30 seconds of survival during tough times: what is yours today?

[Peppermintbach]

Hi everyone,

I have a little survival idea that want to run by you all:

I’m not asking for 30 hours or even 30 minutes. I’m only asking:

If you have been going through a hard time or struggling with something (whatever that may be) what were 30 seconds of respite, reprieve or relief that you experienced today? What were you doing in those 30 seconds?

You can write as often as you like or as infrequently as you like. It also doesn’t have to be 30 seconds either. That’s just a number that I chose, because I thought it would be doable for most people. It can be more or less than 30 seconds of survival.

I would love to hear from you 🙂

I’ll start:

On my way to work, I spotted some Christmas decorations, and instantly thought “oh, that’s so pretty!”

30 seconds of relief from my troubles. 30 seconds of survival.

Background/inspiration for this thread:

I was inspired by a book that I’ve been reading. It’s based on real life events where a woman lost her husband unexpectedly, and was left both a widow & single parent overnight.

As you can imagine, she struggled with immense grief and loss, and was unsure when she would be able to see beyond it...reminders of him were everywhere, and she wasn’t sure when the pain would ever subside.

But during a work meeting, while giving a presentation (or maybe she was chairing a meeting?), in that brief period, she forgot about her loss as she was immersed in her work. Sure, of course, her grief returned (as it often does). But in that brief moment, she felt a sense of “normalcy”, if there ever was such a thing.

Okay, so maybe work won’t be your “thing” and maybe it’s not grief that you’re struggling with. Maybe it’s something else (that’s okay and valid).

What I’m getting at is recognising our capacity to survive by recalling brief moments of survival. It all adds up...

Moments when either your pain, heartbreak, loss, disappointment (whatever you’re going through) was temporarily forgotten or even subsided a little. Moments, however fleeting but nonetheless important, of survival 🙂

[Birdy77]

Hello Pepper and Everyone ❤

My 30 seconds today was reading Phoebe's story of connecting with the beautiful thinking, feeling animal in the field at the bottom of her lane, and the pleasure that the interaction brought him and Phoebe.

Just as you relived it later, in the dark, Phoebe, (grinning away, feeling that glow in your heart and soul) he may have done the same thing. They have memories, and feel joy. You gave him this gift and he gave it to you ❤

Your story took me right there, and i have tears now, thinking of it, his beautiful straight teeth when he smiled at you! his long slobbery kiss on your hand and wrist! him ducking his head for more pats 🥰🥰🥰

Thank you for sharing.

Really special.

🌻birdy

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Birdy,

He is the ‘Little White Bull’ 🙂

Going to see if he is in the paddock/field this morning.

It is indeed special when creatures offer us a little connection...feels so good ❤️

[PhoebeWings]

‘we might still be able to feel pleasant emotions, but it’s not as rich as it could be...’

Isn’t that so true?

You are so right, the practice of feeling our more painful emotions in ‘stillness’ is healing and it seems the emotions and feelings that are enriching and ‘glowing’ are then enabled to come through?

But, it seems to me there is a right time in our lives to sit with the bad stuff, in the way you’ve described.

Sometimes we seem to have no choice but to batten down the hatches and function, even if it’s in an impaired way.

I just wish I could have found the space and time to face this when I was younger 🙂❤️

[Gambit87]

Hi Everyone!

My 30 seconds was sitting on a beach looking at the stars just relaxing with my partner.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

As you know, I like to thank people because I think it’s important to never take people for granted. I think it’s important to regularly remind people that they matter.

With that in mind...thank you all for being here in whatever capacity works for you, whether that‘s reading &/or writing.

Everyone is welcome to share your 30 seconds of relief & respite. More or less than 30 sec is absolutely okay 😉

Beautiful birdy: I smiled when I read how Phoebe’s precious moment gave you joy & relief yesterday .

Of course you immediately picked up on her connection with the affectionate bull. Their bond clearly moved you...

You have a very big heart, & I love how your vast love & empathy meant you felt so deeeply for Phoebe and her connection with Little White Bull xoxox

Phoebe: Yes, I agree that there’s a time & place for everything.

Sometimes I think we just aren’t ready to sit with our feelings, & that’s okay...I feel it’s a lifelong process that can’t be rushed.

Also, I think sometimes breaks from sitting with our feelings are okay too. Sometimes we need them 😉

It’s still a learning process for me. But I’ve found the more that I can sit with painful emotions, the greater the capacity I have to feel all emotions.

It feels almost like an emotional awakening...everything feels more electric. Livelier, more intense...yes, it means I hurt more, but it also means the more pleasant moments are richer too.

In the past, most things felt dull & lacklustre. When I tried to avoid the difficult emotions, I also lost most of my ability to feel pleasant emotions in its fullness too...

So, I suppose, upon reflection, my (more than) 30 seconds of relief today is my moment of personal clarity.

I understand, for me, a rich life is one where I can feel emotions in all its intensity (pleasant & unpleasant), consistently nurture & show up for meaningful connections/relationships, & appreciating impermanence and the natural world 🙂

Gambit: I love how you share so many beautiful moments with your loved ones. How you nurture your relationship with your partner & your parents. That is a rich life to me 🙂

Admiring the stars at the beach with someone you love? Beautiful. That is a special moment.

Thank you all for sharing and reading...

Pepper

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Gambit,

Perfect 🙂

That’s surely what it’s all about.

We belong 🌸

[PhoebeWings]

Birdy,

Have been thinking about your post all day, in between daily life and things.

I feel really touched that you ‘got the moment’ as it was for me and my little bull ( who has had his wee dangly bits removed) but he still keeps a sense of humour.

I named him a little while ago - and he got used to the name calling with the giving of food 😂

Sorry everyone, dont mean to overfill this thread with my story - but Birdy, just wanted to really, really say how much your words and understanding meant to me.

More glow. 🌸

More lovely glow 🌼

[Gambit87]

Hi Pepper, Phoebe and everyone!

Thank you for your kind words! Long story short - There was a long time where I didn't really hold myself in high regard and that I was undeserving. I'm slowing coming to terms with the idea I am deserving and im allowed to be happy.

These moments puts a smile on my face, make me happy and I cherish them.

My 30 seconds yesterday was taking a road trip with my partner to a dam to try and find (and take photos) of fairy wrens. We wern't very hopeful but amazingly they were out! we sat amongest the wrens and i managed to take a few pictures. It was a beautiful afternoon.

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Gambit,

What a lovely way to spend your day!

And you must be feeling a sense of hope and being, knowing that you can enjoy and treasure those simple gifts of life, like the stars and fairy wrens 🌸

I’ll look forward to hearing more special moments from you and everyone else 💐

[Guest_1643]

Hi, such lovely posts, fairy wrens sound so cool!! I love to hear about everyone's hobbies. Thank you pepper for sending support to me last week. You are really nice to keep the thread going and respond to all our moments. Today i'm thankful for seein my therapist, who had a nice and welcoming smile for me.