The Collective Souls - Substance Abuse and Grief Support Group

11/27/2025

Be thankful for the things and people you have and even thankful for those you don't. And remember that some folks have very little, so help when and where you can. Happy Thanksgiving.

08/27/2025

Due to a lack of attendance with the physical group, I am no longer holding in-person meetings and discontinuing rental of the Mint Condition building. I could not justify the cost of the rental with only one person in attendance. I may be looking into virtual meetings upcoming, so stay tuned, and maybe that will be a better option. Thank you for your support this far.

08/13/2025

There will be no group tonight.

08/06/2025

Unfortunately, no group again tonight as I have been battling a kidney stone and just started my medications today. Next week should be back to normal.

08/01/2025

I am reminded that one of the things that makes us unique as humans is our ability to engage in self-cognition or even meta-cognition. We can think about ourselves, our behaviors, our own thinking and perceive it, critique it, and change it. That's the "magic" of being human and one of the things that supposedly puts us above animals. But, if we never engage in it, we're not "better" than anything. We're just another life force on this planet heading toward self-destruction.

07/30/2025

No group tonight. I am not feeling well.

07/23/2025

07/17/2025

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Because of past traumas and soul injuries, humans become guarded...

To cultivate healthy relationships, we must do all we can to make others feel safe around us.

It is important to make others feel seen and appreciated.

We must try to make them feel safe enough to let their guard down and be able to walk with ease and peace in their heart...

Walking the earth guarded impedes LOVE from coming in or going out into the world.

We have the ability to make each other feel safe and loved. Not an easy task always because so many of us grew up with abuse and adversity that conditioned us to build walls around our hearts.

As more of us awaken and do our inner healing work, our energy has a positive impact all around us.

Let us heal our own hearts and make others feel safe in our presence.

Now, please know that I fully understand that no matter what we do, some will stay guarded and never feel safe. In those situations, please do not blame yourself. It is their choice.

Since we all connect with each other through waves of energy, if the alignment is off, the relationship will never grow. There is a time when we let the pieces fall where they may, create boundaries and stay away from those that could cause us pain and misery.

It's ok to let go. It's ok. Sometimes you must out of self-love and self-preservation.

And again, how can we enjoy the beauty of life if we walk around guarded?

To feel safe in a world where we can experience soul injury is a personal journey we all must learn somehow.

So, dear sisters... Find a tribe, a community where you feel safe. Open your heart and see who walks in it with love and reverence.

With all my love for you, sisters. May the walls you built come down.

May you find a place within and without where you feel safe and loved. And so it is!!!.............................................
Reflection by Archaeology for the Woman's Soul
Corina Andronache

07/11/2025

Think about it.

07/08/2025

In my groups at work, and in individual conversations, I've been discussing aspects of life in regard to change becoming "self-evident," but I don't necessarily mean "obvious." I mean evident to self. There are a lot of things about life that we know that other people know or that are simply generalities, but these things have yet to become evident to us in any meaningful way.

That's what it takes when it comes to coping and making significant changes in your life. Without that happening, not much gets accomplished. Also, self-awareness alone only gets you so far without actual application. Keep working.

07/06/2025

Be sure to take care of yourself on holidays when the pressure of such gets to be too much. It's okay to take time for yourself. Holidays can be loud and sometimes you just need a moment to quiet the noise. Grief doesn't take a day off during holidays. Sometimes it's working overtime.

07/02/2025

Sorry folks, I know it's short notice, but tonight's group will not be running. I am having vehicle trouble and am stuck in Tyrone right now. My apologies.