Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-in Tuesday 19th December 2017
Good morning to you all!
Really good to be back here with you in our wonderful and supportive community..... missed you heaps.. and looking forward to catching up again.
While away on my travels, with long flights and big busy airports,lots of people, noise and stress, it was all a bit too much for a simple country girl. The cumulative effect was in becoming more and more "wired" but I didn't really become aware of this until I couldn't sleep, meditation wasn't working and anxiety was increasing.By now very much in the reactive mode of my brain. What Rick Hanson would describe as a state of homelessness.. I needed to come home.
In contrast is the responsive mode of the brain which is the resting state we return to when not rattled. This is home where we feel safe, satisfied and connected.Where our heart beats more slowly, blood pressure is reduced,and nutrients from food more easily digested. He says that our deepest nature is peace, love and wisdom. That our body and mind want to come home. That the responsive mode of our brain can be activated, encouraged and reinforced through mindfulness, meditation and being in the present moment. Spending time at home helps us to spend more time there..
In this holiday season of the year,when the stresses often increase, I want to share some words from Rick Hanson with you ...."Each time you rest in your brain's responsive mode it gets easier to come home again. That's because neurons that fire together wire together. Stimulating the neural substrates of calm, contentment and caring strengthens them . This also makes it harder to be driven from home: its like lengthening the keel of your mental sailboat, that no matter how hard the winds of life blow, you stay upright, not capsized, and keep on heading towards the lighthouse of your dreams."
How is your day going? How is this relevant for you? Wondering how preparation for a daunting experience may help. Or pop in to say hi! This is your space and a safe place. Love to hear from you. x
Hello! That's extremely useful information. I'm really glad you shared it with us, thank you!
@archerzvy
Its good to hear from you and I'm glad it helped. Think that often what we need is given to us, Maybe in somethng that is said or what we read. Like when a book jumps off the library shelf and into our hands.x
Hi... So im struggling extremely at the moment.I hate this time of the year and it doesn't help that im all alone. I have the anniversary of a friends death on boxing day will be 2 years this year and i just am not sure how im suppose to keep pushing forward. I just really want to crawl into a ball and hide for the rest of my life but not even that would work at the moment due to the constant flashbacks and nightmares. I guess what im trying to say is I just need help at the moment but im scared to actually reach out :(
@rozie
I'm not sure if I have a grip on home right now. I've been out of touch with something in me, because I had to put it aside to start a full time job and make a schedule and work. It's different, and it's uncomfortable, and I'm not sure if it's bad. I know I'm not at "home" literally or figuratively. I know I'm in a holding place, doing inner work. Tomorrow is the shortest, darkest day of the year: Winter Solstice.
I miss being able to follow my body's lead. But I see value in my lifestyle right now, too.
If I wasn't working full time.... I'd take the day tomorrow, clearly I wouldn't work, and I'd spend it with myself, in nature, journaling, etc. No point in imagining that, since I am working full time. Just illustrating it's a contrast, and it's not "home" to me.
@singercrystalspirit
So good to hear from you again Singer! Agree there are times when our focus has to be else where, like it is is for you now, as you move into fulltime work and a schedule. But as you settle in, hoping there will be time to be at 'home' time for you to be, to restore yourself, and to keep a healthy balance. As you say you miss this. x
@rozie
Thanks 😊 Made me tear up a little. I hope so too. Hugs ❤
