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The world feels chaotic. We are seeing policies shift overnight, communities struggling, and feeling the weight of uncertainty at work and with the people we serve. It’s easy to feel powerless. Some of us are going through the motions—just trying to get through the day. Others are shutting down, overwhelmed by the enormity of what’s happening around them. (That’s okay! That means you need time to rest). And then there are those of us who ask: “What can I do?” The answer? You can lead. In...

Music & Thoughts To Share - Feel Like A Man by Michael Skinner - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ebrsp9PkfY&t=33s – written for someone who touched my heart and soul. “To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.” - Lao Tzu “Where there is love there is life.” - Mahatma Gandhi “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” - Victor Hugo Please subscribe...

After a difficult childhood, many effective strategies can facilitate recovery and elevate mood and brain health.

The latest Surviving Spirit Newsletter - Hope, Healing & Help for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health is out - It can be read online via this & you can also subscribe - http://ml.survivingspirit.com/dada/mail.cgi/archive/newsletter/20250122211203/ or this - https://newsletters.survivingspirit.com/pdfs/2025-01-The_Surviving_Spirit_Newsletter_January_2025.pdf Hi Folks, Welcome to 2025!! I hope this year is a time of peace and joy for you. January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking...

Shame is common to the human condition but ACEs heighten shame in many harmful ways. Denying shame prevents us from healing it. The solution lies in bringing shame out into the light of day and making it an ally.

Although the challenges can be greater for survivors of ACEs, developing emotional intelligence is vital for successful, satisfying living. Emotional intelligence begins with self-awareness and understanding eight key principles.

If perfectionism is the enemy of good, compassionate, flexible striving for excellence may be the wiser approach.

Live Interview with Michael Skinner - Healing for Male Survivors with Mike Chapman - Podcast on Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TRNARistj7fLMx8mCUD16 Welcome to the Healing for Male Survivors Podcast, where male survivors of childhood trauma, especially sexual trauma, can find hope and healing. My main goal is to give a platform to YOU, my listener and fellow survivor. I want to make this a safe space for you to tell YOUR story, and telling your story can often jump-start your...

The latest Surviving Spirit Newsletter - Hope, Healing & Help for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health is out - It can be read online via this & you can also subscribe - http://ml.survivingspirit.com/dada/mail.cgi/archive/newsletter/20241218122142/ or this - https://www.survivingspirit.com/pdfs/2024-12-The_Surviving_Spirit_Newsletter_December_2024.pdf “ Every single person has at least one secret that would break your heart. If we could just remember this, I think there would be a lot...

Music & Thoughts To Share - As You Walk Away by Michael Skinner – YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFLyiBaJ5nE A song about estrangement. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel. & More tunes are coming!! “When we bring things out into the light, they lose their power over us.” - Al-Anon. “The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” - Roy Ayers. “ There never was a time when a major social problem was...

The latest Surviving Spirit Newsletter - Hope, Healing & Help for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health is out - It can be read online via this & you can also subscribe - https://www.survivingspirit.com/pdfs/2024-11-The_Surviving_Spirit_Newsletter_November_2024.pdf or this - http://ml.survivingspirit.com/dada/mail.cgi/archive/newsletter/20241118182856/ Newsletter Contents : 1] ‘It’s the first time I’ve woven in 27 years’: Peruvian women revive arts lost to trauma of forced sterilisations...

Dancing with Fear …and not letting it lead Welcome back, friends. For those new to my blogs, I share stories from my life as seen through the lens of one who survived adversity as a young person and adult. I grew up in an environment ripe with physical violence, emotional neglect and abuse, sexual abuse, addiction, and caregivers with untreated mental health disorders. I share these stories to open wide the door of silence and shame; and, hopefully reach someone who needs to be seen, heard,...