I love new beginnings. They’re like mornings. Like blank pages, pure and pristine, with nothing yet written on them. They’re exhilarating and that’s how I’m beginning to feel, right now.
This post was written about three days ago, when I was beginning to envision a new beginning for our “Coming Out Crazy” community. So it’s a little like an introduction that you don’t really need, especially if you’re coming from our original home at The Toronto Star site, Healthzone.ca.
NOW I’M ON MY OWN ~ FREE TO POST WHENEVER I WISH
If not. Welcome. And please be patient with me. I’m learning new software. I was using Typepad. Now, I’m on WordPress. I’ll make some mistakes and I hope you’ll understand.
The point is, now I’m on my own. I can post whenever I wish and as often as I wish. So here goes.
“Coming Out Crazy” is not a personal blog, in the traditional sense.
You won’t be privy to a play-by-play of my moods, for example. That’s just not my style.
Instead, you’ll be joining a viable, dynamic, supportive, existing community. With a new address and a fresh coat of paint. But that’s just cosmetic. The key is, I’m still here, with the same philosophical values – fairness, balance and sensitivity. The same journalistic spirit. The same goals.
To engage you in an ongoing conversation, a dialogue.
To challenge discrimination and prejudice with information and education.
To inspire a sense of community.
I’ll continue my quest for new sources and new ideas that will encourage learning – yours and mine – about all things related to overall health and well being. You can’t separate the physical from the mental and the emotional and the spiritual. We’re all “package deals” despite what Rene Descartes and others have said about mind/body dualism.
My name is Sandy Naiman and I’m throwing out a fresh new welcome mat for you, so come on in…
RECOVERY. EMPOWERMENT. RESILIENCE. AND HOPE…
Here, as you may already know, you’ll find a place that’s about whatever you want it to be ~ with a focus on a broad range of issues relating to mental health and wellness. With an eye on Recovery. Empowerment. Resilience. Hope. Most of all, the ongoing crusade to feel comfortable in our skins. Like the name suggests. Not normal – I don’t know what that word means. If you do, please let me know.
Here, you have your say. It’s safe to share here, to be open, to be honest, to be yourself, or to just hang out. No matter who “yourself” is. You’ll find comfort, compassion and empathy. You’ll also meet some fascinating, brilliant people who will share their knowledge, expertise and insights with us.
This is a place to come when you’re feeling lonely or isolated or dispirited. Or, for that matter, happy, excited and exuberant. All emotional states have a place here, no matter how extreme. You will be listened to ~ with my eyes, ears and heart. We’ll all actively listen to you, though I’m no professional. I cannot give advice.
WE’RE A COMMUNITY – LET THE LIGHT SHINE IN…
Most of all, this community is about change. Sorely needed change.
I may initiate a conversation. You can run with it. I do the research and link to sources that may enlighten you or enrage you. That’s when the fun begins and where the exchange of ideas happens. Sometimes sparks will fly. That’s what change is all about. To quote the late American community and labour organizer Saul Alinksy:
“Change means movement; movement means friction; friction means heat; heat means controversy.”
You’ll find controversy here, too. I’m not afraid of it. When it comes to mental and emotional health issues, there are lots of hot button issues that don’t get much play, but here they will. Nothing frightens me because chances are, I’ve been through it over my own dramatic 50-year psychiatric history. If not, I want to learn. I am curious.
We’ll discuss labels and language later.
Right now, just come in and take a load off.
This is the beginning of a brand new leg of our journey together. Who knows what’s around the next corner? We’ll see. Life is filled with all kinds of delicious and challenging surprises. I can’t wait to hear from you. I live for your comments.
“Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light.” ~ Groucho Marx
