Pathlight by Annie Wenger-Nabigon: Storms
Originally from the U.S., Annie now enjoys retired life at Pic River First Nation. Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW has been a clinical social worker since 1979 working in mental health, family therapy, and addictions services. She is a doctoral candidate at Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON. Annie also works part-time as a consultant for LYNX, owned by her husband Herb Nabigon, MSW. Herb provides traditional Anishnabek teachings and healing workshops for both Native and non-Native organizations. Together he and Annie provide training and education to professionals on a wide range of topics blending mainstream and traditional approaches in healing. They also provide cultural safety and anti-racism training. Do you have questions re: mental health, living a good life, relationships, etc. ?Annie would love to hear them and may even include your questions in a future column (published by-monthly exclusively on OntarioNewsNorth.com)
Send your comments or questions to Annie via email to Pathlight@OntarioNewsNorth.com
Annie Wenger-Nabigon MSW, RSW, Author of Pathlight on OntarioNewsNorth.com
Pathlight: Journey to the Good Life
We’ve had quite the stormy springtime here north of Lake Superior – snow, rain, frost, wind – all the cold stuff we had hoped would disappear with winter. Finally, we are welcoming the sunshine and hint of warmer weather, and venturing out to the garden centers, lawn mower stores, and fishing shops. Still, the hint of storms outside our area natter at us from the television news, and for myself, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with the tornadoes down south. I have a brother and his family who live in tornado alley, so I’m always checking out the news from that region of the world.
When I ponder the storms outside I am reminded of the storms within. We all survive storms of some sort in our lives, some of which can feel as devastating as a tornado. Sometimes the problems and illnesses that visit us human beings can wipe us out as surely as winds and high water can, and if we have pets we love, we are always alarmed at signs that something is wrong with their wellbeing.
It may be difficult sometimes to have hope for the sun to shine when storms visit our lives. It might even feel like we live in a constant state of stormy weather! When we feel down and blue it is so easy to retreat and pull the covers over our heads, or indulge in some escapist behavior in hopes we can soon feel better. It’s a good thing to be able to focus on something other than how miserable or blah we feel, especially if we have healthy distractions such as good self-care, helping others, meditation or other spiritual practices that actually help improve our lives. You see, just because we are sick or beset by storms, it doesn’t mean we have to be miserable.
What if the sun just doesn’t shine? What if the days go on and on with no break in the cloud hanging over us? Those are the times when we really need our friends, family, communities, care-givers, helpers, etc. to bring a little sunshine into our lives. If we don’t have people like that around, it is absolutely necessary to go looking for people who will help us and build us up. We don’t need to constantly hang around those people who contribute to our misery.
I’m so thankful for the brave souls I know in my life who have been my sunshine for me when I needed a lift. We all know what it is like to go through deep waters when we just can’t smile, and that is the time to relax and turn to people who can guide the boat – we can take it a bit easier that way. We don’t have to be so hard on ourselves, because, after all, everyone really is trying the best they can with what they know at the time.
I’m always glad when I can pass on a little sunshine. It makes me appreciate all the more the many people who share their sunshine, and their storms, with me, no matter who they are or what they are going through. No one can weather a storm all alone, and we need each other to be our “storm warning systems” so we can “batten down the hatches” in old sailor lingo. Try sharing some of your sunshine, even on a “blue” day. Your storms might pass more quickly that way!
Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW
Pathlight@OntarioNewsNorth.com
ANNIE RECOMMENDS:
- The Hollow Tree by Herb Nabigon
- EldersTeachings.blogspot.com
- Pathlight: Journey to a Good Life archives
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*Health themed columns found on OntarioNewsNorth.com provide general information about medical conditions and treatments. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such.
If you have any specific questions about any mental health or other medical matter, please consult your family physician, primary health care team or other professional healthcare provider. Opinions and information contained in any column on OntarioNewsNorth.com are not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor or other professional health care provider. If you feel you are suffering from a mental or physical health issue, you should seek medical attention immediately. The information shared in this column or anywhere on OntarioNewsNorth.com does not constitute medical advice nor should any person delay seeking, disregard or discontinue medical treatment because of information contained in PATHLIGHT: Journey to a Good Life or on OntarioNewsNorth.com.
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