Wildflowers’ Movement
Mindful .Peer .Support, .Self-awareness, and Radical Wellness
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WILDFLOWERS’ MOVEMENT is a collaboration of giving and receiving mindful peer support, self-awareness, and radical wellness.Philosophy: Eco-Consciousness
Being eco-conscious of our own body, mind, and spirit is at the heart of being eco-conscious of our environment… And being eco-conscious of our environment is being eco-conscious of our body, mind, and spirit… for they are ONE in the same…
All are welcome. We believe a true community that embraces diversity is the solution.
The Wildflowers’ Movement is a collaborative space that utilizes the process of giving and receiving mindful support to practice self-awareness, cultivate radical wellness, and celebrate diversity.In vast meadows thriving with life, flowers bloom as a natural consequence of the environment. While perhaps of the same species, each blossom retains its own nature, and opens its colors to the sky as though in offering to the great cycle of existence.In the Wildflowers’ Movement, it is our philosophy that as individuals, we resemble the meadow flower. Though we are distinct as people we are not separate, that though our expressions of life fluctuate we can still become a part of the lustrous whole by recognizing our interconnectedness and inner beauty through self-awareness and community building.The Wildflowers’ Movement accepts and welcomes people with diverse histories and backgrounds, especially those who have experienced health issues firsthand. It is our contention that experience should not be formulated as a pathology of symptoms, but rather as a wide array of wealth and knowledge to be gleaned from our first hand encounters with life that have informed us in unique ways. It is through sharing our insights and understandings that we come to strengthen our community amid potentially alienating environments and circumstances, that we positively build on the self in the manner of spiritual alchemists who turn the lead of experience into the gold of realization and awareness.You are welcome to the group for whichever reason you feel you should be. No matter how alienated you are by the world around you, no matter how out of step or disconnected you might feel, you are not alone. We believe that true community which embraces diversity is the solution.
Self-acceptance is the key to recognizing who we truly are.Self-awareness is having a clear perception of our personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self-awareness allows us to understand other people, how they perceive us, our attitude and our responses to them in the moment.Self-consciousness, including super-consciousness, is the mental activity through which we feel a sense of being or existing as a unique and total individual. This notion comes out of reflexive philosophy and its derivatives that hold that the human faculty of consciousness, apparent to itself and having itself as its object, marks the primacy of consciousness in the definition of the human psyche. This sense of identity, this initial subjective stance, is established gradually, being linked with the general development of the human mind in its relationship to itself and the outside world.Self-awareness and self-consciousness, and super-consciousness are to be cultivated daily in order to maintain our self-acceptance.
Wildflowers’ Movement
next meeting:
Friday June 9, 2023
Noon to 1pm Pacific Time
There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread.
– Mother Teresa
Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
– William James
The key to all problems is the problem of consciousness.
-Inscription inside an Egyptian temple
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
-Helen Keller
The world is not dangerous because of those who do harm but because of those who look at it without doing anything. Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence.
-Albert Einstein
Wildflowers’ Movement
About
Wildflowers' Movement is the soulchild of Denise Maratos, who also describes "radical wellness", as in cultivating wellness from the roots up. She began the group in 2010, with a few loyal attendees who understood the importance of peer support. She has been the support group facilitator for many diverse groups of people. She had been working in the healthcare field before experiencing her own extraordinary experiences over 25 years ago. After being diagnosed with an array of psychiatric “disorders”, she survived the entanglement of the psychiatric system, and embarked upon a journey of healing and self-discovery. She identifies as a psychiatric survivor. She does not identify with any psychiatric label given to her. She identifies as a Wildflower.
Denise Maratos, Founder & Leader of Wildflowers' Movement
Denise is a registered psychological associate in Beverly Hills, CA and conducts online therapy. She is a PhD candidate at Pacifica Graduate Institute, conducting research on extraordinary experiences, otherwise known as numinous experiences, often called “psychosis”, “schizophrenia”, “schizo-affective”, “dissociative”, etc. by the biomedical model. She is an Educator with a Ed.M. from Harvard University, and hopes her research informs the public about the fictional book called the DSM. She is on the executive committee of ISPS-US and she has been a speaker for several mental health advocacy conferences. If you wish to get in touch with her, please email her at: [email protected]. You may also view her website at Depth Emergence and see her profile at Psychology Today, Denise Maratos.
Sandra Cheng, Co-Leader & Website designer of Wildflowers' Movement
Sandra Cheng is a primary support group facilitator who was working at Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Services with National Alliance of Mental Illness when she met Denise, who at the time was one of the trainers for UCLA Mindful Self-directed Recovery. Her lived experience with schizo-affective disorder as rediagnosed in 2002 and schizophrenia disorganized type (2000) after two psychiatric hospitalizations gives her invaluable insight to the work. She is also an artist who graduated with an MFA from USC School of Cinematic Arts in the animation department in 2005. "PedantPhilia", an award-winning short film was based on real life circumstances related to symptoms of her first psychotic break. She designs and maintains the websites for the Wildflowers' Movement and other organizations. If you wish to get in touch with Sandra, please email her at [email protected]
"I spent years and years trying to find a word or term to define myself with an occupation, profession, or job title until one day I looked at the way a flower grew, it had no notion it was a flower, all it needed to know was that it could keep growing towards the light. Grow towards the Light"
-unknownlightofjewels.com
Peer . Support & Mentoring
Peer support is a collaboration of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility, and mutual agreement of what is helpful.Peer mentoring or coaching is a service offered by an experienced peer to a peer that needs support and coaching through a difficult period, day or moment.Peer support is not based on psychiatric models and diagnostic criteria. It is about understanding an other’s situation emphatically through shared experiences and perspectives. When people find affiliation with others they feel are ”like” them, they feel a connection. This connection, or affiliation, is a deep, holistic understanding based on mutual experience where people are able to “be” with each other without the constraints of traditional (therapist/client) relationships.
Peer to peer support is offered through the group as a whole. If you are interested in individual peer mentoring services, we do have peer mentors & coaches who are experienced and available to offer their services. The rates are negotiated between you and your peer mentor. For information, please email Peer Mentor.
Be sure to include your email, phone number, day and time preferences and your needs, so that we are able to recommend the appropriate peer mentor to you.
The Los Angeles Times (12/18/96) reported that an eight year study showed that peer-support alcoholism treatment was as effective as professional treatment. Many peers say it is even more effective than professional treatment.
There is hard evidence which establishes a link between participation in peer support groups and improvement in symptoms of physical and mental issues. Dr. Louis J. Medvene, UCLA
A study reported in Behavior Therapy (1985) compared a professional weight loss program with peer support groups and found those in the peer support groups lost equal amounts of weight for a fraction of the cost.
Wildflowers’ Movement
Creative Expression
We Are All Wildflowers’ In This Meadow Called Life
Photography - Wildflowers’ Movement
SLIDE 1 - Untitled Beauty, by Member Photo close up of Flower buds
SLIDE 2 - In the Midst by Member Photo Landscape of Hilltop with mist
SLIDE 3 - Sky Line Dotted by Member Photo Cloudy Sky with Building & Tree
SLIDE 4 - Space Flowers by Sandra Cheng Photoshop
SLIDE 5 - Star Clusters by Sandra Cheng Photoshop
SLIDE 6 - Out of the Blue by Sandra Cheng Photoshop
Art - Wildflowers’ Movement
Vision Board, by Member
Vision Board, by Member
Vision Board, by Member
Vision Board, by Member
To Die Before you Die, Vision Board, by Member
Vision Boards, Step up on Second
Film & Drama - Wildflowers’ Movement
Healing through the arts
“We heal by entertaining our psyche.” – Denise Maratos
CRAZYWISE, Consciousness and CultureWhy Crazywise? Why Now?Most of us know someone affected by mental issues, whether through a family member, friend or our own personal experience. According to The National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 Americans will suffer from a mental health crisis in their lifetime. Most will occur before the age of 24. It’s no secret that the vast majority of these friends, neighbors and relatives will never find effective, lasting treatment. It’s a sobering fact that more than half of U.S. prisoners and a quarter of America’s homeless suffer from mental health issues.To counter this trend, survivor-led activists and advocates are emerging to challenge the current system. These movements include successful treatment approaches like Open Dialogue in Northern Finland. In addition to Open Dialogue, the film explores new organizations and programs including: Peer-to Peer counseling, the National Empowerment Center, Stand Up for Mental Health, the Hearing Voices Network, Patients Like Me and Mad Pride. These programs emphasize hope for recovery, acceptance, mentorship and relationships.It struck Phil that this was the same model of mentor-based relationships he’d witnessed and photographed in Africa, Asia and South America among indigenous cultures. He found some of these insights buried deep in the timeless shamanic traditions of remote indigenous cultures around the world.Few people are aware that alternative treatments exist due to a lack of mainstream media coverage. This film will present successful options that show how the mentally ill can recover without lifelong medication and stigmatization.
Cutting OutAD4E (A Disorder for Everyone) presents a play by Viv Gordan Company, Cutting Out, which is also an act of rebellion and resistance.Part performance, part installation, part collective act of resistance, 'Cutting Out' tells the story of Viv's journey from abuse to activism in a co-created installation of paper dolls. Holding hands in solidarity, they bear witness to 11 million adult UK survivors of child sexual abuse.Following 'Cutting Out's hugely successful tour in Autumn 2021, AD4E, supported by Onlinevents, is proud to host an online showing and a Q&A session with Viv Gordon and her team.A panel discussion will take place following the play. Panel contributors confirmed so far are Dr Jacqui Dillon, Dr Akima Thomas OBE, Sophie Olson and Viv GordonWe hope to see you on May 12th, 2022 for this unmissable evening.
Register
Stopping TrafficJoin us on April 13th, 2006 at 6.30 p.m. for a tour of Leigh McCloskey’s art discovering the Hieroglyph of the Human Soul and a performance by Mary Pat Gleason, as she explores her journey with health in STOPPING TRAFFIC$20/ticket, use Pay Pal at 310.457.5398, call Carla McCloskey to RSVP, or the Wildflowers’ Movement at 951.638.WELLat the OLANDAR FOUNDATION in Malibu, click here for directions
Humor - Wildflowers’ Movement
When Life Just Blows, by Robin Williams
STAND-UP COMEDY FOR OUR WELL-BEING
POSTED APRIL 30, 2014, AT CRAZYWISE BY PHIL BORGES, POST BY CRAZYWISE CO-DIRECTOR, KEVIN TOMLINSONOne of the most audacious and exciting forms of treatment for our health is laughter. David Granirer of Vancouver B.C. who lives with depression, is a counselor, stand up comic, keynote speaker on mental health and author (The Happy Neurotic, How Fear and Angst Can Lead to Happiness and Success). David founded “Stand Up for Mental Health“, an 8 week stand-up comedy program to people with mental illness as a way of building self-esteem and fighting public stigma.
Stand Up for Health
POSTED AT TED.COM, JUNE 2011, JOSHUA WALTERS
Just Crazy Enough
Joshua Walters is a comedian, poet, educator and performer. He incorporates elements of spoken word and beatbox into his shows in a mash-up of comedy, intimate reflection and unpredictable antics. In the last two years, Walters has performed at theaters and universities throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East.
THE 12 WARNING SIGNS OF GOOD HEALTH(If several or more appear, you may rarely need to visit a doctor.)1. Regular flare-ups of a supportive network of friends and family.
2. Chronic positive expectations.
3. Repeated episodes of gratitude and generosity.
4. Increased appetite for physical activity.
5. Marked tendency to identify and express feelings.
6. Compulsion to contribute to society.
7. Lingering sensitivity to the feelings of others.
8. Habitual behavior related to seeking new challenges.
9. Craving for peak experiences.
10. Tendency to adapt to changing conditions.
11. Feelings of spiritual involvement.
12. Persistent sense of humor.Adapted from a posting on a computer bulletin board in Waldport, Oregon, author unidentified. Reprinted in Whole Earth Review (Winter 1994), a compendium of brash thinking and lofty ideas.
A Parenting ClassA psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four young mothers and their small children. “You all have obsessions,” he observed.To the first mother he said, “You are obsessed with eating. You even named your daughter Candy.”He turned to the second mom. “Your obsession is money. Again, it manifests itself in your child’s name, Penny.”He turned to the third mom. “Your obsession is alcohol and your child’s name is Brandy.”At this point, the fourth mother got up, took her little boy by the hand and whispered, “‘Come on, Dick, this guy has no idea what he’s talking about. Let’s go pick up Peter and Willy from school and go get dinner.”
Hello, and Welcome to the Mental Health Hotline:
Click Here to Listen to the Audio VersionIf you are obsessive-compulsive, press 1 repeatedly.If you are co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.If you have multiple personalities, press 3, 4, 5 and 6.If you are paranoid, we know who you are and what you want. Stay on the line so we can trace your call.If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.If you are schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.If you are manic-depressive, it doesn’t matter which number you press – no one will answer.If you are dyslexic, press 96969696969696.If you have a nervous disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on line.If you have amnesia press 8 and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number and your mother’s maiden name.If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, slowly and carefully press 000.If you have bi-polar disorder, please leave a message after the beep or before the beep. Or after the beep. Please wait for the beep.If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9. If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.If you have low self esteem, please hang up. All our operators are too busy to talk to you.
Poetry - Wildflowers’ Movement
SPIRITUAL WARRIORLife offers us the opportunity to become a Spiritual Warrior.
A warrior is one who bravely goes into those dark areas within
themselves to ferret out the Truth of their being.
It takes great courage, stamina and endurance to
become a Spiritual Warrior.
The path is narrow, the terrain rough and rocky.
You will walk alone: through the dark caves,
up those steep climbs and through the dense thick forest.
You will meet your dark side. The faces of fear, deceit, and
sadness all await your arrival
No one can take this journey but you.
There comes a time, in each of our lives,
when we are given the choice to follow this path.
Should we decide to embark on this journey,
we can never turn back…. Our lives are changed forever
On this journey, there are many different places we can
choose to slip into and hide. But the path goes on.
The Spiritual Warrior stays the course, wounded at times,
exhausted and out of energy. Many times, the Warrior will
struggle back to their feet to take only a few steps before
falling again.
Rested, they forge on,
continuing the treacherous path.
The journey continues. The Spiritual Warrior
stays the course. Weakened, but never broken.
One day, the battle, loneliness and desperate fights are over.
The sun breaks through the clouds; the birds begin to sing
their sweet melodies. There is a change in the energy.
A deep change within the self.
The warrior has fought the courageous fight.
The battle of the dark night of the soul is won.
New energy now fills the Warrior.
A new path is now laid before them.
A gentler path filled with the inner-knowing
of one who has personal empowerment.
With their personal battle won, they are filled with joy.
A new awareness that they are one with the Spirit beams
as they go forth to show others the way.
They are not permitted to walk the path for others.
They can only love, guide and be a living example
of the Truth of their being.-Anonymous– See more at: https://makeheaven.com
During this holiday season, many of us struggle with feelings of sadness and despair. We often feel left out of our families and emotions of loneliness or abandonment may be penetrating our minds. We may feel very alone. These feelings will pass.This poem is dedicated to those struggling with depression, grief, and/or sadness during this holiday season. May brighter days come and light your way…
WaitWait, for now.
Distrust everything, if you have to.
But trust the hours. Haven’t they
carried you everywhere, up to now?
Personal events will become interesting again.
Hair will become interesting.
Pain will become interesting.
Buds that open out of season will become lovely again.
Second-hand gloves will become lovely again,
their memories are what give them
the need for other hands. And the desolation
of lovers is the same: that enormous emptiness
carved out of such tiny beings as we are
asks to be filled; the need
for the new love is faithfulness to the old.Wait.
Don’t go too early.
You’re tired. But everyone’s tired.
But no one is tired enough.
Only wait a while and listen.
Music of hair,
Music of pain,
music of looms weaving all our loves again.
Be there to hear it, it will be the only time,
most of all to hear,
the flute of your whole existence,
rehearsed by the sorrows, play itself into total exhaustion.By Galway Kinnell
The Dry SalvagesTo communicate with Mars, converse with spirits,
To report the behaviour of the sea monster,
Describe the horoscope, haruspicate or scry,
Observe disease in signatures, evoke
Biography from the wrinkles of the palm
And tragedy from fingers; release omens
By sortilege, or tea leaves, riddle the inevitable
With playing cards, fiddle with pentagrams
Or barbituric acids, or dissect
The recurrent image into pre-conscious terrors—
To explore the womb, or tomb, or dreams; all these are usual
Pastimes and drugs, and features of the press:
And always will be, some of them especially
When there is distress of nations and perplexity
Whether on the shores of Asia, or in the Edgware Road.
Men’s curiosity searches past and future
And clings to that dimension. But to apprehend
The point of intersection of the timeless
With time, is an occupation for the saint—
No occupation either, but something given
And taken, in a lifetime’s death in love,
Ardour and selflessness and self-surrender.
For most of us, there is only the unattended
Moment, the moment in and out of time,
The distraction fit, lost in a shaft of sunlight,
The wild thyme unseen, or the winter lightning
Or the waterfall, or music heard so deeply
That it is not heard at all, but you are the music
While the music lasts. These are only hints and guesses,
Hints followed by guesses; and the rest
Is prayer, observance, discipline, thought and action.
The hint half guessed, the gift half understood, is Incarnation.
Here the impossible union
Of spheres of existence is actual,
Here the past and future
Are conquered, and reconciled,
Where action were otherwise movement
Of that which is only moved
And has in it no source of movement—
Driven by daemonic, chthonic
Powers. And right action is freedom
From past and future also.
For most of us, this is the aim
Never here to be realised;
Who are only undefeated
Because we have gone on trying;
We, content at the last
If our temporal reversion nourish
(Not too far from the yew-tree)
The life of significant soil.-T.S. Eliot said of Metaphysics
Resources - Wildflowers’ Movement
Videos - Wildflowers’ Movement
Relating to Voices using Compassion Focused Therapy
with Dr Charlie Heriot-Maitland
May 23, 2023 ISPS-US webinar
Compassion for Voicesa 5-minute animated film which outlines a compassion-focused approach for relating to voices. The film was made by Charlie at King’s College London in 2015, with input from Dr Eleanor Longden, who provided the narration.
Literary sources - Wildflowers’ Movement
Wildflowers’ Movement Events
Current Events
Wildflowers' Movement Meeting Online
Fri June 9th, 2023 Noon to 1pm Pacific Time Peer Support Group
Wildflowers’ Movement Events
Past Events
In this online workshop (repeat of the one on 21st September ) Jo Watson presents the arguments against psychiatric diagnosis and offers an opportunity for participants to explore the impact of the medical model narrative
In this 4 day event our knowledgeable panel of speakers will shed light on the concept of the Shadow. You will learn many practical tools of how to engage with the Shadow. We will go into the personal as well as collective Shadow...
Encounters with the Shadow with James Hollis, paid course, Scholarship available.
The Spiritual Paradox of Addiction, paid course by Ashok Bedi, Scholarship available.
ISPS-US 2022 National Conference- Opportunity Through Experience: Psychosis, Extreme States, and Possibilities for Transformation. November 4-6, 2022, Sacramento, CA, and online.
PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS (PAIMI)Wednesday, November 2, 2022 3:00 PM Pacific Pre-registration is required. Judi’s Room is named after Judi Chamberlin, well known human rights leader.
We will view some of the drawings and paintings by Meghan Caughey MFA, and hear the story of the role making art plays in her recovery and life. PLEASE BRING: the art activites described above require paper and something to draw with. With Oryx Cohen.
F3 Podcast Thursdays 6pm Fun, Faith, & F*ckery (F3) is the show that brings more play, pray and slay into your day. Nikki and guests talk all things silly, spiritual and psycho in this shit show called Life.
IEATA Workshops Kick Off ET Summit • October 28-30 • Register Now
A Disorder for Everyone! - The Online Festival 2022 For the third year running we will be bringing together people from all over the world who challenge the culture of diagnosis and disorder and who want to see change! September 16th 2022 at 09:00 BST
The renaissance scholar, writer, poet, and bard of all things mythological, Phil Cousineau at the Myth Salon on Thursday September 29th 2022 at 5pm PT
The Archetypes of Journey and Character Development and universality of this quintessential American fairy tale. Recovering a sense of oneself, one’s place, and one’s community after experiencing trauma and loss is a transformative journey.
BASIL POLEDOURIS The Music & The Movies July 22, 2022 @ 8:00pm The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall
Insert Music Here returns to Eaton Canyon for a special morning performance, as part of the ECNCA's "A Day in Nature" festival! Join us for a beautiful morning of solar-powered piano music in the oak grove by the main trailhead at the Nature Center.
Kyodo Taiko (響童 太鼓) is the nation's first and oldest collegiate taiko drumming team. We hope you will enjoy their performance! Thursday June 2nd, 2022 Fowler Museum at UCLA All performances begin at 6PM. Galleries are open until 8PM.
MicroFest Presents "Music for Four Quarter-Tone Pianos" Fri, Jun 3, 2022, 7:00 PM PDT The Wende Museum 10808 Culver Boulevard Culver City, CA 90230
Susie Hansen Representante de la Salsa Friday June 17, 2022 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDTSage Granada Park United Methodist Church1850 West Hellman Avenue Alhambra, CA 91803
UntitThe deepest wounding of the American psyche has been its divide along racial lines. The intergenerational trauma that has traveled for centuries due to racism has had a profound psychological effect on BIPOC populations.led
The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring: Lynn Cunningham, Todd Green, Joe Graedon, Terry Graedon, & Su Robotti.
Peer Resource Center Sidewalk Pop Up Event Peer Resource Center Sidewalk Pop Up Event Peer Resource Center Sidewalk Pop Up Event May 18, 2022 9-11am PST Peer Resource Center 510 S. Vermont Ave., 1st Fl. Los Angeles, CA 90020
Cutting Out AD4E (A Disorder for Everyone) presents a play by Viv Gordan Company, Cutting Out, which is also an act of rebellion and resistance. Part performance, part installation. We hope to see you on May 12th, 2022 for this unmissable evening.
Working Through Psychosis & Extreme States: An Alternative to Suppression Thank you to all who attended our webinar on Wednesday with presenters Gogo Ekhaya and Emma Goude.
The Power of Peer Respites: Monday, April 25, 2022 4 pm Pacific; 7 pm Eastern; Oryx Cohen will share his personal story about how a peer respite helped him in his healing journey
Kracking up in a good way: A night of Stand up for mental health ComedyOnline event: MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 AT 4:30 PM PDT
Music is Healing ♫ Sun, March 27, 2022Free Santa Monica Symphony Spring Concert
A conversation MARCH 23, 2022 with Peter C. Gøtzsche, DrMedSci, MD, MSc Peter is Protector for the Hearing Voices Network in Denmark. Video link available.
Feeling Safe Program: You are invited to join with ISPS-US on Friday, March 11, 2022 for a webinar with Daniel Freeman. It’s not often that researchers develop a form of therapy that is more than twice as effective as previous approaches!
Archive
D. Maratos presents "Spiritual Emergence and Individuation Process from a Depth Psychology Perspective at the 16th ISPS-US 2017 in Portland University.
Festival of Recovery 4/9/16 at SHARE! 6666 Green Valley Circle, Culver City CA 90230. Join Wildflowers’ Movement at SHARE! in the Prosperity Room at 2pm as we celebrate and participate as part of their semi-annual festival of recovery!
4th Annual Innovations in Recovery Conference 2015 Client/Consumer Perspective: “Integrating Physical & Mental Health Recovery” Keynote Speaker: Helena Ditko Program Director, Office of Consumer & Family Affairs
Los Angeles County Client Coalition, Inc meetings currently online and sometimes in person at CALIF downtown. 2nd Fridays 12:30pm to 2:30pm PT
TRANSFORMING MAD SCIENCE & REIMAGINING MENTAL HEALTH CARE 11/13-15/2014. We find, study and promote safe, humane, life-enhancing approaches to helping people who experience emotional distress, life crises, difficult dilemmas, & spiritual emergencies
Synchronicity: Matter & Psyche 9/12-14/14 A landmark celebration with visionary leaders whose work has pioneered our understanding of the unity of consciousness and reality. Joshua Tree Desert Retreat Center “Institute of Mental Physics”
Join SAMHSA and its VOICE Awards program partners at UCLA on 8/13/14 to honor consumer/peer leaders and television and film professionals whose work and personal stories of resilience are educating the public about health.
Alive Inside, An uplifting cinematic exploration of music and the mind, ALIVE INSIDE’s inspirational and emotional story left audiences humming, clapping and cheering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.
Yana Reznik, Piano 8/7/14 Marina del Rey Summer Symphony Frank Fetta, Musical Director and Conductor Join us for an evening of fun, music, and evening picnic. Yana Reznik – Piano Gershwin, Addinsell, Safan Burton Chase Park, 13650 Mindanao Way
Magic, Fantasy, Adventure! 8/3/14 California Philharmonic: Magic, Fantasy, Adventure! Music has the ability to transport you to worlds seen and unseen, astounding or frightening, whether known or only discoverable in the imagination. Maestro Victor Vener
2013 Emmy Award-Winning Profiles of Hope is widely used as a teaching tool to motivate audiences and erase stigma associated with mental health issues. a set of 10-minute inspirational stories that spotlight individuals who candidly share how they overcame
2023 Peer Support Conferences
iSPS-US Humanity in Solidarity Sharing the Journey Through Extreme States-
University of Delaware| Newark, DE| Hybrid ONLINE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE| Friday October 27- Sunday October 29, 2023
Proposals now extended until June 7th!
Will you present online here? Watch out, Nation!
iSPS Lombardia Italy conference in Bergamo
Saturday 21st October 2023
More news coming soon!
iSPS Suomi Finland - Psychosis 2023 Conference in Dipoli
Thursday 09 Nov 2023 - Friday 10 Nov 2023
"Tools for Care and Rehabilitations of Psychosis"
mostly in Finnish with some English in simultaneous translation.
Registration website link (in Finnish)Will you present online here? Watch out, world!
ISPS-US Sacramento 2022 Experts By Experience Panel
(Featuring Sandra Cheng)
Wildflowers’ Movement
Blog -
WelcomeThis blog is intended to express the views and opinions of Wildflowers’ Movement Recovery Support group members. It is primarily a creative space and an invitation for friendly collaboration.Past blog posts have been articles expressing ideas of our current Wildflowers’ Movement members. They are meant to inspire people to be part of the Wildflowers’ recovery movement. If you are a member who has been to any of our Wildflowers’ Movement group meetings, please consider making comments about what it feels like to be with us. On the other hand, if you would simply like to participate here, we would love to support you and assist you in posting to this blog in any way you would like to be represented.
Please email us at [email protected] to get involved.
The Most Eye Opening 10 Minutes Of Your Life
by Dr Gabor Maté
Who is Gabor Maté? A renowned speaker, and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development.“Not the world, not what’s outside of us, but what we hold inside traps us. We may not be responsible for the world that created our minds, but we can take responsibility for the mind with which we create our world.”#GaborMaté
Despair, Distress, Depression… are not Diseases… they are all indications that Human Consciousness needs to ChangeSince the passing of my one of my favorite comedians and actors Robin Williams, I am tired of hearing “depression” being called a “disease”. It is not a “disease”. Further, I am really tired of hearing some people referring to suicide so negatively. Through my personal experiences, and through my research studies, I have found that despair, distress, depression, and even suicide, are understandable psychological reactions to the stress and violent distortions of the modern world.So many of us have tried numerous methods to treat our downs, including our “despairs”, “distresses”, “depressions”, and “other issues”. Searching for the root issues such as recovering from anger, trauma, and grief are just a few examples. Those of us who have suffered from “distress” are usually highly aware and sensitive. Some of us are creatively gifted and intuitive. Thus, we find it difficult to feel “normal” in a society that places value on things that are leading humanity and the environment to destruction. We also find it difficult to connect with others on a personal level because we are disheartened by the amount of greed, cruelty, injustice, destruction, and abuse that goes on in this hostile world. Because of this awareness, we are simply so surprised that others are living in denial and have the ability to just ignore these issues and continue living in indifference.I agree with Deep Ecologists and with Dr. Stephan Harding as he says “I think if you don’t get depressed, you need to see a therapist…I mean on this issue. There is something wrong with you if you are not profoundly saddened or depressed by the state of things at the moment. You need help to work out why you are not depressed. Not enough people are depressed…many people are in denial.” Dr Stephan Harding – Gaia Theory & Deep Ecology
When Johnny and Jane Come Marching HomeThis is an incredible project started by Dr. Paula J. Caplan Picture, a clinical and research psychologist, and an Associate at Harvard University’s DuBois Institute and a past Fellow at the Women and Public Policy Program in Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She is the author of: The Myth of Women’s Masochism, They Say You're Crazy: How the World’s Most Powerful Psychiatrists Decide Who’s Normal, and ten other books. Her articles, essays, and op-eds have appeared in both scholarly and popular publications.
Thank you for your interest in this work!Listening is “the art and practice of putting someone else’s speaking, thinking, feeling needs ahead of our own,” wrote Marc Wong in Thank You For Listening.The Welcome Johnny and Jane Home Project helps veterans heal – and reduces the too-common chasms between veterans and nonveterans – by having one nonveteran at a time simply listen to a veteran from any war. You can become involved by doing one or more sessions, by helping organize others to get involved, or both. Listeners are not therapists, and – except for speaking two sentences – they truly do nothing but listen. However, they do so with 100% of their attention and their whole hearts. Harvard University research has shown that veterans describe this as helpful, and the listeners say it is wonderfully transformative for them.This is about human connection through the often overlooked but astonishing power of listening. Regardless of the veteran’s politics and the listener’s politics, the sessions are healing.The three main steps you need to take are becoming familiar with the purpose and guidelines, finding a place to do the session, and finding a veteran who wants to do a session. For more information about how to get involved with the project, click here.When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home
“He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it.”
– Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
During this holiday season, many of us struggle with feelings of sadness and despair. We often feel left out of our families and emotions of loneliness or abandonment may be penetrating our minds. We may feel very alone. These feelings will pass.This poem is dedicated to those struggling with depression, grief, and/or sadness during this holiday season. May brighter days come and light your way…
WaitWait, for now.
Distrust everything, if you have to.
But trust the hours. Haven’t they
carried you everywhere, up to now?
Personal events will become interesting again.
Hair will become interesting.
Pain will become interesting.
Buds that open out of season will become lovely again.
Second-hand gloves will become lovely again,
their memories are what give them
the need for other hands. And the desolation
of lovers is the same: that enormous emptiness
carved out of such tiny beings as we are
asks to be filled; the need
for the new love is faithfulness to the old.Wait.
Don’t go too early.
You’re tired. But everyone’s tired.
But no one is tired enough.
Only wait a while and listen.
Music of hair,
Music of pain,
music of looms weaving all our loves again.
Be there to hear it, it will be the only time,
most of all to hear,
the flute of your whole existence,
rehearsed by the sorrows, play itself into total exhaustion.By Galway Kinnell
Gatherings & Contact Us
**Our next meeting is Friday June 9, 2023 from Noon to 1pm Pacific Time. You will receive a few more reminder emails if you have signed up for our newsletters.
You may also check our new EventBrite page to purchase tickets to register for the Zoom link to attend our meetings as they become available.
Click here or paste this URL into your browser:
https://Wildflowersmvmt.eventbrite.com
Wildflowers' Movement meetings usually start with check ins, introductions, & group guidelines. At the heart of group, we may either have discussion after reading a health related article, or we may choose a creative activity. We end with affirmations and goals.
Can't meet at our regular times?
Here’s a link to our survey about scheduling meetings.
If you are interested in becoming more involved with our movement,
please contact us to share resources, collaborate, or receive a link to our next zoom meeting.
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wildflowers’ Movement
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Affirmations
Every Cell in my body vibrates with energy and health
Loving myself heals my life. I nourish my mind, body and soul
My body heals quickly and easily
I prosper wherever I turn and I know that I deserve prosperity
The more grateful I am, the more reasons I find to be grateful
I know that I deserve Love and accept it now
I give out Love and it is returned to me multiplied
I rejoice in the Love I encounter everyday
I have a wonderful partner and we are both happy and at peace
I attract only healthy relationships
I choose to exercise regularly
When I believe in myself, so do others
I choose to make positive healthy choices for myself
Deep at the centre of my being there is an infinite well of love.
I now allow this love to flow to the surface.
It fills my heart, my body, my mind, my consciousness, my very being, and radiates out from me in all directions and returns to me multiplied.
The more love I use and give, the more I have to give, the supply is endless.
The use of love makes me feel good; it is an expression of my inner joy.
Yes, I love myself, therefore I take loving care of my body.
I lovingly feed it nourishing food and beverages.
I lovingly groom it and dress it and my body lovingly responds to me with vibrant health and energy.
I love myself, therefore I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fills all my needs and is a pleasure to be in.
I fill the rooms with the vibration of love so that all who enter, myself included, will feel this love and be nourished by it.
I love myself, therefore I work at a job that I truly enjoy doing, one that uses all my talents and abilities, working with and for people that I love and love me, and earning a good income.
I love myself, therefore, I behave in a loving way to all people for I know that that which I give out returns to me multiplied.
I only attract loving people in my world for they are a mirror of what I am.
I love myself, therefore I forgive and totally release the past and all past experiences and I am free.
I love myself, therefore I love totally in the now, experiencing each moment as good and knowing that my future is bright, and joyous and secure, for I am a beloved child of the universe
Privacy statement for Wildflowers' Movement
Privacy Policy(Last updated: June 08, 2022)_
_This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You.We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy._
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_Interpretation and DefinitionsInterpretation
The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural.Definitions
For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:○ Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service.○ Company (referred to as either "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to Wildflowers' Movement, Non-profit in progress, 6666 Green Valley Circle, Culver City 90230.○ Cookies are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses.○ Country refers to: California, United States○ Device means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet.○ Personal Data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual.○ Service refers to the Website.○ Service Provider means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Company. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the Company to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the Company, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the Company in analyzing how the Service is used.○ Usage Data refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit).○ Website refers to Wildflowers' Movement, accessible from https://wildflowersmovement.com○ You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable._
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_Collecting and Using Your Personal DataTypes of Data CollectedPersonal Data
While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to:○ Email address
○ First name and last name
○ Phone number
○ Usage DataUsage Data is collected automatically when using the Service.Usage Data may include information such as Your Device's Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device You use, Your mobile device unique ID, the IP address of Your mobile device, Your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser You use, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data.We may also collect information that Your browser sends whenever You visit our Service or when You access the Service by or through a mobile device.
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Tracking Technologies and CookiesWe use Cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on Our Service and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze Our Service. The technologies We use may include:○ Cookies or Browser Cookies. A cookie is a small file placed on Your Device. You can instruct Your browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if You do not accept Cookies, You may not be able to use some parts of our Service. Unless you have adjusted Your browser setting so that it will refuse Cookies, our Service may use Cookies.○ **Web Beacons. **Certain sections of our Service and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the Company, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity).
Cookies can be "Persistent" or "Session" Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on Your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close Your web browser. Learn more about cookies on the Free Privacy Policy website article.
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We use both Session and Persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below:○ Necessary / Essential CookiesType: Session CookiesAdministered by: UsPurpose: These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services.○ Cookies Policy / Notice Acceptance CookiesType: Persistent CookiesAdministered by: UsPurpose: These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website.○ Functionality CookiesType: Persistent CookiesAdministered by: UsPurpose: These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website.
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For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy.
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__Use of Your Personal Data__The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes:○ To provide and maintain our Service, including to monitor the usage of our Service.○ To manage Your Account: to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user.○ For the performance of a contract: the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service.○ To contact You: To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application's push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, products or contracted services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation.○ To provide You with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information.○ To manage Your requests: To attend and manage Your requests to Us.○ For business transfers: We may use Your information to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which Personal Data held by Us about our Service users is among the assets transferred.○ For other purposes: We may use Your information for other purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns and to evaluate and improve our Service, products, services, marketing and your experience.
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We may share Your personal information in the following situations:○ With Service Providers: We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, to contact You.○ With business partners: We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions.○ With other users: when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside.○ With Your consent: We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent.
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__Retention of Your Personal Data__The Company will retain Your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use Your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies.The Company will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods.Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer.The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information.
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__Disclosure of Your Personal Data
Business Transactions__If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide thirty day notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy.
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Law enforcement
Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency)._
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Other legal requirements
The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to:○ Comply with a legal obligation○ Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company○ Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service○ Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public○ Protect against legal liability_
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Security of Your Personal DataThe security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security._
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Children's PrivacyOur Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If You are a parent or guardian and You are aware that Your child has provided Us with Personal Data, please contact Us. If We become aware that We have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 13 without verification of parental consent, We take steps to remove that information from Our servers.If We need to rely on consent as a legal basis for processing Your information and Your country requires consent from a parent, We may require Your parent's consent before We collect and use that information._
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Links to Other Websites
Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third party link, You will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit.We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services.Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update Our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page.We will let You know via email and/or a prominent notice on Our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy.You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page._
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Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, You can contact us:By email: [email protected]By visiting this page on our website: https://wildflowersmovement.com/#contactBy phone number: 9516389355
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