The Storyteller

Made in art class today. Everything was done purposely, even the tape. This is how I feel when fighting depression. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mysilence, #mystoryisntover #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #semicolon, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B9XGA3VAMT1/?igshid=f3uauvyyx8aw

Made with fusion beads. #fusionbeads #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #koalahugs, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mysilence, #mystoryisntover #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #semicolon, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B9UkU1zARJ1/?igshid=1n3z5ykawbgu5

I think I need a wig now to go with my #rednose What do you think? #collectingsmiles #bethereasonsomeonesmiletoday https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Hwp-_gz3t/?igshid=1nbqx69q3cw12

Sometimes I have to remind myself #agapethekoala, #agape, #agapelove, #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #koala, #koalabear, #koalahugs, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mysilence, #mystoryisntover #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #semicolon, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Fn4U3gj8E/?igshid=weygjoymmauw

Its a #pigtails kind of day, COLD! #rednose #collectingsmiles #bethereasonsomeonesmiletoday #freehugs https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Ey26fAYcK/?igshid=ptmvwboswpin

Be the reason someone smiles. Bring a little joy into someone's life. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AXwFAAY66/?igshid=1a39weap3mbp9

I was honored tonight as an advocate along with some other amazing people who are raising awareness and breaking the stigmas of mental health. "African American History Month Mental Health advocate Award of the Year" #agapethekoala, #agape, #agapelove, #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #koala, #koalabear, #koalahugs, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B85K0zmgAOH/?igshid=1p60wy23us0wu

I am honored to be attending this once again. I will have copies of all my books so be sure to come by. Also, Agape the Koala will be with me giving hugs to anyone who needs one. #agapethekoala, #agape, #agapelove, #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #koala, #koalabear, #koalahugs, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/B8UrBqRA8j3/?igshid=13qn6mwr3ikwy

Introducing Agape the Koala. This is something new I am starting. I will be taking Agape with me to events, schools, and anywhere else he is needed. #agapethekoala, #agape, #agapelove, #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #koala, #koalabear, #koalahugs, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, https://www.instagram.com/p/B8JkVl6g0Sa/?igshid=1k45xphtdfza6

I've been having a lot of fun with my new logo. Now life imitates art. I have a koala that I can take everywhere and people can hug him, me, or both. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #koala, #koalabear, #koalahugs, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Eyyg9A5P2/?igshid=12pr58st086v

Sometimes this is true, sometimes it's not, and that's okay. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay, #okaynottobeokay, #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B7YsBT2AEtm/?igshid=1werbqdh8ovhn

I don't know who but a student made this poster for me over the holiday vacation. Inspired by my story of free hugs! #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B7WxZVRAYxD/?igshid=8dlhkorbmowm

Don't miss the podcast this Thursday. Listen wherever you normally listen to podcast. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Rle7qAYa_/?igshid=vpbzlp144t7f

My new Free Hugs buttons have arrived! So excited!!! I ordered 250. I'm now to 240. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #freehugsbutton, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B7MsZZcAbKx/?igshid=144ngzcz286u8

Two years ago I was in a major writer's slump. I could not write anything to the point I thought it was time to cap my pen. I attended a writing workshop that was open to the public but I was not welcomed. I argued to be let in and I'm glad I did. I wrote a very short story that I always saw as a comic strip. Today I was able to make my idea into reality. Enjoy. #dreamscometrue #comicstrip #bubblegum https://www.instagram.com/p/B6rJ5OrA4YY/?igshid=1ttmwwprc92ld

I am changing the art for the podcast show. I know it has been a while since I posted an episode but I am ready to return for the new year. It has been a very rough few months for me and thank you for your patience with me. Have a safe and wonderful new year and I will return on Wednesday the 15th. Episodes will be posted biweekly on Wednesdays. Click on the links below and subscribe. Let's talk and share our stories. Together we can end the stigma. Anchor: https://anchor.fm/lostinside Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-inside/id1472868055?uo=4 Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/lost-inside Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9jOWY3ZWU0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz Pocket Cast: https://pca.st/p503 RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/lost-inside-6pVw1O Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ePe2Fr2Y4zJ76LomqBP4V Sticher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/anchor-podcasts/lost-inside #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #itsokaytotalkaboutit, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B6d0eyrA1V_/?igshid=6shxz00926tl

Went to see a professor about a grade and saw this outside another professor's office. I did not think anyone kept these. Highlight of my day. I am honored to be a part of this great event once again. Sadly I can only do one day, Tuesday, from 9am to 3pm. I will be answering questions about what it means to be a #storyteller and how to share your story with the world. I will also be talking about why Free Hugs. Thank you to @lonestarcollege for having me back. #anxiety, #bipolar, #collectingsmiles, #chaos, #depression, #dyslexia, #endthestigma, #freehugs, #imfine, #lostinside, #mentalhealth, #mentalhealthawareness, #mentalhealthwarrior, #mysilence, #notalone, #notokay #rednose, #selfhelp, #silence, #silent, #silentnomore, #smile, #suicide, #suicideawareness, #speakingwordsofwisdom, #whatsyourdiagnosis https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gKfD0gOh9/?igshid=afjdy33sbo6g