Stars

Renée Altson May 21st, 2012

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It was the early 1990’s. I had desperately fled from the life I had known in Southern California, and found myself living and working in New England. The dichotomy in my life was overwhelming– In my new life I experienced living with snow. I traveled everywhere on foot. I saw my first snowstorm. I didn’t know where I could find a single palm tree. I was alone and new somewhere for the first time. I stopped teaching piano and began painting. I worked a job that … (Read More)

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We Are All Humans

Renée Altson March 26th, 2012

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I read recently that the co-founder of Invisible Children, and the filmmaker of Kony 2012, “Jason Russell, 33, was hospitalized last week in San Diego after witnesses saw him pacing naked on a sidewalk, screaming incoherently and banging his fists on the pavement. He was in his underwear when police arrived.”

(Read the full article here.)

The doctors have diagnosed him with “Brief Reactive Psychosis,” and he has been admitted to a local mental hospital for more … (Read More)

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Embrace

Renée Altson January 30th, 2012

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This is my first Steve Brown Etc. blog post for the year 2012. With so much going on in many different facets of life and culture, it is almost easy for me to forget how new 2012 really is.

I don’t make new year’s resolutions anymore. After decades of broken promises and disappointed efforts, I started picking a new year’s word to remember and operate from for 12 months. I’ve had some interesting words since starting this, but I never make the conscious choice&# … (Read More)

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I Choose Hope… Ick!

Renée Altson December 5th, 2011

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For many of us, the holidays are an especially difficult time of year. Memories, losses, desires, wishes – these all tug simultaneously on us as we think of the season. Anger, frustration, sorrow, joy – we are often caught in conflicting emotions, and at times, we just numb ourselves out all together.

There is a lot of faking cheer this season; people looking to fit in, people wanting to “be good,” people unable to feel what is really inside of them, people inte … (Read More)

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Expectations Beyond the Pages

Renée Altson October 10th, 2011

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On Friday I had a sad and difficult encounter with someone I had apparently disillusioned. Without going into the specifics (though they can be found on my facebook page), the ultimate issue was that a woman had been greatly inspired by my book Stumbling Toward Faith but felt “kicked in the gut” by the person I am today; the Renee Altson that was writing on facebook.

This woman called me “evil” and refused to accept (or even consider) that I had any relationshi … (Read More)

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Living Broken & Safe

Renée Altson June 20th, 2011

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Last month, I spent two weeks in a local psychiatric hospital.

I was deeply struggling with things, having a difficult time with my future, and needing some time in a "safe place." I was in a locked unit with no access to sharp things (not even a pen!) or other dangerous objects, and I was carefully monitored and frequently watched. I was there for two weeks, at one time not considered a lengthy stay, but in these current days, exceptionally long.

My husband a … (Read More)

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