Spirituality and Wellness

[Kay Omholt-Montague]

Greetings everyone!"

This is my first visit here, although I have been reading/following the blogs posted by Hopeworks Community for several months.  I am a very spiritual (not religious) person.  And while I was thrilled to read most of your blogs, a small part of me was conflicted about the use of a biblical quote at the top of every blog/post.  I am relieved and grateful to report that my fears were unfounded!  I absolutely concur with the vast majority of your blogs, and I felt like a drowning woman who had finally found her lifeboat.  I had the immediate impression/feeling that we were all "kindred spirits".  Over time, I came to understand/know that the biblical verse(s) at the top of each blog were very comforting to many people.  As far as I am/was concerned, I willingly began to accept this and not feel threatened and/or forced to "believe".

I am a part-time, Certified Peer Support Specialist and WRAP Facilitator.  As part of my work, I facilitate a "Spiritual Wellness" group once a week.  At our last meeting (on Friday, June 7th) everyone decided they wanted to know how spirituality affects wellness.  I agreed to research this and to bring the results of my research to our next meeting.  I also encouraged everyone to bring their own ideas/experiences/etc. to the next meeting.

I believe the existence of Hopeworks Community is/can be the very definition of how spirituality affects wellness.  I would also be very grateful to receive/gain access to any materials you may have and/or are aware of.

A "comfort agreement" for the Spiritual Wellness Group was one of our first "orders of business.  Basically, group members decided they wanted a group in which they could feel safe and comfortable when expressing their ideas on spirituality - even if they were the polar opposite of someone else's views.  Everyone agreed that our group would be about acceptance and validation - and not about attempts to convert and/or convince others that their religion/spirituality was the "right one".

I am very fortunate to be able to facilitate this budding group.  And while some folks may find it odd or hypocritical that I am facilitating a spiritual wellness group - in spite of  not being a  religious person, I am very spiritual.  I respect other people and their beliefs - and I am intrigued to find out what makes their beliefs so strong and powerful.

Thank you very much for any input/suggestions/resources you can offer.

Your partner in wellness, recovery, hope and gratitude,

Kay Omholt-Montague

[Moss Bliss]

Good to hear from you, Kay. I have had that issue as well -- while it was addressed beautifully in my Peer Support Training class (in Asheville NC), I have been afraid of that subject here in TN where I don't know what the training is.

I have not been able to get PSS work, but I got the same thing in Developmentally Disabled -- DSP Direct Support Professional. The training there made it clear that spirituality and tolerance of others' spirituality were major issues, although among the DD crowd there seem to be simpler minds. Even so, my own spirituality has not even been questioned.

If any others are having trouble getting PSS jobs, RHA in Knoxville (and other cities) is always hiring for DSPs. The job is essentially the same but less challenging.

Hugs,

Moss

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ज़ैवलानन्ड
Gerald L. "Moss" Bliss, D.D.
Certified Peer Support Specialist
"I got skills, I got mad skills..."
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[Kay Omholt-Montague]

Dear Moss:

Thank you so much for your reply!  I love your beard, by the way!

I live in Montana (primarily a "red" state - although our current governor is a democrat).

I have been reading with interest (as well as horror, shock and outrage) about the State of Tennessee and its disenfranchising politics.  Back in the mid 80's through the early 90's, I had the GREAT fortune of living in Arkansas and founding a statewide support group for people labeled as mentally ill!

You have heard of the "Republican bubble", right?  Well, we had this amazing, empowering, once-in-a-lifetime "bubble" of our own.  For some strange - yet awesome - reason, everyone worked together to help our group succeed.  This included then-governor Bill Clinton, the State and local mental health departments, NAMI, the Protection and Advocacy agency, law enforcement, schools and colleges and individual people!

What a RARE and unique time and opportunity in my life.  You may know that Arkansas has since regressed into the Dark Ages.

Well, believe it or not, the State of Montana "behaves" like a backward, hick, rigid, intolerant, bigoted and prejudiced southern state.  For three years, I have attempted to effect positive changes - for the benefit of the people we serve in the community mental health center (where I work) - but to no avail.

And although I am a trained mental health advocate - with lots of experience and education - I simply cannot do the work by myself - nor do I want to.  My co-workers are terrified of "causing a fuss" and getting labeled as troublemakers.  I nearly "imploded" in November of 2011 - because of all this.  I filed a discrimination suit based on the Center's failure to provide me with reasonable accommodations.  And although I was not "allowed" to include other folks, nor insist upon changes in the Peer Support Program - I DID manage to say that I would only return to work if they made a "good faith" effort to improve the PSS program.

After a year of not working with the Center, I signed a contract and went back to work at the Center on January 2, 2013.  It continues to be a struggle - at times very frustrating and discouraging - but there are also little, "silver linings" that weren't there before.  I have become incredibly patient and tolerant (not to be confused with complacent), as I want to be a part of the solution - not the problem.

I was only able to accomplish this mindset/return to work by surrendering - letting go - and accepting/knowing that I had done everything I could do - and that was enough for the time being.  I did not surrender to God, as I know so many people do.  I surrendered to myself and the reality of the situation - granting myself permission to be human and imperfect, knowing that this was OKAY.  Please bear in mind that I am a "recovering perfectionist",  and this was no small feat!  LOL!!

You may be wondering why I am telling you all this.  Frankly, I am not exactly sure WHY I am doing so.  You are definitely easy to "talk with".

Here is what I want you to know.  One of the co-founders of the statewide group in Arkansas - my dear friend, Jayme Lynch - runs the most avant garde, first and original, truly peer-run program in the country - in Decatur, Georgia.  We recently reconnected via Facebook.

As life would have it, my supervisor will be in Georgia later this month for the arrival of another beloved grand child.  Well, before I knew exactly where Jayme worked or what she did, my sup told me she wanted to visit this "amazing" peer-run program in Georgia.

Honest to goodness - sometimes life DOES work out.  The program she wants to visit is THE very same program where Jayme works as the PSS Supervisor!  Long story short:  Jayme has agreed to provide my sup with the "grand tour" and to give her any and all written materials on the program!  Jayme and I talked on the phone for over three hours on Sunday!  The last time we spoke was four years ago.  The last time I saw her was in January, 1991!

My point is this:  if you would like to get information on this program, please let me know.  I am cautiously optimistic about the potentially positive affect Jayme (and the PSS program she runs) could have on my sup and - ultimately - on our PSS program.

The icing on the cake is that Jayme is going to ask her supervisor to have me be a keynote speaker at their annual conference in August - expenses paid - which would be an amazing, yet surreal opportunity!  That way I can be with one of my dearest friends of all time AND tour their program.

Final point?  Perhaps Jayme (and the Decatur PSS Program) could help the State of Tennessee to "get back on track" or "on the track" if they have never been there to begin with!  I am absolutely passionate about being a Peer Support Specialist!  I love working with my peers - they gave me at least as much, if not more, than I could ever give them!

I have also worked with folks with developmental disabilities - when I could not find work in the field of mental health.  To be honest, it just was NOT the same.  I enjoyed the work, but I was not PASSIONATE about it.  Can you relate to this?

I am very sorry for writing such a LONG email!  I had NO idea this would happen - although anyone can tell you I write way too much - diarrhea of the keypad, as it were!

Best of luck!  Let me know what you think, okay?

Kay Omholt-Montague

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[hopeworks]

Thanks to both of you for posting.  I think people are always spiritual.  Everyone lives FOR something.  All of us have something bigger than ourselves or that we have made bigger than ourselves.  Sometimes the promises we live by dont seem to carry much weight.  They let us down all the time.  I think much of life is simply finding promises worth living for.

[hopeworks]

Kay look to hear more from you.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 5:44:55 AM UTC-4, Kay Omholt-Montague wrote: