I love to encourage others, and I also know that everything is not sunshine and rainbows-both are true. I understand that things can feel horrifically painful, and so dark at times that it’s hard to really soak in the encouragement, especially if we’re wondering if we’re even going to survive it.

I am (in no way ) an advocate of “process skipping” or “spiritual bypassing.” I encourage from a place of having had to look deeply at painful things about myself and my life that I didn’t want to, but by doing it, healing took place. It hasn’t been once and done, rather I have to continue to heal. This journey doesn’t end. However, “it works when we work it” and that IS encouraging which enables me to speak (or write) from that place inside myself to others.

It’s not time to give up when it gets tough. Actually, it’s at those times that we have opportunities to become more empowered, and move beyond limits that were imposed by others, or self-imposed, at some time. It’s not automatic. We have to want it, and choose to dedicate ourselves to healing. Then, over time, as we keep choosing-true transformation does come.

I always want to encourage others to continue this healing path because we all need encouragement. And, also to help us each remember that regardless of the hardships-recovery is worth it – and sunshine and rainbows are truly a part of it. Please reach out to others who are peer supports, and/or those that with humility and gratitude will share parts of their stories with you because encouragement itself IS a source of sunshine and rainbows!

Cheri Thomas

Cheri works as a Peer Support Specialist at Recovery Innovations. She writes as an expression of her heart in hopes of connecting to others’ hearts, so that no one feels alone on this journey-and instead feels valued, seen, and heard while growing in empowerment.