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 Hi!!! Rozie! It is a Beautiful idea. Trying to find little joy in life when we are recoverinng from PTSD. I will remeber the concept.
Today is a tough day. A hell lot of thing to finish. But I will dig in. Take Care.
@Saif1for1Resilience
Yes, hoping you may have a moment of joy in this tough day. Hug. x
@Saif1for1Resilience
I'm sorry today is such a rough day. I do hope it will be better as the day goes on and you are able to stand strong through whatever you are facing. I stand with you in taking each step you need to take.
@KristenHR Thank you very much!!!!
@rozie
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My ex / future boyfriend is my joy. I love him so much. If I think on him I have strength to carry on. We are only apart because we are both ill and hoping to be back together in the future. It is hard, but when I think about who he is it really gives me a good feeling to know him.
@Kuma0187
Yes that is precious joy to hold on to! Not easy to be apart, but wisely I think, so that you can each focus on your own healing.One step at a time one day at a time, and then you will look back and see how far you have come. x
@rozie
Doing my best. Tomorrow I am going to ask him what he wants to do for xmas. I hope I will not be alone, I am scared of that. Those things are hard. But he is worth it :)
@Kuma0187
I'm glad you have your ex/future partner available to you for joy. What a great thing.
@rozie I would be lying if I claimed that, for me at least, joy is abundant (or even fleeting) today, but there are always pockets to be found if one is mindful of the present moment and does their best to refrain from judgement. Am doing my best for now to stay in the moment and endure present feelings (which, in all.honesty, is taking a lot of conscious effort to manage without feeling overwhelmed). As always, our best is more than good enough, considering the circumstances.
Which I suppose is my roundabout way of saying that I am really feeling the struggle, the changing season, memories that have eroded from the past, other various unsettling internal and external factors. It will pass, as it always does. And I will find that balance between acceptance and uncritical objectivity. Survival.
@melliotm key words! Best is more than good enough AND balance. Love this ❤️
@melliotm
Yes its not an easy road we walk, and at times and seasons like this for you, it takes alot of effort and is hard work.All you can do is the best you can, as you say. I like your analogy of "pockets to be found" in the midst of it. x
@melliotm
Great job for working hard to stay in the moment. That's awesome, though so difficult. I know that the dealing of memories and what has happened to many of us takes so much effort and work. Good for you for plugging steady on.
@rozie Very encouraging post Rozie. But from my experience, I can say that I spent years after years without feeling slightest joy, But things started to change. Thats why I came to 7cups. and joined in the community. It took me years to even feel confident to share in an online community.
@butters45
Agree with you Butters, it takes time, sometines years as you say. That's where patience and kindness to oneself is so necessary as we take one step at a time ton this journey of healing and recovery from trauma. Think you're doing so well to be online and sharing with us here. Every step is important, as it is to find a moment of joy. x
@butters45
I'm so glad to hear things have started to change and you found your courage to begin to share online. That is awesome
The fear of dog thing was acting up . just hoping i will get over it some time.
@reachforgoals Dont worry!!! You will overcome the fear, sooner or later.
@reachforgoals
Yes hoping you will get over this in time... just take one small step at a time. We are here with you in support. x
@reachforgoals
One step at a time... gaining your confidence and the fear taking backseat to the fear. Hang in there and know you have the support of this community.
Is anyone able to tell me if theres a way to message in private with another member (not a listener?) - someone has requested to talk more about something with me and as we both appear to be new members I cant seem to figure out if this is possible?
@purpleWest8143
Members can only PM listeners, not member to member Sorry.
@KristenHR thanks for the response. I was guessing that this was a possibility in order to keep things safer for everyone
I like this idea @rozie, thank you. Lately, I have been noticing more moments of joy, well not sure its quite 'joy' yet, but sometimes there is a moment of present awareness that allows me to just be with what is there, the blue sky, wind blowing leaves, puppy chasing leaves, and I can breathe and just that moment can exist for me like it does for the dog. This is a big leap for me, because this time of year is quite full of triggers, so I'm happy for that.
@dandelionmoon
This is wonderful to hear. It's nice to just have those moments of little things we notice that make us smile and have that warm feeling inside. :)
Scarletpear1945 checking in
ScarletPear1945
I am having such a terrible time learning Mindfulness.
@scarletPear1945
Good on you for trying tp learn mindfulness!. It can become very effective in time. But initially it isn't easy...so please be patient with yourself and notice the small steps you are taking. Like anything new the more you practice, the more you able to use this.All the best. x
@rozie i kind of feel like...with all the bad stuff happening i wont find joy for a long time or ever...im trying...like sometimes i think im getting happy and sometimes certain people make me smile..but true pure joy is hard to find..
@scarletPear1945
learning mindfulness is a challenge for sure. It's like trying to find my wisemind. It's tough to find those places that can help us cope better.
