Earlier this month, Ivan Posey called me into his office up at CWC and told me that he had the pleasure of hearing Tyler Schwab, founder of Libertas International, speak to members of the Wyoming Legislature in Cheyenne. He was so impressed that he was able meet with Mr. Schwab afterwards, and get him come here to Riverton and speak at CWC on Tuesday, April 22 from 4-6PM! (see flyer below) I will definitely be there in spirit, and hope that you all will find some great information that will impact our tribes and border towns in a good way.
Spotlight: Doya Natsu Healing Center
"Every Journey Begins With One Step"
As a part of MMIP Wind River's mission in "strengthening collaboration" and "providing resources", I would like to shine the spotlight on Doya Natsu Healing Center for the month of April. They have online support groups, the "Every Journey" newsletter, (Read April's newsletter, it's really good!)...the Journey podcasts...plus they have events and activities where you can get involved! There's an Earth Day CleanUp next week:
So many resources, all in one place! Be sure to visit their website often, doyanatsu.org.
Healing doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes we have moments where we find ourselves frustrated with too many expectations, or sitting in the middle of a myriad of our own thoughts, wondering: "What now?" Maybe we feel confused, sad, angry, depressed...or maybe we feel numb and just don't feel anything at all. Those are times when we are still quite vulnerable; because, despite what one might say to you ("You gotta be strong...buck up, buttercup...you got this..."), there are just days you're worn out and tired of trying to be resilient, and no motivational pep talk is going make you feel any better. "Maybe I just can't today..."
And that's okay! It's okay to rest. It's okay to let go of the things that don't matter and keep the things that do. It's okay to go your own pace, take maybe just one step out and 'do the thing' when you're ready. I had a very wonderful circle of friends who recognized some familiar things in me because they had recognized it their own selves as well. We were all at different places in our journeys, but we were all able to talk about it, help each other channel through the challenges together. There came a time where I knew I couldn't sit on my little island any longer, and had to be shown how to let go...and I knew, in time, it was going to be okay. And eventually, it was!
As a victim survivor, I had to reprogram and relearn a lot of things, because there were times where I'd slip back into these "modes" where I felt I had to ask permission for everything, plus I would be over-apologetic. My daughter to this day still gets on my case about how many times I say "I'm sorry" for no reason. Obviously, some things take more time to heal than others, but that's okay, too. It doesn't make me weak. I've come a long, long way, and that's what I can celebrate and joy in. That, and knowing I'm not alone, and can walk the journey with those who also started theirs with that one step!
Carol Harper
Project & Outreach Coordinator
MMIP Wind River
E-mail: mmipwindriver@gmail.com
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