Emma’s View of Her Journey/ Coping with Emotional and Physical Pain

This is a follow up to Episode 8 Part 1: Am I The Only One? My Child Is Self-Harming. Make sure you listen to part 1 before part 2

Listen to mom- Jessica’s journey in episode one and Daughter Emma’s perspective of their journey and coping mechanisms in part 2. Listen and learn about her journey to self-discovery. Emma, like her musician father, is able to express herself best through her artistry. This has become a big ingredient in her healing and coping. Both she and her dad Will are so gifted in their personal story telling through their individual creative outlets and through this conduit they beautifully channel raw emotion and gift us with visual art and song.

Emma is now 22 and has since graduated from college. I caught up with her last week and we recorded her unique perspective and story. I had her listen to her mom’s episode and she really liked it and, in her words, expressed that her mom did a good job explaining her perspective. I have to admit – I had NO idea how this would pan out! After listening, she was all in to tell her story from her point of view. She felt by telling her story she may help with the stigma and shame around mental health and give people a more holistic view of their journey and struggles.

Now I have known this young woman since the day she came into this world super early with her 3 pound self. I have spent a lot of time with this fun and loving family but I had no idea the depths of Emma’s struggles with emotional pain and chronic physical pain. Because I am close to her, parts of this conversation are heart breaking for me. I am also so proud of how well she articulates and explains her journey and the courage it took to get this far in her healing process and her ability to become so present and whole as a young woman. I guess my point is have the uncomfortable conversation; it is so worth it in the end!

Thank you, Jessica and Emma, for being so open and sharing your stories!!! Thank you, Will for your open and honest perspective through your incredible song writing and performances and thank you for allowing us to share your families story to help others. You and Jessica have been such great role models for your girls and the rest of us trying to find our balance.

This is a VERY sensitive subject and it was very difficult to find a family willing to share their experience. I want this to always be a safe place to share and a platform for healing and fostering consciousness. This is NOT a forum for judgement, finger pointing or arm chair parenting. This is a platform for conversation, active listening and resources. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions, would like to share or need more resources.

Will Kimbrough writes a lot about life, his family and the road. Will is a critically acclaimed singer song writer from Nashville Tennessee…you can check out some live performances and videos about his family https://www.willkimbrough.com/media to learn more about Will, tour dates or listen to more music visit https://www.willkimbrough.com

Mental Health Care Resources:

Talk Space – https://www.talkspace.com/

NAMI – National Alliance On Mental Illness – https://www.nami.org/

7 Cups – https://www.7cups.com/

In the San Diego area up2SD – http://up2sd.org/

National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 800-273-8255

Am I the only one, am I a bad parent, should I have seen this coming, who can I share this with, who can I talk to that won’t judge us, how do I handle this, where can we go for help…? These seem to be a common theme of questions parents ask when they discover their child is self-harming and or struggling with mental health issues.

Although every family, family dynamic, and mental health struggle is completely unique, it may help to listen to others that have or are going through similar issues and difficulties. It may help to know that this can happen to anyone and that you are not alone. It may also be beneficial to listen to the resources and coping strategies that worked and did not work for them and provide you with some hope. This is a complex issue and there is no quick fix. Hopefully you will hear something that resonates with you and that you and your family may be able to implement into your recipe for healing and balance through this journey. It really is all about finding the right balance for you, your child and your family.

This is just one families story from a mother’s perspective about how they navigated through the tough times. Join me, Tina Page LCSW, and one brave mom Jessica as we explore their family’s experience, coping mechanisms, and resources as they journey through Emma’s struggles.

Emma is now 22 and has since graduated from college. I caught up with her last week and we recorded her unique perspective and story. I had her listen to her mom’s episode and she really liked it and, in her words, expressed that her mom did a good job explaining her perspective. I have to admit – I had NO idea how this would pan out! I wanted her to listen to her mom’s episode because I would not release it unless she was comfortable with it. After listening, she was all in to tell her story from her point of view. She felt by telling her story she may help with the stigma and shame around mental health and give people a more holistic view of their journey and struggles. Stay tuned next week for Part 2 – Emma’s Story.

This is a VERY sensitive subject and it was very difficult to find a family willing to share their experience. I want this to always be a safe place to share and a platform for healing and fostering consciousness. This is NOT a forum for judgement, finger pointing or arm chair parenting. This is a platform for conversation, active listening and resources. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions, would like to share or need more resources.

We end the episode with the song Hey Big Sister from The Home Alone album. Hey Big Sister was written for Emma and Jessica before their second child was born by their dad and husband Will Kimbrough. Hey Big Sister was written, produced and performed by Will Kimbrough. He writes a lot about life, his family and the road. I think Will’s perspective is evident in his artistry. Will is a critically acclaimed singer song writer from Nashville Tennessee…you can check out some live performances and videos about his family https://www.willkimbrough.com/media to learn more about Will, tour dates or listen to more music visit https://www.willkimbrough.com

Mental Health Care Resources:

Talk Space https://www.talkspace.com/

NAMI – National Alliance On Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/

7 Cups https://www.7cups.com/

In the San Diego area up2SD http://up2sd.org/

National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255

Last year I had the honor of speaking with Nilima Bhat about her new book, workshop and lecture series Shakti Leadership : Embracing Feminine and Masculine Power in Business. Nilima is a world renowned author, speaker, facilitator and visionary and may be one of the most insightful, bright, and balanced souls I have ever met. The principles of Shakti leadership are applicable and can be integrated not only to big businesses but to any system or organization. I think we all are aware that inequality, sexual misconduct, and the abuse of power and control to mistreat others exists and most know it is wrong.

Nilima believes we should have “how to” books to get us through life’s most challenging times -so she writes them! There actually is a formula within us all to restore male and feminine balance. This book is just one of the products of her evolution through her life’s journey. We also discuss her fascinating and colorful life that led to this point and this endeavor. Besides being one of the most remarkable people I have met as a human being, she is a highly respected business woman and leader. I hope you read all the show notes to link to her projects, participation opportunities and experiences – impressive is an understatement!

Since this interview there has been a HUGE shift, rise and movement of voices powerfully and courageously saying enough! We have had enough of this unbalance of power, enough imbalance in the work place, enough inequality, enough abuse of power and enough sexual misconduct. The principles of Shakti leadership do not bash males – they are recipes for both males and females to restore balance and peace. The outcome would be holding the value of a free and fulfilled world and power for all.

I asked Nilima a few days ago about her thoughts re: the big shifts and movements this year. I also asked specifically about the #meetoo, #enoughisenough and #nomore movements. Below are her thoughts in response in her own words:

The #Metoo movement is a direct outcome of the rising tide of Shakti that we write about in the book. Women are waking up, growing up and showing up after centuries of not knowing their power.

It is also a time now to end the battle of the sexes and hospice the Patriarchy. To become fully Human.  And to #RiseInLoveTogether. As Whole Man and Whole Woman.

The only way to come into our full power and deal with the challenges at hand, is to become psychologically whole. ie, develop and express our mature feminine as well as our mature masculine values and behaviors, consciously.

We can do this best when we practice Presence; that state of equanimity where we reclaim our true and unlimited inner power or Shakti; and are able to lead the context instead of becoming a victim of it.

It is two years since Shakti Leadership was launched and it feels as if its REAL value and application is now. It may well have heralded this time of reckoning and for which we since launched a campaign called #Let’sRiseInLoveTogether, aimed at restoring Gender Relations. Shakti Leadership is a call to both men and women to come into their wholeness and hold the Sky up together.

See below the links on what I have been busy with this year:

2018 Highlights with Raj Sisodia and myself:

22-30 Jun 2018 Himalayan Shakti Tour

Oct 2018-Jun 2019 Shakti Fellowship Program; Scholarship available – Apply by 31 May
Registration details on the links

Nilima Bhat
Author | Speaker | Facilitator | Coach
Thought Leader on Conscious Leadership,
Diversity & Inclusion, Integral Health
Showreel

http://www.mycancerisme.com