Finding serenity in the midst of mental illness is a difficult task. It is a challenge to find help and support where you feel understood, heard and accepted. Two years ago I had the pleasure to meet Tessa Burns. Together we trained with Lisa Nichols and created a friendship that has blossomed in both personal and business.
Last year I nominated Tessa for an award, which she ended up receiving the honor of winning the eWomen Network International Emerging Leader Award (see the video of her receiving the award from eWomen Founder Sandra Yancey.)
Tessa has created a serene space of support, professional help and community at Serenity Now Wellness Centre. At the launch of A Quiet Strong Voice, Serenity Now Wellness Centre was the title sponsor. Tessa and Rocky generously donated 200 books, which enabled ALL book sales at the event to be donated to Distress Centre. This act of generosity resulted in $1,594 being raised to help train volunteers, like the one who answered my call for help. At the event Tessa shared this:
Thank you Lee for allowing us to be involved in this momentous occasion.
I met Lee almost 2 years ago and was immediately drawn to her. Although she has a great personality, what I appreciated most about her was her authenticity. Being in the mental health field, I have witnessed how negatively it can affect you when you don’t honor or acknowledge the feelings you are experiencing. I truly believe that you can not heal what you do not feel.
I now have experienced this first hand most recently in my business. When we expanded the business I was caught with the mask of “I’m fine” or “things are busy.” It was not until my husband asked what that really meant, that I had to be honest that I felt I was drowning in debt and feeling completely overwhelmed. When I was able to feel those emotions, I was able to get the support that I needed. I was also able to feel first-hand what I knew to be true when I was counselling.
People need to be seen and heard from where they are; not where you hope them to get to. I needed to be validated that I was not alone in my overwhelm. That other people had been there too. So, when I read Lee’s book, I felt reassured that many people who had felt alone in their feelings would see themselves in her story. And with that validation, they would have the courage they needed to get support. So, thank you for supporting Lee’s journey this evening and helping to support agencies like the Distress Centre so that we can reduce the stigma around mental health and let people know that they are not alone.
Worthy Wednesday is about celebrating that you are worthy, we are all worthy, and that you are enough.
Every Wednesday Lee gives a SimpLee Serene Shout Out to an individual or organization being the change they wish to see in the world.
