When the work you put in saves your life: True Story

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There are moments, both amazing and traumatic that tattoo our mind. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I want to share an experience I haven't before that I can point to a moment and say "that's when I started loving myself again. 

Rewind to March of 2022. I was reading a book that changed my life. It's "10% Happier" by Dan Harris. He is a newsman turned now, thankfully, a mental health expert. He details his life, his work which is fascinating, stories and warzones he's covered and especially the time he had a panic attack on-air. He had always doubted meditation and anything mental health related but he needed a new dimension. A new tool, train of thought, habits and a healthy routine established the right way. In the book he recalls the time Diane Sawyer gave him some flack for changing his thought on meditation. He said "it makes me 10% happier".

Of ALL places where did I read this book, Milwaukee County Jail 3C. Going through PAWS (post alcohol withdrawals syndrome) in the most rambunctious young loud cell block in the state of Wisconsin is not exactly prime for a mental health read. Or was it exactly what I needed? As you might imagine there are disagreements galore when you segregate a population in need of stability. That's my nice way of saying it's truly hell on earth. One morning while jawing back and forth with a 18 year old kid over who gets the phone next, as I'm speaking with my Mom, this kid spits straight in my face. There! THAT was the moment. I have to hit him right? All 49 others and the correctional officer are looking at me. I have to stand up for myself right? 

I stood up for myself that day and it altered my thinking going forward forever. 

No I didn't hit him. I swiped his saliva from my nose, eyes and forehead and told my Mom everything was fine. She knew I wasn't fine but I didn't tell her what had just happened. I finished my phone call and made a decision to see how far humility can take me. I told the officer everything was fine, I lied and said he didn't spit on me. And I apologized to the kid for the hurtful things I had said to him. He went back to all his friends shocked and said "he's cool, give him the phone when he wants". I stood up for myself by somehow finding grace that day. See punching someone is an automatic 2 years. And in fact spitting on someone also carries a 2 year sentence. Had I hit him, I'm not writing this blog, I'm not raising my kids or working. I'd be on the wrong side of the statistics, all because of that moment. I didn't hit him, because I love myself. I forgave him and apologized first because I could then show love and grace to others. 

When the work you put in saves your life I feel compelled to share the how and why. The power of a real apology is liberating. I took a chance that day that the work was worth it. It was, it is, and always will be worth it. Invest in yourself, join us today.