Summer Bucket List

I have had some heavy posts lately, time to lighten the mood.  Here is my 2015 Summer Bucket List brought to you by flip flops and bare feet.  Here are my fourteen things to do in the next fourteen weeks until fall semester starts.

Friday Letters 4.10.2015

Dear spring semester, I am going to need to get the most out of the next two weeks, got a lot of stuff to finish.  Two more weeks and then freedom for a month before taking three classes this summer! THE END IS IN SIGHT!

Dear Friends, Thank you for the supportive texts, messages, and emails I received regarding sharing my struggles this week, it is nice to know people there are so many people who care!

Dear missing chicken, Thanks for all the eggs over the years, I am sorry you met your demise this week. It was probably the neighbor’s dogs.  I will keep a better watch on your friends!

Dear AK, I have been super flexible with your clothing choices, even as flexible as allowing you to wear a crown to school but I am drawing the line at two different shoes.  Just because you can’t find one sandal and one princess slipper (WHERE ARE THEY???) doesn’t mean you can wear one of each. And by the way, they are both left shoes.  Also, no stripe shirts with stripe shorts, that is just getting too crazy.

Dear Running, Sorry I neglected you lately.  Pollen is bad. Allergies are bad.  I am going to suck it up and drag myself back to you, begging for forgiveness like cheating ex from a country song.  Please go easy on me!

♥ Elizabeth

Not All Wounds Are Visible Part Two: How I Cope with Unworthiness and a Diagnosis

Now that I have shared that I have a diagnosis of PTSD from two traumatic events that you can read about here, I would like to share with you how I have learned to cope with not only the diagnosis and symptoms, but also the feelings of unworthiness.

According to the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) there are certain criterion or specifications that must be met in order to have a diagnosis.

“Diagnostic criteria for PTSD include a history of exposure to a traumatic event that meets specific stipulations and symptoms from each of four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. The sixth criterion concerns duration of symptoms; the seventh assesses functioning; and, the eighth criterion clarifies symptoms as not attributable to a substance or co-occurring medical condition.”

Check. Check. and Double Check.

I have worked with counselors writing out the experiences, pretending they were movies, and much more in-depth therapies. I find they help for a while, make me become comfortable until there is a trigger such as a sight, sound, smell, or even a flashback that can be paralyzing.  Here are a few ways I combat my symptoms.

National Poetry Month

I am going to be vulnerable with you guys today in honor of National Poetry Month.  I was reading More Reasons to Write a Poem and was inspired to share a poem I wrote a few years ago, probably the only poem I have written since I was required to make something for mother’s day in first grade (most likely to the tune of roses are red, violets are blue).  I am not a huge lover of poetry, nor do I consider myself much of a writer but I admire those who can.

Even though poetry is not my first (or second) choice in reading, I feel as an educator, I should be well-versed in it and comfortable sharing my writing with students who might be afraid to write their own poetry.  You never know when you might have Whitman, Dickinson, or Tupac (you don’t have to like rap music to appreciate the poetry in it) in your class who needs some encouragement to write or maybe just the opportunity to express a trial they might be going through.

I press on…

I have been in the book of Philippians for what seems like an eternity, so much direction in such a small book.   This morning I went over chapter three and was really drawn to verses 13-14.

As a runner (I use that term loosely), this spoke to me – I press on to reach the end of the race – In the ESV (which is my usually version) reads “I press on toward the goal.”  When I participate in a race, I participate for the challenge, for the experience, and for the t-shirt.  I am never, ever going to win a race, even in my dreams.  My goal is to finish, get my shirt and/or my participation medal, and then reward myself with more calories than I burned a delicious meal.