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 🙂

[Padfoot02]

Hi everyone!
If you haven't guessed yet, this is my first time posting to this forum. I have no idea what I'm doing here but frick it. Just for a wee bit of context, I'm 17 turning 18 this year, parents yeeted their relationship on new years eve of 2018 (Dec 31 of that year) and I've had depression longer than I realise (according to my shrink). But, one of my favourite "coping" methods is MUSIC. As I'm writing this I'm listening to My Chemical Romance and procrastinating some English work that's due in the morning. I also have a band which I'm trying to write a WHOLE album for, it's a concept album sorta like American Idiot but more about my life and it's downfall which is just GREAT for my mental health XD. But ah well, She'll be right. I can't wait to be a part of this community.
Thanks- Padfoot 😄

[Gambit87]

Hi Everyone,

I'm all about enjoying the little/simple things in life.

my 30 seconds was during my taekwondo training yesterday - I was asked to give the korean meaning for a particular move - and it came out almost flawlessly (had to think for a second or 2) and my korean is terrible haha.

[Birdy77]

Dear Pepper and every lovely person here 😊

Sharing our different moments of solace is such a beautiful thing, as we can each grow and expand each other's "glow" or peace in our own lives.

I hope this is ok i just wanted to respond to

***Phoebe***

Thank you so much for your beautiful post.

I wanted to share how your story has reached further into my heart since the other day.

After reading about your Little White Bull, the next morning (and each morning after that) i have listened to a meditation by Tara Brach called Open Hearted Presence.

In it she says:

"Our minds and bodies are most comforted & quiet most naturally when there's a quality of benevolence, of kindness, an atmosphere of caring - & you can invoke that with the image of a smile ... the receptivity and openness of a smile ... warm and inviting ...imagine that your mind is filled with the warmth and receptivity of a smile".

I could not help, each time as i listen to those words, but conjure the imagine of your Little White Bull, with his amazing straight teeth!! I can't help but smile just thinking of him! And i haven't even met him!

Thank you so much, and please, will you give him an extra, extra warm and loving pat on my behalf and tell him he has spread love into the world by being his beautiful, beautiful self (and so have you).

❤❤

🌻birdy

[Peppermintbach]

Hi lovely people,

Thank you so much for being here. It’s hopeful, moving, & inspiring to read about your special moments. Reading along is welcome too 🙂

Everyone is welcome to share their 30 seconds (more or less is good too) of relief & despite.

Phoebe: thank you so much for your insights & contributions to this thread. It’s lovely to have you here with us.

I’m happy you and birdy are connecting over your beautiful Little White Bull & moment of glow.

Really special. Thank you so much 🙂

Gambit: thank you to you too. What a revelation. Yes, you are of course “deserving”, & I’m very happy that you’ve to come realise that.

It sounds as though you had a beautiful afternoon with your partner. What a lovely surprise to be able to find the fairy wrens. Nature is sometimes full of unexpected gifts & surprises 😉

I love how committed you are to your taekwondo training. Your efforts to learn another language is also admirable, & possibly starting to pay off too. Well done!

Sleepy: I’m moved & thank you for the very supportive & encouraging words to me. Also, it’s an absolute honour to be able to offer some small support to you 🙂

Your therapist sounds like an incredible professional support person in your life. Being able to unload & receive support in a safe environment can make an enormous difference. Good on you for committing to therapy.

Padfoot: a very caring & warm welcome to you here 🙂 It’s lovely to have you on board with us...thank you so much for your post.

I feel you have obviously been having a rough time. So much change & upheaval in your life...but I’m glad you find expression & relief in music.

I love your ambitions to write an album for your band. I think pain that can be expressed through art (music, painting, sculptures, plays, etc) is a release that shouldn’t be underestimated. It can be very powerful...

All the best with your English assessment too...

birdy: lovely friend, I’m happy that Phoebe’s moment with Little White Bull has had such a profound effect on you. You clearly connected with her emotions & that moment. Beautiful 🙂

I feel it has created a special shift in your mood & perception. I love how you connect so deeply with kindness, compassion & animals xoxox

Thank you all for reading along & contributing...

Kindness & care,

Pepper

[Padfoot02]

Hi, Peppermint and everyone here.

So my stress-relief or whatever you want to call it for today was cadets. I'm going into my fourth and final year and will probably be leaving as a lance corporal and the quartermaster of my town, only making it to lance is slightly annoying because one of the corporals was promoted out of pity, but I digress. My night was also topped off by your messages and reading the new ones since I posted. I'm glad I joined this community :D. So some more context relating to my album. I haven't got a title for it yet but I've got titles and themes for most of the tracks on it. One of the titles was changed this morning because it was originally about some really immature stuff and that isn't the image I want for my band. So the title of that song is going to be 'Army of Bones' which is going to be fun to write the album around. If I could include images I'd show you all my super weird writing method, but alas, I can't XD. Anyhoo, I can't wait to see you all again tomorrow, I hope you all have/had an amazing Thursday XD.

From Padfoot 😄

[Gambit87]

My 30 seconds yesterday was relaxing at one of my favourite small bars with a lemon lime and bitters when rain dashed my park walk haha.

[monkey_magic]

My 30 SEC of survival was being read and handed a support letter better than I could have imagined from my legendary doctor to challenge the mental health team.

This means so much to me.

[PhoebeWings]

Hi Pepper,

Bless you for your constant encouragement to all.

Biggest bunch of wildflowers to you straight from a gentle meadow and a ‘moooooooooooo’ from my little Bull 😎

[PhoebeWings]

Hallo lovely Birdy!

This has been such a delightful exchange for me, to read your personal responses re our little White Bull.

I’ll be following up on Tara Brach.

I’ve just come up for air after an unexpected hectic two days, but have still had time to nip down to the fields and call out for our sweet animal friend, with some juicy carrots in hand and pats and scratches, with you in mind 🙂

His teeth are so straight, I suspect he wore braces when younger. 😉

[Gambit87]

I'm in a bit of a rough patch and feeling down at the moment.

I have 2 moments Id like to share

1 - playing poker last night. the laughter, the banter and the friendliness of my poker friends was heart warming.

2 - I got home from poker and I was talking to my girlfriend about how I feel and she said 'its going to be ok, you'll get through this I love you no matter what'

I almost cried.