topic ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION in Staying well

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 03:53:16 GMT

Hi All,

It is not always easy to feel motivated or inspired to do anything when you are feeling deeply depressed or when suffering from some other mental health issues.

I'd like people to use this thread to share ideas/thoughts/quotes/poems on how you manage to motivate, inspire and encourage yourself to do things when it all feels just too hard to even try.

Who of you remember that song/story about the little train that kept saying "I think I can! I think I can!" as it climbed up a steep hill? Sometimes I need to tell myself the same thing: "I think I can!" If I start thinking "there is no way I can do that, then I won't even attempt to make an effort.

Hopefully others will post ideas and thoughts here that may be very beneficial to others.

Cheers all from Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

white knight — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 07:14:38 GMT

Hi Mrs Dools,

I have a good friend of my sisters that motivates me just by being himself. He is a teacher mainly for those whom are unemployed.

Often one of his "clients" will say..."I cant be motivated to get work". My sisters friend has MS and is in a wheelchair. He always replies "Don't tell me you cant work....if I can get work then so can you". This wonderful man has just married his love of his life and has two children to him.

It's not what you cant do...its what you can do.

Tony WK

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Agnetha — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 08:20:55 GMT

My father say to me "If you try hard , you go to heaven, if you lazy you go to Hell, if you in between you go to purgatory". This help me a little.

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Elizabeth CP — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 10:18:05 GMT

Last time I saw my psychiatrist we discussed some very negative experiences from my past which have had long term impact. At the end he asked me to identify any positives from the experience. He explained that no matter how bad an experience you will learn something from it. Being forced/encouraged to think of something positive helped to change my perspective. While writing those positives each night I felt more hopeful & motivated but when I became tired and too busy to do it I fell apart. I guess evidence of how looking at the positives is inspiring while doing it!!!

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

geoff — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 19:48:14 GMT

dear Mrs. Dool, this is such a great post to begin with, because there is much meaning to what you have said, and it could
be said knowing that you maybe needing this to get you inspired once again.
This may also be needed to for any of us time after time, especially after having a relapse.
There was a song I loved to listen to and still do, it's by Whitney Houston, and it's called 'The greatest Love of All',
which did make me feel sad or perhaps lost, but after listening to it several times, I could then make me realise or what
it did was to wake myself up and know that life still exists, even though you may not be able to get what you wanted, but
that I had to keep on working just as I was before, this may sound to be silly, and perhaps it doesn't work for
everyone.
There are so many issues we all hope that we could have, but can't, but does that mean we have to stop idiolising about
what it would feel like to have what we dream about, not really, it's a game we play against ourselves, so we can even
dream when we are awake, wishful thinking.
Sometimes our confidence is not strong enough to carry through with what we are trying to do, so by someone telling
us that we are very capable could just be the jolt we need to keep going, and that's why we all need support in one way
or another.
You know when we are suffering from depression we tend to close ranks, and can't possibly believe what we have been
told by someone, but later on and in hindsight what they have said could have been true. Geoff. x

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 03:29:08 GMT

Hi Tony,

Some people are truly amazing aren't they! Their motivation despite any so called handicap is incredible!

Your last comment about concentrating on what you can do instead of what you can not do is so very true!

I have just had a lady here chatting with me about just that. I have been frustrated by my lack of availability and expertise in the Country Fire Service. This lady made me realise how important the small things I do for this organisation really are.

So I don't get to fight the fires, due to work responsibilities, but when available I do have the ability to help wash the trucks and restock them.

I can be the best truck washer I want to be if I put my mind to it!

From Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 03:34:16 GMT

Hi Agnetha,

Thanks for sharing these wonderful, insightful words from your Father.

I have a belief in God and my faith helps me to follow along the principles of what your Father has said.

Many people find inspiration, motivation and encouragement through their faith and religious beliefs.

It is wonderful you have joined in this thread!

Hope you feel encouraged by being connect to the community here!

Cheers, from Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 03:40:40 GMT

Hi Elizabeth,

Looking at the positives in life really is so important! Life can feel so overwhelming or depressing at times, but if we try hard enough, we will find the good in nearly everything.

Recently my tyre blew out while I was overtaking a car doing about 100 km/p/h. I was not far from home so called my husband to help me change the tyre. When he arrived he stated that I really was having a bad day.

I told him not at all! The car had swerved all over the road when the tyre blew but I was able to pull over safely.

I did not run into the truck on the other side of the road. I was fine. The car was fine. I just had a blown tyre.

Yes, the tyre needed to be replaced, but thankfully I also had the money for that and other minor repairs that needed doing.

At times it is hard to find the silver lining, but it is there if we look hard enough.

Cheers, from Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 03:46:06 GMT

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for your wonderful words! So much of what you have written has resonated with me. CONFIDENCE, now that is something I would like more of in many situations!

For now, I need to encourage myself and recognise the times when I am confident and to build on those moments.

Lately, I have been reading a few posts where people seem to feel lost, confused, unmotivated and stuck in a rut.

I am hoping that by people sharing here, they can help others to find and see there are ways of doing things that will help you get your motivation back.

Thanks for your kind and insightful words once again Geoff. Cheers from Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Guest_1055 — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 06:18:02 GMT

Hello to all

Sometimes I find it a challenge to keep going. And I just want to fall into a heap and sob and sob.

But I think one of the things that motivates me is love. Love used in such a way that it leads you out somehow. Like sometimes I do struggle to even prepare dinner for others. Then you think well you love that person, so you make a choice to prepare the dinner, and it is like the love is leading you or motivating you to cook it for them. Or if you doggie needs or wants a walk, you decide to take him or her, because love is motivating you to.... Love for your doggie.

Receiving a hug, often encourages me to keep living, because you feel like you matter to someone. But I guess that is love again????

Sometimes just hanging out with someone that is positive, can encourage me. Nursing babies and playing with toddlers on the floor also encourages me, because they are so uncomplicated and they are real. They don't wear masks. They perceive life just so more simple like. Love it... Anyway that is just a few of my thoughts.

Shell xx

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Agnetha — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:55:54 GMT

Doolhof

your post is nice so I am thinking you are nice lady too, thank you

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Kazzl — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:44:25 GMT

Great thread Mrs Dools! I'm inspired just reading it.

I want to comment on something Geoff said| 'it's a game we play against ourselves'. Geoff my friend you have absolutely nailed it for me. It took me a very long time to realise that I often sabotage myself. Or, should I say, that depression (and previously drinking) sabotage me if I allow them to. They make me avoid important things in life, or they create unrealistic expectations, or constant self-doubt. Thank you for putting it so well.

Love this thread!

Kaz

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 07:11:30 GMT

Hi Agnetha,

Thanks for your kind comment.

Everyone,

We all have the opportunity to be ourselves here, to encourage each other, share how we are feeling honestly and to think of ways that we can help each other.

Have any of you watched "The Voice?" I really like that show as the contestants get to be on stage without the judges/mentors having any idea what they look like. They are there, doing the best they can, having a go.

All of us here are the same. It does not matter if we are one of the top 10 most beautiful people in the world, we are here because we care, because we need help, or this space fits in well with where we are at right now.

MOTIVATION... don't wait until the perfect moment to try something new, try it now!

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 07:21:25 GMT

I've been looking up some little nuggets of inspiration for this thread.

I will share some of them with you all now.

One I really liked was "Be a doer and not a stewer". That makes so much sense to me. How many times do I think this or that is going to go wrong so why even bother to try to do it in the first place. Why think about what might go wrong or about what has gone wrong in the past!

It is worth starting something and see how far I can get with that. Maybe stuff has not worked out in the past, I can learn from those mistakes or disappointments and just consider them as opportunities to learn!

An example: My parent's were coming to visit. I baked them a cake. The darn thing didn't come out of the cake tin in one piece, so I served it up with jam and custard instead and my Dad loved it! It didn't work out as a cake so I re-invented it!

Instead of concentrating on the cake being a failure, I decided to do something about it.

Worrying and stewing over something makes me feel so drained! Next time I will try to think of this saying!

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Elizabeth CP — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 08:55:21 GMT

I used to feel pressured when anyone asked me to do something and usually said yes but resented it & felt bad for not being assertive or I would say no and then felt guilty. After discussion with my psych I changed my approach. Rather than giving an answer immediately I allowed myself time to think & asked the question which answer is consistent with my values and why. I didn't allow it to become a long process. Once my decision was made whenever I started questioning myself I reminded myself why I had chosen to do the task or not. This helped quieten the negative chatter in my head and encouraged me to keep going if I had agreed to something which was difficult or inconvenient. Feeling in control of my choices really helped.

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:02:17 GMT

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for sharing this. Yes, it can be very powerful, comforting and self caring to be able to say yes or no, and if it is no, then to be able to stick to that decision and not be made to feel guilty for your choice.

On GUILT, I have heard it said that no one can make you feel GUILTY as it is a feeling that is inside of you and your reaction to what has been said or done!

Cheers from Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Doolhof — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:05:00 GMT

Hi All,

I saw this gem on FACEBOOK. I couldn't work out the source of the message as I couldn't read the small print.

Dear Universe,

I am totally open to some awesomeness coming my way!

I am sure a lot of us could add peace, comfort and healing to that!

Cheers all from Dools

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Agnetha — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 23:12:19 GMT

If at first you don't succeed, have a short rest then try again, then if you don't succeed a second time, have a longer rest, then try again, if you don't succeed a third time, better to have a rethink "am I doing this right?". There is more than one way to skin a rabbit.

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Elizabeth CP — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 20:55:13 GMT

Great advice Agnatha. On a similar note I heard a discussion on resilience. When faced with adversity we need to do our best to cope with it. If we succeed great but if we fail we need to lick our wounds & then get back up & try again. We need to be prepared to risk failure & learn to be kind to ourselves when we fail so we don't remain stuck.

ENCOURAGEMENT INSPIRATION MOTIVATION

Elizabeth CP — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:04:55 GMT

My 5 yr old grandson arrived home with a large scab on his forehead after being knocked over " school. He admitted the boys didn't mean to hurt him. My daughter advised him to politely ask them not to push him any more because 'he doesn't like it'. There is a lesson for us in this. When we are hurt by something someone says & does by assuming they didn't mean to hurt us takes away the emotional sting which occurs when we assume the person wanted to hurt us. Being politely assertive in asking the person to change & explaining how it hurt us allows them to change so our needs are met. Obviously serious attacks & repeat offences are a different situation.