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MEET MY BELOVED KITT O’MALLEY…

Kitt O'Malley

This summer I’ve been recuperating from caring for my parents, going to the BlogHer16 women’s blogging conference, and training for NAMI In Our Own Voice.

A writer is a writer before, as well as after, publication. Southern California Writers' Conference

This upcoming weekend, I’m attending the Southern California Writers’ Conference, about which I’m understandably worried for I find conferences exhausting and am a bit anxious that I will be out of my depth there.

Conferences can be exhausting and overwhelming for anyone, whether or not they live with mental illness. The social interaction of conferences and trainings overstimulate me, trigger hypomania, and exhaust me, requiring rest to recuperate.

nami-walks-2016

The following weekend I’m walking 5K for NAMI Orange County. Please support me and team STIGMA SMASHERS for NAMIWalks Orange County 2016. NAMI Orange County’s programs have helped me live well with bipolar disorder.

DONATE NOW GREEN

NAMI Peer-to-Peer introduced me to the concept of mental health recovery and gave me HOPE. I volunteer as a Provider Education presenter and just…

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#SUICIDEAWARENESSMONTH

I think one of the toughest things I had to adjust to when being trained as a volunteer Suicide & Crisis Counselor was asking TOUGH (& TOUCHY) questions. 

I felt it was intrusive & quite frankly impolite to be that detailed in my line of questioning when someone reached out for help. Everyone who is sad, depressed, in crisis or even self harm (cutting), ARE NOT suicidal. 

I thought asking if they were suicidal or had a plan would be offensive or “put the thought in their mind”. I learned very quickly that there are stages of progression and IF a person has a plan, access to fulfill the plan or has attempted before; asking the tough questions can make ALL the difference. 

Will you #BeThe1To?

 

If you or a loved one are suicidal or in crisis, PLEASE know that you matter and are not alone! If you need someone to talk to, don’t be afraid to reach out to the resources below!
The National Suicide Hotline 

800-273-TALK (Veterans Press 1)
The Trevor Project (LGBT Community) 866-488-7386
Trans Lifeline (Transgendered Community) 877-565-8860
Crisis Text: Text HOTLINE to 741741
Honored to raise awareness…💛e
Blog | http://www.authenticiteespeaks.com

IG | @authenticiteespeaks
Twitter | @authenticitee
Remember YOU MATTER!

© Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks, 2015, 2016 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content

Photo CreditPhoto Credit @800273talk, Kevin Briggs of http://www.Pivotal-Points.com & Kevin Berthia @_grateful

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Did you know you could see to infinity and beyond when standing in that torch Lady Liberty is holding? Climbing those stairs during my Junior High class trip made us feel invincible. Oh and then there were the countless times I would go to see Mommy at work in the Twin Towers (era-late 80’s). She worked on the 100 something floor and so I would have to take an express elevator that would take you straight to floor 100 or so and then get on a local elevator just to get to her job. 

I remember sitting on the The Promenade in Brooklyn Heights staring at the Brooklyn Bridge and falling in love again and again with the skyline of the only city I’d ever known as home. 

Born and reared in Brooklyn, New York; I choose to remember life pre-tragedy at this moment.

I will never forget where I was when the catastrophic & satanically energized tragedy hit and changed ALL of our lives forever. 

I pray always….not only for those who lost loved ones, and for the families of courageous coworkers & first responders, but I pray for those who can never unsee what they saw. I pray for those who live with survivors remorse, PTSD, nightmares, and fear. 

Healing to those who remain, blessings & honor to the memories of those who left us too soon. 

9.11.16

Blog | http://www.authenticiteespeaks.com
IG | @authenticiteespeaks
Twitter | @authenticitee
Remember YOU MATTER!

Remember YOU MATTER!

© Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks, 2015, 2016 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content
Photo Credits Pinterest. No copyright infringement intended. 

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THEIR UNMUTED SOUND

The saints were quiet 

when I needed to 

hear them the most. 

Judgement preceded discernment. 

Prayers an illusion.

Their presence – ghost. 

But it was those who 

rarely or never darkened 

church doors whose

faith was strong. 

They’re the ones 

who came looking for 

me, when I shouted

“present” during attendance 

discerning I was gone.

 Resuscitated by strangers 

looking for the familiar 

only to see new faces. 

My Authenticitee began to Speak, 

pain had pushed me 

into uncharted spaces. 

I’ve been both 

legalistic and liberal

Smoke’s clearing – 

balance now found

May I NEVER forget 

what it felt like

to be ignored 

so I can forever 

be an interceding 

voice for the voiceless – 

their unmuted sound. 

iWrite 9.4.16 @authenticiteespeaks 
Blog | http://www.authenticiteespeaks.com
IG | @authenticiteespeaks
Twitter | @authenticitee

Remember YOU MATTER!

© Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks, 2015, 2016 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ericka Arthur and authenticitee speaks with appropriate and specific direction to the original content
 

Background photo Pinterest – No copyright infringement intended. 

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We take so much for granted. I often say people do more with your less everyday and are winning. Then there are stories like this…waiting to be told. Stories that remind us to not only be grateful but to inspire us to change for the better. 

Meet Daniel Lewis and the three miracles that keep him going. 

Daniel’s story as told to The Daily Echo is both heartwrenching and heartwarming. 

“Dan, a former Bitterne Park School pupil and football fan, got the shock cancer diagnosis in 2006 just months after he suffered a sudden seizure on the way back from the video shop with his partner Sarah Wicks.
An MRI scan revealed he had a tumour – an Astrocytoma.”

For the full story click here. 

To purchase Daniel’s book to help fund his treatment click here. 

Follow him on Twitter @1DANNYLEWIS
© Ericka Arthur and authenticitee, 2015 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Ericka Arthur and authenticitee with appropriate and specific direction to the original content
Photo Credits: Daniel Lewis and the Daily Echo. No copyright infringement intended.