KERRY J HECKMAN, LICSW
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Tuning In November 2022

11/1/2022

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Each month I post an update called Tuning In on what I'm up to and various content I would like to share with you. Most of the links on this post are informational only, but a few are affiliate links that help me keep up my website.

Events: 

Attending: 
  • 2022 Somatic Transformation Retreat November 4th-6th, 2022. 

Facilitating: 
  • Center for Chronic Illness - Web-Based Rare Chronic Illness Web-Based Support Group Tuesday November 1st, 2022 at 4pm PST
  • Center for Chronic Illness - Living with Thyroid Eye Disease Web-Based Support Group Tuesday November 1st, 2022 at 6pm PST
  • Center for Chronic Illness - Living with Cystinosis Web-Based Support Group, Tuesday November 15th, 2022 at 4pm PST
  • Center for Chronic Illness - Supporting Loved Ones of Those Living with Thyroid Eye Disease Web-Based Support Group, Tuesday November 15th, 2022 at 6pm PST

Publications: 
  • 1 of my short poems was published in Bones, 24. 
  • 1 of my senryu was published in failed haiku, Volume 7, Issue 82. ​
  • 1 of my haiku was published in The Haiku Foundation's Haiku Dialogue on October 12th, 2022.
  • 1 of my haiku was published in Cold Moon Journal on October 14th, 2022.
  • 1 of my haiku was read on The Haiku Pea Podcast, S5E20.
  • 1 of my haiku was published in Haiku Seed Journal, Week #41. 
  • 1 of my haiku was published in The Haiku Foundation's Haiku Dialogue on October 19th, 2022. 
  • 1 of my senryu was published in horror senryu journal on October 21st, 2022. 
  • 1 of my haiku was published in Cattails, October 2022. 
  • 1 of my haiku was published in The Haiku Foundation's Haiku Dialogue on October 26th, 2022. 
  • 1 of my haiku was published in Stardust Haiku, Issue 70.
  • 1 of my senryu was published in Frogpond, 45.3.
  • 1 of my haiku was read on The Haiku Pond Podcast, 3.04. 

National Days: 
  • November 2nd is National Stress Awareness Day 
  • November 5th is National Donut Day 
  • November 6th Daylight Savings Time Ends
  • November 11th is Veterans Day 
  • November 13th is World Kindness Day 
  • November 14th is National Pickle Day 
  • November 19th is National Adoption Day 
  • November 24th is Thanksgiving
​
National Months:  
  • National Native American Heritage Month
  • National Adoption Month
  • Alzheimer's Awareness Month
  • National Diabetes Month
  • National Novel Writing Month

Dear Valued Community, 

Here we go...into the long dark. So now we must prepare for the long cold  nights of winter. Both transitions and losing hours of daylight can impact our well-being. Many people have seasonal affective disorder and experience low moods during the winter months. 

At the height of the pandemic, I learned how important it was to create a living space that I wanted to be in. Before the pandemic, everything exciting or special involved leaving the house. When we weren't able to leave our homes, it became necessary to occupy our time at home. The same thing applies to this time of year. How can you create the environment that you want to spend time in? Low light, candles, and lots of warm blankets are helpful. 

This is a time to remind ourselves that we are also members of the animal kingdom and like all animals our bodies are deeply connected to the seasons and the daylight. When there is less daylight our bodies will naturally be less active. This is not a failure and there is nothing wrong with us for being less productive or desiring to be home more in the winter. Give yourself permission to slow down. Enjoy a bowl of soup and a snuggle with your pet. 

With Gratitude, 

​Kerry ​
Picture
Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Washington

What I'm Reading Related for Therapy: My Inner Sky: On Embracing Day, Night, and All the Times in Between by Mari Andrew 

"From New York Times bestselling author Mari Andrew, a collection of essays and illustrations, divided into phases of the sky—twilight, golden hour, night, and dawn—that serves as a loyal companion for life's curveballs. 

A whole, beautiful life is only made possible by the wide spectrum of feelings that exist between joy and sorrow. In this insightful and warm book, writer and illustrator Mari Andrew explores all the emotions that make up a life, in the process offering insights about trauma and healing, the meaning of home and the challenges of loneliness, finding love in the most unexpected of places--from birds nesting on a sculpture to a ride on the subway--and a resounding case for why sometimes you have to put yourself in the path of magic.

My Inner Sky empowers us to transform everything that's happened to us into something meaningful, reassurance that even in our darkest times, there's light and beauty to be found."


What I'm Reading for Fun: The Plot: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz 
​

"Jacob Finch Bonner was once a promising young novelist with a respectably published first book. Today, he’s teaching in a third-rate MFA program and struggling to maintain what’s left of his self-respect; he hasn’t written―let alone published―anything decent in years. When Evan Parker, his most arrogant student, announces he doesn’t need Jake’s help because the plot of his book in progress is a sure thing, Jake is prepared to dismiss the boast as typical amateur narcissism. But then . . . he hears the plot." 
​
(I'm a proud member of the sloth reading club, so what I'm reading will not always change monthly) ​
​
Projects: Self-development book on trauma and worthiness, submitting haiku & poetry, ongoing content for various publications. Considering next steps in career training: psychedelic assisted therapy, HeartMath training,  biblio/poetry therapy training, or yoga teacher training. ​
Picture
Statue in Olympia, Washington
Poem: 

After Awhile
by Veronica A. Shoffstall

After awhile you learn the subtle difference between 
holding a hand and chaining a soul, 
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security. 

And you being to learn that kisses aren’t contracts 
And presents aren’t promises, 
And you begin to accept your defeats 
With your head up and your eyes open 
With the grace of a grown up, not the grief of a child, 

And you learn to build all your roads on today 
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans 
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight

After awhile you learn that even sunshine burns 
if you get too much 
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, 
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. 

And you learn 
That you really can endure, 
That you really are strong, 
And that you really do have worth. 

And you learn and learn
With every good-bye you learn. 
Picture
Port of Olympia, Washington

Quote: "If this isn’t nice, what is?" - Kurt Vonnegut 
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    Welcome

    I'm Kerry (She/Her/Hers) and I am a licensed therapist, group facilitator, poet, writer, & speaker. This is a place to acknowledge and validate our suffering and trauma, while also learning how to turn toward aliveness and spaciousness. 

    Kerry J Heckman

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