DBSA Tennessee Past President, S.L. Brannon
share
  • Home
  • About
  • FIRST BOOK: Two Agreements
  • My new book: A Brand New Day
  • Advocacy
    • Letters to our Governor
    • Advocacy Action Items for DBSA Tennessee
    • Submitted Relative Articles
  • Network Resources
  • Additional Events
  • I\\\'ve been there
  • Forums
  • Contacts

The Author

A healthy spiritual life is vital to recovery and wellness for those living with a mental health challenge. I share my spiritual faith system, one of my own design. In my book, I encourage everyone to do the same - create a spiritual life that works for you.

Purchase and read my book, The Two Agreements: A Good News Story for Our Time. In its pages, you can find ideas on finding peace and health. And you will be making a donation to the Tennessee local chapter.

Click on the button below to visit my fb page. Please give me a "like."

Face Book Page

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind

4/21/2015

0 Comments

 

These are trying times for so many of us. I am recording my life into recovery and wellness. And with that, I am passing along things I did as self-help. For one thing, I sought out ways to change my thought-life. Louise Hay and others feed me with nourishment I desperately needed when I needed it.

Positive thoughts gave me my life back, transformed.

Best wishes for you and the life you desire . . .

http://youtu.be/3LMaE2EWgDM

0 Comments

Tell your story!

3/11/2015

0 Comments

 

I'm wrote my story in hopes that it will inspire others to share their story. I don't know if there is a "book" in everyone but I know for certain there is a story in there. I encourage you to share your story of overcoming some of life's challenges. Someone needs to hear what you have to say. They are waiting!

0 Comments

My mother was hospitalized

5/24/2014

0 Comments

 

Hello everyone,

I wanted to let you know that mother is home today and under the care of home health care services. She is doing much better. She began to improved Thursday. We settled her in at her home yesterday.

She is expected to fully recover with some adjustments to her heart medications. She fell ill with, what we can only guess, a virus. However it was discovered that there are things going on with her heart rate that could cause serious problems. We never know what will come out of a rough spot in the road. All in all, things could not have worked out any better.

I appreciate all of you guys so very much. I thank you for your prayers. My mother thanks you for your prayers and your loving support. She, too, has found a family of friends among our DBSA understanding family.

Love and prayers,
Steve

Sent from my iPad

0 Comments

What am I doing here?

4/20/2014

0 Comments

 
What am I doing here?

Such a strange question, when you think about it. After all, we were born “here”, raised “here” and taught to desire all the things that “here” can offer, whether they be material things, such as a new car, or the intangibles, such as romantic love. So why do we feel this odd sense that we are here for a greater reason, and often clueless as to what that reason is? I believe it is the knowledge, no matter how deeply buried (or ignored), that are true selves are spiritual and that our true home is somewhere other than this three-dimensional plane. 

While those who consciously ask the question often feel tortured by their seeming inability to find an answer, those who do not ask the question may suffer even more deeply. They feel a hole inside them but cannot put a name to it; as a result, they often fill it with it unhealthy things like drugs, alcohol or toxic relationships. Of course, these things only leave them feeling emptier, so they up the “dosage”, and so on. 

The “why am I here” question weighs on us most when we are feeling lost or facing some sort of adversity. Then the question becomes, “What is the purpose of all this struggling? Why am I even here if x, y, and z is going to happen to me?” But really, we just want to know what we can do to make the struggle meaningful. 

The answer is both simple and complex at the same time. Complex, because each of us has different needs, desires, and abilities, as well as our own unique part to play in this human mosaic. Simple, because all of us can find this purpose by connecting to something larger than ourselves, such as God or nature, and / or outside ourselves, such as another person or a humanitarian cause. In The Two Agreements, I discuss how Jesus’ purpose was to share the Good News and bring people together around an understanding of our oneness with God and with each other. 

Similarly, it is by finding our connection to Source, and to each other, that we find our own way to serve. In other words, we have to go within to go without. Take a few minutes each day to clear your mind of the “to do” list and any other chatter that plagues you. Then, in the quiet, ask yourself, “What matters to me? What am I passionate about? How can I make ‘here’ a better place?” I am not suggesting that the meaning of your life will come to you in that moment (although it has for some people), but I can tell you that taking these first steps on the path will lead to a sense of connection, and of purpose.

0 Comments

2013 DBSA Chapter Service Awards

3/21/2014

0 Comments

 
I'm sharing the news of my being among national Award Winners for accomplishments over the past year. It has been a pleasure to serve as State Director and local chapter President. And I consider it an honor to be recognized by DBSA national.

I appreciate all the wonderful support I was given by my fellow officers, Board members, and the chapter membership throughout the year. You may view the announcement on the national web site athttp://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=peer_chapter_spotlights

                    Congratulations to our 2013 Chapter Service Award Winners!
The DBSA Chapter Service Awards recognize exemplary service by DBSA 
chapters, state organizations, and their leaders. Winners will be honored at the 2014 Chapter Leadership Forum in addition to receiving a cash award.

Steve Brannon of DBSA Jackson (TN) and DBSA Tennessee - Outstanding
Leadership
Steve is an excellent role model for pursuing a wellness-focused life while living with a mood disorder. He fights stigma by openly sharing his journey in the local newspaper, on DBSA’s website, and on his weekly online newsletter. He has worked with the local police department to help educate and train police officers for crisis response teams. Steve was selected for DBSA Peer Advocacy Training and was a representative of DBSA for Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
At his local chapter, DBSA Jackson (TN), Steve gently encourages, trusts, and believes in support group participants. He instituted a monthly “share your inspiration” night in which group members report on what keeps them going, creating an environment of hope and personal growth. Steve is dedicated to further advancing DBSA’s mission into surrounding communities and across the state. The number of support groups has doubled in the past year under his direction, encompassing all major cities and some smaller cities across the state. He has traveled hundreds of miles at his own expense to conduct local chapter visitations as state director. Steve’s passion for the advancement of DBSA’s mission in Jackson and the state of Tennessee is so strong that he has diligently dedicated his time and resources for over a decade.

DBSA Tennessee - State Organization Service 
DBSA Tennessee's amazing accomplishments made 2013 a rewarding year! 
They supported chapters in their state by hosting educational presentations and training programs, giving them the tools necessary for successful chapters. With help from DBSA Tennessee, five local chapters were interviewed on television or radio to promote DBSA to the community. Leaders encouraged one chapter’s community outreach, resulting in a city-wide Mental Health Day declared by their mayor. DBSA Tennessee’s robust plan to help new chapters in the startup process helped find free meeting locations, assistance in affiliation fees and paperwork, and provided a sponsor from an already established chapter to assist the new chapter.
Five members of DBSA Tennessee attended DBSA’s Peer Advocate Training in Washington, D.C. and then created an advocacy plan for their state including a campaign against proposed budget cuts to close all 45 of Tennessee’s Peer Support Service Centers. DBSA Tennessee is a growing, thriving organization. With its advocacy for peer support and local chapter start-up, community outreach and commitment to peer education, DBSA Tennessee is one of the most energetic affiliates of DBSA.

DBSA Murfreesboro (TN) - Rookie Chapter Service
DBSA Murfreesboro began in July of 2013 with support from DBSA Tennessee. 
The chapter started out with one support group, which saw its attendance 
double in fewer than six months, becoming one of the fastest growing local 
chapters in the state. The growth of the chapter can be attributed to the forces behind it that work tirelessly to get the word out about the group. Flyers and pamphlets are distributed to agencies and health care providers, the Salvation Army, local hospitals and businesses, and more. DBSA Murfreesboro provides post-hospitalization support for those who would otherwise have none. Educational materials, resources, and wellness tools are provided to each chapter participant. They have also started a family and friends support group.

Members of DBSA Murfreesboro participated in the state chapter meetings and backing of their U.S. Representative. For a chapter that achieved all of this in six months, DBSA Murfreesboro has a fine resume of accomplishments, but they consider their greatest success to be the level of support offered to each person who walks through their doors.

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=peer_chapter_spotlights
0 Comments

Service as a path to the Divine

3/1/2014

0 Comments

 
People often assume that my “day job”-- peer counseling those who struggle with bipolar disorder, depression and other mental illness --is connected with my spirituality. To this I would say that they are right…and wrong. What do I mean by this? I mean that the two are connected, intimately, just not in the way others might think. 

One of the major themes I explore in The Two Agreements is that Christians must constantly prove themselves to God in order to avoid eternal damnation. Of all the many obligations and rules we must follow, the biggest is arguably the edict to “do good”. 

“Generally, anyone wanting to become a true believer must go to these buildings [church] and participate in the organized programs to get themselves “right” with God and to make Heaven their home for all eternity. Too often the motivation to be church members primarily involves feelings of guilt, shame, and fear to “avoid hell at all cost!” 

I contend that one does not need to help others in order to get to Heaven, for we are already guaranteed God’s love and salvation by our very existence. However, when we are in touch with our true selves and realize that we are at one with our Creator (and therefore each other), we will be moved to do good. Our service to humanity will not come from a place of fear or obligation, but out of the knowledge that in serving others, we are being who we really are. 

 “As the system operates at this time, we are left feeling alienated from others and our own true being, due, in large part, to our individuality. We must take it as our goal to rediscover that lost, alienated natural self and help others in doing the same. And we must call one another out by saying, “I see you. I see through your disguise. I know that you are God-in-hiding.”

Helping others elevates us to a higher spiritual level. It is not a shackle we carry as a means of proving ourselves, but an opportunity to recognize the God in ourselves and therefore recognize the God in others.
0 Comments

    Author

    S.L. Brannon, B.A., M.Ed., D.Div. You can learn more about me on facebook and linkedin.

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    A "Christian Nation"
    Affirmation
    Believers
    Bipolar Disorder
    Bipolardisorderfaac605e6f
    Call Radical By Others
    Call-radical-by-others
    Centerpieceofchristianity
    Center Piece Of Christianity
    Christian Nation
    Church
    Conversations With God
    Creator God
    Denials
    Depression
    Dinosaurs
    Donation
    Emerging
    Emotional Harm
    Evangelical
    Faith
    Fundamentalist
    Good-samaritan
    Good Works
    Happiness
    House Church
    Human
    Humor
    Imaging
    Individual-freedom
    Inspirational
    Jim-morrison
    Kingdomwithin
    Kingdom Within
    Labels
    Life-purpose
    May Feel Lonely But Never Alone
    May-feel-lonely-but-never-alone
    Mentalemotional Harm139145ecc6
    Mental-harm
    Metaphysical
    Music To Inspire
    Mystics
    New Book
    New-book
    Newtestament
    New Testament
    New-testament
    Nonbelievers
    Non Believers
    Only One Of You
    Only-one-of-you
    Peace
    Plurality Of Religions
    Positive Affirmations
    Positive-affirmations
    President Donald Trump
    Push-back-against-stigma
    Releasing
    Religion And Mental Health
    Religious Judgement
    Religious Zealots
    Rick Perry
    Saint
    Sbnr
    Service
    Silence
    Sinner
    Spiritual
    Spiritualbutnotreligious
    Spiritual But Not Religious
    Spiritual-but-not-religious
    Spiritual Life
    Spiritual-life
    Stevelbrannon
    Steve L Brannon
    Steve-l-brannon7980322165
    Steve L Brannonf11c90eedf
    Stillness
    The Creation
    The Divine
    The-divine
    Thegoodnews
    The Good News
    The-good-news
    The Power Of I Am
    The-power-of-i-am-
    The Power Of I Am58ff0989da
    Thetwoagreements
    The Two Agreements
    The-two-agreements
    Urlformyfbpage
    Url For My Fb Page
    Url For My Personal Story

    RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from net_efekt, Elvert Barnes