Category: Faith

Reading Is Still Fundamental

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A few Amazon reviews for your reading pleasure

All the Words I Kept Inside. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Pooja Gudka, at LifesFineWhine, first book of poetry was recently published, and I knew I would enjoy the content.

I read it in one sitting; took me about an hour to absorb everything and connect with a few of the gifts she has given us with this debut book of authentically vulnerable & expressive poems.

Below is the review I left for it on Amazon:

“First, I’ll say if you have a problem with the explicit truth about depression and anxiety, and how the two combined can be incredibly damaging to a human being, this is NOT the book for you.

However, if you can appreciate someone digging deep within themselves to bring you the most vulnerable parts of themselves in the form of poetry, then sit back and revel in the short ride of a most exquisite debut book of poems.

I felt so many emotions while reading ‘All The Words I Kept Inside.’ Pooja did a phenomenal job with the placement of the poems in every section of the book. One thing is for certain, you WILL FEEL something.

And however you feel afterward, will stick with you for years to come. It is as though the depths of her very soul lie in the lines of this book.

You will walk away embracing the damaged version of yourself.

And that’s an incredible accomplishment.”

Being a Woman: Overcoming. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

After I read Pooja’s book, I dove into Michele Lee Sefton‘s first two books of the “Being a Woman” project: Overcoming & Becoming.

Both are light reads with just under 18 and 25 pages, so consuming the content was not a time-eating issue.

Below is the review I left for the first offering on Amazon:

“The author, Michele, is intentional with this book about her message. She is free to be who she is regardless of what society and the many men who make the rules believe she should be.

Her coming of age and into the human being she wants to be took place during the rise of a global pandemic in 2020. Not only was she able to still be creative, but she produced this work of art.

My only dislike is that it’s much too short.

If you’re looking for a quick read, with poignant poetry and brilliant artwork as an accompaniment, I recommend Being a Woman: Overcoming.“

Being a Woman: Becoming. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

As I stated above, after I finished the first book, I thumbed through the second one and knocked it out as well. 

Here is the review for the second offering of poems by the writer:

“Michele has a knack for tackling tough subjects without making the reader feel burdened. As the second body of work for the “Being a Woman” project, “Becoming” isn’t what I thought it would be, but definitely what it should be.

It is a compilation of tiny reminders, cultural embraces, and acknowledgment of the women who make this world go ’round. The accompanying artwork by her daughter, Sammi, is also something to be admired.

If you’re a stickler for completing serial works just as I am, you’ll want this book to add to your collection.”

We are surrounded by a deluge of talented writers and thinkers in this WordPress community, and I’m happy I have a chance to delve into the words of so many of your productions.

Peace and blessings.

the taming of fear

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an audio poem

Mindset Message. ©2024 Tremaine L. Loadholt

fear, uninvited, sat with me
on a dark and gloomy day.
I offered it a glass of sweet tea.
if it was going to be here for
a while, it might as well quench
its thirst.

I usually run straight toward it;
my arms spread out for a hug
that never comes,
but today was different.
I spoke to it on a faith-based level.
I informed fear that if it
planned on staying, it would
have to do some work around
here–earn its keep.

I need love and care, confidence and hope, trust
and reassurance, and I wanted it to
understand if it did not intend
to provide those things, the
portal to my life would close
soon.

so, fear tried to negotiate with
me; if it showed up on Monday
and Thursday, would I have time
for it?
I listened to its offer, bathed the
details in the back of my
mind, and politely declined.

I decided I no longer wanted to
be stunted by this marriage.
taming fear is taking time,
but we’re both learning and growing.
pretty soon, I believe it’ll
be able to get along in
life without me.

Fathers, May Today Shine on You

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I have love to give to the many fathers of this world, so here you go.

Photo by Unsplash+ via Unsplash

We are still here; amazed by your existence, charged by your love, and blessed to be in your presence.

For fathers who are fathering the lost, wayward, and weary. For fathers who Uncle their way around their nieces and nephews’ lives more like the ones who contributed to their lives than just the ones connected to them by blood. For fathers brothering their sisters and brothers on a higher scale than they should; around more than Daddy, himself . . .

We love you. We see you. We have no idea what your struggles entail, but we want you to know–what you are doing is not in vain.

To those of you holding on to memories of fathers who have found their way into heaven’s gates, may peace guide you and strengthen you throughout this weekend and the week ahead.

I can say, “I love you” to my dad whenever the sentiment strikes me, and that is an incredible blessing and I do not take it for granted.

Fathers, keep moving. Keep embracing the hearts of your children. Keep your eyes on God’s will for your life. Keep being the father many of us need and so many more of us want.

I assure you, none of it is in vain.

My dad, “Big Mike” & I from my most recent trip home to Savannah, Georgia this past April.

The Hard Part Is Over and Now . . . I Wait.

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I applied to two psychological/therapeutic organizations as recommended by my former therapist and my nerves are getting the best of me.

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

This morning, I did the second part of what I have been dreading for nearly two months: I applied to two psychological/therapeutic organizations as recommended by my former therapist. To say that I am nervous is an understatement. But I knew this had to be done, and I am proud of myself for taking the second step in continuing my mental healthcare and surveillance from a professional.

I started by researching the second center my former therapist and I discussed as the name struck me as inviting and serene: Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness. I read through the organization’s mission and vision statement and familiarized myself with about four of the profiles for their providers. I landed on Arionna Wilkerson within the first three minutes, marked her mentally, and said, “Let’s come back to her.” I read through three more profiles and circled back to Arionna Wilkerson. I completed the new applicant form and will await the recommended 24-48 hours turnaround time before reaching out to the organization if I have not heard from a representative before their requested turnaround time.

The downside to this organization is my insurance is not an accepted carrier. Thus, if I choose to make them my new mental healthcare provider, I will have to pay a significant amount out of pocket each month. In all honesty, I am trying to avoid this. However, I did apply because Arionna’s profile seems to be exactly the type of service I need and would like to continue to get. I also selected the option to continue Autism Spectrum Disorder testing. I had the initial assessment for autism about 2 years ago, and I have been learning more about myself and coming to terms with WHY I am the way I am and how much of me centers around neurodivergence.

The mission statement for Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness is:

At Banyan Tree Counseling & Wellness, our mission is to nurture the roots of well-being. We are committed to delivering compassionate, holistic, and evidence-based care that empowers individuals, families, and communities to thrive. Our dedication to creating an inclusive environment fosters growth, healing, and fulfillment for our clients. With an unwavering commitment to professional excellence and continuous improvement, our aim is to positively impact the mental and overall well-being of our community.

The above is what led me to apply to this organization. I also watched a short YouTube clip from the Founder/Executive Director, Chantal Hayes, and was slightly moved to learn more about the people Banyan Tree employs. The location is not far from me and I can choose in-person or virtual/telehealth care.

The other organization I researched and applied to is Camel City Counseling. My former therapist and I discussed them as well. On a list of four recommendations, these two spoke to me the most. I read through their mission statement and was immediately lured in. Here is a snippet of what Camel City Counseling offers:

We specialize in working with motivated clients, the perfectionist, the family struggle, the couple rekindling their desire, the trauma survivor, the hurting, the anxious, the body loather, the overachiever, the overcomer, the attention deficit, the highly sensitive. We believe that mental health is physical health, and vice versa. We see you and we care.

When you work with us, you will experience authenticity and integrity. Our passionate focus is meeting people where they are and walking with them toward their goals in a warm, relational manner. We will sit “side by side” with you on your journey of change. We will never give up on your success and wellbeing.

After reading three profiles on their website for three VERY different providers, I selected Zanita Harrison for whom I’d like to be my next provider. Her background and current specialization is what would be helpful to me. Her personal statement helped seal the deal as the person of interest for me, too: “WANTS CLIENTS TO DEVELOP PERSONAL STRENGTH, DEEP UNDERSTANDING IN RELATIONSHIPS, AND FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR COMMUNICATION OR SELF ADVOCACY.”

This organization also specializes in additional assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. They also . . . wait for it . . . ACCEPT MY INSURANCE! The last part is a plus as I do not want to pay out of pocket for services that should undoubtedly be offered to human beings for free. I also have the option for in-person care or virtual/telehealth. I will await a response from them by allowing 24-72 hours.

My former therapist is a Caucasian woman in her late 60s. She provided me with several tools to use as I grow older and move through the challenges of life. I will never forget what we shared, how we grew together, and her incredible attention to detail and assistance in me learning who I am and why outside of racial demographics and gender/sex orientation. I am moving forward now after so many long and tired exhalations.

The hard part to all of this is over and now . . . I wait.