April the 6th

It's raining awfully hard here today.


Today is the day where Chris said he was going to that one ten-day program at CAMH. I am thinking about him and wondering how things will turn out for him. I wish I could've gotten his contact information, or even his last name.


Also, man, I like lists. I am reading this book that I have, for the second time, borrowed from my parents. It's called Open Hand: Pursuing Courageous Relationships and it's written by Rod E. Smith, who is a family therapist, a writer, a speaker as well as a columnist for The Indianapolis Star.

It's literally a smorgasbord of articles, stories, lists, ideas, about sociology, humans, us, healing, relating to one another, transformation, all of that. And he talks about God, too.



I found this list and I wanted to share it. It's called 'Characteristics of Healthy People,' (mature, or differentiated, also being words that, in this case, could replace the word 'healthy'). It's long, so here is half of the list; I can share the rest later:



1. They can relate to and relax with people of all ages, races and persuasions - they are accepting.

2. They can mourn after disappointments and losses and, after a time, rise up and face similar challenges again - they are resilient.

3. They have done what is possible to understand their childhood and, despite past trauma, take responsibility for what they are becoming - they are responsible.

4. They are humoured by their own foibles and saddened by cruelty they see around them, but they do not lose hope - they are optimistic.

5. They are aware of the pattern of the cycle of life and they welcome the transitions from each to each - they are growing.

6. They are eager to learn about other people, relationships, life and the world - they are engaged.

7. They can enter the world and the experience of another, listen, appreciate and value without passing judgment, offering advice or modifying what they want to see - they are intimate.

8. They have a few friendships of mutual vulnerability and deeper intimacy with one other person - they know others and are known.

9. They are involved in mutually satisfying relationships with immediate and extended family and have a rich family of choice - they are connected.

10. They are at peace more than they are unsettled, they can be calm in a crisis and can go without company when it is necessary - they are anchored.

11. They live and love deeply, they learn to trust and forgive easily - they are passionate.

12. They can listen to others without speaking, and from the multiple voices around and within them, they can distinguish the voice of the same and deliberate self - they are listeners.