Pathlight : Finding Meaning
Author of Pathlight; Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW is originally from the U.S., earning her Canadian Citizenship in 2013. Annie & her Husband live in Pic River First Nation. Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW has been a cinical social worker since 1979 working in mental health, family therapy, and addictions services. She is a doctoral candidate at Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON. She works full-time as an Adult Mental Health and Addictions Therapist at the Marathon office of North of Superior Counseling Programs. 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.
Author of Pathlight, Annie Wenger-Nabigon, MSW, RSW
My very best friend in the world (my husband!) tells me from time to time: “Annie, life is not for wimps!” He should know. His life has not always been an easy life, but it has been one full of adventure, challenge, accomplishment, joy, and peace, along with serious challenges. Nothing gets him down for very long.
I certainly can’t say I’ve had to face some of the uphill climbs he has faced and conquered, but I’ve known my own steep and winding paths, had to pick myself up and move on more than once, and faced down my own inner “rascals” along with life’s losses. Indeed, life is not for “wimps”. Usually, I don’t use that word because it is somewhat derogatory, but here it describes the opposite of the inner toughness we have to use to face life’s challenges.
No one ever really has it easy, if you stop to think about it. We never can know by looking at someone what their life story is, or what inner burdens may be weighing heavy on their hearts. That is why it is so important to never judge anyone because we never really know what it is like to live their life. The best we can do is offer to share some joy.
In the face of some of the most difficult challenges life can dish out it can sometimes be almost impossible to find meaning. Andrew Solomon, a writer, researcher and inspirational speaker on the TED talks, believes that we can never really find meaning, but we must forge meaning. What does that word forge mean? One of the meanings of the word is “to cross over – as in, to forge a river”. Another meaning comes from the ancient craft of applying fire to metals to create steel implements, as in, “to forge a sword, or a plow”. These two meanings of the word create in my imagination the idea that creating meaning in our life involves “effort in moving forward” and “strength in passing through the fire”.
At any age a human being can confront great difficulties and feel overwhelmed, unable to move forward or “take the heat”. In response to some of life’s difficulties people can feel like giving up – “What’s the use?” This is understandable, but great joy can be realized by forging ahead through the hard things we face, and overcoming difficulties. We earn our identities, we create them, sometimes with blood, sweat and tears – lots of tears – but when we persevere we create our meanings, build our identity, and come to a better place.
Famous people and ordinary, unknown people can all experience this joy that comes from facing down the struggles of mental illness, emotional ups and downs, relationship difficulties, death, disappointment, and illnesses. Eventually, we all have to face our own mortality and that of the people we love. When we share our stories and the strengths we have learned along the way, we find that there is a lot of joy to share. There is joy and happiness and deep satisfaction in sharing the very human experiences we all have.
I encourage you today to find people with whom you can safely share your story. It’s a good way to double your joys and divide your troubles, and it can be just the thing that helps someone else on their path. Find your joy, share your strength, create the meaning in your life, and in that you will find your true inner identity.
Invite the world to share your joy!!
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 on OntarioNewsNorth.com are not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor or other professional health care provider the general information provided is intended to encourage discussion. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have specific questions about any health issues, please consult your family physician, primary health care team or other professional healthcare provider. If you feel you are suffering from a mental or physical health issue, you should seek medical attention immediately. The information shared on OntarioNewsNorth.com does not constitute medical advice nor should any person delay seeking, disregard or discontinue medical treatment because of information found anywhere on OntarioNewsNorth.com. The opinions provided by contributors on OntarioNewsNorth.com are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of OntarioNewsNorth.com its advertisers or other contributors on the site.
