My illnesses get to be here too

By Fran Houston

I have found when I not only allow but gently accept my feelings — especially the difficult ones — I get to integrate all parts of myself. My illnesses get to be here too. Pushing them into silence only hurts. And when I share these inner experiences I find kindred spirits who long for that same honesty, freedom, and wholeness.

Hiding behind closed doors in our hearts and allowing others to hold the key is the essence of stigma, throwing us into invisible institutions that are more dangerous than the physical ones that existed not so long ago.

Let’s replace silence and stigma with openness, awareness, and kindness.

 

Originally posted on Facebook Aug 23, 2016.

Photo by Ales Maze at Unsplash.