind and soul during these feelings of enlightenment? Remember this feeling and find a sign that will point you on your path.