Courage to Thrive: Finding Joy and Hope in the Midst of Mental Health Struggles

by Bob Flanagan

When battling mental illness, it takes courage to find victories in the small things of life—including, some days, getting out of bed. In his first-person spiritual journal Courage to Thrive, Rev. Dr. Bob Flanagan, who has battled mental health illness for two decades and managed to thrive, offers meditations that navigate the dark scenery of his mind and then the paths that lead to the Source of light. Whether dealing with mental health challenges or everyday stressors of life, readers are left with a quiet confidence that they can still thrive and enjoy the gifts God has given them. Each reflection concludes with a heartfelt prayer that revels in God’s healing mercies.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2020

About the author

Bob Flanagan was a performance artist and writer. He was best known for his work on sadomasochism and living with cystic fibrosis.

Flanagan was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in childhood. He graduated from Costa Mesa High School, and studied literature at California State University Long Beach and the University of California, Irvine.

In the 1970s, Flanagan began reading his poems in public and was part of the poetry community at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center. His first book, "The Kid is the Man," was published in 1978.

In the 1980s, Flanagan became active in the BDSM community with his wife, and he was a founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Janus. In 1989 he and his wife collaborated on their first work of performance art with a piece called "Nailed."