Seeds of Recovery: A Journal of 101 Mental Health Reflections

By Lorette M. Enochs

I invite you to trust and explore the strength of your inner core to accept, forgive, laugh, and understand the range of extreme emotions, fears, and thoughts associated with having a mental health diagnosis. The spirit of your own words can transform the darkest moments.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524651817

Lorette M. Enochs

I am very lucky. Despite living with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and experiencing the ups and downs of extreme emotions, I’ve been able to work for long periods and maintain many friendships. The disorder contributed to the loss of a twenty-five-year-old marriage, but I have rewarding relationships with 3 wonderful children, their spouses and children. Yes, I have known the sorrow of losing friends to the uncontrolled, undertow of depression and ended jobs during tumultuous episodes, yet my large family of origin supported me through these difficult times. I practiced law for twenty-five years, volunteered my knowledge of recovery (improving one’s life while having a serious mental illness) with the hope that others with mental illnesses may benefit, facilitated encouraging support groups, and advocated for better recovery programs. I find enjoyment in advocating, cooking, writing, aquatic exercising, and spending time with my friends and family. I know that many living with mental health diagnoses have had far more difficult times. My heart reaches out to you. Through journaling affirmations I recognized my life could improve despite medication side effects, wide mood swings, psychotic episodes, deep depression or dangerous manias. I invite you to experience the power of affirming your true self while engaging with these hope-generating affirmations. The structure of the book allows you to reflect on a quote of hope and understanding and write about its meaning in your life. Your words are powerful and healing.

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© 2016 Lorette M. Enochs. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/19/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5182-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5181-7 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

This book is dedicated to Dr. Entezari, my therapist who supported me through my most difficult times and my children who inspired me to be well: Shannon, Andrew, and Quinn.

Belonging To:

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Drs. Kathleen Heide and Kathleen McNeill PhD., Leslie Kern, R.N., Karen McKenna, Ellen Reedy, and Eleanor Arntzen, I am indebted to Dara Elerath for her graphic art.

Preface

One out of seventeen people has a serious mental illness interrupting his/her life. Mental illness is an equal opportunist affecting individuals regardless of ethnicity, gender, intellectual capability, or income. Recovery from mental illness is real. Recovery is not a cure. It means living a rewarding and contributing life by finding coping skills that aid us through our most difficult times. There is no one path for recovery. Recovery happens through a smorgasbord of choices, beginning with acceptance. Through acceptance we acknowledge that our emotions or thoughts have been extreme and those extreme thoughts or emotions interfered with our relationships—relationships with family members, self, partners, friends, and co-employees. Mental illness may have created financial and legal problems for us. In recovery, we choose to seek information and assistance that will lead us to a more rewarding life.

We can find relief from a variety of recovery choices: psychiatrists, psychologists, peer support, and supplemental treatments. Group or individual counseling may benefit some. Art and music therapy may touch the souls of some people in recovery and lead to the necessary changes to create fulfilling lives. Some turn to journaling for expressing their emotions and thoughts. Seeds of Recovery: A Journal of 101 Mental Health Reflections is a compilation of inspirational quotes and my thoughts about recovery. It offers the reader the opportunity to write their insights about his or her individual recovery journey. By reflecting upon quotes, interpretations, and affirmations, the reader can then begin writing their own beliefs and observations concerning his/her recovery experience. A journal of this kind is an experiential tool in the recovery process. The expression of one’s recovery is not limited to writing. The page next to the reflection can used for drawing or gluing photos or making collages. The empty spaces of the lotus lend to using color ink pens to produce a barometer of your feelings. Therapists may find it helpful to begin a group discussion based upon quotes and the interpretation of the quotes. Groups may begin or end a session with the wise words found in this book. For those of you who are receiving this book electronically, you may want to express yourself in a notebook.

Seeds of Recovery was written for individuals living with mental illness regardless of diagnosis, and its topics resonate with individuals who seek recovery. The book addresses hope, resiliency, courage, grieving, losses, setbacks, self-love, and self-help. The text and affirmations after each quote are written from my heart and based upon my experiences.

Other individuals who are living with mental illness have graciously read what I have