I’m enthused. I’m excited. I’m exuberant. I’m happy. I’m ecstatic. I’m beside myself with amazement. I have just returned from week one of the job training I’ve been waiting for, and the change is palpable. I have learned so much in just four days it’s going to take at least two weeks to unravel it, and then I get to go back for another week of training.

I have turned a corner and run smack dab into hope! That amazing phenomenon has hit me across the forehead. I’ve been whacked in the back side. I may even have some splinters in me somewhere. I’m marked.

It’s a good transformation. It came over me gradually this week, but arriving home tonight, I’ve been unrepentantly happy. I’m giddy.

I learned so much this week. I will be sharing it in-depth over the next few days, but for now, let me only say I can help. There are many ways I can help. I can remain in a healthy state of mind and spirit. I can reach out to others and demonstrate my recovery story of mental illness.

Persons with mental illness can recover. We can be productive. We can lift our selves and others out of the mire of despair so many with mental illness suffer in.

I have a lot of hope today along with a lot of fear. Going back to work will mean great changes in my life. I choose not to live in fear today. I choose to live one day at a time and let the chips fall where they may. I choose love and companionship and adventure.

I choose hope.