There is something that can be written on the spirit of everyone dealing with mental illness, or any ailment.  That is the desire or the expectation to be made whole one day.  So deep is the desire to be able to experience life at its fullest, to live beyond sickness, that is hope of everyone.

Sometimes this desire, this hope is buried beneath years of neglect, darkness and despair.  Sometimes it takes other people to "unpack the bags" that we were not meant to burden alone.  Sometimes it takes therapists, doctors, pastors, chiropractors, mentors and friends to help us see and to live the life we were meant to live.

I know there are people sitting in prisons, in hospitals, in psych wards that are living in the shadows of their true selves.  But deep down past the horror of their past and present they want peace in their lives.  They want to transcend their sickness if they could let go of their fear.  Deep down they want an end to their pain.

My route to a healthy life was a process of seeking as much help from as many sources, as many people as possible.  I saw a therapist for over eight years.  They helped me unpack all my negative thinking, and helped me create goals and a vision for my life.  Doctors provided the baseline of medication that helped regulate biochemical imbalances that are the core of mental illness.  Pastors and mentors helped me discover my true self, and that gave me a spiritual context that was helpful for me to connect my life experience with God's plan for my life.  Chiropractors/Yoga/Fitness instructors helped me tune the physical component of my health.

For me there is no one thing that I can say independently cure or treat a mental illness.  A multilayered approach is needed to restore a mind and body to health, and can bring peace and wholeness to life.

In everywhere that I seen mental illness, I have learned there is no such thing as "unreachable" people.  It is my hope and expectation for my life that my health, my journey and my "reaching out" can help me reach people and help give people a new perspective and jump start on life.  My aim is to teach people and guide them towards wholeness.

When we expect, when we are given the hope that our lives can change, no illness or disorder can stop us from living a fulfilled life.  When we are healed we can go out and heal others and create communities of hope.

Again, thank you readers so much!