It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Paige Davis. Paige and I have connected through some of our shared life experiences. Both of us believe that through any struggle, a heavy dose of gratitude can certainly bring hope and comfort. I hope you enjoy her message of gratitude.    As a cancer survivor, wellness enthusiast, and meditation teacher, I have witnessed first hand how mindfulness and meditation can help us cope in moments of crisis and embrace moments of bliss. I … [Read more...]

Sharing stories with one another fills the space between us. Through sharing our stories, we forge new and strong relationships. We learn recovery is possible. We find hope. In my book where the Water Meets the Sand, I describe several occasions when the stories of others brought me comfort and strength. Sharing stories with my friends and other patients at The Menninger Clinic emphasized the love and support amongst us, no matter how different our symptoms were. I admit there were even … [Read more...]

Throughout my life, I have mentored children, teachers and beginning administrators starting a new career.  I have been mentored and mentored people in self-help groups trying to get sober and I have worked hard to give back and help individuals improve their lives. With the publication of my book, Where the Water Meets the Sand, and for the past few years, I have been working to encourage whole communities to break the stigma of mental illness and commit financially to providing quality … [Read more...]

It was 12:41 am Thursday morning when I called my sister, “Mother just passed.” Saying the words out loud didn’t seem real. But it was true. Mother was gone.  I sobbed like a baby. Mama, gone. How could that be? After Leon died in September of 2015, Mother said, “Why am I still here, all my younger brothers are gone and I’m still here. I’m the oldest and I’m still here.” I grieved for her before she passed. I grieved for her loneliness, for her sadness and I grieved for her dependence on … [Read more...]