i woke up this morning...

...i woke up this morning and my mind
was set on freedom...

To route all the negativity from your life is a hard thing to do. It is a tedious and tiring task. It is a daily grind. But, every morning I must remind myself to do it. It is not a choice for me. Negativity is like the devil; it preys on minds like mine. I can't afford the luxury and hipness of cynicism, which is the sophisticated form of negativity. It is so sleekly disguised that most forget that's what it is.

Freedom is always what I strive for. Freedom from dis-ease. I long to have everything on an even keel. This freedom quest has always moved me forward. It's a fight I can handle because my many ancestors fought and died for freedom of another form. But freedom none the less. This has been my battle cry ever since I started to actively fight this thing. I used to say to myself that if my ancestors could make it through slavery (evidenced by the fact that I am here) and my grandparents and parents could survive jim crow in alabama, surely I can make it through a mental illness. And this became my sojourn, my mantra for dealing with my mental illness.

I have felt that I am too sophisticated for that now. I have felt that I am lacking in vision. I have felt that since my voice often stands alone, that maybe Fights don't matter. But still, I can't seem to forget my history and that of my family's.

My mother and father attended HBCUs in the south. When they finished their educational journeys, my mother had a master's as a reading specialist and my father a doctorate in polymer chemistry. All this they accomplished with "separate but equal" schooling at the start. They have now in the last phases of their careers come back to give to the HBCU tradition. They both teach at a small HBCU.

My grandmothers and grandfathers did all they could to encourage their offspring to get through college. It wasn't easy for both of my parents. They had to work more than one job and play catch up besides. And, my grandparent's worked every job they could find; all were the original "multi-taskers."

When I look back on this rich history that I have. I get angry. I get angry that all had to go through what they went through. Just as I sometimes get angry that I have to go through this and work so hard just to breathe.  I wonder if all americans had to overcome as much adversity as we as African-Americans have overcome, would our country still be standing? (that's for  you to ponder and answer)

However, I have decided not to dwell on anger and hate, and this is not the first time. I do get worked up on this subject. And, my anger is insurmountable. I often ponder at a resolution because some of my brothers and sisters are still waiting in the wings for their "taste" of freedom. At this point, I have given it to God, but in return, I have picked up on the "good fight" again. It's all i know...."songs of freedom...redemption songs...songs of freedom..." (bob marley)

(won’t you) help me sing

trees don’t notice
the thunder and lightening
they just fall
when struck

we have given our all and all

and are continuously set up for a fall

and yet

we still exist

strong

He must have a plan for us

 

we have built this country from scratch

and watchers

never call us anything but lazy

He must  have a plan for us

 

no one could live without the

inventions and innovations

we have designed

and yet they boast

our intelligence level is less

than most

He must have a plan for us

 

our every creative endeavor is

either used by advertising

or shared or taken over

and yet it is said that we

are not to the right of the bell shaped curve

naturally

He must have a plan for us

 

they are building jails

based on the numbers of those of us

who drop out weary from the fight

no plan of redemption from a system that

over the years has

catapulted our communities into their

worst fears

but God has a plan

 

marley

sang redemption songs

all he ever had

songs of freedom

 

freedom

a much used word

in this society

the ancestors of those who enslaved

complain of chains economic now

makes no distinction until it comes down

to the color of skin...

 

and yet God has a plan

 

i am not the Universe’s Mind

i can’t know what will go on before me

but i know my Father has a plan of Redemption

that will see Time right wrongs

 

so i continue to sing

songs of history

so that none will forget

songs of freedom

so that none will lose Hope

shed light on insanity

to free you and me

from slavery of mind

won’t you... help me sing...?

 

the river widens

and it narrows

suffers from drought

and deluge

but it keeps on flowing

and so do we...

jacquese

 

these are the days i hate

I don't know what to think now. I have a day where i'm fine and then the next few days, I pray hard for God to take me; let me die. And, I'm  crying as if I'm over my parent's grave. Not just superficial sobs and a few tears, I am howling. The emotional pain is sometimes more than I think I can bear. There is no other option though. I have to press on through and hope I get back to a time when I feel good most of the time.

I had an episode with voices recently too. I haven't been bothered with this for 7 years, so we're trying a new med.

When I'm up and feeling okay, I am optimistic and love life. But I am so weary on days that are not good. I feel as if I'll never accomplish anything. If someone killed one of my family members, I would not wish them this. They classify my illness as severe and chronic; I say it's a condemnation of the soul for life. I'm not being melodramatic either.

Today is an ordinary day

The man said he made a living out of releasing the "insanity" in his head. He is an entrepreneur with 6 businesses and looks to be about my age, also African-American. He was candid about his bout with mental illness early in his life.

I love to hear a speaker like this. Although he spoke briefly as he received an award, his candor hit me. I knew where he was coming from. I have had so many hair-brained schemes and I am about to give up and think that it's all a big fantasy job I'm doing on my head. But, there is hope. Maybe some of my "insanity" can be released and make a career for myself. I still long to fully support myself.

At  the luncheon, they were talking about work being an integral part of recovery and up until the end of January, I would have been engrossed in every conversation. But, today, I'm feeling the pain of another "failure." I had to get out of the luncheon before it was over. I used to have a happy ending message. But today is an ordinary day, just like the one before it. And I am working on my wellness, but I haven't an idea where I will go from here.

I just wrote in a poem that I can't know what will go on before me. I am not the Universe's Mind. But, my Father will right all wrongs in His Time. I have to trust.

I have no more to say. today is an ordinary day.


release the insanity (it's a positive thing)

and so
in the beginning
you get all these seeds in your brain
and only the ones you nurture
come to fruition...

i release my inner self to laugh
i release my inner self to Love
i release my inner self to pray
i release my inner self to stay
whole
in this bitch of a life i live
but it goes on
and the Bible tells me
this too shall pass
and so i hold my well worn string
tied to Hope and pray
i have the ability to do the long haul thing

and so
in the beginning...

i actually thought i would beat
this thing
first by thinking through it
next by working through it
i'm still waiting for a break
in the weather
so i can get across the street

and so in the beginning
you get all these seeds
in your brain...

and some times they are delusions
and hallucinations that you
can't distinguish from reality

and so
in the beginning
you get all these seeds in your brain
and only the ones you nurture
come to fruition...

so
what if you nurture
the delusions and hallucinations?

how do i make a positive out of a
no win situation?...

trust in the Lord and lean not to your own
understanding in all thy ways acknowledge Him
and He will direct thy path...


o win situation.

the speaker speaks

If you would like to have me speak or do a workshop at an event (none too small) please contact me at jacquesearmstrong@hotmail.com with "speaker" on the subject line.

peace always peace,
jacquese

Happy Mother's Day "Mother Dear"

I went to do a presentation today even though I am in the midst of yet another crisis...I felt good about it though...It restored my sense of me...I am a fighter...I will not lay down...ever.

I may not have beat this thing, but on the flip side, it has not beat me. Nor will it ever. There is always Hope...I believe that. I may be at wit's end at the moment and a door may have been shut in my face, perhaps a couple, but God's gonna open a window so that I can breathe.

That's what I hate most about being in the psychiatric hospital. There are so many people with no hope. And, while I truly understand their pain, I can't commiserate with them. Negative thoughts are the enemy. I have to guard against them daily. Since I'm living in Jersey, I have to fight them.

My mother's day poem might explain my resilient nature...This is for you Mom...with a nod to Langston Hughes...Happy Mother's Day...

daughter to mother

i watched you cautiously

along a weary time for me

climbing

              always

                          climbing

didn’t matter what kind of stair

crystal wooden steel cement

even saw  you construct  your own

and if you slowed

a little

i could still see  you climb

and then you told me

how they denied you stairs once

so you cast a balloon to the sky

to get to your destination

you’re still climbing

(and they ask me

  why i’m so resilient)

jaa 2/27/13

 

This poem came about because they asked me in the hospital why I'm so resilient. This was my answer on paper.

 

 

 

the purpose of this blog

The purpose of this blog is not only to educate and inspire, but to give people who want to employ or use my services as a motivational/inspirational speaker the range of topics I can approach.

Writing and speaking are such a joy for me, it doesn't bother me that I do it mostly for free now. But I would like to make this a self-sustaining proposition for three reasons:

1. I could stop and start as needed.
2. I think the voice of an "average" person with a mental health resilience story is much needed in the marketplace. We only tend to hear about the extreme ends of the spectrum: violence and extreme achievement.
3. I need to be my own boss. I hate people looking over my shoulder and me trying to second guess to keep up with and try to stay ahead of "the game." This is a very treacherous environment for my illness. Unfortunately, I 'm describing most of the work places in America.

Publishing two memoirs that I have written is also on the agenda. One I wrote while I was still very ill, angst ridden and very much in psychosis. The other was written after we found the right meds (actually new on the market) and I was recovering my "sanity", i.e. no voices in my head but mine.

The topics I talk about are probably scary to those who have never experienced or had a loved one experience schizophrenic symptoms. It is something even people with other mental illnesses do not understand. This is one of the reasons why I have decided to disclose about my illness, to bridge the gap and bring these issues to light. Because for some of us, it is the daily grind.

One of my volunteer positions lets me speak to the community to educate and inspire. But, the first time I disclosed was for a documentary I took part in. When I viewed the finsihed product I thought, what have I done? People I don't even know will know my story. I got over it because I was more interested in helping people and fighting stigma than I was vain.

There is another reason why I disclose. My most guarded well kept secret used to be that I had a mental illness. I lived in fear for decades that someone would find out. It made me feel like a prisoner in my own life. Mental health issues are a part of living like physical medical issues are. An illness is an illness. Diabetes, Cancer, Schizophrenia, Parkinson's...what's the difference? They all are diseases that have to be treated by a physician.

Anyway, now that i disclose, a tremendous weight and stress have been lifted from me. This is my gift for disclosing.

whew...thank You Lord

So, I finished my stay at the partial hospital and am feeling very well. I just don't know what I "aspire" to do for a living. I don't know right now  if I'm cut out to be a peer counselor, but I don't want to make a rash decision. But, that's what doctors and therapists are for; they can help you make informed decisions regarding your health. Mine know me well, we have been working together for about 6 years.

I am much calmer now. I am going to release this to the Universe. Let go and let God. I have come to the decision that I am going to pay attention to my warning signs and limitations. This is not giving up but recognizing that my illness is chronic and when I feel really stressed or overwhelmed it can flare up or even if I'm not feeling stressed. It's the nature of the beast.

I will now check myself when I am overwhelmed instead of telling myself to suck it up, this is life. I would not ask a person with a physical ailment, like a missing limb to do something that their challenge doesn't permit them to do. Also, I would tell a peer that I am counseling that they must look after their mental health first. Because if they have a breakdown, they will not be able to do anything for a while. So, why am I so hard on myself?

It's a curse and a blessing to be a goal-oriented person with this kind of illness. It is a blessing because it keeps you going, even through the dark days. But, the world is not accommodating at all. This is why I feel so compelled to be a peer. I want to help and lend support first of all, but also have my limitations understood without ramifications.

This definitely did not happen at the first job I took. A low constant underlying weight of stress attacked my head. I didn't realize or wouldn't realize that I was paranoid, bordering on delusion. Thankfully, I left for other reasons before I had a total break. This was shortly before I went to the partial hospital in the summer.

I think what contributed to my break this January was the fact that I was operating in a business as usual mode. I didn't learn anything from my previous stay. I didn't acknowledge the stress that put me in the previous position.

Anyway, I'm out. I'm glad. I'm blessed to be alive today and very thankful that I have excellent family and medical supports. And no matter what I decide to do now, I know I'm going to make it. Even if I have to keep changing my goals. I'm going to be here anyway, right.