I kept going. Ravenwolf

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I’m not going to tell you that my life has been easy…It’s been hard as hell.There have been so many times that I survived one thing just to get hit with five more.But I never really thought about how hard it was or if I’d make it…It wasn’t ever a choice.I found a way.I made a way.I figured it out.I kept going.It’s hurt, physically, mentally and emotionally, but I always got through it.When the waves of life come at you, you make a choice to sink or swim…So I fought, scrapped and dug my way out of the darkness more than once.I was scared, tired and alone most of the time..But I kept going.I didn’t know where I was going or how I’d get there, but I knew I wasn’t happy where I was..So I pushed ahead.Sure, there were both dark days and happy times..And I made the best of both.I’ll never tell you that I have the answers because...
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Desiderata

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peacethere may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietlyand clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourselfwith others,you may become vain and bitter;for always there will be greaterand lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as wellas your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble;it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.Exercise caution in your business affairs;for the world is full of trickeryBut let this not blind you to whatvirtue there is;many persons strive for high ideals;and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.Especially, do not feign affection.Neither be cynical about love;for in the face of all aridityand disenchantmentit is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years,gracefully surrendering the things of youth.Nurture strength of spirit to shield...
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Muddy boots

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Finding strength I didn't know I had Fresh air and exercise is good for us, of course. Like many, I enjoy scenery and sunshine if possible. Health issues have made exercise more challenging in recent years and I'm trying my best to stick with it and make improvements. Aching I was aching, tired and looking at the rather steep incline ahead of me feeling increasingly despondent and dreading the struggle I knew it would be. I felt my pace slow and my steps become smaller. Somewhere within I was convincing myself this was good for my physical and mental health, reminding myself I'll be glad I've done this later. Really, all I wanted to do was stop and huff and puff a bit with my hands on my hips. Woe is me Suddenly as I was slipping into "woe is me" I realised I was actually slipping into the hillside, fast.With each step my feet were sinking quickly into a boggy mess that had been...
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Midlife, it’s time.

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armour could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to...
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Move with the seasons

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
23 years ago, on the 24th July 2002 I arrived in East Yorkshire, utterly broken, with very very little to my name, only intending to be passing through until I found somewhere to settle.I was in my mid 20's. How very different my life is now, although there are different challenges. I have my own home, a career, a business I love and a faith I wouldn't be without. All of which came after 2002. When you have lost everything In 2002 life was very painful and so very difficult, I had lost everything I loved and knew. Injustice stung daily to the core of me. I wasn't sure I could cope with life now or even if I wanted it anymore. If you know how this feels, you know. If you don't, I hope you never will. Depression, anxiety and pain were my familar friends for more years than I care to recall. Tears and loneliness were a daily thing over and over, and...
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My journey to being Lisa Harris

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I've always been a people person I've always actively worked with people in one form or another.My first grown-up job in 1993 was as a health care assistant in an old cottage hospital working on long stay care of the elderly wards (as they were known then), often with those impacted by strokes orlong-term health conditions. This was my first experience of working with brain injury. Thesekinds of wards don't even exist anymore. I really loved this job. I had so much one-to-one timewith my patients to attend to their care and needs and to really listen to them. It was here that I learned that we are all human-first, in very real ways. I progressed to working in a brand-new build hospital working in the diagnostic radiology, the xray department. I looked after patients' emotional and physical well-being when in the department for any kind of scan, x ray, or investigation. I really enjoyed the personal connection I had with patients...
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