Larry Winter

I hope you enjoyed the 4th of July holiday weekend. We spent time at my in-laws cabin with other family members. My father is moving into an Assisted Living Home today. He needs a lot of care despite the rehab he has been doing for the last five weeks. I find it sad to watch

We cannot bargain with Recovery. “Recovery if you make our mental health condition go away we know our program is working.” If our addiction goes away we will begin attending support groups. Somehow we think we will deepen engagement in Recovery by negotiating a deal. Recovery grants healing in the way we need it most.

Recovery has three layers: I have a changing life circumstance right now where I am experiencing sadness. Beginning in March my dad had issues with his knee. His condition began to cause a considerable amount of pain. He required a walker which zapped his energy due to the difficulty moving from one location to another.

We know our mission is to heal. I have been asked, “Do we ever fully heal from a mental health condition, addiction, and trauma?” My response is, “It depends.” People who are in a car accident and receive injuries such as whiplash often recover. They may require physical therapy and massages in an attempt to

Peace of mind is hard to achieve; paying bills, managing feelings, healing from trauma(s), challenges at work, and doing ministry very well. Our humanity seeks justice, kindness, and peace. I am asked by friends and family whether I watch the news. My response is, “No.” because the reports are often violent. I also do not

Recovery and healing are not actions we conform to or do as someone does or by following steps in a book. Recovery and healing honor our true nature, which means our limitations and our potential.      Our actions toward healing look different from other people. Recovery is not rules or a moral yardstick. Recovery is facing

Becky welcomed her cousin Mary into her home after she was discharged from the behavioral unit in Mary’s hometown. Becky believed Mary would continue her healing by being connected with her family. Mary realized Becky’s ‘yes’ was a special grace. Becky stated, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the healing you will experience with our

Healing invites us to walk with it. Some of us are on the margins of the road. We sometimes get off course because we become blinded by temptations in the habitats we occupy. The first healing step is acknowledging the need to cleanse our hearts and souls. We do not let anything separate us from

An ecumenical retreat occurred in a cabin in the deep woods on the grounds of a retreat center. A priest, monk, preacher, minister, shomin, and rabbi attended the retreat. The facilitator was recognized universally by members of faith. His teaching, wisdom, and spiritual strength were on the same level as the Dahli Lama. Those attending

Popcorn has nutritional benefits such as fiber, carbohydrates, salt, and fat. Like most foods popcorn eaten in moderation provides us with a portion of the energy we need to live. People on my support team offer a host of nutritional information. For instance, the psychiatrist manages the combination of medication, a therapist supports my goals