'We're trying to find that innocent part of ourselves again. Before the world twisted us into what trauma twists you into. You know it's a return to innocence and it's a return to being childlike again before these f***ing things come in and reshape and turn you into the f***ing Joker. And that's what it was turning me into. I started getting feelings of hope.'
- Justin Downey
An excerpt from Trauma, Addiction and the Greatest Life Cheat
https://www.joannearnold.com/posts/trauma-addiction-and-the-greatest-life-cheat-a-conversation-with-justin-downey
'You don't allow people to get close to you even though you f***ing really want people to be close to you...'
'You don't allow people to get close to you even though you f***ing really want people to be close to you. And when I hear people saying... saying, ‘ I f***ing hate people.’ , I say to myself no, no, no. You love people so much it f***ing hurts you. That's the truth behind it.
Trauma wants us isolated. Wants us alone. The opposite of isolation is solitude. We have to stop being isolated but we need solitude. There's a big difference in the two. You have to connect with people. You have to find your tribe.' -Justin Downey
An excerpt from an interview titled: TRAUMA, ADDICTION AND THE GREATEST LIFE CHEAT. Justin shares his personal experiences of prison, rehab and recovery ...the highs and lows. It will take you from the prison cell to the yoga mat.
available in its entirety at
https://www.joannearnold.com/posts/trauma-addiction-and-the-greatest-life-cheat-a-conversation-with-justin-downey
'So the f***ing thing that trauma did, which was to make me hate people so much...ended up being the rescuer of me. It was people....'
'So the f***ing thing that trauma did, which was to make me hate people so much...ended up being the rescuer of me. It was people. I was like, this is a f***** up lesson. The thing I hate the most is what ends up returning myself to me. Wicked ironic.' -Justin Downey
Excerpt from TRAUMA, ADDICTION AND THE GREATEST LIFE CHEAT: An Interview with Justin Downey
© Joanne Arnold
From trauma, violence and hate to hot yoga, goldendoodles and chanting.Thank you for sharing your honesty and insights Justin Downey.
The entire interview is available at:
https://www.joannearnold.com/posts/trauma-addiction-and-the-greatest-life-cheat-a-conversation-with-justin-downey
There is a woman who gathers backpacks for us. She does this honoring her daughter who spent time on the street.
Dear Anonymous,
There is a woman who gathers backpacks for us. Literally drops off 20 or so at a time. She does this honoring her daughter who spent time on the street. Who died of overdose this year. Thank you #maggiesmission. Those backpacks fly out of my car. Thank you.
Mike snagged this one this morning and showed us why....his first tattoo from age 13. A devil. And the backpack was a match.
He had been out all night. No bathrooms available. Sometimes things don't go so well. He needed a change of clothes when I arrived. Can you imagine?
Meanwhile socks. Socks. Socks.
Justin Downey preparing for a cold water swim in Maine ( 17 degrees F)...
Justin Downey preparing for a cold water swim in Maine ( 17 degrees F) and being interviewed by Sternman Productions at Falmouth Town Landing for an upcoming documentary of MAINEWORKS.