I could not wait to be born and I entered this world two and a half months early! Due to my premature birth, I wear hearing aids and rely on corrective lenses and have had several surgeries to correct physical issues. I fell into depression and drug addiction during my teen years, and went to rehab at 17 years old. I am now clean and sober for over 17 years! Rehab is where I first began to learn about self-love, and how little of it I had. I stuck around the program long enough to find that I really loved helping people, and I became a professional substance abuse counselor and mental health clinician. I have humbly served many people seeking healing from their pain and suffering. Self-Love and practicing loving-kindness are critical elements to a life of wellness. I know how awful life can be when this self-love is not restored and renewed.
March 2017:
I woke in the middle of the night with my hands and neck frozen in pain. After many moons of specialists and doctor rounds, I learned that I had developed a bulging disk in my neck and had severe tendonitis in my arms and hands. I waited too long to listen to my bodies whispers before they became screams, and scream my body did. The following morning, I had to leave my mental health counseling job, notify my school of my disability, and try to navigate my body, mind, and soul to the path of wellness and self-love.
I was 3/4 of the way through my bachelors degree in Psychology and Social Action from Palo Alto University, and had to finish my work though scribes and much help from family and friends. I graduated with my B.S. in Psychology and Social Action March 2017!
I persisted, as I always have, and my self determination and refusal to succumb to despair helped me through my darkest hours.
I found healing through my watercolor paints, as my hands and body hurt too much to do anything else. So I threw myself into my paints and with much physical therapy, non-narcotic medications, and antidepressants, I am now on a good path to wellness and self-love. I have started teaching painting, knitting, and creative classes through the Recreation Departments in Los Gatos & Saratoga CA, and I am on my way to publishing my book Healing the Heartspace: A Watercolor Healing Journey, and living my life in wellness and self-love!
Thank you for reading and I hope you can help me make my dream come true and inspire more loving-kindness for everyone!
xoxo
Suzi Humbert
