Ex-lawyer E.L. Farris is a born-again, marathon-running married mother of three who resides in Northern Virginia. <—-That’s what it says on the back of Ripple.
What else do you need to know about me? I talk a lot. I write a lot. I adore my husband. I adore my children. What else? Well, I run. I’ve been running since I turned 14. I started to run then and I’ve been running ever since. Whenever I stop running, I land in a lot of trouble.
I ran through a childhood that could well be described as hell. I ran through major depressive episodes and often teetered one step from the edge of a breakdown. Through running, I held onto my sanity, my sobriety, my life and my belief in God. Each step I take, no matter how physically painful, draws me a shade closer into my better angels.
And the steps have become painful over the years, which is how I earned the nickname Phoenix. Some mornings I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus and the truth is, I was. I survived a collision with a metro bus, and it’s fair to say that the accident messed me up. And yet I keep rising from the pyre of a burning fire and as I run I realize that as long as I hold the Holy Spirit inside me, my spirit will never die.
Hi missy, I am coming by to nominate you for The Versatile Blogger Award. Love your blog and your stuff and The Lucky Mom gave it to me and you are one of my 15! So the details will be in post that goes live on my page tonight in a post called “Goose in a Bottle.” Here is a link http://mynewfavoriteday.com …all you have to do is follow the rules of the road in the post which includes passing it on to 15 other blogs that you enjoy! xo Shannon
Aw, my friend, thank you oh so much!!! xoxo!!!
A’s requested I think you are a riot so signing up for email.
xoxo–many thanks Nanvy!!
Wow, so glad I read this. As I was driving into work today I was listening to a song that sings, “Yes, I will rise, out of these ashes….rise….when there’s trouble all around, when there’s trouble on the ground…I will rise!” Seems as if I was meant to read your blog today, and now, I’m gonna sign up for more! Thanks, El, for sharing your inspiration.
Aw Single Working Mom, I am so glad you read it today and that it resonated with you! Thank you for reading and for your kind comment!!
wow. This is soooo unbelievably spooky. I am you You are me. It’s like reading about me. I could have written this almost word for word. I have goosebumps. Thank you. Tears are rolling down my face as I treasure how well you have articulated and found the words that I have such trouble writitng down.
Big hugs right back at you Sandy! And I am sure we would be good friends in real life. I hope you have a lovely weekend hun.
Keep Rising! Keep Rising! Keep Rising!
Grinning back at you Inner Chick!!
I was so moved by the eloquence and the variety to be found here that I’ve nominate you for The Most Versatile Blogger Award. You are changing lives as you run from hell, El(len). Thank you for sharing so much of your Being-ness.
That is so kind of you my friend!!! Thank you so very much for honoring me with that nomination!! xoxo!
Hi El, wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award and Genuine Blogger Award. No pressure to participate, but if you’d like you to find out more or participate check out http://kourtneyheintz.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/blog-awards-time/
Thank you so much Kourtney!! I will check it out when I get back from vacation (wheeeeeee–leaving in an hour!!!)!
Have a terrific vacation!
Hi! I’ve nominated you for the Kreative Blogger award! Check out the link http://justanotherwakeupcall.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/rainbows-on-my-windscreen/
You know its not as bad as you may having considered
in one seeing the bigger picture / if one allowed escape
the confines of mind where limited understanding of life
where one can feel hoplessness as at times lose heart.
Depression is not one going into illness but rather that
one is coming out of illness (though it called illness as
one not functioning as to what being considered norm.
When not off “norm” life can bring ridiculous situations
(example) ..in desperation one goes to one’s religious
adviser / doctor in tears saying ” my partner but beats
me daily “I wish my life could end”.The religous adviser
or doctor replies ” You must be doing something wrong
to be beaten / you must learn to take your punishment”.
Your reply being “xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xx xxx xxx xxx”.
The cause of depression is a chemical produced by the
brain / not to harm but to aid. What is happening to the
individual is they are going through a very active stage
of brain development ( the brain is making adjustments
thus one’scapable of greater understanding experience.
The majority of people’s do not go through rapid brain
development / in the majority the pace of development
is a slow gradual process / it being no problem to them
yet those going through periods of rapid development
it can be a living nightmare / one feeling being trapped
knowing its just not right / that the seas should be calm
yet for you it but the worst of storms / your going to die.
In expressing your feelings to others they but informing
there ain’t no storm it’s but a beautiful warm sunny day.
Where once again your reply might be ” xxxx xxx xx xxxx”.
An example being / a person is getting some work done
to their home . a carpet laid in the bedroom … a broken
window mended / some paintwork etc thus they at some
inconvenience. Where your home … it having electricity
all to be re-wired / new roof / all floorboards removed as
an few walls knocked down / all new kitchen appliances
etc etc etc / such the differ in normal brain development
as rapid brain development. One person inconvenience
the other person it’s a living nightmare /in wishing it end.
The benefits when the work done / is your neighbour be
pleased /but for you t’will be as if you’ve entered heaven
thus the journey not so pleasant / yet being well worth it.
Depression one should not run from but rather in facing
if facing and relaxing into it / one will find it an rich deep
experience / which be its purpose /to bring comfort in a
time of change a necessery time of change in one’s life
one may stop running through fear and start run via joy.
The final stage of human development / when reaching
a peak in the material realm / is then one turn to that of
meditation in ones turning their senses inward / thus to
give one’s focus on the essence of creation via a much
more stronger potion. ( Material realm is a essence of
creation / yet it a potion much diluted) reasons you be
able understand. Via that of meditation the essence of
creation be much stronger /with the brain development
one having gone through /one’s capable of the change.
Throughout history of humanity there spiritual teachers
for every stage of development / among such teachers
be the “Teacher of Teachers” whom aids one / when it
be they are ready for their inner journey of experience.
Presently the “Teacher of Teachers’ is Prem Rawat he
having dedicated his life in aid of those whom ready to
turn to meditation / whom ready for greater experience.
On PC search ( should you wish learn more or should
you be interested in meditation … on PC search put….
(words of peace) or (words of peace global) on site a
selection of videos in which Prem explains meditation
explains the human journey / one turning the senses
inward in an unfolding of the essence of creation ( or
a unfolding of the ( spiritual self) if of religious nature.
Not ideas or beliefs not a heaven a paradise beyond
the clouds but of very a practical spiritual experience
thats gifts a clarity of understanding / in answering all
one’s question as to the purpose of creation / creator
in venturing beyond ideas beliefs / in knowing creator.
I love your writing style. I look forward to reading more of it. Thanks for the kind follow
Hi El! I nominated you for the Sunshine Award
Check it out: http://totallytawn.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/the-sunshine-award/
I’ve nominated you for the Reality Blog Award. Check it out at my post at:
http://exceedingspeed.wordpress.com/2012/09/22/sincere-thanks-if-a-bit-belated/
It’s a no-rules award. Have a great weekend! Exceeding speed
Aw thank you so much for the award(s)!! I love you, love your blog. The one thing I haven’t quite gotten around to loving is awards (wry, embarrassed smile)–but I am thinking about how to cross over to them. But please know I appreciate you so very very much!!
I just wanted you to know that I nominated you for One Lovely Blog Award. Thanks for having a great blog! Have a wonderful weekend.
Would love to receive your message by email
Thanks
Thank you for writing. Thank you for being real. I love that and respect you for that.
Keep it coming
Great writing! Love it!
Pingback: LITTLE 15 Banned from Literary Event | Stephanie Saye
Strong. Wonderful. Sure. Brave.
I developed bulimia about age 13, & it stuck with me until I left my marriage at 26. My husband had little idea, just thought I was milk intolerant when I ate a tub of ice cream & vomitted.
I admire you enormously, Phoenix. You’ve grabbed the hard bits by the balls. You sound a wonderful person. Cheers to you.
Thank you so much! And it’s wonderful to meet you!!
Greetings! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!
Aw thank you so much Kristie!! And welcome!! I’m from Northern VA but I love Texas!!
This is my favorite page because it describes your journey. And now I finally know where the nickname “Phoenix” comes from!
Grinning at you dear friend!! xoxo