Ever had your heart race, but not from excitement, love, or adrenaline?

What if it’s more like being in survival mode, constantly on edge, waiting for the next shoe to drop? In this episode of Diary Detours, I read a personal diary entry that captures the raw, physical sensation of fear and hypervigilance. This is for anyone who has ever felt like prey in their own life.

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

• "It’s crazy how I still walk on eggshells around you. How I’m afraid to breathe around you."
• "This is the heartbeat of an animal in the wild…an animal who is scared for their life."
• "I live in survival mode. Not knowing when you’re going to attack."

RESOURCES:

• Journals to help you day to day

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

• Please leave a review or rating so others can find the show!
• Grab a journal from my shop!
• Want to make a small donation? (Buy me a tea!)

CONNECT WITH THE HOST:

• Let's connect on LinkedIn!
• Let's connect on Instagram!

Have you ever wished for an apology that might never come?

In this episode of Apology Avenue, we hear a powerful letter from a father to his daughter, where he confronts his deepest regrets about failing to protect his children. Through his words, we explore the devastating consequences of his silence and cowardice.

(*Remember: In this series, we are reading apology letters we have written to ourselves from the person who has hurt us. This is a journaling practice.)

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• A father’s heartfelt apology to his daughter for allowing abuse in their home.
• The father's admission of fearing failure and judgment, leading to poor decisions.
• How his silence and inaction allowed his wife’s abusive behavior to go unchecked.
• The father’s realization of the long-term impact on his children’s lives.
• His deep guilt over his son’s death and his belief that he is to blame.
• The father's acknowledgment of his hypocrisy as a church elder versus his failures at home.
• His plea for his daughter to not lose faith in Christ despite his own failures.
• The father’s expression of love and sorrow, understanding if his daughter can never forgive him.

RESOURCES:

• Journals to help you day to day
• Apology Avenue journal (letter-writing journal)
• Want to submit your own letter to the show?

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

• Please leave a review or rating so others can find the show!
• Grab a journal from my shop!
• Want to make a small donation? (Buy me a Coffee link)

CONNECT WITH THE HOST:

• Let's connect on LinkedIn!
• Let's connect on Instagram!

Have you ever considered that your career can become part of your identity? What would happen if you decided to leave that career? Would it be like losing a part of yourself? Today's guest, Michelle, explains what it was like when her husband dealt with depression after retiring from the Army. She also describes what it's like to be a military spouse.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Being denied health care by the Veterans Affairs
• What the Transition Assistance Program is REALLY like for retiring servicemembers
• Her husband's first therapy experience - it didn't go well
• Finding out she was pregnant with their second child
• Living like two strangers under the same roof
• Why Michelle decided to put herself into therapy
• How things started to improve for their marriage
• Trauma bonding in the military
• The struggles of being a military spouse
• The importance of personal development
• Michelle's nonprofit and how they help veterans
• The importance of being a part of a supportive community

GUEST INFO:

Veteran Help Point website

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn

Connect with Michelle on Instagram

MENTIONED RESOURCES:

More stories about VA failures

More info about the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

Sign the form to pass the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

• Please leave a review or rating so others can find the show!
• Grab a journal from my shop!
• Make a small donation (Buy me a Coffee link)

CONNECT WITH THE HOST:

Let's connect on LinkedIn!

Let's connect on Instagram!