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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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sashamentalhealth Self-care before caring for others
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, just thought i would post about what worked for me when caring for someone who is undergoing mental challenges. I took care of some of my loved ones when they were mentally struggling. I did not realise this took such a toll on me until ... View more

Hi everyone, just thought i would post about what worked for me when caring for someone who is undergoing mental challenges. I took care of some of my loved ones when they were mentally struggling. I did not realise this took such a toll on me until i found myself always feeling empty and overwhelmed. i felt guilty when i experienced these emotions as i felt like it was my duty to always be okay to help. i started ignoring the signs that i was also struggling and ignored self-care and self-prioritising for quite a while. this ended badly as i was suppressing my emotions to the point that i had a huge breakdown after a couple of months prioritising others over myself. i realised that i couldnt continue ignoring my own needs if i also wanted to help other people. i started to engage in at least 2 hours a day to do the things i loved like exercising or drawing, i ensured that i got enough sleep, and that i would also process my own emotions that involved emotions from my own problems as well as those stemming from trying to help other people. i know that its easier said than done to help yourself before you help others, but starting with something small like allocating a number of hours to check in on yourself goes a long way.

sashamentalhealth Release your emotions through exercising!
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone! Just thought that I would share my personal experience and what helped me to process my emotions and symptoms which i have found to be very effective for me. Of course everyone is different and what worked for me may not work for everyon... View more

Hi everyone! Just thought that I would share my personal experience and what helped me to process my emotions and symptoms which i have found to be very effective for me. Of course everyone is different and what worked for me may not work for everyone, but just thought that i would share in case anyone needs it! i have been boxing for 4 years now. i started to box due to the intense emotions that i was feeling and felt lost as to where i can release them. it started out as a simple way for me to get through the day but as i kept on going, i found it to be exceptionally helpful in managing intense emotions like anger. i also bonded with people and found a great community as an added bonus. The combination of being active, having a place to channel my emotions, and having a great support system really helped me for years which is why i continue doing it! i have also found that going to the gym and having a regular routine for it really helped me in being more active and getting things out of my head. it has been my coping mechanism for years now and has allowed me to feel better when i feel like things are getting out of hand. despite the success both exercises have given me, i still had days where i felt like everything was too much and this is completely okay! what matters is the effort you put in to engaging in self-care. i hope this was useful for anyone who might need it

serendipity22 Laughter Clubs are fun
  • replies: 5

A while back I contacted BB and suggested some members might enjoy participating in laughter sessions. They suggested I join the forums, so here I am. Laughter clubs were started in India in 1995 by Madan Katari, a medical doctor. They were designed ... View more

A while back I contacted BB and suggested some members might enjoy participating in laughter sessions. They suggested I join the forums, so here I am. Laughter clubs were started in India in 1995 by Madan Katari, a medical doctor. They were designed for health and well-being. Now there are thousands of clubs in hundreds of countries. I have been going for more than 20 years in Melbourne and now Adelaide. A typical session is about 30-40 minutes and is outdoor in a park or perhaps on a beach. Venues include shelter in case it rains. A session involves sunshine, fresh air, exercise, connection and even laughter. We don't do jokes. Instead, we act in a playful way. There are hundreds of different laughs to draw from, interspersed with chanting and clapping.Ho Ho, Ha Ha Ha, very good, very good, Yah! You could find nearby club locations by googling laughter yoga Australia. Some sessions use Zoom. Sessions are usually free or a gold coin donation. Afterwards some people have a chat or go to a coffee shop etc. I have made some great friendships at laughter club. Going may be a little daunting at first, but after about 2 sessions you get used to it. I read Julia Gillard said there is nothing better than a good belly laugh and she is right.

white knight Tolerating people
  • replies: 24

It is kind of selfish that subject heading but we do often worry about others tolerating us. If you guys ever want to avoid people then drive a bland car, dont take a dog with you and cross the street when others approach. Seriously, I dont do any of... View more

It is kind of selfish that subject heading but we do often worry about others tolerating us. If you guys ever want to avoid people then drive a bland car, dont take a dog with you and cross the street when others approach. Seriously, I dont do any of that, I drive an attractive vintage car and we tow our unique and also attractive homemade caravan. This, when on holidays means bees to honey. So whats my problem? Small talk. I dont drive our rig to get attention, we drive it because we love driving it and staying in our van. So trying to relax for an afternoon nap is nye impossible. Knock knock. Same questions..."Is it an MG"? "What engine's in it...does it tow alright?...a mate of mine has a....well I forget what it is but. .." So, Ive tried parking/camping in the most away position, put a car cover on but the shape you cant hide. Every second visitor rambles on for 20-45 minutes...same questions, same answers. I accept my bipolar tolerance/moods is the problem, no running away from that. But Ive run out of ideas and being an ideas man that doesnt sit right. Its also the case with meeting anyone that talks small talk. If a fellow talks engineering with engines or say aircraft development I'm glued with interest as I find it stimulating...I like learning. If however a he is talking about his grandchilds birthday party how he couldnt blow out all the candles...I'm itching to run away. My dear wife isnt a social creature preferring our own quiet company so its not like I've got her as a distraction for these chatterboxes. So self aware of this problem I have, when I approach someone about there own car or motorhome I only do so to ask specific questions and limit them to say 5-10 minutes. But that's the considerate Tony and that doesnt mean I'm better or more correct than others. Finally, some people use a talking point to actually tell you their life story. The last thing I'd do is be rude however, so I just fume inside. I just cant tolerate small talk for longer than a minute or two. Anyone else feel the same?. What do you do about it? I feel its a case of "been there done that". In my 61 years Ive jammed in 90 jobs and 15 professions. Etc etc Tony WK

white knight Meditation - words of wisdom - it helped me for 25 years
  • replies: 11

I'm an atheist with a healthy respect for peoples choice for their own religious beliefs. I then tend to slowly move away when anyone starts to talk religion so as not to offend. However 25 years ago a then neighbour lent me a tape of a man named PRE... View more

I'm an atheist with a healthy respect for peoples choice for their own religious beliefs. I then tend to slowly move away when anyone starts to talk religion so as not to offend. However 25 years ago a then neighbour lent me a tape of a man named PREM RAWAT....also known as Maharaji. He asked me to listen to this tape alone and when wanting peace in my life.I listened and the tears never stopped from the beginning to the end. It was and still is the most beautiful piece of music and words I've ever heard.The story of Maharaji as was told to me 25 years ago was: that at 9 years old he attended a funeral where hundreds of people gathered to mourn the death of an elder. In his confusion this boy climbed a tall fence and yelled at all the mourners to stop weeping and instead to rejoice in the elders death,and his achievements. He began to make an impact on his society. At 13 years old there are some youtube film of him addressing audiences...his fame was rapidly accelerating. At around 40 years old he was flying his own Learjet around the world spreading his messages.There may well be a religious foundation to his movement. For me it doesnt matter. I am in awe of his words and Youtube messages and dont intend on pursuing his movement as an official follower. In one of his messages he mentions things like queues, forms to fill out and other stressful modern chores. He puts things into perspective. He gives you the listener the opportunity to reconsider your place in the world, your own presence, appreciating your worth.In one tape I heard, he explained how you have a key to your door- your inner self. No one else has that key. You haveit but you have to find it. Many, so many people never find it...like a life wasted away. Once you find your inner self, no easy feat, you are at full peace. Many of his followers meet him, talk shortly with him and often find out, disappointingly, that he has told them to keep searching for he knows through that short conversation- that they have a journey left to go before they will find their true selves.There are many other reasons why I have ended up a positive thinker in my life. This is only one of them. When my thinking goes 'south' I often click onto one of Maharaji's youtube's to return to the fundamentals. He usually makes more sense than anyone else.Delai Lama and others also hit the mark with quotes. I hope Maharaji helps you, sooths you and gives you a direction of hope.

quirkywords Dear Diary, a day to day look at self isolation
  • replies: 112

Hi I have gone into self isolation . I will be alone and not seeing any friends or family. I know we have other threads, but I would really like people to share their day to day thoughts and activities: the highlights the fun things the frustrations ... View more

Hi I have gone into self isolation . I will be alone and not seeing any friends or family. I know we have other threads, but I would really like people to share their day to day thoughts and activities: the highlights the fun things the frustrations he things you can change I think each day it would be good to share On thing that surprised me to day. I would like you to share your ideas because it will help us all work out how. So here is my first entry bit will be back later. Dear Diary, Day 1 I am not sure whether I am excited or a bit unsure. I know I will need to distract myself and hide the chocolate biscuits.!! I have a list of what I want to do but I think it is too ambitious. One thing that surprised me was how much noise I like to have when alone. This may change. Quirky

mmMekitty Can you list what you like about yourself?
  • replies: 60

Hello everyone! [Grinning LRC*]Please, as a challenge or to share, I would like to invite anyone & everyone to write a list of any length you want, of what you like about yourself.We might even have a discussion about what to include on these lists o... View more

Hello everyone! [Grinning LRC*]Please, as a challenge or to share, I would like to invite anyone & everyone to write a list of any length you want, of what you like about yourself.We might even have a discussion about what to include on these lists or not.Most of all, for this Discussion, I hope, for those who find this really difficult, that reading what others like about themselves will give you some ideas of what is possible. Maybe you will find you like some of these things about yourself?Big hugzies to everyonemmMekitty* LRC = Little Red cat, who wasn't really so little.

quirkywords Can you change being indecisive.?
  • replies: 2

I am indecisive. I could not even decide what this topic would be about. I find making life time decisions or small decisions hard so end up making poor choices because I worry about what to decide.Poor decision making skills has effected my relation... View more

I am indecisive. I could not even decide what this topic would be about. I find making life time decisions or small decisions hard so end up making poor choices because I worry about what to decide.Poor decision making skills has effected my relationships with partners , family and work. I would like people to share if the would like tohow they make decisions how they overcame being indecisive how they cope with being indecisive

zailleh Adherence / Compliance -- How do you make yourself do the things that make you feel better?
  • replies: 41

Hi Everyone, One of my biggest challenges with depression is doing the things I know make me feel better and make a positive difference to my emotional state. Especially when I'm feeling my worst, these things would make me feel better but I can't ma... View more

Hi Everyone, One of my biggest challenges with depression is doing the things I know make me feel better and make a positive difference to my emotional state. Especially when I'm feeling my worst, these things would make me feel better but I can't make myself do them because depression just kills all motivation. Just hoping to draw on the collective experience here. What kind of things do you to help make yourself do the things that make you feel better? Cheers, Zailleh

blondguy Mindfulness: What Is It? (Even if you dont know please post so we can help grow the forums accordingly)
  • replies: 1355

Hi Everybody This is only the basic dictionary definition... "Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of le... View more

Hi Everybody This is only the basic dictionary definition... "Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment without judgement" Please be as blunt you wish....If you dont have an idea about mindfulness it would be great if you could let us know If mindfulness hasnt worked/or is too broad a concept for you it would great if you can let us know your thoughts too If mindfulness has helped you, please help others to help themselves by posting how you have embraced this mindset It goes without saying that the forums are a judgement free zone and I really hope that everyone can jump in and have their say Your input is highly valued no matter how you respond to this topic. There are no experts here...New Posters are Most Welcome!! My Kindest Thoughts Paul