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Just Sara A Bouquet for Pearls - share your appreciation for other members
  • replies: 715

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful word... View more

Every now and then, members share a beautiful Pearl of Wisdom. How often do you think to yourself; "OMG that's great! I wish everyone could see this." Presenting someone with a bunch of flowers is a generous way of acknowledging their insightful words. I hope this thread stays active through members giving out praise regularly to people they feel deserving, and therefore keep generosity of spirit alive within the pages of BeyondBlue Forum. My bunch of Red Roses (my choice) goes to Wishful for the following sentence; 'Personally, I see no reason to be praised in me, but I'm learning that seeing through the eyes of others can be more accurate!!' I so hear you Wishful. Just beautiful... Try to keep your leading comments short to focus on 'their' words. Choose specific flowers (or a gift if you like) to present to them. Sign off respectfully and sincerely. I hope this takes off... Spreading the love...Sara

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Mattmo72 Life in general & trying to find & be the "real" me
  • replies: 5

Hi & thanks for taking the time to read this ! I'll keep this short & to the point. Hoping to elaborate later... I have bee through sooo much & i'm still struggling with just "being me" I am currently working on what i feel to be my spiritual being i... View more

Hi & thanks for taking the time to read this ! I'll keep this short & to the point. Hoping to elaborate later... I have bee through sooo much & i'm still struggling with just "being me" I am currently working on what i feel to be my spiritual being in order to start fresh at life. I would just like to hear from anyone who has or is currently dealing with them self in a holistic way...Mind body & soul & would love to hear anyone's story on what was helpful. I am a christian to the core & beyond. 100% believing in the bible,GOD,JESUS & THE HOLY SPIRIT etc & am currently searching for more peace in my earthly realm for now. I know a pretty broad description of what is most probably an easy answer. I just need good peoples advice to help me along my journey. Thank you again for reading ! Any helpful advice about your experience in this thing called life would be greatly appreciated !

gld Strategies to overcome thing out of our control
  • replies: 2

Hi, Does anyone out there loss the plot when things happen that are out of our control. I feel i seem to escalate the situation. Take for example today, get feeling ok joking around and then something happen. I fall into a heap thinking what if i did... View more

Hi, Does anyone out there loss the plot when things happen that are out of our control. I feel i seem to escalate the situation. Take for example today, get feeling ok joking around and then something happen. I fall into a heap thinking what if i did this, start blaming anything and everything as this is happening i feel my day sinking fast. My better half took car to shops and on the way home had an accident, he is ok and it was out of his control but it was something i feel i could handled differently. It has taken all day to get over and has a big impact on our household so i am working on a different spin to get over it, looking for things that are good about it. He is not injured, the other car he hit did not have anyone in it and the car was a lemon anyway. Anyone got any ideas about ways to get over things that are out of our control to soften those negatives that bring you down or worsen the situation. Looking forward to people input. Gen

white knight Diagnosed? Get ready to work hard
  • replies: 7

We've heard it, we might have said it ourselves..."I'm on medication for that". Its like once we are diagnosed all the work is done, the tablet fixes all. But it doesnt. Then some would think, "I'm attending a psychiatrist...". That's it? Nope. Here ... View more

We've heard it, we might have said it ourselves..."I'm on medication for that". Its like once we are diagnosed all the work is done, the tablet fixes all. But it doesnt. Then some would think, "I'm attending a psychiatrist...". That's it? Nope. Here is a list I've compiled of other things I've chosen to do or compelled to do since my first diagnosis in 2003 Computer program "mood gym" relocation to the country to reduce stress 2nd diagnosis (2009) Diet (home grown vegies) and exercise review Constant review of med dosage Health plan 1, 5 and 10 year plans ridding toxic people from my life Research Group discussions Listening to observers of me Revamp finances Bought a pet Withdrew from committees Wrote short stories/poetry Açcept they'll be down days Ensured 8 hours minimum sleep Spiritual discovery Volunteer work. Helping others boosts confidence/feeling worthwhile All of the above collectively have assisted me in my progress of all diagnosed disorders bipolar2, dysthymia and depression but it wasnt easy at all. I continue to suffer the symptoms at a slowly reduced rate as incidences are reviewed like why outbursts occur, what triggers my depression and what I can do to help my situation. I dwell less on what l cannot do. I came to accept my incapabilities. Eg my poor short term memory. No point being disappointed over such an issue you cannot do anything about. Writing notes and using alarm on my mobile helps though But above all else the one thing that has at all times been my greatest asset...positivity and downloading such positivity into action...the latter as important as the former. Such drive came in 1982 and is detailed in the thread (google) Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue The power of positivity is amazing and the hard work well worth it. Discover yourself, reflect, study, treat your journey as a past time.. Read! Dont forget to love yourself. You are unique, like all humans you'll make mistakes just dont keep making the same ones. Care for your carer as best you can. Work hard and you will suffer a lot less... Tony WK

white knight Motivation.....search and rescue it.
  • replies: 6

I have always had quotes or short stories stuck in my head and pull them out when needed. Perhaps this is why I have bouts of positive thoughts? I've often wondered how I'd be if I didnt have them, life would be so much harder. One quote was from Kat... View more

I have always had quotes or short stories stuck in my head and pull them out when needed. Perhaps this is why I have bouts of positive thoughts? I've often wondered how I'd be if I didnt have them, life would be so much harder. One quote was from Kathy Watt, Australia's gold medalist of the early 1990's. She was asked how did she win that medal. "Well I was taught, to strive to get in the lead with 100% effort, then pull out another 10% so they cant catch you, then just as you are spent- another 10% and another. They cant catch you then." How do you "pull out another 10%" from your very best then another.? Because we are not aware of what our best is. We think we have done our best but there is more inside you than you'd ever think possible. Getting fit? Think you've done your very best at running distance? Well get a personal trainer and see how much more you can do. At 17yo I was unfit and over weight. I joined the RAAF in 1973 and for 3 months I was pushed and pushed. Seriously I thought it was the end of me. After 3 months I ran 30kms with a backpack, holding a rifle and did it in large boots. Amazing. But I had that drill corporal in my ear. The difficulty is motivating yourself.How do you dig up your inner strength to motivate yourself? I can only think of how I do it every now and then. I think of these feats people do that inspire me. Of course with depression sometimes I go a long time before I can put it back into practice. You know what I mean. Recently on TV Australia's gold medalists Ian Thorpe and Matthew Mitcham both separately had TV interviews about their struggles with depression. They both individually had another challenging issue and that was "coming out" over their sexuality. What inspiring young men. They succeeded to motivate themselves beyond imagination. Either of those interviews motivated me. What about you? Whether its just getting out of bed, don your runners,, keeping your social media idle until the end of the day, applying for double the job numbers compared to the previous week, cooking a meal for your partner....you can motivate yourself to do that extra 10% just like Kathy Watt did. Effort, 10% extra effort should be seen as an accomplishment- not the fact that you didnt succeed doing what other people do, only what you were capable of plus 10% and the next day 10% more. Maybe three steps forward and one step back. You would have searched and resuced your inner motivation. And you'll be worthy of a gold medal for effort.

Quiettall Music to help you get by
  • replies: 4

Good morning I was reading through and replying to some postings today, and have a range of different songs playing in the background to help me stay positive and strong. It got me thinking. What song or piece of music do you like to hear to help you... View more

Good morning I was reading through and replying to some postings today, and have a range of different songs playing in the background to help me stay positive and strong. It got me thinking. What song or piece of music do you like to hear to help you feel better, more positive or empowered, when you are anxious, depressed, or under the weather? For me, it is a mix, such as Pharrell Williams (Happy), or John LEnnon (Imagine) or Michael Buble (All of Me). Other days it might be Sara Bareilles (Brave) or Coldplay (A sky full of stars). What is your go-to song or piece of music, or band, or piece of poetry? I look forward to read the postings. It might also add to my growing Youtube clips (with lyrics) collection on my laptop.

saz88 How do people manage at work?
  • replies: 2

I'm starting a new job this week after my previous job wanted to say I was unfit for duty due to accessing too much leave. My new employer only provides the minimum of ten days sick leave per annum and I'm concerned as a sufferer I won't manage, what... View more

I'm starting a new job this week after my previous job wanted to say I was unfit for duty due to accessing too much leave. My new employer only provides the minimum of ten days sick leave per annum and I'm concerned as a sufferer I won't manage, what can I do to make sure my condition stays under control and I can stay well and not use sick leave. Howdy others hold down full time jobs

Steph_12345 Hilarious, embarrasing, and cheerful stories here...
  • replies: 2

I cracked up this morning. Long before I knew I had epilepsy, a primary school class was doing the game where a couple of students had to sit in front of the class; had the blackboard... (Yes, blackboards. I'm that old). behind them with the names of... View more

I cracked up this morning. Long before I knew I had epilepsy, a primary school class was doing the game where a couple of students had to sit in front of the class; had the blackboard... (Yes, blackboards. I'm that old). behind them with the names of famous people/ characters/ etc written. The students had to ask questions to guess the name of who was written behind them. Back then, I kept on laughing and said the names; how they were famous; how the character could (or couldn't) be guessed. Everyone sighed, and the teacher had to re-do names. BUT I didn't realise why the names had to be changed back then. Eventually, I was sent to the back of the class and wasn't involved in the game. I just remembered that day; realised why I 'got in trouble'; and I'm still giggling. It turns out I have gelastic epilepsy. Please share stories about others, to give those (like myself) a temporary break from depression.

white knight People, apples of empathy
  • replies: 7

Family and friends, we seem to tolerate some even though we dont get along. Imagine you work in an apple factory, your prime responsibility is to polish the apples then sort them. Rotten or bruised are put aside. The good ones are packed and sold. No... View more

Family and friends, we seem to tolerate some even though we dont get along. Imagine you work in an apple factory, your prime responsibility is to polish the apples then sort them. Rotten or bruised are put aside. The good ones are packed and sold. Not much difference in family's or friends. But many of us keep packaging the bad apples in our relationships. Why? There are a number of reasons. Fear might be at the top of the tree. Fear of alienation from others as they side with the other party. Fear that you wont find peace after the split. Fear you'll regret your decision. But you can still polish a rotten apple...just not place it in the box with the good ones. It means pigeon holing the person but not disowning them. This takes a few techniques and practice. You dont want to lie? Eg telling them you are away from your house when you are at home...and they drive by and see you car! And you dont want to be evasive as it could be obvious. What do you do? What about the truth? ...with a little tact. You have depression. You know through reading threads here that 80% or more people wont understand your condition. Based on that you are not responsible for educating that 4 in 5 people. Thats for them to learn! Try these comments - by all means drop in but if I'm asleep I might not answer the door - I'm sorry, I'd love to keep chatting but l have to catch up with my auntie I dont like too much controversy, so I'll leave you with that problem between you and our uncle. If pushed harder say - you have the choice to sort it out directly please dont include me. - I love your passion but that issue is too close to home. One technique is to ask a question with a question. Putting it back on them works. "You dont answer you door"...with "how do I answer the door when I'm sleeping". That will prompt questions of your wellness and that is education. So, you have no fear in being truthful. You arent lying. You arent offensive. Mind you, any words can be chosen to be offensive. But that is their choice. Be nice, it costs nothing. Mental illness demands a life of tranquility, as close as you can get to it considering your lifestyle. That will mean not putting those bad apples in the box for sale. But polish them and carefully slide them down the shute towards their own kind. Your life has to be a box of good apples. Google- Topic: fortress of survival- beyondblue Surrounded yourself with loved ones with empathy and live in peace. Tony WK

Elizabeth CP Fight flight or freeze When to use these to manage stress more effectively
  • replies: 6

I spoke to my psych about a couple of situations I had on my recent holiday where things went wrong & I felt I didn't handle the stress effectively. I wanted ideas of strategies to use to be more effective in the future. He brought up the concept of ... View more

I spoke to my psych about a couple of situations I had on my recent holiday where things went wrong & I felt I didn't handle the stress effectively. I wanted ideas of strategies to use to be more effective in the future. He brought up the concept of fight, flight & freeze which has got me thinking. I wanted to share my thoughts & get others ideas. In both situations I became so overwhelmed I couldn't cope & ended up giving up & leaving. This left me feeling bad & led to strong physiological symptoms of stress including headache & digestive upset. His first suggestion was to stop & take slow deep breathes to regain some feeling of calm. This is the freeze stage allowing time to regroup & try to calm down. He then said given the situation walking away (flight) was wise. My ability to cope in the circumstances was not realistic. He suggested rather than seeing flight as a failure I use it in a positive way & use the stress hormones raging through my body to push myself to walk (I don't run) as fast as possible deliberately using my arms & legs to power walk until I reach a place where I can feel comfortable. The advantage s are I get to a better place quicker, I release or use all the stress hormones thus preventing them from causing long term harm and I feel more in control & it stops the negative self talk. Perhaps my future approach to stressful situations "should be: First - Freeze'' In other words stop & take slow deep breathes to allow time to make more rational decisions. Second- Fight'' -if appropriate. In this context this means doing whatever is needed to deal with the situation & fix it rather than just giving in. Third- Flight If the situation is too stressful or overwhelming & I can't see any way of 'fighting'(fixing the problem) Then deliberately leave using power walking or other physical activity to release the stress hormones until feeling calmer. Another option my grandmother used to use was to throw jam jars into the bin as hard as possible to release anger. Other people might punch a punching bag, dig the garden, or any other physical activity. What do others think? I see fight as the p

Charli76 A "NEWBIE" with a "Possible Helpful Tip!"😬
  • replies: 16

Hi Everyone xx Im new to this forum & hesitant about voicing my story.. BUT, in saying that. I understand that by 'helping others', I may help myself today. Ive been told by 'professionals' that "IF" YOU can get through this hour, you'll be ok! Then ... View more

Hi Everyone xx Im new to this forum & hesitant about voicing my story.. BUT, in saying that. I understand that by 'helping others', I may help myself today. Ive been told by 'professionals' that "IF" YOU can get through this hour, you'll be ok! Then try the next & so on!! At first I thought!! "Are you kidding ME!!" But, I DO try this! BUT have broken it down to be "MORE" achievable & 'specific' to my needs.. AND it "CAN HELP!" Most of the time, but unfortunately 'not always!' This HELPS 'NOT' just when I'm very LOW but to 'slow my mind' so I can concentrate sometimes. An HOUR is "WAY TOO LONG" for me!! SO INSTEAD, I "Set a Timer" on my phone for 5 minutes!! IN that 5 minutes! I TRY to "FOCUS" on "WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!!" For example: Put a load of washing on or making breakfast.. Simple things that are 'easy' for most people but "EXTREMELY HARD" for some!! If I need to Stop "AFTER" the timer has gone off, I give myself a break. ( Although it's usually only around 10 minutes break!) . I have "NO NEED" to feel "GUILTY" if I do, because "I ACHIEVED MY FIRST GOAL!!" BUT ACHIEVING THAT GOAL!! It Makes me feel like if I 'Try Again" I CAN GO FURTHER!! THAN, I set another timer!! IF I managed those first 5 Minutes!! "WITHOUT!" Needing the break "AFTERWARDS" I'll "INCREASE" the Timer to 10 minutes!!! AND So on!! For ME, it's about "Pushing myself" "Slowly" & on "MY CAPABILITIES" "NOT" what anyone else says "I SHOULD" be able to do!! I sincerely hope this helps someone xx