Written by Dennis Harvell Memories Memory is a strange thing, it isn’t a straight line; it’s a puzzle. Often, your brain “buries” the hardest parts—like the lies or the betrayal—until you are strong enough or have enough “clarity” to process them. Looking at old photographs can act as the catalyst to fill in the gaps… Continue reading Memories
Tag: Reflections
Self-Awareness
Written by Dennis Harvell Self‑awareness is powerful. It takes an incredibly strong person to look in the mirror and say, “Some of my relationships didn’t work because of me.” That isn’t self‑blame — it’s self‑ownership. When you grow up in a house where “love” is tied to abuse, dark rooms, and being singled out for… Continue reading Self-Awareness
Outgrowing Friendships
Written by Dennis Harvell Outgrowing a 20-year friendship is a grief most people don’t talk about. It’s the kind of loss that doesn’t come with a funeral, but it still requires a burial. You don’t just lose the person — you lose the version of yourself that once needed them. But part of the Inner… Continue reading Outgrowing Friendships
A Gentle Holiday Message
Written by Dennis Harvell A Gentle Holiday Message Not the cheer. Not the glitter. Not the Merry Christmas tone everyone uses. Just be intentional enough to reach out with honesty. Offer warmth from where you actually are. Just be real. Know that the holidays feel different for many people. Some carry grief. Some carry heaviness. … Continue reading A Gentle Holiday Message
The Rescuer: The Rock. Always Fine
Written by Dennis Harvell The Rescuer: The Rock. Always Fine. The realization—that you are “the rescuer” who never gets rescued—is a heavy burden to carry, especially when those roles were established so long ago. You taught them that you are the source, the rock, and the one who is always “fine.” But the rock is… Continue reading The Rescuer: The Rock. Always Fine
Freedom Is Just A Word Until You Actually Spend It
Written by Dennis Harvell 🌿 Freedom Is Just A Word Until You Actually Spend It is The reason “next year” hasn’t been your year in the past is because you were still carrying the Winter Weight of everyone else’s expectations. You were working a job that drained your energy and supporting people who drained your… Continue reading Freedom Is Just A Word Until You Actually Spend It
“I’m Done”
Written by Dennis Harvell I’m Done Being “done” isn’t an outburst. Anger is loud; “done” is silent. I’ve spent years being the foundation for people who wouldn’t offer a single brick in return. I’ve been the bank, the therapist, the safety net — and the silence that comes when you stop giving is deafening. I’m… Continue reading “I’m Done”
When the Jackpot Isn’t Worth the Cost
Written by Dennis Harvell Every time the headlines scream about a billion‑dollar jackpot, I pause — not because I want to play, but because it reminds me of who I used to be. For years, I played everything: Mega Millions, Powerball, Pick 5, the regular lotto. Week after week, I bought into the hope that… Continue reading When the Jackpot Isn’t Worth the Cost
He Who Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed
Written by Dennis Harvell, collaborator Tonia Durbin There are moments when words arrive like a gift, reminding us of truths we’ve quietly carried. My sister’s message did that for me today. She spoke of how I’ve always been there for others—through hard times, through winters when we had little, through Christmas mornings when I made… Continue reading He Who Refreshes Others Will Himself Be Refreshed
Holiday Lights
Written by Dennis Harvell Holiday Lights The holiday season is officially upon us and the season brings a unique kind of light to the world—a light that chases away the cold and illuminates our shared hope for the year ahead. This stunning scene captures that powerful, universal feeling, showing a community transformed by the festive… Continue reading Holiday Lights