Letter From the Editor

letter from the editor

Compassion in Recovery

by Louise Elowen

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” — steve maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

To state that 2020 has been a challenge is probably a considerable understatement! People the world over have had challenges thrust upon them in regard to income, employment, health, housing, social injustice, and just in living from day to day. In some cases, it’s hard to imagine how can we possibly recover from all of this trauma?

For me, recovery begins with compassion. And compassion begins with taking care of yourself first. For a long time, I always put others first. I was that people pleaser. And guess what? All that people pleasing left me exhausted, broken, and my body finally failed me. No more! it cried. When are you going to take care of me?

I hit rock bottom and it was then that I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and undifferentiated connective tissue disorder (UCTD). Basically, my body had turned on itself and it was now attacking me from the inside out. Years of neglect and abuse, all those times when I was running around after others and neglecting myself, had resulted in the manifestation of the loss of my health.

After that initial diagnosis, I was in despair. Pain. Exhaustion. This was my new normal. But I didn’t want this. I wanted my old normal back. Sound familiar?

But the world – my world – had changed. I could either work with it. Or give up. I learned a lot in my recovery pro-

And my recovery is a continual process. Forever changing, forever moving, forever finding new challenges for me.

cess – about me, about others, about life itself. A little bit like 2020 has shown us. But the fight – the continued fight – has made me stronger, more compassionate, and understanding of other people’s battles. And my recovery is a continual process. Forever changing, forever moving, forever finding new challenges for me.

But I learned this: Recovery begins with you. No amount of help is going to save you, if you can’t be bothered to help yourself. Put yourself first – and fight for you, then you will have the strength (and compassion) to help others in recovery, too.

I think that 2020 has shown us the good, the bad, and the ugly of human nature. Yet, the “good” has continued to astonish me in such amazing ways. It is this compassion which will help in the world’s recovery. Your recovery. There is no time like the present to start to create your version of a brighter and better future.

GAMBLER

A 12-step online treatment program for your clients.

recovery • renewal • growth

Every trial, and every issue we find and face holds within it the seeds of healing, health, wisdom, growth and prosperity. We hope you find a seed in every issue.

The Phoenix Spirit is a bi-monthly publication for people actively working on their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. We are committed to providing articles, advertising, and information about recovery, renewal, and personal growth to help people experience life in a balanced, meaningful way.

The opinions and facts presented in this publication are intended to be diverse and represent those of the writers and/or contributors, and are not necessarily those of The Phoenix Spirit. We seek writers and interview subjects who are willing to gift you with their honestly held convictions and insights. We seek to attract advertisers who offer products and services of integrity. But we urge our readers to research, and trust their instincts.

publishers Aaron and Jen Shepherd 4190 Vinewood Ln. N Suite 111 PMB 403 Minneapolis, MN 55442 612-615-9740

editor Louise Elowen phoenix@thephoenixspirit.com

sales director David Goldstein 612-298-5405 david@thephoenixspirit.com

community relations director Jen Shepherd jen@thephoenixspirit.com

contributing writers John Driggs, George Lewis, Mary Lou Logsdon, Gertrude Matemba-Mutasa, Pat Samples

Can’t find the paper near your house

or apartment? Write to us and we’ll do our best to get The Phoenix Spirit to a drop-off site near you.

Unless noted, photographs and illustration from Unsplash.com and iStockphoto.com. Submit your photos to phoenix@thephoenixspirit.com.

At Cornerstone we are well known for our comprehensive and specialized programs. We have 40 years experience and expertise in: Sex Addiction, Anger Management, Marital and Relationship Issues, Depression, Anxiety,

Childhood and Adult Trauma, Relapse Prevention Training, GLBT Issues, Women’s Issues, Men’s Issues,Childhood Sexual Abuse We believe in treating our clients as unique and complex beings. We work to uncover each client’s potential for healing and growth

COVID-19 MESSAGE

We are seeing current patients and accepting new patients and intakes.All appointments and sessions are being done by phone or video until it is safe to do so in person.

Minnetonka

15612 Hwy 7, Suite 338 Minnetonka, MN 55345

Saint Paul

1600 University Ave W Suite 203 St. Paul, MN 55104

Burnsville

1500 McAndrews Rd W Suite 124 Burnsville, MN 55337