My father and I were very close for many years. Once I turned 18 that relationship began to slowly die off. I was out doing what people my age did, going to parties, drinking alcohol and making poor choices. I was no longer daddy’s little girl and I began to disappoint him in many ways. All he wanted was the best for me and I took his wishes for granted. I was an only child, I had two hard working parents who did their best to give me the best life possible. They succeeded and I failed them completely, but in my self-centered mind, they would always be there when I needed them.

I was close to both of my parents, but let’s face it, I was daddy’s girl and nothing could ever break that father-daughter bond between us. So, I thought. As time went on, we drifted apart. We were tried to be decent, but most of the time we didn’t see eye. By the time I was 30, I had my one and only child and married the love of my life. When JJ came into our lives, my father instantaneously bonded with him. When I seen them together it brought back memories from my own childhood and it was history repeating itself all over again. From the age of 30 and beyond, I made some more bad choices that costed me everything I had. That’s what drugs did to me, my relationships with loved ones failed. For the most part, my husband and I worked through it, but my father would not speak nor come into my presence for long periods of time.

In 2016, my mother had fallen due to her long-term battle with MS and she’s been bedridden ever since. My father did everything he could to avoid sending her to a nursing home, so he took on the role of caring for her at home 24/7 and still does to this day. That’s fifty years of marriage for you! Around that time we had a fallen out, again, and didn’t see nor speak to one another for another three years. It was the hardest thing I ever endured. I didn’t see my mother and I had to communicate with other family members just to be informed on her health.

For the next few years all I did was pray for a miracle to happen – to be forgiven by my father for the damage I’ve caused. I wanted to make things right, once and for all before it was too late. In June of 2019, I bought a father’s day card and wrote ‘Happy Father’s Day, dad! I’m sorry and I love you! Love, Holly.’ I took a big chance and tossed it in the mailbox, and felt that it needed to be done. A week later, I got a phone call from my husband, John (who I was living apart from at the time, but still together) that’s a story to be told there, but not today! I’ll save that crazy shit for another rainy!! He delivered the message to me – I was invited to my parent’s house for dinner that upcoming weekend. I was speechless, but a sense of gratitude flowed through me. I never thought I would get a response – but by the Grace of God it did! I said “amen!” Just like that!

The invitation to dinner was awkward in the beginning, but we slowly began to communicate, little by little. From thereafter, my dad gave me permission to come around and visit. That was a milestone for me. We didn’t have any in-depth conversations in the beginning, but everything happened the way it was meant to. In October of 2016, I decided to move back in with my family. My husband, son and myself live in the apartment upstairs and my parents live downstairs. It’s nice to be able to spend time with my mom when I can and help my elderly father take care of her when needed. I work all daylight hours so I’m normally home by 3 p.m.
This evening I came home, fed the teenage son and husband dinner, then went downstairs to say hello and ended up having a two hour ‘much needed’ conversation with my father. A few words turned into several different subjects and it was time well spent. Everything from old memories to current events. We laughed, we reflected, and we hugged each other. As I walked out of the room, I told him how much I appreciated his time and enjoyed his conversation. My eyes began to fill up with tears, I felt as if God was working in my life, once again. That was the highlight of my day, aside from my husband and son. Another good day and a memory made! What a Thankful Friday it’s been. If you have a loved one who is feeling some type of pain over a conflict of the past, don’t give up! Reach out via card or text message. Be compassionate and let them know you made a mistake that you’re fully aware of. Sometimes all people need is time to recover. Pray and let God handle it.

#stories #creativewriting #inspiration #gratitude #writers #motivation #personalessay #spirituality #prayer #God #faith #forgiveness

Have you ever suffered a life-changing brain injury that interrupted your cognition completely, and to a point where you could no longer achieve the things you once could? If your answer is yes then you’re in the right place. Welcome to the club of broken brains!

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury? (T.B.I. )

An injury resulting in damage to the brain by an external force or blow to the head. This condition is caused by severe sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and violent related injuries. There

What are the symptoms?

Cognitive & Mental Symptoms:

• Inability to speak
• Profound confusion
• Loss of short-term memory
• Poor concentration
• Inability to recognize common things
• Feeling depressed or anxious
• Crying episodes
• Agitation
• Irritability

Sensory Symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears (Tinnitus)
• Changes in taste and smell
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Physical Symptoms:

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Fatigue

Treatment & Aftercare

• Rest
• Medication
• Occupational and/or Physical Therapy
• Surgery (depending on severity)

The Author’s Experience & Advice

Overcoming a brain injury can be a traumatizing experience no matter how mild or serious the condition may be. My name is Holly and my life changed unexpectly in October of 2016, after a slip and fall accident while mopping my kitchen floor. Unfortunately, I lost my balance and fell head first into the oven door. Shortly thereafter, I was in the E.R. waiting for a catscan, then referred to a neurologist for further testing and diagnosis. For the first few days I suffered a relentless headache, then blindsided by the post-concussion symptoms out of nowhere. Levels of stress and anxiety, loss of my short-term memory, and Tinnitus in both ears. Most of those symptoms subsided after three months, but my cognitive abilities will never function the same way they did before the injury.

The Permant Impairments That Changed My Life.

My brain could no longer process information like it once had. I became disorganized in my daily tasks and my short-term memory no longer holds a thought for extended periods of time as it did before the injury. I grew frustrated by the minute and felt certain that my future was doomed. Several months after the accident, I picked up my tablet with the incentive to write again. I found myself staring at a blank screen with no words to fill in. A mind full of inspiration had gone dry and before allowing it to get the best of me, I forced myself to write. Instead of trying to write about one specific topic, I wrote about several different topics. That way if I was blocked from one angle, I’d jump to another and it worked. And, still does to this day! If you’re a struggling writer with the same issue, I highly encourage you to put this strategy into practice. I assure you will have good results in your writing practices.

My Own Personal Coping Strategies:

The beginning stage

• Avoid stressful situations as they will come on more often than usual, due to changes in the brain. Find a solitary place or room for when these issues arise. One of the best strategies that’s worked well in my recovery stage. Peace and quiet is essential for a healing brain.
• Follow up with your health care provider and/or neurological department for further care and treatment. Seek occupational therapy and physical therapy if needed.
• Eat a healthy diet. This becomes more critical after a brain injury as you begin the recovery process – vegetables, fruit and grains. Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and low-fat dairy products.
• Light excercise and physical activity.
• Rest when you can.
• Find a hobby that will keep your mind occupied.

Long-term Impairments

• If you’re on a medication regimen for depression, anxiety or brain stimulants like Adderall, Concerta, Vyvanse, ect. Be sure to take them at the same time each day to obtain the fullest benefits. It helps an impaired brain stay on track for cognitive function.
• If you have difficulties with remembering things, keep a notebook handy and pen in your daily obligations.
• Do brain-boosting activities and excercise your brain. Jigsaw puzzles, reading, writing or card games you enjoy playing. Like any other muscle, the brain needs a workout, too!

I come to the conclusion that I’ll never be able to function the way I once had, but I never gave up on hope. These strategies have improved my cognition tremendously and I hope it does for someone else who’s impacted by this condition.

#stories #creativewriting #inspiration #gratitude #writers #braininjury #tbi #hope #faith #motivation #personalessay

Self-reflection sets in more frequently than ever before.  The older I get, the more I reflect on the past and how it’s shaped me into the person I am today.  My failures taught me lessons – those lessons gave me the strength and wisdom to view life differently.  I wouldn’t change a thing, because if yesterday hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be half the person I am today.    ~ Holly

#motivation #inspiration #gratitude #writer #creativewriting #stories #quotes #author #clarity #courage

“May your Monday be short and your coffee be strong!”

#quotes #sayings #proverbs #inspiration #motivation

What is the most relevant sentence, or quote you ever read? As a writer, I’m also a reader and like Steven King once said “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others; read a lot and write a lot..” and there’s more to it, but you get the point! I’ve read a lot of meaningful words in my years, but one in particular has influenced me the most;

“Dead people receive more flowers than the living ones, because regret is stronger than gratitude.”

The first time I comprehended these words, it hit me like a ton of bricks and threw me into an instant reality check. After a brief moment of self-reflection, I knew I had some issues to put to rest. We’ve all experienced regret at some point in our lives, whether it was small and short-lived or an ongoing process of horrible choices that we made and it happens to the best of us. In my own experiences, I’ve made more mistakes than I care to think about. All of them resulting in self-inflicted guilt, but today, I’ve taken some steps to work through these issues and move forward. I’ve listed some coping strategies that benefited me up to this point. I’m still a work in progress and it gets better. 🌝

Strategies to Overcome Regret

Accept what’s already happened can’t be undone. Acknowledge the mistakes you’ve made and realize that they can’t be reversed. Embracing reality and acknowledging the truth is the first step toward releasing regret.

Take care of yourself – emotionally and mentally. Don’t beat yourself up. If you’re a writer, make a list of all your good qualities and how they apply to you. Write a positive affirmation once a day and identify how it relates to you. Journaling is great for keeping track of your days – highlights, mood, ect. Do the things you can to open your heart to grace the relief that comes from no longer carrying the burden of blame.

Made amends with those you’ve wronged – unless it would cause harm to yourself or others. Analyze the situation, the damage done and the actions you need to take to mend the relationship. Be patient and give it some time. Remember, time heals most wounds.

Leave the past where it happened. Don’t keep talking about your failures and mistakes. The more you give voice to them, the larger they will appear. Release anything that reminds you of the regrettable action. 

Do the opposite of what you regret. We can’t change the past, but what we do have control over is how we’ll live our lives going forward. Regret is a painful, albeit effective teacher. Learn from its lessons. Though we are all subject to the same human condition, and we will continue to make mistakes as long as we live, taking note of what regret has taught us can prevent the repeating of similar actions we will be sorry for in the future. Replace regretful contemplation with positive action. Channel your thoughts into what is uplifting. Read something that inspires you

These steps have changed my life for the better, but I still have a long way to go. I will continue to share future experiences in relevance to this post. Have a good night and Good bless.

#stories #creativewriting #inspiration #gratitude #quotes #regret #personalessay #articles #motivation #inspiration #gratitude

New Writer Interested In Submitting Personal Essays and Guest Posts

Hello Bloggers! My name is Holly and I’m a new writer in the wonderful world of blogging. I’ve always been a hardcore reader, but my interest in writing came at a later time. I was pushing 40 when I began writing about my past experiences – good, bad and everything between. That’s when I realized I had a story to write and a damn good one, too! As a writer, and reader, I’m also a learner. With the internet being at the reach of our fingertips, I take it to my fullest advantage to self-educate and expand my knowledge by researching the things that interest me. At 42, I’m still learning and like they say, you’re never too old to learn.

I have substantial knowledge and personal experience in addiction and recovery – mental health disorders pertaining to depression, anxiety, and ADHD – brain injury and coping with the long-term impairments it can leave behind. I’ve done comprehensive research on these topics, I stay up to date to attain new information so I can further absorb and better understand these complex issues – the causes, coping strategies, and cures.

I will be sharing my work on this site in the next few days. Articles, personal essays and compelling stories. I’m practicing to become a proficient writer and blogging is the best way. I’m currently working on a personal essay I plan to publish in the next two days. Stay tuned!! Furthermore, I hope someone can benefit from my inspiration. If anyone would be interested in a guest post in relevance to these specific topics I went over, please reply. I would be honored. Thanks!

#bloggers #publishers #writers #stories #editors #authors #memoir #lifestyle #health #addiction #recovery #braininjury #creativewriting #inspiration #adhd #anxiety #depression

Just as intelligence and complexity are different, the same goes for wisdom and kindness. It’s wise to be kind, but not give too much kindness to those who inflict pain and create trauma on their victims. Kindness must be balanced. It’s both, kind and wise to have the forethought to protect those who have done no wrong – thus kindness to the perpetrators of violence must be tempered. They should receive care as good as the society can best afford, but not the freedom to hurt again. Should they be proven cured then the balance shifts and kindness would lead the society to welcome them back. None of this invokes the idea of forgiveness, to this equation it is irrelevant. We can forgive and still require protection, and to provide such protection is wise.

#stories #creativewriting #inspiration #kindness #wisdom #inspiration #quotes #thoughts #newbies

Oftentimes, we fail to recognize the things we need to be grateful for. It’s human nature and we’re all guilty of this at some point – to some extent. Typically, we focus on our misfortunes rather than counting our blessings. We take life for granted and forget how to live as we should – with peace, love and contentment. We shouldn’t have to face a critical, life-threatening dilemma to discern and appreciate what’s been in front of our faces all along. They say the past is full of tears and the future is full of fears. I spent several years in that mindset, but today I choose to live in the present and make the most of each day with the things most meaningful to me. I would recommend putting this strategy into practice, because it has worked wonders in my life.

Gratitude grows when we stop dwelling on the past because, your mind, body and soul becomes a peaceful place. The same goes for our days ahead, because we have a tendency to be consumed by what should or should not happen, failing to realize the future is out of our control. The happiest souls make it a point to live in the present and by doing just that, we begin notice what we have with appreciation. Thanks to social media and the fabulous world of technology, people nowadays are tuned into what’s displayed on their screens and less of their surroundings. Consequently, losing sight of what’s important – the people we love – the work that we do – the blessings we have. Even a simple chirp of a bird is a blessing, only because we are unable to hear something so simple. Make it a habit to be conscious of the little things like the running water from your faucet – the food you eat – the clothes on your back. Once that happens you’ll start to notice the bigger things in life – your family, your job, house, car, ect. Then immerse yourself in every moment of your life and at the end of the day you’ll have far more than most can only dream of having. You wouldn’t enjoy any of these blessings if they were instantaneously taken away from you! Remember, every single person, relationship or material object takes the investment of time, effort and hard work to be attainable. Offering a helping hand to others will make you understand that there’s so much to be grateful for. Get in touch with your altruistic side and give back to society and when I say it that way, I don’t mean offering to help charities, but it’s nice when you can. Help your family and friends, or even a stranger, because you’ll realize how fortunate you are to be able to serve those in need. But even more rewarding than that, you’ll be left with a feeling that will make you see beyond yourself and your own materialistic desires. That’s the greatest gift and blessing one will ever receive.

#stories #creativewriting #inspiration #gratitude #essays #author #writers #motivation #life #publisher #nonfiction positivity #affirmations #editor #growth

#stories #creativewriting #authors #publishers #writers #editors #inspiration #motivation #writingtips #quotes #flashfiction #nonfiction

Make A Promise To Yourself:

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side and you are true to the best that is in you.