Pamela Leavey

words and pictures....

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Category: Grief

Ruminating on Coronavirus…

I’ve been ruminating on these thoughts for a while now… Here we all are in another day of limbo, waiting for the Coronavirus to move on past us, so that we can all resume our lives. We know now that life won’t be the same as it was before this started. We’re all tasked right now with figuring out what the new normal will be. I think we’re also tasked, those who are called, to ask what can I do differently in my life, because my life, all of our lives are now forever altered by this global collective trauma, Coronavirus.

It’s hard to look away from the numbers as the weeks go on. It’s hard to turn away from the raving lunatic at the podium. It’s hard to not feel so many collective emotions that are flowing together and passing through us all, whether consciously or subconsciously. For me personally, I feel as though I must bear witness to this life altering time. Most days I find myself sitting in the still in deep contemplation. Eventually as I work through the things in my head, the bearing witness, I find my mind is still and clear.

I haven’t been able to bring myself to the page since this started. I try and let what I write drop away, by deleting it. Something I am always loathe to do. There might be words of value somewhere on that page that I just dumped. So today, I’m not dumping this page. I’m just letting my thoughts flow and letting my readers know where my head is at in the midst of Coronavirus – Stay at Home life.

Thankfully in the midst of all of this, we see new beginnings are happening all around us. Whatever the new normal will be, let’s all make the most of it. Peace…

Baby Bunny in Salisbury, MA

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Daily Affirmations: Releasing the Past

I am reminded today how we all hold onto past circumstances and grievances, and can easily slip back into mulling on those issues when something triggers our memory. The trick is to not allow yourself to slide down the slippery slope, but to let the memories go, release them to wash out to sea. Yes, I know, it is easier said than done sometimes, but the more we do it, the better we get at it. Releasing is a practice, it’s something we have to be willing to do, and something we must work at. And to be honest, no matter how hard we work at it, we might find that years later something surfaces that triggers a memory we thought we had long ago released. It’s back for a reason. To teach us something and to give us the space to find grace and release it yet again.

Sandy Point, Plum Island, Massachusetts

Today, I re-mind myself that releasing past grievances and pain. I recognize that holding on to these issues serve no purpose in my life. In fact, holding on holds me back. I affirm today to let go of the past. Release the sadness, release the trauma, release the negative issues that revolve around whatever past issues I am holding on to, or have resurfaced in my life. I set my intent to let go, to release these issues into the sea and watch them wash away. And so it is… Intent makes Manifest. Namaste…

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Daily Affirmations: In This Moment

I love the feeling of floating in life. You know that feeling, when everything in life is working the way you want it to and you are floating along, flowing on course. In truth, we’re always floating in life, we’re a stick floating downstream on the river of life. Whether life is good or life is not good, we’re still floating. But it’s our mindset that is different. Sometimes we can change that mindset but other times it is best to work through whatever it is that is weighing us down. Maybe we are not a buoyant as we’d like to because we’re going through a lot of heavy stuff in our lives – loss, pain, trauma, grief, financial struggle, drama with others – you name it, these are the things we need to work through as we float downriver.

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Quote of the Day: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

This beautiful quote speaks to the trials and tribulations of life and how we emerge as stronger and better human beings…

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ~ Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Namaste… Pamela

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New Hampshire Mother Uses Art Therapy to Raise Heroin Addiction Awareness

13450033_10153852229215345_6907428901319467035_nAnne Marie Zanfagna’s gregarious nature is evident from the moment you start talking with her. One would be hard pressed to see the pain hidden behind her outgoing demeanor. Even as a life long friend, I do not always see the sadness Anne Marie carries with her.

When I sat down with her for an interview about her Angels of Addictions project, it quickly became evident that her sadness was what motivates her to paint the portraits of young heroin overdose victims. Anne Marie feels this work, painting portraits and talking about heroin addiction is now her life’s work, her mission.

Through her 501c3 non-profit organization, Angels Of Addictions, Anne Marie and her husband Jim work to raise awareness about heroin addiction, the stigma of heroin addiction and to help raise money for recovery services and a scholarship in their daughter Jackie’s name. Jackie died of a heroin overdose in October 2014.  (more…)

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Musings: The Elusive Red Bird

Musings from my nature writing journal…

A cardinal flew across the road today as I was walking. It darted out from the trees and made a quick trajectory to the other side of the road, flashing its brilliant scarlet-feathered figure in a swift streak before my eyes. I became transfixed upon the stand of trees and brush that the cardinal had descended into, managing somehow despite its brilliant color to blend in to the colorful fall foliage. There it sat hidden in nature’s camouflage. And, I waited, patiently and quietly for him to emerge, ever peering deeper into the wood to catch a glimpse of him fluttering from limb to limb. (more…)

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