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Mental Health Recovery is hard work.

In 2016, I became a published author for the Canadian Mental Health Association. There was much excitement while the book was being released, and published. The book is a compilation of stories from real people, who have been touched by mental health in some way. I remember reading the book for the first time, which included my story "Created for Joy." I remember trembling at the intensity of the stories, and felt a little overwhelmed and grateful to be a part of project like this. The book is called "Hearts Linked by Courage" the second in a series of books, published by IC Publishing in Canada. The author is the Canadian Mental Health Association in York and South Simcoe.

Since the publication of the book, I realised I had a lot more to learn, (and I am still learning) that recovery takes a lot of work. With a diagnoses like mine, not only do I need to take meds for the rest of my life, but what I have been finding really difficult is dealing with the stigma that comes with such a diagnoses. People that are on the front lines, are not only fighting their own stigma, but the challenges that society and even family can have on a persons recovery. I am working with some great people right now at my local branch of the CMHA, and I cannot imagine the stress that comes with this kind of work. One word comes to my mind right now, and that is perseverance.

Not only does it take perseverance just to get out of the bed in the morning and start your day, but interacting with your goals and your dreams takes great courage. The more I have been learning about why I do the things I do, the more insight I get into my illness. Recovery is a real possibility, even when the stress of life starts to get to you. When I start trying to solve the worlds problems, without looking into my own heart, it can often create a sense of entitlement which in turn creates a huge obstacle in moving forward. When living with an illness, you really have to have a heart for others (even when you are suffering.) It takes sacrifice to see through the difficulties sometimes, but it is in those moments of clarity that some of the answers start to come!

It takes patience to deal with other people's problems without it affecting your pain or your health. No matter how many people have read my story, I have also found that there will be opposition to your message, and sometimes it comes from the most unexpected places. It is important during this time, to develop a support system. We all need people, and when the stuff hits the fan, looking back can help, but it is more important to look forward or even to the present moment. I always ask myself, what can I do now to be happy? If we wait untill tomorrow to take advantage of the opportunities that today offers us, we could end up lost. This is Mike.

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