Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in Thursday 9th November 2017
Good morning all!
This morning as I stood by the fence with a calfeteria of warm milk and called to our three calves "Come on, its breakfast time." they came running across paddock, tails flying out behind them.I thought, the sight of them brings joy to my heart.
Joy, how often do we have this feeling, in the midst of the darkness and struggles that come with PTSD. Possibly not very often. Yet joy can be an important in healing.On her website www. Heal my PTSD.com Michele Rosenthal suggests that joy is the beginning of healing. That having felt a little joy, it will call you and there will be a little more. That the narrative of our life that has been broken by trauma can be healed and through joy we can connect with the part of our original self that has not been affected by trauma.
How do we get in touch with this feeling of joy? Is it in looking to the little things, the wind in the leaves, a smile from a stranger, a well placed turn of phrase. Finding these little bites of happiness, that cumulatively add up. Where do we find them? Often sitting outside in nature, with the sunshine on our back. Could be sitting with a person or a pet, not saying much, maybe a touch that is healing.If we're high on joy even for a moment, we can't be depressed for that moment. Hoping that you find a moment of joy in your day!
How is your day going? Have you noticed where you find joy? Is it hard to find? How does joy made a difference for you? Or pop in to say hi! Love to hear from you.This is your space and a safe place. x
@rozie
So I took a break from the site... I'm not sure what motivated that but I just felt I needed to do that for some reason. And it's definitely helpsed me gain some clarity. I realized that I was spending way too much time on here, perhaps to fill a void in my days, also because I have people on here I am attached to, but principally I think because I felt like this place was safe and I could be honest about how I truly felt about things...
I thought I'd feel better with the break, and although it's helped me put things into perspective and realize that I need a better balance in my life, it's not taken away some of the feelings I think I was trying to run away from. I've realized, maybe for the emph time, that cutting people and things out, isolating myself and ignoring the way I feel, is not the answer and cure. Trauma cannot just be ignored, and I have someone dear to me that has kept repeating this to me for some time but I think I just didn't wanna hear it. It's hard to face certain truths, Ive been told I'm a highly sensitive person and I think I find it hard to deal with intense emotions. I am so easily overwhelmed and when I do get overwhelmed, I just switch off. I keep distracted by making myself insanely busy (doing housework, seeing people, anything to keep my mind off the stuff I simply cant process and deal with).
Anyway all this to say that I'm back, and I don't know what made me come back either other than the fact that I was missing my trauma family and the people I know understand and support and love me. I think being apart of a family, even if it's a virtual one, is so important. Especially when it is people who are kind and caring, understanding and for the most part, have known suffering too.
I am reading a book at the moment called "The Book of Joy" which is written by Douglas Abrams but based on the meeting of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I've only just started it, but it makes me so happy and definitely gives me something to think about. One of the things that it addresses is the need to be apart of a community, to share in our suffering with others so that we don't feel alone. They say that is in part the key to joy. I think as I get through the book, I'll be sharing more of what I'm learning about this on here with you guys so watch this space.
I'm glad to be back.
Love you all <3
@WaterLily16
Really glad you're back. You're put a lot of work and energy into your time away and it sounds like this was a significantly good break for you to get real with you in your thinking. I would think this was a difficult process for you. I'm really glad you're moving forward and sharing. :) You're so worth all your hard work!
@WaterLily16
Welcome back Lily! We've missed you. And sounds like you're drawn back to the trauma family. where there is love,care,and support.for each other. Understanding of how it is to be on this journey and agree there is strength and joy in community. Looking forward to hearing more from you. Hug x
Today was kind of tough. Got in a big argument with my grandson over an outfit that I felt was inappropriate for a new tempt job, A young people dress code sucks sometimes.