The latest Surviving Spirit Newsletter – Hope, Healing & Help for Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health is out – It can be read online via this & you can also subscribe –
http://ml.survivingspirit.com/dada/mail.cgi/archive/newsletter/20250225172606/
or this –
The Surviving Spirit Newsletter February 2025
Healing the Mind, Body & Spirit Through the Creative Arts, Education & Advocacy
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars”. Kahlil Gibran
“Music is a great healer. Begin and end your day with music.” – Lailah Gifty Akita
Music & Thoughts To Share – “Songs For The Keys To Your Life” by Michael Skinner @ YouTube
The genesis to the writing of this song came from a few sources. I was thinking of how trauma disconnects us from others and ourselves; this rings true in the neglecting of our passions and creativity. And yes, I believe we are all creative in one way or another. Pursuing our muse, whatever it may be is instrumental for healing. There is no need to compete or strive to be a professional in what brings you joy; just doing it is key for your spiritual health.
The other creative spark for this song was my interactions with friends of mine who were all talented musicians. Some of them had been in bands before but now they were busy climbing the corporate ladder and getting ahead. Sadly, they neglected the music that had been so important to them in their lives.
You can also hear and see a performance of this song in a four song set –
Songs of Life, Love, Loss & Hope – Set 1 – Healing Trauma, Abuse & Mental Health Injuries @ YouTube – Recorded live at Bob Cat Studio
Thanks and take care, Michael
“It’s not about being good at creativity, it’s about creativity being good for you.” – James McCrae
“Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one.” – Stella Adle.
Newsletter Contents:
1] San Francisco homelessness: Park ranger helps one person at a time By Susan Freinkel @ The San Francisco Standard
2] My Experience with Mental Health in the Jewish Community By Linda Baron Katz @ OC87 Recovery Diaries
3] The PERCH Journal Submission Manager – The PERCH • Social • Vol. 8, Fall 2025
4] Nature: A Remedy for the Bullying Epidemic By Jennifer Fraser Ph.D. @ Psychology Today
5] Wounded, recovered and back to war. Ukrainian soldiers are returning to battle after amputation By Hanna Arhirova, Evgeniy Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko @ AP News
6] Nursing Homes Overprescribing Drugs to Silence and Subdue Patients – The Brown Firm
7] Hearing Voices Out Loud: A Schizoaffective Disorder Short Film @ OC87 Recovery Diaries
8] Quiet, please! The remarkable power of silence – for our bodies and our minds By Sam Pyrah @ The Guardian
9] Psychotherapist: 10 phrases the most mentally strong people use daily By Amy Morin @ CNBC News
10] 5 Ways Music Helps With Healing – Sheltering Arms Institute By: Audrey Weatherstone, Music Therapist
11] The Chosen Reject By author Phillip Fleming
12] 5 Easy Vagus Nerve Exercises for Reducing Stress, According to the Experts By Kerry Law
13] Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (INSET) – Greater Mental Health of New York
14] Mothers* Of Adult Survivors of Incest and Sexual Abuse (M*OASIS) – For People Supporting Survivors of Incest and Abuse
“Be kinder than necessary; For everyone you meet is Fighting some kind of battle.” Author Unknown
“When you love someone, you love the person as they are, and not as you’d like them to be.” Leo Tolstoy
