Ms. Mabel

---

Has anyone ever told you…therapy is a journey? Well, they weren’t lying and getting here is just the first leg of that journey. I want to first commend you for taking the opportunity to explore something that you may suspect will challenge you. Whether you’ve heard something about this process, been referred by a physician or a friend telling you “Uhhh, I think you need therapy”…WELCOME. 

Take a moment and acknowledge this first step. It is an important one and I just may ask you about it. Now when you arrive, you’re going to find a few things on the walls in our office that echo the sentiments of this journey you are on. For those of you who may take a virtual journey, you won’t get to see them. But don’t fret, let me share them here along with a little “about Mabel” info.          

My Therapist Has a Wet Nose

I can’t say enough about these furry little guys. I just love dogs. Interesting enough, I was highly allergic to their hair in youth. I would often hide my symptoms from my parents so they would allow me to keep them...lol. They’re just absolutely good for the human soul (well certainly mines) and occupy a special place in my heart. So yes…my therapist absolutely has a wet nose and four legs!

Keep Life Simple

Another wall art in my office says “Keep Life Simple”. Ya know, sometimes when I come in I'll look at that one and just shake my head, maybe even crack a smile wondering how will I pull that one off today. But listen, keeping your life simple will look different for each of us. For me, I look back to my childhood. The fond memories I had of playing with friends and cousins outside, eating my Mom’s and several Aunt's cooking (African dishes of course)  watching funny movies will remind me of those good ole days. It's such a good feeling when you can take a moment, slow down, breath and reflect on a time when all it took to make life simple were, family...friends...good food and laughter. So then I'm reminded that keeping life simple today won't be that difficult at all. 

Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough

This signage hit me like a ton of bricks when I came across it in the store...so befitting and ON POINT! Sometimes I think about the "PURSUIT"..the PURSUIT of Happiness, the PURSUIT of peace, the PURSUIT of success, the PURSUIT of love. It seems like this can be a never-ending "chase" or "in-search of" game...but I'm here to tell you, IT"S NOT! See "Gratitude" and "Content" are not synonymous. Gratitude simply put just says “Thank You”. Thank you for___________ (I'll let you fill in the blank).

Broken Crayons Still Color

Think about this one. One of my favorite signs in my office. I can’t recall the age I was when I learned that one of my loved ones suffered from mental illness. She was loving, kind and someone very special to me. Unfortunately, many within our community, friends and even family members dismissed her as her illness worsened and it had a devastating effect on her life. When I came across this art, I knew these four words were the foundation for the work that I do today. 

This woman took me on a journey of understanding people with mental illness’ are not inferior or someone to pity, but rather people in need of guidance, patience, support and love. They are our loved ones, our friends, our neighbors, our policemen and policewomen, delivery truck drivers, teachers, pilots, doctors, postal carriers, military servicewomen and servicemen. They are us and there’s so much color left in those crayons!