you are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you. -Romans 5:8

Dear One~

On those days--the days when nothing seems to be going right and you feel unappreciated, when no one seems to hear you or see you or say the right words to speak life to your aching heart, when time seems to be moving backward as you wait for the end of the day--remember that you are loved. You are cherished oh so deeply by the One who loves you the most, who fights for your heart, your time. When this earth seems to fail you, know that He is there.

with love

sexual abuse/trauma + solution-focused therapy

One of the assignments in my brief therapy interventions class entails reading a book from a suggested reading list and then writing a review: the highlights, my resistance areas (i.e. what I disagreed with or didn't like), points I thought would be helpful, and other comments.

Originally, I wanted a book on PTSD, but another student mentioned that she wanted to read it, so I chose "Even From a Broken Web" by Bill O'Hanlon and Bob Bertolino. At first, I thought it would be a tedious read about sexual abuse and trauma, but I quickly found myself drawn in by the easygoing writing style and incredibly insightful/helpful content.

Also, I at first thought that I wouldn't like the solution-focused approach (I'm a fan of Adler and family constellations and genograms), but after learning about solution-focused therapy (SFT) in brief this semester, I think I may have found "my" theory.

to you, with love [06]

It's ok to be a glowstick; sometimes we need to break before we shine.

hey there

Even if your day isn't absolutely fantastic (though I hope it is), I pray that you know that you are! No matter what you may be going through, know that you will make it through and be stronger and wiser because of it.

You might feel particularly exceptional right now, but you have a purpose that only you can fulfill! I hope you never lose sight of that.

most sincerely,
E

to you, with love [05]

 Life offers you a second chance. It's called tomorrow.

dear you,

Keep your chin up! You're doing great; are you going to let a setback define you? Or will you tuck it away in your mind as a lesson learned? You have a choice here.

Make the most of each day you've been given on this earth. You are ALIVE and CAPABLE, and that's more than some people can say! Whatever you do, do your best and give it your all. At the end of the day, be able to rest peaceably in the knowledge that whatever you did was absolutely worth trading a period of your life.

So, go on. Go out and be the incredible person you're meant to be. Make mistakes (and learn from them). Live--fully and presently.

me

to you, with love [04]

The grass is greener where you water it.

Hello, there--

Maybe you're going through a difficult period in life right now. Maybe someone else's life seems so much better, so much easier, than the hand you've been dealt right now. Maybe you'd just like to go to bed tonight and wake up when everything's better because the pain is too much to bear every day.

That can be hard to admit.

I pray and hope that while you're here in this season of you're [Yes, I seriously wrote that and immortalized it with a photo. My bachelor's degree is a waste.] life, you never lose the ability to find something positive in your day. Never forget how strong you are (because you are even stronger than you know!). And when the clouds finally part--because they always do--you will be even stronger. You can do this.

me