Happiness Challenge Round 2 May 7th

[Changing4Best]

Probably the most famous Bible verse that uses the word meditation is:

"May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

Psalm 19:14
New Living Translation

And it is important to know that during Biblical times, the heart was considered to be the center of our emotions and our intellect. Also, I'd suggest reading the whole psalm, so that you can get an idea of what king David's meditation was. Actually, it was some pretty lofty stuff!

 

[Pencil]

And I like:

Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV) This is more or less the whole idea of this challenge.

 

[intothelight]

It is also helpful to cultivate the awareness that there ARE stories, and that the ones we have are almost never all the ones that are possible, and that we could, with enough imagination, skill, guts, help, and luck write our own new stories from time to time. In many ways I think that is what this site is all about - writing a whole new set of stories about PTSD. Maybe about life.

I love this concept about "stories". For each story there is a framework, from which the story is fleshed out. For me, working on this challenge is changing the framework from which I flesh out my own story.

So many of the symptoms of PTSD create a framework of fear, despair, loneliness, distrust, etc. from which a new story evolves that is built on this framework. Suddenly, the past is the present and we are robbed of all the other aspects of our lives that are excluded from the narrative.

By learning to focus on the good and the positive, we are adding another dimension to the framework, so the stories become rich and more balanced. The past does not overshadow the present but its effects have their place within the chapter, but are not the chapter. (I really hope this make sense at some level.)

Our stores are our lives and each day is a new chapter. I like sitting down with the pen and making a conscious decision that I will focus on the good, rather than let the bad guide then pen and how I write that days chapter. It is not to say that I am minimizing the past, PTSD or problems. It is just that they are sentences within the chapter and not the entire chapter.

Oh, I also have a new rule about the chapters. I can pick up my pen anytime during the day and start writing a new chapter. So when things go south, I can close that chapter and start again.

 

[Changing4Best]

1. 1. My fifth grade teacher Mr. Pero, who decided not to read the reports that past teachers had made of us until the night before the last day of school! This man said that in some cases he would have gleaned information that might have been helpful, but in many cases (and he looked right at ME!) he said that not to allow others opinions of his students to color his relationships with them throughout the year was more beneficial. HE WAS THE ONLY GRADE SCHOOL TEACHER I HAD WHO TREATED ME WITH RESPECT, COURTESY AND LOVE. ALL THE OTHERS WERE IMPATIENT, RUDE AND UNLOVING TOWARD ME. Why, I never quite understood, except that I have dyslexia and was a slow learner I guess.

I regret that I never had a chance to go back and thank him from the bottom of my heart, as fifth grade for me was a wonderful turning point in my life. I think I can safely say that the only person who had ever been as loving and kind to me was my beloved grandmother, Nana.

1. 2. My Bible and all my many spiritual books and devotionals and the special time I spend with God first thing each morning reading them and praying.

1. 3. My Scrabble Game. I play a game against myself every day or so, to help improve memory. My psychiatrist suggested this to help with my failing memory, and it does seem to be helping!

More later.

 

[Changing4Best]

"Joy is the characteristic by which God uses us to re-make the distressing into the desired, the discarded into the creative. Joy is prayer---joy is strength---joy is love---joy is the net of love by which you can catch souls".
Mother Teresa

I belong to another denomination, but I have read some of the saints of the Catholic church and I deeply respect them, so I wanted to share this one quote, as it seems to very nicely embody what we are up to here.

 

[a3a2]

Be still, and know that I am God'.

Pencil, one of my absolute favorite verses....I often think of Elijah on the mountain.

 

[Changing4Best]

"The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking".
From the tiny inspirational book entitled TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST by Robert H. Schuller

 

[Pencil]

TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST

I beg to differ ;) I've been going through a very difficult time for the last 6 years. I'm very close to the end of my tether.

 

[intothelight]

That's why we grab all the good moments we can! :)

 

[a3a2]

Love Mother Theresa, Shelia....can't stand Robert Schuller.

So enthused about my success in exercise yesterday, I did it again today. Pilates and weights. Felt good.

Other good things: My students have all increased their literacy test scores dramatically!!! My house is a little cleaner, and I worked in my garden. I did not hit a deer that pranced out in front of my vehicle.

Random act of kindness: This is a hard one for me, simply because I find that overall, I am a pretty kind person. Pretty much if I can help someone, I do. So it doesn't feel real random to me.

 

[Changing4Best]

I've been going through a very difficult time ... I'm very close to the end of my tether.

Oh Pencil, I'm so sorry! I hope and pray that the saying holds true for you too, even though you feel so discouraged. And I do pray and hope that this challenge helps you out of your situation too.

 

[Changing4Best]

May 17th, Day 11

1. 1. Nice lady in the PJs dept at Walmart. 2. I only have 4 meds to take at lunchtime (Breakfast and bedtime it is more like 7 each of those times). 3. Collages and photos of my birth family and spots I cleared away for them in my home so I can see them regularly.

2. At the grocery store I was having my usual chat with the bagger abut my dog when he asked me if his bagging was OK. (This is his way of reminding me that he knows I like my groceries double bagged, but is not allowed to do so unless I ask him to!). So of course I asked him to double bag, and then leaned over and whispered that I use the bags for picking up my dog's poop. He tried not to laugh. He did a great job of the deadpan expression, but there was a twinkly in his eyes. Then he triple bagged the next thing and we both burst out laughing hysterically. I LOVE to laugh!

3. Stretches, bends, physical therapy, weights, walking for a bit.

4. Headachy, but did the best I could.

5. There was a woman at Walmart who helped me out a number of times, giving me excellent directions to find whatever I needed in that HUGE store. I thanked her and told her that she'd been so helpful. She beamed and smiled and her face glowed!!!