Yesterday, I stood in a socially-distanced line outside the Centreville Library to vote, and I was struck by how civil and diverse the group of people were. The man in front of voiced very different political views than me, yet we held his place in line when he needed to run to the restroom. A Democrat volunteer helped provide a Republican resource to a voter. As always, the Republican and …
Mental Health
Last night, I went to bed angry and weary. Although I knew on a cognitive level this campaign season was going to be challenging, I wasn’t mentally or emotionally prepared for what transpired. Watching a leader fail to adequately answer the one question that should have been a no-brainer was alarming for many reasons. White supremacy is not a partisan issue. It is a sin and is something I thought …
“I cannot get one more pedicure!!” I pulled the blanket more tightly around me and glared at the circle of women in my weekly recovery group. At the time, I was forehead deep in a very challenging divorce. After sharing a harrowing story, once again someone asked how my “self-care” was going. Sigh. Thus entered Petulant Megan. Seriously, how many pedicures does it take? Self-care is super trendy right now, …
If someone had told me ten years ago that Bikram Yoga would be an integral part of my future recovery process I would have laughed. A lot. Because I have the flexibility of a Chip and Joanna Gaines farmhouse table – or perhaps an elegant rhinoceros. Then I would have secretly whispered the Lord’s Prayer *just in case* because I still have a lingering fear that yoga = demonic possession. …
Author’s Note: This was written two years ago. Recently I felt convicted by the reality that I am still plagued with negative self-talk. During this season of Lent, I have decided to participate in a little challenge. Rather than give up sugar or social media, for the next six weeks I am going to fast from negative self talk and unnecessary self deprecation. In addition, I will actually try some …
Recently I saw a meme floating around Facebook comparing two adult sons of an alcoholic. The gist of the meme was that one was an alcoholic while the other had chosen another more respectable lifestyle. “See? Alcoholism is a choice!” the meme declares with an air of smug judgment. I found myself feeling somewhat discouraged, because it is based on faulty thinking. Not only does it perpetuate the belief that …
A few years ago, our community was rocked by news that was and is one of the most tragic events I have experienced in my entire life. A family very near and dear to our hearts had all passed away, simultaneously. My stepson’s life-long best friend, two former students, a family that my husband and stepchildren had dined with, laughed with, and even vacationed with just two months earlier – …
