That it is always worth to struggle to stay centered and open even with strong winds.
That I can stop and think about the next thing to do instead of just reacting, to be aware of the pause to redirect if necessary.
That I was helped enormously in crisis, by friends, by you here and by complete strangers to develop trust, which I had lost quite some time ago.

That expressing what is hurting and be vulnerable is not the end, but rather could become a beginning of something new.

Out of the mentioned above, that we are all interconnected and that we are always able to develop new solutions to threat and injustice, to us as person as well as to our beloved world, if we work together and be creative.

That having passed a really hard time in my life encourages me even more to give myself fully and with all my heart.

My goodness. Something happened, something radical. I will try to express it, if you don´t mind. I will try to keep it as short as possible.

I was helped, and I am helped, helped enormously. By you, and you, and especially YOU! How deep is your love. How radically true.

How long does it take to healing a sick mind? Found this today, after having passed complete states of despair again. My mind´s scattered parts finally on its way to be embraced, connected again, by suddenly being able to looking from the wider self.
You made this possible, you all here. It is a miracle, after such a long time. How deep is your faith, and your love, you, who helped me, who knew.

It´s on it´s way to integration where there was exclusion.
I was fixed in an averse inner position of disrespect towards men. A deeply fixed perspective, born of a deeply injured body and mind. Since I fought and survived death and endless isolation as a newborn, this fixed paranoia determined my way of being with no chance to change it, despite so many attempts. Until today.

So much pain I felt, so much pain I caused. Please forgive me, you who suffered due to my state of being. You should have been untouched by this but I could not avoid it. Please forgive me. I will let this go now. It won´t happen again. Can I trust myself in this? Yes. I will do all I can to fully integrate what I saw today. There is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Please allow me to send heartfelt greetings to all of you here.
I read the beautiful article of today “After the fall”. It gave the perspective, it inspired to embrace the scattered human bones I felt inside myself so painfully. You made it possible to change perspective, dear Torkin Wakefield. Thank you so very dearly for your precious contribution. You helped as well, dear Ed, moving the mind to meditation the way you conveyed to us.

Dear Diane, I feel deep gratefulness towards you as well. Your post today suddenly opened the door to understanding and healing. Please allow me to repeat part of it, so I may never forget it again. I am moved deeply. They brought me to tears, and to my knees, and then the door opened. Thank you so much. I am aware that integration will take some time and effort, but letting go of old habits of mind is on it´s way now. So deeply grateful.

…
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me…..

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.”

Aside of many features where I feel the need to work on to free them from shadow aspects, I would guess that I am able to give kindness, loyalty, honesty, care and some creativity with no expectations of return or reciprocity. These are given freely without adhesions. They find their way naturally when being with people I care for or when being with friends, with everyone I encounter. Stability in interaction and perspective for developing something good all together, if it is meant to be and despite many obstacles is one of the gifts resulting for all concerned, for which I am truly grateful.

Rather I should say: who has not? echoing many of your replies. I could not find a single one who has not helped me, equally of past and present.
Still, I would like to mention and thank all of you here who helped in countless ways, but especially through being honest and sharing core values to engage with ones true self.
It is so moving to meet you here, being together in this spirit, valuing each and every expression of God´s creation. To have the chance to approach life and share in this way and be part of this supportive community is a great gift to me. Thank you all dearly and especially my deep thanks to the Gratefulness-team for this incredible gift.

I agree, dear grateful sea, pushing feelings away in suppressing way would only move the problem to another area for sure. Suppression would bring it up like “Jack in the box” probably when you expect it the least.

So today I reflected all day long, what could help to overcome sadness and depression.

First I would guess, it is important to admit that it is so. In me for example, you would not see it so obviously, as I had learned to cover up sadness early in life. This needs change, as I try to do now with all your kind help, and it helps already! I feel so supported by all of you in dealing with these emotions. I need to become more open, which is on its way now. With your kindness and caring and my letting go, perspective may change to the better.

Being in nature, walking and naturally being with the plants, the water and the mountains could be a positive counterpart to sadness and depression. It can change the state quite quickly and lasts, as I experience it, and being outside in the woods on a regular base could prevent swinging into this unhealthy mood, and instead develops strength in keeping a balanced inner mood while facing daily challenges.

Something else comes to mind, too. Since at least most of the days, I meditate in the early morning, it helps me to stay focused much better and not to get less lost in what once was or what might be. I tend to extend my thoughts to the future, like: will this or that happen, or will it not?, or will I be able to do this or that, or not? and so on…

You here, through your honest and loving participation called me to come out of my self-made cage through your kindness and help me to overcome this recurrent deep sadness. I feel so grateful for being here with you, you here who give all your best to support each one. Palm, grateful sea, Anna, Diane, Manda, Aine, Cintia, Nancy … and as well you who are invisible, as I am sure, your positive support and energy counts even so.

Please excuse me for the long post, but may be it could ease pain by telling of my own experience.

Dear Anna, thanks for your friendly encouragement and warmth, and your prayers. I felt very much of support from you and all the other dear people here, especially while I passed this hard time recently. At least, for the moment being, it feels as if it is over in it´s worst…
Yes, I am grateful for having the chance to spend some days in the mountains together with a friend. We have had lots of fresh snow yesterday, and relaxing time here is much appreciated and needed by both of us. It is a beautiful place, where we gratefully savor delicious vegetarian food and an atmosphere full of warmth and care. Such a gift after all. Have a beautiful day as well, dear Anna.