Our assignment this week: catharsis!

I too have found great solace in music, laughter and doing things that I really love with my kids and going on peaceful trips into nature too. There is a part of me though that needs from time to time to really connect with the depth of my own anger at having been bullied and put down for so long (not just by xnpd - way back to childhood). It is not unusual for surivors to suppress their own anger and instead it turns inwards and expresses itself as depression with feelings of low-self worth and shame. For years I have been scared of my own anger but not so much anymore. Connection to the power of anger can be galvanizing for personal change. We were projected upon, blamed and dumped on, the shame is not ours to bear - I personally believe that getting in contact with the rage/anger and finding healthy ways to express it physically can be very cathartic and liberating. Primal therapy is something that really interests me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The deeper that sadness carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." ~ Kahlil Gibran "That which we do not confront in ourselves we meet as fate" ~ Carl Jung http://www.storyofmylife.com/KLARITY4

During my D&D, I found music a refuge. Listening to music brought me a sense of peace. It was also how I dealt with being in a toxic/narcissistic workplace. I'd listen to world music.

I got away for a week last month. I drove 400 miles from my home with my kids and camped on a beach. It was wonderful. The air was fresh and clean. I could hear the birds and crickets. I remember thinking how peaceful it all felt and that is what got me thinking that this is how is should be always. So I took a lot of photos with my phone and digital camera. And when ever I feel the hurt and anxiety come on like I do today, I pull out my camera phone and look at the photos and that reminds me that life can be peacefull again. I also brought home rocks that I found along the water and placed them around my house and in my car. These serve as reminders to me of what a peaceful life could be. xoxo

My ex-Psych professor was SO HUMORLESS, that I've found laughter to be the best release. It releases the good hormones, gets rid of stress. He would dourly say that humor is a "defense mechanism"--the H*ll it is! Laughing at the thought of him in his pretentious beret and skinny jeans... Laughing at his sorry excuse for a philosophical essay... Without laughter, humanity wouldn't survive. "The first prerequisite of an advanced being is a sense of humor"-Richard Bach "It's not funny if you don't have a sense of humor."-activist/comedian Wavy Gravy "God is a comedian playing to an audience afraid to laugh"-philosopher Voltaire

I have chinese lanterns of various colours, I am going to ask each of my 2 daughers to pick one and then write out some things that are bothering them at the moment (both are currently upset and angry with N dad). They can express whatever they like, even swear words. If they wish to read it out they can, if they don't that's fine too. We will attach the 'feelings' to the lanterns (I will make my own lantern too). Then we will set them off into the night sky and watch them burn as they float into the distance. Afterwards we will roast marshmallows and create some happy memories together. He may have connection to my girls through biology but the N does not have control over our emotions, our choices, our lives or our spirits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The deeper that sadness carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." ~ Kahlil Gibran "That which we do not confront in ourselves we meet as fate" ~ Carl Jung http://www.storyofmylife.com/KLARITY4