Perseverance. Showing up as best I can and making thr best of it. Courage. Gratitude. Taking small, baby steps in a/ the direction that feels right. Being/ staying rooted in / with my body, breathing, and being with whatever is happening, rather than running away in my body or mind. Learning/ practicing to trust the process. With time, relearning to trust - God, self, others, the journey, life ... and learning to laugh, relax, enjoy and find joy again. Yippee! Learning to savour and app...
Perseverance. Showing up as best I can and making thr best of it. Courage. Gratitude. Taking small, baby steps in a/ the direction that feels right. Being/ staying rooted in / with my body, breathing, and being with whatever is happening, rather than running away in my body or mind. Learning/ practicing to trust the process. With time, relearning to trust – God, self, others, the journey, life … and learning to laugh, relax, enjoy and find joy again. Yippee! Learning to savour and appreciate the small things too, focus on those, and forget about the rest. Finally, to keep moving, trusting, believing, no matter how small and incremental the thoughts and movements are …
I am still here and for the better. Life doesn’t just fade away. Don’t know if it is strenght of character that I have earned, it is just that life has shown me its surprisingly good nature. I feel grateful.
I learned to stand up for myself and what I believe is right and to seek out help when I need it the most and believe that there are better things in this life than this. This is just a bump in the road and it had nothing to do with you and all to do with them.
The will to survive and at the same time the trust to let go, even if it meant that I would die. And I found that in very serious situations, in hospital, or once I was in a train with a bomb right in front of it, ..my fellow human beings were always very kind, caring and build a network of helping each other. In German I gave it the name “Schicksalsgemeinschaft”. That gives me trust . And this here is also a community like that and I’m deeply grateful that I can experience all this.
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 ...
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.
Discernment- knowing how to spot the snake oil salesman.
Vulnerability- not being afraid to admit what I don’t know has been the biggest factor for becoming a curious learner and for growing leaps and bounds. And allowing myself to feel– there is a time for suffering and a time for celebrating, and I can feel both and everything in between, and I won’t break.
From the hardest times in my life, especially my spiritual and mental health struggles, I have developed resilience, compassion, love, wisdom, knowledge, faith, gratitude, spirituality, taqwa, forgiveness, self-esteem, and deeper awareness.
Me, too, Palm. It makes us Wounded Healers, in the words of Henri Nouwen. Have you ever read the book that came from his private journal written during a time of soul crushing depression? It is so gentle, so caring. That is one of the gifts in a struggle with depression -- we know what it feels like to need compassion, so we are often much more likely to offer it to another soul in pain, too.
I was surprised to find when I was reading in the New Testament one day that the Apostle Paul also s...
Me, too, Palm. It makes us Wounded Healers, in the words of Henri Nouwen. Have you ever read the book that came from his private journal written during a time of soul crushing depression? It is so gentle, so caring. That is one of the gifts in a struggle with depression — we know what it feels like to need compassion, so we are often much more likely to offer it to another soul in pain, too.
I was surprised to find when I was reading in the New Testament one day that the Apostle Paul also suffered from depression. I cannot recall what the verse was, but it struck me with, “Hey! That sounds like depression! Paul was depressed, too!” Somehow it made him feel more human and accessible to me.
Oh dear Aine, thank you so much, and I will keep your answer so that I can go back to the author’s name later. I also saw your sharing on the lounge and it occurs to me that all these beautiful souls having the same ailment, there has to be value on it, and I think you nailed it when you say it is compassion. A hug to you, dear Aine.
Dear Palm, Anna and grateful sea, I join you in this struggling, too. To overcome the tendency to fall into sadness is one of the most important changes necessary to happen in me, where I will give all effort to in the next future. Thank you for your open reply. It helps me to take this first step. How to go on in changing this? Would you mind sharing ideas? May be we could help each other in this?
Dear Ose, reading your reply this morning, together with Anna’s and grateful sea’s literally saved me from the sadness, thank you so much. I realise that one of the worse parts is the feeling of isolation (which I tend to fall into), and like Anna, my first though was to turn to the Lounge and open a discussion and support each other on this. This feels motivating to me, and very helpful. Looking forward to meet you all dear friends
Dear Ose, of course. I am humbly glad if I can help you, at least for what I am able to do. You help me, with your words. Turn to the Lounge dear friend, I bow in front of your pain. You are worthy of love.
The hardest times have taught me wisdom, patience, compassion and loving kindness filled with an attitude of gratitude.
Lately, the hard situations and suffering have taught me to be grateful for the mud because with mud we can grow the lotus flower.
I guess like everyone I’ve had some difficult times. Looking back on them I have found the gift of some interesting change that happens to me after going through a difficult patch, that is deep and worth treasuring. In my most recent hard time, going through two bereavements, what kept me going, my strength at that time, was that realisation: something wonderfully transforming will happen. And it did. I made some adjustments to my life that have worked very well for me.
That life is sometimes hard and hurts and love is the only drug that works.
That praying, staying with my breath, has carried me well through crisis.
That some issues you meet head-on, and others you save for tomorrow.
That learning and asking myself, “who owns the problem?” always pays off.
That saying “I need help” and “thank you” opens heavy doors.
That there is grace, wonder, joy and sometimes challenge in everyone I meet.
That life itself is a gift but that we supply the B...
That life is sometimes hard and hurts and love is the only drug that works.
That praying, staying with my breath, has carried me well through crisis.
That some issues you meet head-on, and others you save for tomorrow.
That learning and asking myself, “who owns the problem?” always pays off.
That saying “I need help” and “thank you” opens heavy doors.
That there is grace, wonder, joy and sometimes challenge in everyone I meet.
That life itself is a gift but that we supply the Band-Aids.
That in the end gravity wins, so keep moving and becoming with each sunrise.
Thank you, Antoinette, Wishing you a measure of peace, joy and love also, my friend. During my working years with young people I kept a small wooden sign on the wall in my office that read, “Remember to Breathe.” It was a great discussion starter with kids, especially stressed out teens who needed to find ways to connect with their bodies.
Perseverance. Showing up as best I can and making thr best of it. Courage. Gratitude. Taking small, baby steps in a/ the direction that feels right. Being/ staying rooted in / with my body, breathing, and being with whatever is happening, rather than running away in my body or mind. Learning/ practicing to trust the process. With time, relearning to trust - God, self, others, the journey, life ... and learning to laugh, relax, enjoy and find joy again. Yippee! Learning to savour and app...
Perseverance. Showing up as best I can and making thr best of it. Courage. Gratitude. Taking small, baby steps in a/ the direction that feels right. Being/ staying rooted in / with my body, breathing, and being with whatever is happening, rather than running away in my body or mind. Learning/ practicing to trust the process. With time, relearning to trust – God, self, others, the journey, life … and learning to laugh, relax, enjoy and find joy again. Yippee! Learning to savour and appreciate the small things too, focus on those, and forget about the rest. Finally, to keep moving, trusting, believing, no matter how small and incremental the thoughts and movements are …
resilience. the will to go on. the will to choose. I think in that order
I am still here
and for the better. Life doesn’t just fade away. Don’t know if it is strenght of character that I have earned, it is just that life has shown me its surprisingly good nature. I feel grateful.
I learned to stand up for myself and what I believe is right and to seek out help when I need it the most and believe that there are better things in this life than this. This is just a bump in the road and it had nothing to do with you and all to do with them.
You have courage and wisdom that brought you through, Ciara. Blessings!
The will to survive and at the same time the trust to let go, even if it meant that I would die. And I found that in very serious situations, in hospital, or once I was in a train with a bomb right in front of it, ..my fellow human beings were always very kind, caring and build a network of helping each other. In German I gave it the name “Schicksalsgemeinschaft”. That gives me trust . And this here is also a community like that and I’m deeply grateful that I can experience all this.
Pain devouring tolerance and humility.
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 ...
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.
Discernment- knowing how to spot the snake oil salesman.
Vulnerability- not being afraid to admit what I don’t know has been the biggest factor for becoming a curious learner and for growing leaps and bounds. And allowing myself to feel– there is a time for suffering and a time for celebrating, and I can feel both and everything in between, and I won’t break.
From the hardest times in my life, especially my spiritual and mental health struggles, I have developed resilience, compassion, love, wisdom, knowledge, faith, gratitude, spirituality, taqwa, forgiveness, self-esteem, and deeper awareness.
Spirit, Mind, & Body…
From the hardest times in my life…
Spirit – I have learned to lean on Christ not people. This developed my Spiritual Strength.
Mind – I have learned no job lasts forever. This developed my ability to Reinvent Myself whenever needed.
Body – I have learned to read and research things for myself. This developed my Intellectual Self.
I’ve earned self compassion, strength, perseverance and an ability to hang on and rely on faith, prayer, meditation and friends to get me through.
During inconsolable grief, I learned to have self-compassion and patience.
The hardest time in my life has been clinical depression. Over time, I think it has taught me resilience. More recently, gratefulness.
Me, too, Palm. It makes us Wounded Healers, in the words of Henri Nouwen. Have you ever read the book that came from his private journal written during a time of soul crushing depression? It is so gentle, so caring. That is one of the gifts in a struggle with depression -- we know what it feels like to need compassion, so we are often much more likely to offer it to another soul in pain, too.
I was surprised to find when I was reading in the New Testament one day that the Apostle Paul also s...
Me, too, Palm. It makes us Wounded Healers, in the words of Henri Nouwen. Have you ever read the book that came from his private journal written during a time of soul crushing depression? It is so gentle, so caring. That is one of the gifts in a struggle with depression — we know what it feels like to need compassion, so we are often much more likely to offer it to another soul in pain, too.
I was surprised to find when I was reading in the New Testament one day that the Apostle Paul also suffered from depression. I cannot recall what the verse was, but it struck me with, “Hey! That sounds like depression! Paul was depressed, too!” Somehow it made him feel more human and accessible to me.
You are very much not alone, dear Palm.
Oh dear Aine, thank you so much, and I will keep your answer so that I can go back to the author’s name later. I also saw your sharing on the lounge and it occurs to me that all these beautiful souls having the same ailment, there has to be value on it, and I think you nailed it when you say it is compassion. A hug to you, dear Aine.
Dear Palm, Anna and grateful sea, I join you in this struggling, too. To overcome the tendency to fall into sadness is one of the most important changes necessary to happen in me, where I will give all effort to in the next future. Thank you for your open reply. It helps me to take this first step. How to go on in changing this? Would you mind sharing ideas? May be we could help each other in this?
Dear Ose, reading your reply this morning, together with Anna’s and grateful sea’s literally saved me from the sadness, thank you so much. I realise that one of the worse parts is the feeling of isolation (which I tend to fall into), and like Anna, my first though was to turn to the Lounge and open a discussion and support each other on this. This feels motivating to me, and very helpful. Looking forward to meet you all dear friends
Dear Ose, of course. I am humbly glad if I can help you, at least for what I am able to do. You help me, with your words. Turn to the Lounge dear friend, I bow in front of your pain. You are worthy of love.
Dear Palm and Anna, I understand as I struggle with it too.
Me too dear Palm!
The knowledge that I can get up from whatever knocks me down; what is is, and what will be will be, but all things pass in time.
Perseverance. To keep living when I wanted to die. To begin. Again.
The hardest times have taught me wisdom, patience, compassion and loving kindness filled with an attitude of gratitude.
Lately, the hard situations and suffering have taught me to be grateful for the mud because with mud we can grow the lotus flower.
That calm is a developable reaction.
Michael,
So true!
I guess like everyone I’ve had some difficult times. Looking back on them I have found the gift of some interesting change that happens to me after going through a difficult patch, that is deep and worth treasuring. In my most recent hard time, going through two bereavements, what kept me going, my strength at that time, was that realisation: something wonderfully transforming will happen. And it did. I made some adjustments to my life that have worked very well for me.
Malag,
Love to you and transforming is a beautiful place to be!
Much appreciated.
That life is sometimes hard and hurts and love is the only drug that works.
That praying, staying with my breath, has carried me well through crisis.
That some issues you meet head-on, and others you save for tomorrow.
That learning and asking myself, “who owns the problem?” always pays off.
That saying “I need help” and “thank you” opens heavy doors.
That there is grace, wonder, joy and sometimes challenge in everyone I meet.
That life itself is a gift but that we supply the B...
That life is sometimes hard and hurts and love is the only drug that works.
That praying, staying with my breath, has carried me well through crisis.
That some issues you meet head-on, and others you save for tomorrow.
That learning and asking myself, “who owns the problem?” always pays off.
That saying “I need help” and “thank you” opens heavy doors.
That there is grace, wonder, joy and sometimes challenge in everyone I meet.
That life itself is a gift but that we supply the Band-Aids.
That in the end gravity wins, so keep moving and becoming with each sunrise.
Dear Kevin your words sound like a beautiful prayer. Thank you!
Thank you, Anna. I must say that their origins came from near and far over time, some of which just settled into my bones.
Hi Keiven,
The breath has taken me through much pain and suffering. It’s a wonderful way to open up the big sky in us.
Much love to you .
Thank you, Antoinette, Wishing you a measure of peace, joy and love also, my friend. During my working years with young people I kept a small wooden sign on the wall in my office that read, “Remember to Breathe.” It was a great discussion starter with kids, especially stressed out teens who needed to find ways to connect with their bodies.
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