Tag: substance use

Invisible Stories

Invisible stories
Invisible people You Tube channel

What a great documentary series on addiction and homelessness this channel has especially This one. He reminds me of my son. I suspect this was on a really good day because he doesn’t look very disheveled, but I also don’t know what he looked like before. Some of the comments say he died, but I didn’t research it.

Also my very assumption that he “should” look disheveled, is part of the stigma. He obviously has figured out how to make the streets work for him. He also doesn’t appear to have any mental Illness. This could be, would be my son if it wasn’t for his ADD component, I believe. His entrepreneur and driven ADD personality has him getting into more & more trouble with his use. He would like to just be this guy and enjoy his DOC like a smoker enjoys a ciggerette. But hard drugs don’t let you stay there. I believe this guy is an exception.

It’s important for these videos to show the human-ness of the invisible people-not just those who are homeless.

There is not a one answer solution to homelessness or addiction. Harm reduction IS one way to avoid help reduce long acting affects such as HIV and Hepatitis AND help get people connected to proffessionals, at least for a few minutes.

Isolation kills.

Another Californian I have huge respect for is Jen Elizabeth Here’s her instagram she’s a former addict and an author of This book which I just ordered. I’ll let you know what I think. ✔️🧾.

Addiction is one of those you-have-zero- clue until you’ve been there diseases.

I refuse to argue whether it’s a disease anymore, because just like in politics, you can’t change anyone’s mind. To me, too much energy is wasted on this argument, because are you really that much of a cold hearted person to use the “choice” argument to say these people don’t DESERVE help? If that’s the case then where’s does this argument stop? Would an AIDS patients fit with this theory? Who is the gatekeeper to decide who gets saved? Is it cops with the narcan? As a nurse, I know I can’t make that choice whether to treat patient or not, just because he made a bad decision, so I don’t think anyone else should play God either.

I’m devulging a whole chapter in my My Book coming out next year so I’ll stop. 🖐️🚫🛑

Random thoughts on this emotional Tuesday. Hope you enjoy the videos above.

New Year New Hope

We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun. ☀️But now winter is here & it’s that Cold time of year

Goodbye 2025

It’s been real

But not real fun

You did teach me some valuable things:

  • That I can celebrate small joys even when I feel incredible pain, disappointment and sadness inside.
  • That I am capable of deeper love and forgiveness than I thought.
  • That others opinions of me don’t prove my worth

In fact—most opinions are so greatly skewed by our experience and by our pain, that they don’t represent what is happening in real time. For example, yesterday my husband and I were going through a storage unit and were listing things for sale. I looked up some end tables to find out they were worth almost $300. I said,

“Why haven’t we been using these?”

“Because I thought you hated them.”

“Why would you think that? I’ve never even seen them.“

“I just thought they must not have been good enough for you.”

Heavens. So much conjecture. He had moved these item from his storage shed to one closer to us after we had married- his third marriage, my second. Most of the item were from his previous marriages so there really was no reason for me to go through them as I had my own household items. Whatever he was keeping must be for sentimental value—who was I to question that? But that may be my own projection.

But back to my list:

  • Planting consistent seeds of hope and emotional support can turn into trees of pure gold. And if they don’t, then at least I offered my part of spreading good vibes into the universe.
  • I also learned that no matter what you witness in others or from others such as rudeness, shaming, shunning, or complete indifference; it is a reflection of the lack of love and acceptance they have experienced in their life and you are just the current easiest target.

In 2023 I experienced some of my darkest moments. Moments that made me question my purpose and my existence. I was ravaged with thoughts of death and the adversary’s favorite words: 

“Why try?”

2023 taught me that trying is as much a part of life as eating or drinking. You have to continually do it or face annihilation.

A recent family situation made me see that there are people who have their limits of trying. They committed to doing just so many things for someone and when the results were not shown in their time limit, they ceased all contact. This caused incredible pain to the person because even they themselves didn’t understand why they couldn’t achieve lasting results in their goals and life.

Human behavior has always been the biggest mystery of the universe and when you add in substance use, mental illness, and the destructive personality types of narcissism and controlling vindictiveness; the perfect storm of vitriol and spite will most likely destroy relationships.

After almost being crushed by these actions I’m 2025, I am determined to do the thing.

The thing of New Years Resolutions

I will commit to trying harder, loving deeper and singing louder. I will write more and publish my book! Cook better meals, and dance more.

To the New Year: Let’s be friends

Let’s have new adventures and breakthroughs often, and let’s join in spreading kindness not hate.

Let’s believe people when they show you how deep their pain~ then show THEM how deeply love heals💘🖤💘🖤💘

Most of all 2025: can you please be my friend?

Let’s make this OUR year of L♥️V ✌️PEACE & J📀Y!!