The Lion

I started coloring about a year ago after staying in a hospital mental health inpatient unit for a few weeks. Most of you know that I have been in many different hospitals (about 15 or 16) due to struggling with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD.

I have found that challenging coloring pictures like the one above help me to calm down. They take time and I am often distracted from my symptoms when I find patterns to color. One of my favorite things about coloring is watching the transformation as the colors bring the picture to life. It is often difficult when you begin because you are just coloring small shapes. You cannot see the whole picture in your mind, much like in life. Over time, our lives are good and bad, but often are overwhelmed by good.

A friend of mine sent me a note this morning, which said "The best is yet to come. Keep dreaming, hoping and planning." I thought this is such an amazing truth.

I have been struggling a lot recently with my illnesses. I have had both very disturbing paranoia and PTSD flashbacks.

But I have not let it get to me. I find that it is these trying times that bring us closer to God and His ability to help us dream about the awesome lives that we can lead, whether we have mental illness or not. To me, I believe that dreams really can come true.

Last week,  I was in the Emergency Room for 6 hours due to my struggles, but I was discharged (after talking the treatment team for awhile). Later that day, I received an acceptance letter for an online Masters of Social Work program. We must always keep moving forward because we have no idea what kind of great things can happen. I accepted the offer because it is one of the top schools in the nation. In my personal statement, I talked about how much social workers have helped me get to where I am now. I have been inspired by the many social workers who have allowed my dreams to come true.

Never doubt hope. Never doubt that side of you that knows you can be brilliant or make this world a better place. I hold hope very closely because I know that great things can happen, no matter how arduous life can be or seem.

Be like the lion- strong, beautiful and powerful. Find that hope and strength inside you that cannot be taken away.