Posts tagged Courage
Has my discouragement moved into depression? How to know.
Has my discouragement moved into depression? How to know.

An angry gray sky greeted me. Standing at the top of the flight of stairs which opened to the roof, the breeze mussed my hair and reminded me I was near the ocean. It also whispered that rain was coming.

It was a risk to hang my heaping basket of wet laundry, but I had no choice. I grabbed the heavy towels. Clip. Clip. Shirts attached next, then socks. Clip. Clip. In the midst of the up-and-down, picking-and-clipping repetition, I had lots of time to think.

I was sad. I'd been sad for a while. I rarely smiled or laughed. All of my actions felt laborious.

Continue reading . . .

Read More
Psychoeducational, Counseling, DiscouragementAlicia HavensDiscouraged, Depression, Healing, Courage
When Someone You Care About Is Discouraged
When Someone You Care About Is Discouraged

A wise Arab once said, “One hand doesn’t clap.”

One hand needs another hand to make an effective sound. Similarly, humans aren’t meant to function alone. We need others to help us accomplish goals, to laugh and grow together, and to keep us from feeling isolated.

When social isolation occurs, it accentuates any problem.

Read More
Counseling, DiscouragementAlicia HavensDepression, Discouraged, Concern, Listening, Isolation, Reflect, Progression, Hope, Service, Courage, Communication
Lonely? What to Do to Combat the Emptiness
Lonely? What to Do to Combat the Emptiness

I have just recently started to feel like I’m catching a glimpse of the “other side” of my loneliness . . . after six long months here in my native-born country. My heart has been aching with loneliness . . .

These are the same feelings I experience every time I land overseas. These feelings seem to follow me wherever I go.

Read More
New to Expat Life, Well BeingMarci RenéeLoneliness, Grieving, Grief, Friends, Home country, Overseas, Experience, Intentional, Courage, Community group, Talking, Marci Comment