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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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livi_mivi What is the best piece of advice that you have gotten that has stuck with you?
  • replies: 6

I heard this question the other day and it has been playing on my mind ever since. I would love to hear advice, quotes, books and/or experiences that you have come across that have really changed your perspective or shaped you in some kind of way. I ... View more

I heard this question the other day and it has been playing on my mind ever since. I would love to hear advice, quotes, books and/or experiences that you have come across that have really changed your perspective or shaped you in some kind of way. I think that we all have so much to learn off of each other's experiences and wisdom!

Pumpkinella Spirituality - how being in touch with spirituality creates healing
  • replies: 28

Fellow peers, After a brief conversation with a peer on the forums I was inspired to start a thread on spirituality. For some, spirituality is a very important aspect of the human being and can be a source of great healing, comfort and peace. I am in... View more

Fellow peers, After a brief conversation with a peer on the forums I was inspired to start a thread on spirituality. For some, spirituality is a very important aspect of the human being and can be a source of great healing, comfort and peace. I am interested to hear about peoples spiritual experiences and to share with each other on how spirituality has helped us grow and learn more about ourselves. For example you can discuss spiritual leaders that have helped you, quotes, experiences, philosophies etc. I want to also welcome any form of spirituality and belief that has generated a sense of space and peace. Don't be shy! I will start with a quote by Alan Watts (Buddhist/zen philosopher). This helped me challenge my beliefs on being not good enough, not better enough, not as I should be: "What I am really saying is that you don't need to do anything, because if you see yourself in the correct way, you are all as much extraordinary phenomenon of nature as trees, clouds, the patterns in running water, the flickering of fire, the arrangement of the stars, and the form of the galaxy. You are all just like that, and there is nothing wrong with you at all." Looking forward to hearing from you.

Petal22 Finding your inner calm
  • replies: 37

Hi Everyone, This thread is about finding your inner calm, its something I've worked on for the past four and a half years. "One of the best lessons in life is how to master how to remain calm" Mastering how to remain calm takes inner work but once y... View more

Hi Everyone, This thread is about finding your inner calm, its something I've worked on for the past four and a half years. "One of the best lessons in life is how to master how to remain calm" Mastering how to remain calm takes inner work but once you can master it your inner would becomes very peaceful. Its something that needs to be tackled internally, sometimes we 'react' to certain things instead of responding. We all have the choice of how we will respond to something it just takes practice. If something is going to cause you to lash out and react in a negative way, before you do this you need ask yourself is it really worth it? If you can just remain calm in this instance your inner world will thank you for it, our minds tend to race forward with reactions but if you can just allow the mind to do this and "watch it" but let your body and internal self to stay deep seated in "watching" and not responding you will see how your inner calm can start to take place. We all have a inner breath, learn to follow this breath and use it as an anchor and a grounding tool. If we can learn to control our breathing everything becomes more calmer and we have more clarity in the moment. Everything takes practice but if this is something that will eventually bring you more inner peace then its practice well spent.. life is a journey and if we can learn how to master how to remain calm in every situation we win. Practice and perseverance will always get you over the line.

white knight What a wonderful world
  • replies: 11

One of my favourite songs but the term is so much more. A 19yo relative came to stay recently. His parents are sadly negative about everything in life. So my wife and I returned to our car where he waiting. Puffing I remarked that I wasn't fit (I'm 6... View more

One of my favourite songs but the term is so much more. A 19yo relative came to stay recently. His parents are sadly negative about everything in life. So my wife and I returned to our car where he waiting. Puffing I remarked that I wasn't fit (I'm 66yo), he replied "every part of my body is bad except my lungs...oh, but I do have asthma ". A few seconds of silence "look at that magpie standing in that tree" I said "And my tinea hasn't improved either" he continued "Watch those 2 pups playing, aren't they gorgeous " I said "Are you trying to ignore me" K barked. "Well, I do exercise choice, whereby I don't allow people talking about problems when there is so much to observe in life that is wonderful. So, you have that choice K... if you focus on your tinea so much your head will be down while the colours of a rainbow is missed. If you remind yourself of your asthma too often you'll missed the thrill of breathing air. K mumbled something. I finished my "speech" and googled that song. K realised my intent and joked "ok I get it Tony"... lol. Of course he didn't "get it" but one day he might. I hope I planted a seed he'll one day reap. People that think negative imo waste their lives. Sure we either mental health issues have down periods but that robs us of choice. When we are OK we can choose to focus on the wonders of a wonderful world... TonyWK

Butterfly7 Coping with bed rest and maintaining my mental health from covid complications
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am looking for some ways to help manage or cope, or things to do to maintain my mental health when I am on bed rest after covid complication I have had depression in past, but have been doing well in my recovery so far. But 7 weeks ago I caught... View more

Hi, I am looking for some ways to help manage or cope, or things to do to maintain my mental health when I am on bed rest after covid complication I have had depression in past, but have been doing well in my recovery so far. But 7 weeks ago I caught covid, which led to multiple hospitals for a heart complication caused by covid infection. I’m triple jabbed and never thought I would get this sick, I take all precautions, so it’s been a grieving process. I’m on bed rest until my heart heals which I have been told is weeks too months, and am struggling with the frustration of not being able to do the things I need to do to stay well, and heartbroken not to be contributing to my family in the way I normally would. I am really limited in the amount of movement I can do at the moment, and have to watch my heart rate and blood pressure, but any suggestions of things I can do to maintain my wellbeing would be really appreciated. Do you have any ideas?

white knight Prevention of stress is better than cure
  • replies: 8

"Stress" and vast word that covers several descriptions of worry, load on the mind and the number of things in life to do. In our daily life we carry out hundreds of tasks from making our bed to turning off the light before sleeping. Many of these ta... View more

"Stress" and vast word that covers several descriptions of worry, load on the mind and the number of things in life to do. In our daily life we carry out hundreds of tasks from making our bed to turning off the light before sleeping. Many of these tasks are mundane however when we fall ill with a mental health issue these same insignificant tasks become hurdles, the hurdles then become a challenge and soon they all gather to become too high to leap over. We then plug away year after year to just manage this state of mind until sadly it all ends with a serious mental breakdown. It is only having gone through that process that I can see clearly that period of many years when the warning signs were ignored. The "fast lane" of juggling work in my case 80,000km a year driving, medication, relationship woes and childrens needs etc. Two psychotic episodes in quick succession was the end of my working life. That was 9 years ago. So what can you do about the build up of stress during that period where you are just maintaining tolerance of life itself? Acceptance- learn to accept that life will not be smooth, it will throw waves of unexpected barrier at any time. Accepting this results in less panic Realise that from the cave man days or even more recently, that life used to have far less activity. Hunt, cook, eat, maintain shelter and care for each other. Since then we've cluttered it all up. This means our mind is full and needs rest and de-cluttering. Leads to- Going back to basics. Remove things that you dont need. Toxic people, clubs and community obligations, reduce addictions and streamline bill paying etc Increase happy things, hobbies, sports etc. Barrack for a team? I made one mistake recently y joining a fotty team on facebook. You simply cant post a comment without controversy- nope, left that group. Leads me to- Learn to care for yourself. Everything that works in life needs care. Service your body and mind with rest and meditation. Start by googling "youtube prem rawat Maharaji". His videos are amazing Help others. You experience in life and your endurance to survive a mental health issue is invaluable. Helping others makes you feel valued. Learn positivity and motivation. Attend lectures. Our minds are open to learning better ways to thrive. Worry only produces ulcers. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/worry-worry-worry Praise yourself. You can be your own best friend Comments welcome TonyWK

Checkthebatteries I feel like just an empty shell
  • replies: 3

I have two public health and a physiology degrees so I know my covid stuff. I live alone. I have depression and anxiety. I am close to my parents, who are fit and healthy but are in their seventies and my mum has a respiratory illness. They are also ... View more

I have two public health and a physiology degrees so I know my covid stuff. I live alone. I have depression and anxiety. I am close to my parents, who are fit and healthy but are in their seventies and my mum has a respiratory illness. They are also my only family. Exercise is a huge part of my life and I am also wary of the effect of long covid on it. I lived in WA so it was great for a few years. Then at ANZAC day all restrictions were dropped and cases have skyrocketed. I no longer go to the shops, go to the gym, go to painting lessons, go to parties, go shopping, go to the movies or concerts, go on air travel, go to sports training sessions, eat out etc. I miss my friends and wonder if I will ever get to do the things I love again. I really just have this existence all by myself and I feel I have lost my identity. I have a very boring job that I do party from home. Despite all that, one of my parents now has covid and other is likely to follow. I am bracing for them to go into hospital at least in the next few weeks, I also probably have it. I feel I'm now a prisoner wasting my life and worried sick about my loved ones while being powerless to help them and am isolated from society, without being able to do any of the things you can do for mental health. I have tried walking and running on my own but I am now bored of it and it doesn't fulfill me. I feel this will go on forever.

ScarlettR Do you find watching Youtube 4K walk videos a great way to unwind and relax at home?
  • replies: 3

As we are still in a pandemic, lockdowns and their aftermaths have worn down the best of us. Even then, sometimes we just can't leave our homes to venture into the city or local shopping centre for some reason. On Youtube, there are 4k videos - basic... View more

As we are still in a pandemic, lockdowns and their aftermaths have worn down the best of us. Even then, sometimes we just can't leave our homes to venture into the city or local shopping centre for some reason. On Youtube, there are 4k videos - basically, it's someone who's filming their POV as they walk through cities and attractions. There are hundreds of such videos on Youtube, covering many cities and places across the world. They tend to run for about 30 minutes on average, and it's a great opportunity to do people-watching and contemplating the sights. I used to live in South Australia, and I often watch 4K videos of Adelaide CBD, because it brings back so many nice memories and I feel a release of bottled-up emotions and feel I'm actually there, walking in Adelaide. It's also just interesting to watch the other people walking and any new developments in the area. Does anyone else watch 4K videos, too? I think it's great for people with mental illness who are curious about the world and can get a personal "tour" of any global city.

Is_it_Just_Me_ Staying Positive
  • replies: 7

Hi there, how are you? Can I ask for help first please........I don't know how to register a profile name. Adivice would be much appreciated. I struggle sometime with the fear of losing my peace which I find through 'connections'.........I know my tr... View more

Hi there, how are you? Can I ask for help first please........I don't know how to register a profile name. Adivice would be much appreciated. I struggle sometime with the fear of losing my peace which I find through 'connections'.........I know my triggers can be loneliness, self-pity, boredom. When this happens I feel myself slipping and this frightens me senseless because then it's a slow slide down the old rabbit hole. I could feel it happening the other day and the fear was tangible.......and I thought, you know what, you're not getting me this time. Forced myself to think about what I could do...........life had dealt some pretty heafty blows in the last few months and I'm more of a listener than a talker so I keep things to myself. Big mistake I know. I'd been giving and giving and giving which is fine. I didn't want to talk to a 'professional" as it wasn't something I couldn't work on myself. What I realised was, I needed someone to talk to as a friend, to just share the ups and downs of life and someone who could also relate to the fear of when things are going good that you're maybe wondering how long you've got being connected to life to being dis-connected and becoming that pain-filled zombie. I missed having a really good laugh about it all to be honest. So, here I am...a person without a name - lol and just connecting........don't know if anyone will answer but I'm enjoying just writing. Was trying to think of a profile name and people come up with all these really clever ones and I can't think of anything really. I don't want anything cheesy or too positive cos that turns me off a bit so I kinda came up with "Is it Just Me?" Anyway, very strange typing into something that you don't know is really real so I'll be pleasantly surprised if I get a reply. Stay safe........... "Is it Just Me?"

Jacq333 Irritability and impatience - how to stop it??
  • replies: 6

When my anxiety and depression is high, I get extremely irritable and lash out about the smallest things such as traffic or simply someone not hearing me (not, not listening, not hearing). My whole body feels tense, my insides feel like they are on f... View more

When my anxiety and depression is high, I get extremely irritable and lash out about the smallest things such as traffic or simply someone not hearing me (not, not listening, not hearing). My whole body feels tense, my insides feel like they are on fire and that I could just scream at someone. when it subsides sometimes a day or 2 later I end up a wreck and cry a lot. I know a big sleep helps calm me down too. Does anyone else get this? How do you control it or stop it being so bad? I feel awful afterwards as I know I have snapped and shouted at people for no reason. I don't get violent thankfully. Any tips would be great