The Way Out Is In

Sounds like your day was very good.

@Maelstrom1

tek stuff gets frustrating.

End Of Day 2 Accountability Check

• I got to bed on time last night ✔️
• Went for longer walk in rain first thing and did my mental rehearsal ✔️
• Had a green tea and meditated ✔️
• Took my dog for a walk in afternoon ✔️
• Completed a guided compassion meditation ✔️
• Ate cleanly ✔️ ️

I realise that my self care is mostly just healthy living and that the first week is just to establish momentum. I know that the first time through is the hardest. It is my task to grow comfortable with being uncomfortable, and that it is always better than I imagine. It is a practice of short term pain for long term gain and not the reverse. And I felt some of that today. Long term gain, that is. Snippets of stillness and peace, joy.

My heart-mind sometimes feels very shallow, filled up, numb. Small is large, large is small, all is effort. But with every well-lived day it does feel as if I have excavated some, that there is a little more space. I am always amazed how interrelated my body and mind are.

Hope everyone’s day had some happiness. Feel free to let me know if you don’t want to be tagged here, I won’t be offended

@Appleblossom, @Emelia8 ,@Clawde , @BPDSurvivor , @greenpea , @wellwellwellnez , @frog , @The-Hams , @ArtistZ @Daisydreamer @HenryX @LostAngel @Miss_BPD

Welcome to the forums @wild_rose @Danm

Good point about being comfortable to be uncomfortable. It's a good way to describe my mental health recovery. I had to work against what I'd naturally comfortably do...only then did I see growth.

@Maelstrom1

"The bigger the waves,

The better the surfing."

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End Of Day 3 Accountability Check

• I got to bed on time last night ✔
• Went for walk in rain first thing and did my mental rehearsal ✔
• Had a green tea and meditated ✔
• Did house chores & cooked for next few days ✔
• Completed a guided compassion meditation ✔
• Ate cleanly ✔

Day three of self care, and I can feel my mood brightening. There is more space in my head. Action is easier. I know there are storms ahead, I have been this way many times before.

This afternoon I sat with a green tea and for half-an-hour found I could just watch my thoughts and feelings go by without reacting to them (there were a lot about the SANE forums ) Sometimes I got caught up, but mostly I was able to be present with their physical sensations. I count this as a win.

@BPDSurvivor I have a few thoughts on being comfortable with being uncomfortable. I want to give you a considered reply. Coming soon.

Sending everyone some light and love. Usual disclaimer - feel free to let me know if you don’t want to be tagged here, I won’t be offended

@Appleblossom, @Emelia8 ,@Clawde , @greenpea , @wellwellwellnez , @frog , @The-Hams , @ArtistZ @Daisydreamer @HenryX @Judi9877 @Former-Member @Miss_BPD @LostAngel

Welcome to the forums @S98n @Bipolar1

End Of Day 4 Accountability

Hey all, nothing new to report, completed my non negotiables and didn't push myself on the 'nice to haves'. So instead I will make this another post on 'things Maelstrom likes' - which in this case is Doggy Daycare Farm Trips.

It is a farm north of sydney dedicated to giving dogs the 'best day of their lives'. Run by a veteran who is dealing with PTSD. I just wish I had known about them before my beloved Rotty passed away

@Appleblossom, @Emelia8 ,@Clawde , @greenpea , @wellwellwellnez , @frog , @The-Hams , @ArtistZ @Daisydreamer @HenryX @Judi9877 @Itsjustme1 @Miss_BPD @LostAngel @BPDSurvivor

https://youtu.be/HQzOji_4iCo

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We are riding a horse, we don't know where we are going, and we can't stop. The horse is our suffering pulling us along, and we are powerless. We are always running, and it has become a habit. We struggle all the time, even during our sleep. We are at war within ourselves, and we can easily start a war with others.

We have to learn the art of stopping — stopping our thinking, our habit energies, our forgetfulness, the strong emotions that rule us.

We need the energy of mindfulness to recognize and be present with our suffering in order to stop this course of destruction. With mindfulness, we have the capacity to recognize the suffering every time it manifests. "Hello, my suffering, I know you are there!"

If we just smile to it, it will lose much of its strength. Mindfulness is the energy that allows us to recognize our suffering and prevent it from dominating us. Our suffering is us, and we need to treat it with kindness and nonviolence. We need to embrace our fear, hatred, anguish, and anger.

My dear suffering, I know you are there. I am here for you, and I will take care of you." We stop running from our pain. With all our courage and tenderness, we recognize, acknowledge, and embrace it.

When we are truly present for our suffering, just sit with it, how it feels in both our body and mind, without judging it or trying to change it or to ‘fix it’; when we let our suffering exist for as long as it needs too without reaction, knowing that all things change, and that so too will this, then this can slowly help calm us, allow us to begin to rest and to heal.

Thich Nhat Hanh