The Wonder Woman in me sees the Super Hero in YOU

Wonder Woman: My prized possession

Four years ago, I was corresponding with a friend of mine in Michigan.  I responded to his check-in that my great realization from 2010 was that "I am not Wonder Woman!"   In fact, I could not have felt more the antithesis of Wonder Woman at that moment.  Life was full of transition and long, painful days of work, all resting on a bed of uncertainty inside myself and my life.  Doubtful, lost and alone are the feelings I likely would have described at that time.  

In my work as a therapist now, many of my clients arrive with deep feelings of uncertainty about where they are in life, feeling lost and alone.  Often in these moments I can see hope and so much potential for growth even when they cannot, because I am regularly reminded that it is in our greatest discomfort in life that we find we make our most profound growth.  Everyone has some Super Hero in them, and I feel it as my job as a therapist to help my clients find it.  Even in our darkest moments of self-doubt, to have at least one trusted person in our life reflect on all of our gifts, strengths, accomplishments and the potential we possess can be the key to our transition out of the darkness and into the next authentic steps of our journey.  Therapy can also provide a safe place of introspection for one to explore the patterns that have shaped one's life thus far, and then reflect on what patterns will continue to serve moving forward and which ones may not.  

My friend reached out with a simple, yet powerful gift of inspiration, a Wonder Woman mug and the words "YOU ARE WONDER WOMAN!"  Even in my days when I was bogged down in clouds of self-doubt, he and several other key people reflected on the confidence they had in my ability to rise above this doubt and find my way.  And, they was right!  My life began to change in magical and dramatic ways out of that period of profound discomfort and uncertainty.  It turned out, I was not so uncertain after all, just afraid.  Overcoming my fears led directly to my authentic work, which allows me the honor to sit with others who are working to overcome their fears, a courageous and heroic journey from my vantage point.

Each day I wake up to my coffee in this cup, and know that even though I may not feel like Wonder Woman, someone sees her in me, and that gives me hope and motivation.  I am not much for attachment to material possessions, but this cup, it truly is my prized possession.

The Wonder Woman in me sees the Super Hero in YOU.

Suggestions and feedback for the blog and future topics can be emailed to annemillikentherapy@gmail.com.  More information regarding my private practice and therapy searches can be found at annemilliken.com.

Even when you don't feel it, DANCE...the feeling will catch up to you!

Thievery Corporation playing at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach

When I learned Thievery Corporation was playing at the Belly Up Tavern, I could not believe it.  The last time I saw them you needed binoculars to see them from at least half the seats in the venue.  Was it possible I was going to be within sweat flinging distance from this awesome show?  Whatever needed to happen I was going and I was taken my friends and fellow Thievery fans with me.  We texted one another with rapid explanation points with lots of "STOKED" AND "PUMPED" mixed in our expletives about the upcoming show.

Fast forward to last Monday, September 29th.  The BIG day I had been waiting for was finally here. As my work day unfolded, my energy sank.  As I drove home to get ready, all I could think about was how much I wanted to sink into my lounge pants, the couch and a bowl of popcorn.  I could barely muster a lower case "stoke". Thankfully, there was no time to think, there was only time to look in the mirror and go 'eh, it will have to do' and rush out to meet our friends.

I am a bit embarrassed to share this story, but I tell it because this experience was an important reminder to me about simply showing up.  Not just showing up for the show or my friends, but showing up for myself.  As I danced next to a few of my favorite people, just a bit further than sweat flinging distance from Thievery, I found myself full of energy, smiling ear to ear, well aware of just how ridiculous it was for me to consider even for one second not showing up for this experience.  I kept thinking, "this is Monday night!"  I was out dancing on a Monday night, with amazing people, to an awesome band!  This is my dream, and I am living it.

After the show, I had the chance to connect with more friends, laugh, and share some fish tacos with my favorite man, and all before 11:00PM (which was my salvation for the following day).  Bliss.

What is our work without play?  What is this life if we are not dancing?

Once again, lesson learned: Even when you don't feel it, DANCE...the feeling will catch up to you!



Suggestions and feedback for the blog and future topics can be emailed to annemillikentherapy@gmail.com. More information regarding my private practice and therapy services can be found at annemilliken.com.

StoryCorps: Recording and Preserving the Stories of Our Lives

Story Corps

On Friday mornings, NPR airs a segment I treasure called StoryCorps.  In 2003, StoryCorps began recording stories of Americans across the country.  These stories are being preserved in the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress.

The mission of StoryCorps is stated on their website as:

"StoryCorps' mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of our lives.  We do this to remind on another of our shared humanity, to strengthen and build the connections between people, to tech the value of listening, and to weave into the fabric of our culture the understanding that everyone's story matters.  At the same time, we are creating an invaluable archive for future generations."

The stories aired never cease to stop me in my tracks as I listen intently, often holding my breath and sometimes my tears.  Each experience, each perspective, each story told reminds me of the stories every person carries, unknown to us.  In my work as a therapist, I have the honor of being with others as they share their stories; in this process, I am often in awe of the strength and capacity of the human spirit.

Today, on the anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, I share with you a recent story aired on StoryCorps told Sekou Siby and encourage you to keep listening to StoryCorps, and to be open to the stories of those around you, including your own.

Please follow this link for Sekou Siby's story:

StoryCorps: "When Moises Rivas was hired, I was assigned to train him."

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR INTO AN OLD DREAM

Annie Milliken 

My quest to share all things wonderful in our community is getting a breath of fresh air as I consider how this endeavor can serve my newest, heart-led endeavor as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in private practice.  So many ideas are washing over me as to how I can craft this space as a positive place for community, shared ideas and information.  My work as a therapist provides me exposure to many wonderful resources, experiences and outlooks that are so worthy of sharing.  As I ponder integrating an old dream, this blog of community and sustainability, with my new passions, I invite suggestions of my community in creating this process.  Your thoughts and input are greatly appreciated as I move forward with this project.

Suggestions and feedback for reconstruction of my blog and future topics can be emailed to annemillikentherapy@gmail.com.  More information regarding my private practice can be found at annemilliken.com.

Community Inteface Services Holiday Celebration

The people of Community Interface Services (CIS) are near and dear to my heart.  After moving back to California, I found a home working for CIS as a program coordinator.  CIS serves people with developmental disabilities throughout San Diego County.  I encountered so many inspiring individuals during my time with CIS; the stories and experiences I shared with the staff and individuals being served by CIS stay with me as I continue my journey.  The staff at CIS are some of the most dedicated, hard-working people I know and I have been proud to share friendship and lots of laughs with many of them.

This Sunday, Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros will be hosting a fundraiser on behalf of CIS to raise funds for a very special event:

"Your help is needed to make a magical evening come to life.  Each year in December, Community Interface Services hosts a Holiday Party for hundreds of people with developmental disabilities and the dedicated staff members who serve them.  Most people with developmental disabilities live below the poverty line and wrestle with social isolation, making our Holiday Party a very special event in their lives.  Attendance at the event consistently surpasses 400 people - the dance floor is full when the band strikes the first note and does not empty until the final encore.  Add in a little food, a visit from Santa and some socializing, and it truly is a magical evening."  ~Community Interface Services

As a former staff member of CIS, I can personally share with you how vitally important this event is to hundreds of people that CIS serves.  The supervisors and coordinators work incredibly hard to put this event on each year, and relish in the joy it gives to so many people.  

Carruth Cellars will be donating a mixed case of wine, valued over $400, to be raffled on behalf of CIS.  All proceeds will be donated to Community Interface Services Holiday Party.  Carruth Cellars will also be donating 25% of wine sales on Sunday to CIS.  

Please join us, Sunday, September 12, anytime from 1:00PM to 7:00PM.  

Wine raffle to be held at 6:30PM

Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros

320 So. Cedros Ave. #400

Solana Beach, CA 92075

www.carruthcellars.com

(Just south of the Belly Up Tavern~Behind Cole's Fine Flooring~Next to Project X Art: Gallery)

I am honored to help facilitate this event, along with Adam Carruth at Carruth Cellars Winery On Cedros, on behalf of all of the amazing staff members and service recipients of Community Interface Services.

For me, these are the types of collaborations at the heart of true community.