Category: Healing from Trauma

Posted on

Embrace What You Can’t Understand.

Where are my overthinkers?

On my recovery walk today… my mind starts to overtake me. Back to the same old questions of “Should I have? Can’t I just be like? Is this way wrong?”

Why do we do it to ourselves? I shake my head and breathe.

I remind myself that no matter where this moment leads me, or how this day unfolds, I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Part of growing and seeing success is to remind yourself of the hope that lives in you. Our greatest challenge is often our mind.

I hear the birds… I see the beautiful wildflowers… and they remind me that this day is a gift.

They are natural born survivors, and so are we.

As my mind relaxes… I think of just how lucky I am to be here. How my path is not what I would have chosen but how my purpose proves otherwise.

Sometimes what we do understand is the best nourishment for your soul.

Posted on

On Being Vulnerable.

Vulnerability is always staying in search of the light. It’s questioning the whys… it’s continual motion toward a direction of your inner truths, and creating an positive impact to those around you.

The in-betweens of the space you are sitting now and where you are headed are often filled with small miracles, daily victories, and subtle moments of learning and triumph.

It’s okay to sit in the gap of uncertainty from time to time, as uncertainty brings about more possibilities for growth.

It’s okay to not tolerate what you once allowed, and fight for a better tomorrow.

Pay attention. Seek to follow those who ignite you. Seek to follow those who give and not just take. Pay attention to acts of selfishness versus acts of selflessness. See in yourself what you want others to see in you.

You are the light… you are the miracle… and you are the force within yourself.

Embrace the hard… and it gets softer. Embrace the doubt… and it gets harder.

Onward.

Posted on

6 Years Ago Today.

Today is just a random Saturday to many of us. The start of the weekend. A day to sleep in… catch up and make memories.

Six years ago on this day in June after another night of black out drinking… I woke up on a tear-stained pillow realizing change was a must.

I had been down this road before. I had conquered my demons, had challenged booze and won… but had I?

I remember seeing my sneakers laying in the corner, the laces were so bright and beautiful.

My head was pounding. My heart was heavy. My addictive thoughts were already trying to convince me “I don’t need to quit” and to crawl back to the darkness where I was safe from reality, humility, admission, and repair.

I stumbled out of bed, so weak I could barely stand up. Beads of sweat rolled down my face.

I made it to the mirror, and with every amount of strength had left in me… promised myself I would set out to beat this disease, and spend the rest of my days helping those who felt hopeless do the same.

I managed to tie my laces, and go out to the place where my healing journey began… the open road. As I worked the steps of this book… the steps on that asphalt became my best friend.

It listened intently, it spoke to me softly, and it showed my healing and recovery was possible… one run at a time.

Today is just a day to some… but to me, it’s everything.

2,193 days of taking my life back… doing the deep shit work of admitting my own crap, and pushing to become better.

I am forever grateful to the people that took my hand when I was weak, that loved me unconditionally through my worst, and who I still count on today to help me stay accountable.

Like a sunflower, even on my darkest days… I stood to face the light.

Recovery is not only possible… it’s wonderful.

Posted on

Not Forgotten.

I struggle some days with my mind on overload. The constant replay of things I see or hear. Choices I contemplate making, things I see on social media etc… or hear out in the world.

I beg for the chattering to stop, and know that the best cure is my feet on this pavement.

I believe in miracles. I believe in signs. I still believe in the greater good of people despite what’s happening in our world… and every once in a while just when I need it most… my Creator shows me he hears me, and I am not forgotten.

Do the best you can… and then do better.

~ From the Diary of What Running and Life Have Taught Me


Need Moral Support Around Your Health Goals? Let’s Keep in Touch.

Join our running, healthy lifestyle and emotional support group on Facebook!

Sign up for running and health motivation emails from Suzanne. 

Posted on

Life is My Teacher.

The older I get and the more time that passes… life continues to train and teach me.

It’s not always grandiose nor measured in lavish material “stuff”. It’s not what I can gain from you but what I can give.

As I move through my years… self reflection gets easier, not harder. I seek simplicity. I love my routines. I worry less about things I cannot control, and allow room for acceptance.

I am so grateful those who remain true and journey with me for light and strength… and have learned from those who pit stop in for their own benefit.

Today I ask myself… do my efforts match my words? Do my victories triumph over my defeats, and will I forever live to make a difference? The answer is yes.

Find a few good people… find a good routine… and find yourself back home to in wellness that’s waiting for you.

Run (or Walk!) With Us on the Path to Self-Betterment.

Join our running, healthy lifestyle and emotional support group on Facebook!

Sign up for running and health motivation emails from Suzanne. 

Posted on

Do the Thing.

She vowed to be better than what almost broke her. She dares to motivate herself, even when the stands are empty and the crowds have disappeared.

She chooses betterment instead of bitterness, and documents those moments when tangible results are upon her.

Whiskey and wine tried to kill her… processed crap and toxic food tried to comfort her… and self loathing hijacked her every thought.

Educate yourself on what you put in your body. Think less about what people think of you, and more about inner growth, and finding joy.

When they tell you “it’s not possible.” Tell them I sent you. God’s plan for me was greater than I ever could have imagined. Do the thing. THAT. IS. ALL.

Find a few good people… find a good routine… and find yourself back home to in wellness that’s waiting for you.

Run With Our Pack!

Join our running, healthy lifestyle and emotional support group on Facebook!

Sign up for running and health motivation emails from Suzanne. 

Posted on

Contentment.

This morning’s run was hot and steamy. Air quality alert… 95 percent humidity. Fog densely covering the familiar greenery.

Yet it was one of those mornings where you feel connected and contented.

Passing the local farmer walking with his grandchildren, the friendly waves of my neighbors who see me out here daily, and familiar curvatures of my back roads… all give me a sense of belonging.

I hear the humming sound of the tractors… hear the sounds of nature and I can’t help but feel happy.

Today is a hot, cloudy, murky day… but even still… what a gift ❤

Posted on

Mailbox to Mailbox.

What are you looking at, Suzanne?

I am looking at the face of someone who was taught fear comes first… and boldness comes later.

I am looking at the inner being of a little girl who knew even before life showed her that she was going to lead by transparency instead of tragedy someday.

I am looking at the face of a woman who let the lies of the bottle and the fake ingredients of processed crap hijack her mind daily.

Lastly, I am looking at my heart’s reflection. I see a journey of a woman who literally was saved “Mailbox to Mailbox” as her sneakers pounded, her sweat ran, and her lungs breathed her back into being.

Find the souls that speak your language, so you waste not one minute translating your spirit. And may the space between where you are and where you want to be never stop inspiring you 💛.

That. Is. All. 👊🏻

Posted on

A Glorious Mess.

She is a glorious mess of what-ifs and used-tos. She continually tells her story as if the whole world is listening. She is messy but kind… bold and deliberate… yet soft and purposeful.

She knows her endurance is neither too strong nor too weak… and she knows that to win her race of life, she must balance between raising the bar, and steadily pacing her feet.

Oh, how those inner voices try to persuade her that it won’t matter in the end… but she knows it will… she sees her goals… and she is going to continue to fight like hell to crush them.

When you stop dreaming, it’s over. See it… want it… believe it… and don’t you ever stop reaching for it.👊🏻

THAT IS ALL 💙.

Posted on

Sunflower.

Most of us will wake up today with a burden we have been carrying around full of heaviness.

These little pieces of anger, sadness, depression, anxiety, unworthiness, self-loathing, self- criticism, and negativity move in unannounced and work tirelessly to set us up for failure.

I am reminded today of the lesson a sunflower 🌻 teaches… they are made to grow roots deep and wide, to survive strong winds, and always put their face to the light.

Today I am choosing to put my face to the sun, ground my feet, and be truly grateful for the strength I am “growing.”

Be a sunflower today 👊🏻.