By Kim Murphy on Sunday, December 11, 2011 11:55 pm
Many of us often have the idea that because it’s been years since we’ve been to treatment or started recovery or therapy, we shouldn’t have the “negative feelings” that we do. This can start us down the “shame spiral” or what some have referred to as “feeling bad about feeling bad”.
Synopsis:
Having "negative" feelings can feel like a failure or that we don't have enough of a positive attitude. Balancing positive attitudes with authentic feelings is tricky. But with support, we can bravely do this, facilitating our healing.
The world of mental illness, of depression and suicide is brought close to home once again. My friend called to tell me that that her nephew, 27 years old, shot himself.
By Kim Murphy on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 8:30 pm
The spring season brings up many images of renewal. Flowers are blooming, babies are born; the world wakes from its winter sleep. This idea of rebirth can be easily applied to the inner work we do when we embark on the path of recovery. We leave the old way (soil, womb, sleep) for a new one (above ground, alive in the world and awake). I have a professor, Dr. Michael Wapner, who talks about change and how scary and threatening it is for most of us. Dr. Wapner likens our journey of change to that of a hermit crab.
Synopsis:
The process of change can be threatening. Like a hermit crab finding a new shell to inhabit, we too must endure a time of exposure and vulnerability when growing psychologically and emotionally.
The holiday blues can result when one experiences amplified levels of stress that often come with the anxiety of the usual expectations during this time.
Many of us often have the idea that because it’s been years since we’ve been to treatment or started recovery or therapy, we shouldn’t have the “negative feelings” that we do. This can start us down the “shame spiral” or what some have referred to as “feeling bad about feeling bad”. 
