"Grace in the Fire" a Memoir by Margo Williams

Margo Williams, my best friend for the last 6 years recently released her first book called, "Grace in the Fire".

Margo and I met through our circles of working in the Mental Health Field. She was in San Antonio working at the State Hospital and I was working at the State Hospital in Terrell. Little did we know, we would become instant friends on a weekend board meeting trip. That weekend set us both on a journey that has remained with us ever since.

In her memoir, "Grace in the Fire" - Margo shares her personal life story of pursuing a Bachelor's Degree then unexpectantly having "her life turned upside down and dark as night" and given the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder.

Margo is compelled to share her story in order to speak HOPE, empowerment, and encouragement to others who feel they are alone in their mental health struggles.

Margo speaks to her place of darkness and wanting her life to end but soon learned that HOPE was for her and that recovery IS real and it can be achieved.

To read more about Margo's personal journey, order your copy "Grace in the Fire, today at https://amzn.to/2zxQ4ty

You can also follow Margo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hopespeaks2youandme

Heart to Heart Soul Creations
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Disclaimer: In this post are my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase, I will make a small percentage of the items you purchase.

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Wellness Tools

May 8, 2020
Mental Health Awareness Month
Wellness Tools

Where it all began...

As a teenager, I began clipping words, phrases, and pictures out of newspapers and magazines. That was how I crafted back then! I’ve always loved art - was never good at painting, drawing, or much anything else except playing the violin until a very dark time in my life...

In 2005, I went through a very traumatic ordeal in life that created a great deal of mental, emotional, physical pain, and anguish. This ordeal changed me inwardly and outwardly. I was lost. I didn’t even know who I was anymore. I was in the darkest place of my life that I had ever experienced. It was an abyss.

I had seen some mosaic crosses made from broken tiles and I thought to myself, “wouldn’t that feel good to be able to break something and “not” be looked at in a certain way”. So, I acquired some ceramic tiles, grout, paint, and some boards and I went to breaking...before I knew it, I had created something beautiful from my heart and soul that had hidden meanings in them.

I wasn’t trying to make anything special, I was just piddling around in order to get my mind off my situation, so that possibly - I could break the cycle of pain and despair I was feeling. When my husband hung up one of the boards - I stared at it and suddenly the word, “HOPE” jumped off of it and I started yelling, “do you see that?” The word, HOPE is on the board...in that very moment, I knew - my God had not forsaken me during this dark time, and He was so ever near to me.

A few days later, 3 more boards came to life...FAITH, LOVE, and DREAM. Then I started making mosaic crosses. This became enjoyable for me. I put the newspapers and magazines away because I just experienced a new form of art - Altered Art/Mixed Media, whatever you wanted to call it back then. To me, it was just art!

When I started crafting many, many years ago - it was from a place of pain. Both mental and emotional...I used crafting to cope with the pain I felt internally. Today, when I craft, I create from my heart and soul - whether it’s happy, dark times, sad times, or full of joy and laughter...thus - Heart to Heart Soul Creations (H2hsc2020) came into existence.

Whether it’s scrapbook layouts, tags, cards, mixed media, altered art, pocket letters, loaded envelopes, or junk journals of any theme imaginable - I craft for enjoyment. I craft from my heart and soul - I give life to something as simple as a paperclip.

H2hsc2020 was founded on the Word of God. God IS the reason I live and breathe today. I learned a long time ago, the true meaning of forgiveness. I learned resilience through abandonment. I learned how to survive when others said I wouldn’t. It was ALL because of God’s grace, forgiveness, protection, guidance, comfort, and loving me just the way I am. I won’t apologize for my faith and when I craft for others, I speak blessings into everything I create for them...from my heart and soul to theirs.

Today, h2hsc2020 has many more meanings than just crafting. I enjoy walking with my ancestors by way of Genealogy. I guess you could call me, the family Genealogist! LOL - I enjoy visiting cemeteries, taking photographs of the headstones, learning of the history, and meeting new family I never knew I had by way of DNA. I love perusing the photos of yesterday in hopes of possibly finding a family member who I have yet to see.

Through crafting and genealogy, I decided to begin a blog to share my interests with others of my passion through these wonderful outlets. I live today from a place of resilience because of my life experiences...my motto is, “if I can instill hope to another human being who might be mentally/emotionally hurting - living in a dark place internally, feels they are unlovable, dealing with depression, going through a traumatic experience, thinking life isn’t worth living anymore - then I’ve done what I’m supposed to do. After all, I am the evidence that things do turn around for people - -BUT we have to put the work into it. We can’t expect a different result by doing the same routine...we MUST shake it up and flip that switch called life”!

After the traumatic ordeal, I mentioned at the beginning of my post, I learned about Wellness Tools. (a list of tools a person has used in the past that helps them stay well and helps relieve symptoms. i.e. listening to music, crafting, taking a walk, journaling, swimming). 

Crafting is at the top of my Wellness Tools. I find crafting takes my mind off current situations and takes me to a place of calm. With music playing in the background (another Wellness Tool of mine), I can remove myself from the things that are bothering me and possibly weighing me down. Crafting is very therapeutic. 

I have an extensive list of things, I enjoy doing in my Wellness Toolbox. They range from journaling my thoughts, taking a drive through the country, walking among the headstones in a cemetery, taking a long hot shower, sipping on a hot cup of tea, crafting, listening to music, visiting with a friend, putting on makeup, sitting on the porch watching the birds, listening to my chimes sing, playing with my grandson, getting a pedicure, watching a movie, organizing a closet, and, looking through vintage photos. These are a few of my interests. I have over 200 items listed in my Toolbox that I can pull from when my emotions or mental health begins to get the best of me. I depend on my Wellness Tools daily to keep me well. 

Sometimes, something that comes so commonplace as crafting may seem difficult for me because of where my headspace is. If that is the case, I reach for something else from the list of things I have created. I do this in hopes of averting a mental health episode. 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations was birthed from a place of pain, darkness, and a hopeless feeling. You don't have to go through your stuff alone. There are facilities and people willing to help you get back on track. It is NEVER too late to start over...

Soba Recovery is one of those facilities. They have a simple admission process with addiction specialists on standby 24/7. Their direct admissions helpline is 866-547-6451 and their website is http://sobarecovery.com

Soba Recovery would like to spread awareness that when a person feels like they have nowhere to go to fight your addiction, you do. They are here to help! 

They are licensed through the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Organization (JCAHO). 

Through the years, Soba Texas has helped hundreds of families, locally and beyond who battle the horrific aftermath of addiction. They have saved hundreds of lives. 

Their mission unites people who have reached out for help with their loved ones to help them regain the tools they need to continue living a prosperous and sober life. 

Soba is staffed with 24/7 doctors; nurses and residential techs who look over and care for the clients around the clock and they are ready to help YOU! 

You too can begin building your Wellness Tools and getting your life back on track today. What are you waiting for? 

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

H2hsc2020

#SobaMentalHealth, #MentalHealthAwareness, #TexansHelpingTexans, #Inspiration, #HOPE, #life, #resilience, #wellnesstools, #recovery, #Iamtheevidence, #strength, #takethefirststep, #addiction, #mentalhealth

Saying "NO!" to Negative Thinking

May 3, 2020

In conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, I was chosen to take part in the Texas Campaign for Soba Recovery, I would like to touch on a subject that was quite difficult for me many years ago. Once I learned the two-letter word, NO - I felt empowered over my own negative thoughts. 

Today's topic is, "Saying "NO!" to Negative Thinking" 

Each one of us has been groomed one way or the other by our parents, society, people in power, or life itself. It is quite easy to allow life situations to dictate our outcomes. Not always the case, but more times than not it is...

In my personal life, situations around me dictated who I had become. They dictated how I thought, and how I acted. I did not like it. I did not like myself. I had to get ahold of my life in a fast way before I completely spun out of control. In order for me to accomplish this feat, I had to strip back every layer one by one of the situations that had occurred in my life from as far back as I could remember in order to be set free from the internal negativity and self-doubt that I lived with on a daily basis. All I knew was negative thinking. It was all around me. It consumed me. Twenty-four, seven...

Some of these situations looked like rejection, abandonment, drugs, alcohol, pain, angst, rage, sexual molestation, failed marriages, lost hopes, mental health issues, lost dreams, no self-worth, guilt, failure as a person, hopelessness, no reason to live, and low self-esteem just to name a few. 

At times, people become people of circumstances. We do things from a place of pain and wanting to be accepted one way or the other. Negative thinking is one way we self-sabotage ourselves when all we have heard is, we are not good enough. 

Did you know that negative thinking is often a symptom of depression and bipolar disorder (manic depression)? These illnesses can make it more difficult to see things in a positive way, feel hopeful about the future, or believe your life is worthwhile. Illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder cause Cognitive distortion, which means many of our negative thoughts may not be completely true, and some may not be true at all. These thoughts might be automatic and lead to feelings of sadness or hopelessness before we are aware of them. 

What can we do about negative thinking? We cannot just "think positive" and overcome our mood disorder. But we can learn to spot negative thoughts, see them for what they are, and confront them with more realistic ideas. Let us break this down from us to I. Ask yourself this question: 

What Can I Do?

1. Learn the types of negative thinking. Pay attention to your own thoughts and look for this type of thinking.

2. Find reasons your negative thoughts are not based on reality (rational response).

3. Change your thoughts to something more realistic based on rational responses.

4. Keep track of your thoughts and feelings in a journal calendar.

5. Ask friends for help recognizing negative thoughts.

There are many types of negative thoughts. Some include:

• Thinking things are all good or all bad: My friend did not agree with me... he hates me.

• Coming to general conclusions based on a few examples: I had a bad week at work, so I need to quit.

• Believing you know what other people think and feel about you: People think I am stupid.

• Expecting disaster: I will not get this job because nothing good ever happens to me.

• Believing everything around you are a reaction to or because of you: My spouse is in a bad mood; I must have done something.

• Believing you or those around you should act or feel a certain way: I should be able to get over my fears or people should have more patience.

• Labeling: I am a loser.

Sounds easy enough, right? It is not. These things will not be easy right away. It will take some practice before you are able to spot negative thoughts and form rational responses easily - do not give up even if you are tempted to. 

Learning how to turn negative thoughts into positive ones is not a need, but a tool for survival.  Once we change our mindset, life will begin to turn around. I will not lie to you though...it does take work on your part. It may mean removing certain things, people, and or places from our lives.         

If we want a different result, we must be willing to do things differently. Thinking is no different. In order to begin feeling good about ourselves, we MUST change the way we think daily. Why not start today? 

Whether you are dealing with alcoholism, drug addiction or mental illness, Soba Recovery wants to help you. 

Soba is staffed with 24/7 doctors; nurses and residential techs who look over and care for the clients around the clock. We have an in-house chef and cleaning service that work together and clean the facilities multiple times a day, 7 days a week. 

Soba Recovery would like to spread awareness that they are still here and running - even when it feels like you have nowhere to go fighting your addiction - you do.

Soba Recovery is a safe place (and clean). 

Soba is licensed through the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).

Over the years, Soba Texas has helped hundreds of families, locally and beyond, battle the horrific aftermath of addiction, they have saved hundreds of lives. 

The Soba Recovery mission unites clients with their loved ones and helps them regain the tools they need to continue to live a prosperous and sober life. 

Soba has a very simple admission process with addiction specialists on standby 24/7. Here is the direct admissions helpline 866-547-6451 and their website is https://sobarecovery.com        

    "It's never too late for a new beginning in your life"

Healthyplace.com

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

H2hsc2020

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Mental Health Awareness Month

May 2,  2020

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness month. The definition of mental health is a person's condition regarding their psychological and emotional well-being. Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. 

I have the opportunity of working on the Texas Campaign alongside Soba Recovery for a few days this month. 

Mental Health Awareness is something I do not take for granted. Being a person who lives (or walks) in recovery with lived experiences, I know all too well the deep, dark abyss where the illness can take a person. I know firsthand what mania looks like during a full-blown Bipolar episode. My last Bipolar episode was in the summer of 2005. It was a very traumatic ordeal and a pain that I do not ever want to live through or experience again.

The events of that summer day will stay with me until I leave this earth. I was humiliated. Demoralized. Treated like an animal and mocked by the very ones who were to protect and keep me safe. It was then, I decided to never again let mental health dictate my life. This traumatic event was the catalyst that changed my life forever. I put myself in counseling. I began attending support groups, learned what my triggers were, how to prevent them from escalating my illness. I worked with a therapist and a psychologist. I had to make some serious life changes and that included removing people who pulled me down mentally and emotionally. 

What does this mean: I did what I had to do to flip the switch. I created an action plan. I learned recovery through and through. I walked, talked, and breathed recovery twenty-four/ seven. I had to take care of me because no one else was going to do.  I had to be willing to put the work in if I wanted to change. 

My work at one of the Texas State Hospitals for nearly 7 years was a very rewarding job. I could relate to people who were at their darkest moments in life. 

I was in a position to offer them HOPE. Why? Because of my own HOPE and RECOVERY. 

Hope and Recovery were offered by treating them like human beings instead of treating them like a number. I listened to their pain. I listened to their stories. 

Many of the tools I learned, I shared. Above all, I listened to them, I heard them. I validated them. I gave them HOPE that people do recover and live a life full of quality. It may look different, but it is possible. I know because I AM the Evidence! 

In 2016, I had to step out of employment due to other major health issues. I was devastated. In denial was more like it...but I survived. Again, I put my recovery tools to work. This time, I had new triggers and action plans that I worked through. Over and over I had to work the steps to keep myself well and out of the hospital. It worked...but I had to do my part because no one else could do it for me. 

In the early part of 2019, I experienced depression for the first time ever.  I do not wish that on my worst enemy...talk about the deep, dark abyss. I did not think I would ever return from it. The days ran together, the tears flowed at a drop of a dime. I had many sleepless nights and many days, where all I wanted to do was sleep. I felt like a zombie. It was horrific. I literally could not function. It was very debilitating, to say the least. My outlook on life was very bleak. I was desolate. I felt as though I did not have anything else to live for. I was hopeless. Again, I sought the help of a Therapist and a Psychiatrist. 

I credit my years of working in the mental health field, and being able to recognize the triggers, and implementing my action plans sooner than later. The Action Plan was part of my  Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) - (a tool developed by Mary Ellen Copeland) helped me get back on track very quickly. I have had a personal WRAP in place since 2005. It is interesting to me though as I sat there across from the Therapist and the Psychiatrist at times, thinking to myself - what am I doing here? I know better, how did I allow myself to go there in my head? Talk about self-reflection. Self-sabotaging. WOW -- I got very angry not at the situation that landed me in the depression but at myself for allowing the circumstance to take me to the dark abyss called depression.  I am thankful that the doctor, therapist, and I was able to get me back on track in a short period. But again, I had to work at my recovery. They were not going to do it for me. Today, I still work my recovery twenty-four/seven. I have to if I want to stay well and be well. 

There are many examples of mental health. Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety & Panic Disorders, Eating Disorders, Schizophrenia, PTSD and, Substance Abuse & Addiction. Now with the Coronavirus pandemic, mental health, alcoholism, and drug abuse are very high on the minds of people. These concerns are very valid. Not only for the doctors, but for the individual themselves, and their friends and family members. Stress, fear, and anxiety of the unknown can set mental health issues in motion very quickly. One day a person can be totally fine and the next day completely consumed by their illness. 

Today, many people are living in fear and worried. Many people are stressed. People have lost their jobs, their livelihood, their peace of mind, and their financial stability. This can create many triggers for a person living with mental illness, alcoholism, and or substance abuse. 

I am glad that I was able to have someone hold my HOPE when I could not hold it for myself. Their strength helped me do what I needed to do to get on the road to recovery. It saved my life, literally. They held me accountable and in turn, I began holding myself accountable. 

I would encourage you if you know someone who has had issues with mental health, alcoholism, and or substance abuse - reach out to them. Listen to the things not being said. Listen to their words. If you spend time with them, watch their body language. There are always red flags that can be picked up if we are listening and looking for them. Be aware. Be mindful of the situations people are experiencing. Do not be judgmental and don't be critical. Listen. Listen. Listen. If the need is there to seek professional help, by all means, make the call. You or your loved ones ARE too important not to make the call. 

You may be thinking to yourself that you do not know the first place to start in order to find help. I would like to direct you to Soba Recovery. 

Soba Recovery would like to spread awareness that they are still here and running - even when it feels like you have nowhere to go fighting your addiction - you do. 

The Soba Recovery facility is a safe place (and very clean). 

Soba Recovery takes their client's livelihood seriously and creates a family for them even when theirs cannot be there. 

Soba Recovery is Licensed through the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).

Soba Recovery opened in August 2013. 

Over the years, Soba Texas has helped hundreds of families, locally and beyond, battle the horrific aftermath of addiction, they have saved hundreds of lives.

Soba's mission unites individuals with their loved ones and helps them regain the tools they need to continue to live a prosperous and sober life. 

Soba is staffed with 24/7 doctors; nurses and residential techs who look over and care for the clients around the clock. 

They have an in-house chef and cleaning service that work together and clean the facilities multiple times a day, 7 days a week. 

Soba Recovery has a very simple admission process with addiction specialists on standby 24/7. Here is the direct admissions helpline 866-547-6451 and their website is https://sobarecovery.com. 

If you would like to research Soba Recovery further, feel free to visit Fox San Antonio. 

In closing, I want to leave you with this poem. 

The Unstoppable YOU

Written by Diane Georgiadi, Canada

Hope for a new tomorrow 

Filled with joy and peace

Filled with knowing

You are so worth it

You are so valuable

And you are so unique

There is no one like you

Rejoice in who you are and

Where you are going

Moving onwards and upwards

To new things, to brighter things

To exciting things

Hope for a new tomorrow...

...This is your journey

It is all you can make it

And more

Take the time for you

Take the time

To find out what you need

Where you want to go

Learn, discover

Unwrap

The New, the exciting

The unstoppable 

You

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

H2hsc2020

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