m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e †photographer. artist. author. singer. songwriter. musician. teacher. student. humanitarian. visionary. addiction counselor. therapist.
I cannot even begin to explain how God is blessing me in my life right now! Especially recently. I just stay in a constant state of joy and exuberance. Only God can do that.
So I graduated from Aspen University almost 3 years ago with my Master’s degree in Psychology and Addiction Counseling. I’ve never doubted that in God’s time, He would open the door and prepare my way to begin working on my clinical hours so that I can become a licensed Mental Health Counselor. I’m already a mental health counselor- specializing in addiction, I’m just not licensed in the state of Indiana.
I was just given the number to the state licensure organization and I called and spoke with them, which led me to the Career Services Department at Indiana University (the college by which I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology). Because I’m an alumni of Indiana University East, I have access to their Career Services, allowing me to take advantage of their directing me in how to go about obtaining my clinical hours. GOD. HAS. OPENED. THE. DOOR!
I’m really going to be starting my clinical hours very soon! This is a huge moment in my life. 🤗 I’m ECSTATIC.
I legit can’t keep up with all of the blessings God’s sharing with me and my Mom- in tandem. It’s incredible. We’ve been rejoicing at the great things God is doing in our lives.
I didn’t see any of this coming. It’s when we let go of the reigns- those ridiculous reigns that we think help us but are really driving us into the ground- and let God, as the saying goes, that we’re freed. When we truly let go, we have peace.
Peace, and true happiness.
And that’s the only way to experience God’s joy, truly.
Blackened chicken breast with roasted garlic and radish, accompanied by artichoke hearts on a bed of garbanzo beans- finished with fresh lemon, salt, olive oil, and freshly cracked pepper.
After much time and consideration, I’ve decided that I must not be involved in any romantic relationship for my first entire year of recovery, as it’s just too triggering.
There’s a good reason my sponsor & recovery cohorts often espouse that getting into either a.) a new- or b.) an old (but complicated) relationship during your first year of recovery is likened to two tornadoes heading toward one another. It’s only a matter of time before they collide (potentially)- utterly destroying you and you’re back to where you started- a complete wreck.
Out of respect for my former life partner, I’ll refrain from using his name or images going forward so I can finally focus on ME.
Somebody got her first tattoo. 😎 Even my Mother loves it!
In ancient Hebrew, the words Yod Hay Vah Hay represent the Lord’s Secret Name; from the Old Testament. It represents four different classes of love, and is as follows:
Yod = Forgiving Love
Hay = Forgetting Love
Vah = Blameless Love
Hay = Sharing Love
I was absolutely ecstatic to get this very sacred tattoo on my right wrist; and when I saw it, I loved it.
Exceeeeept I noticed that he’d accidentally tattooed the first HAY backwards. I was crushed. I asked God why He’d allowed me to get His Secret Name tattooed on my wrist if it was just going to be messed up?!
He answered: “You’ve forgiven the ones who’ve hurt you the most, but have you FORGOTTEN their crimes against you?”
And then I legit almost fell onto the floor. It was then that I realized true forgiveness = forgetting! To never recall the awful things that others have done to me.
And then I was actually glad that the first HAY (Forgetting Love) was backwards, as I indeed had been backwards in my own forgiveness of others.
Cool story, no? God is so cool in the way He works! He works through situations & people.
Without further adieu, I give you my new tat: Yod Hay Vah Hay- chained about my wrist. (And I got my nose pierced too. 😎)
m o n o c h r o m e j u n k i e † 