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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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quirkywords Words: Friends or Foe? How can writing help you.
  • replies: 171

People can be afraid of words as they have no confidence in what they write. Maybe at school teachers have said negative things about their writing or their parents have said they don't write well. Some people are anxious to write their first post as... View more

People can be afraid of words as they have no confidence in what they write. Maybe at school teachers have said negative things about their writing or their parents have said they don't write well. Some people are anxious to write their first post as they wonder if they will make sense to others. I believe words are your friends and everyone who can read this can write in meaningful way. I want to look at how writing can help you 1) by helping you to explain and express your feelings to others 2) allowing you to connect to others through your words 3) by keeping a journal or starting a thread here and learn from your own writing and read others. 4) by helping you work out how to change certain behaviours and many more we can share with each other. To start at the beginning : Are words your friend or foe? When you see a blank page or screen are you filled with fear or are you excited at the challenge. Does writing words down help you more or in a different way to speaking them? Everyone is welcome to contribute, first time posters , regulars, people who don't like writing , people who find they go the character limit for the post every time. Write on Quirky PS writing in this context is same as typing , or using voice to text. I want to look at how words can help you express your thoughts and emotions?

Banksy92 I named the thoughts in my head Barbara - it helped.
  • replies: 10

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I was ever given on my mental health journey was this: You are not your thoughts, you are the observer of your thoughts. It really helped me to realise I can detach myself from the stories that pop into my he... View more

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I was ever given on my mental health journey was this: You are not your thoughts, you are the observer of your thoughts. It really helped me to realise I can detach myself from the stories that pop into my head and keep me down when I don't feel my best. In fact, they aren't really even me. To help myself 'observe' my thoughts rather than go along with them, I named the voice Barbara. She's toxic, she's insecure, she's mean and she wants to drag you down the moment you're feeling weak. So now whenever I catch myself caught up in anxious, unhealthy thoughts and worries I tell Barbara to go away. Out loud if I need to. I stop her in her tracks and tell her to shut up. This might seem really trivial or silly to some, but it's a really helpful tactic for me to cope with my crippling anxiety. Has anyone else tried something like this before? What are your tactics to quiet down the voice in your head? Let's share

Clues_Of_Blue Managing money to make life easier
  • replies: 95

One of the big things that causes stress and sure kicks you about when you already have mental illness to play with is money. Whether you're in debt, just scraping by, or feel like you're working to much to maintain a lifestyle. Here is a place to ta... View more

One of the big things that causes stress and sure kicks you about when you already have mental illness to play with is money. Whether you're in debt, just scraping by, or feel like you're working to much to maintain a lifestyle. Here is a place to talk about how to make your dollars go a bit further and take off some financial pressure. I'll start with some basic pointers: - Plan a little with food. Make work lunches, decide on meals for the week and stick to your shopping list. If you shop a bit later you're also likely to get a lot of fresh produce at a discount. - Check regularly (every six months or so) on your utilities. Often there is a better plan out there to switch to. As customers, loyalty to a company usually just gets us a quietly growing bill instead of discounts or rewards. Vote with your feet. - Same with your home loan, you can refinance to one with a better interest rate, just watch out for exit fees (and LMI if you still owe more than 80% of the house value) If you have any tips or questions, feel free to share or ask.

BB563780 Words of hope
  • replies: 2

Good evening all! I am Brandon. Many people are unfortunately losing hope in the state of the world. Specifically, I wanted to share my insight on 'the world has gone crazy'. Hearing it can cause people to feel afraid, as though the world has never e... View more

Good evening all! I am Brandon. Many people are unfortunately losing hope in the state of the world. Specifically, I wanted to share my insight on 'the world has gone crazy'. Hearing it can cause people to feel afraid, as though the world has never experienced such a state like it. Throughout history, society has held the view that 'the world has gone crazy'. The most notable examples of world events that come to mind that caused people to feel that 'the world has gone crazy' were the Bubonic plague and Spanish flu outbreak, World War I and II, the social activism of the 60s' and 9/11. The expression 'the world has gone crazy' is subjective and based on fear rather than an objective statement. The beauty of history is that we have been taught the skills to rectify catastrophe. Most of all, I wanted to leave you all who are possibly feeling hopeless and afraid regarding the state of the world with a message of hope from one lesson that history has taught us: humanity has continued to demonstrate resilience and prosper despite countless hardships along the centuries. It is through hardship that we have gained the knowledge and experience to prolong our humanity's survival. For example, Buddha gained his wealth of wisdom by leaving his father's lavish castle when he was 16 years old to experience the hardship of the citizens himself. Why is it that if the world truly had 'gone crazy' that the wind blows, the sun rises and sets, the birds tweet and the flowers and trees grow? I am not sure. I feel that society often gains a false sense of doom from the impacts created by negative media, hearing others' pessimistic views and the false perception of the 'good old days' that tends to be generated by nostalgia. What are your thoughts?

Guest9337 Three things I let go of today...
  • replies: 6

G'day Everyone. I think we are all onto a winning formulae with the "3 things __" type threads, they have high utility imho. love dng, thus... I let go of irritation about Vinnie snoring loudly. I let go of discomfort by changing my seating position.... View more

G'day Everyone. I think we are all onto a winning formulae with the "3 things __" type threads, they have high utility imho. love dng, thus... I let go of irritation about Vinnie snoring loudly. I let go of discomfort by changing my seating position. I let go of the restriction about three things to let go of. I let go of holding onto everything tightly. I am content in letting go of anything. I let go of this breath. I let go of wanting to breath - yet I still breath. I am grateful for unconscious breathing.

Guest9337 Three things I asborbed today...
  • replies: 8

Obviously we need to have an opposite thread to letting go, so in here we are hanging onto valuable things, we are committing to things, we are firming up our positions, we are taking into ourselves somethings : These are Three things I absorb today.... View more

Obviously we need to have an opposite thread to letting go, so in here we are hanging onto valuable things, we are committing to things, we are firming up our positions, we are taking into ourselves somethings : These are Three things I absorb today... I absorb someone else's perception of beauty. I absorb the warmth of my heater. I absorb the sounds of nature. I absorb a deep breath. I absorb my own attentive states. I absorb my wife's love for me. I absorb the meta conscious of humanity. I absorb a cordial. I absorb emptiness. I absorb the ideal of letting go... love dng.

WHITE_K Buying a house & I'm scared not excited
  • replies: 5

My partner and I made an offer on a house, it was more than we had planned and it got accepted. It's only just above what we had figured out our max was, and finance shouldn't be an issue. But that's what's freaking me out, it's freaking me out that ... View more

My partner and I made an offer on a house, it was more than we had planned and it got accepted. It's only just above what we had figured out our max was, and finance shouldn't be an issue. But that's what's freaking me out, it's freaking me out that our higher offer got accepted and maybe we've paid too much. We've been looking for a little while and figuring things out like what we want to buy etc. This property has a perfect house, lots of land and it has sheds (all what we wanted). But it's more rural than I would have liked. My partner isn't worried about the commute, but I am. It's a house close to my extended family, but a house so far from the life I've built so far in the city. I thought I'd be excited that our offer got accepted, but I'm just scared. Scared I won't like living away from the city, my work, my life and my friends. Scared that we've paid too much for the house. Worried the property won't be worth anything in the future because it's rural. Worried that I'll feel isolated and restricted in what I do socially. etc. I don't know if its my mind telling me I don't want this house or if it's normal to be so scared to buy your first home.

The_Bro ARE YOU ANXIOUS ABOUT NOT ACHIEVING YOUR LIFE GOALS?
  • replies: 9

Hi Everyone I have noticed these days that many people seem to be fretting about not achieving what they dreamt of. Particularly with the Covid 19 pressures and never ending lockdowns. To me it seems more prevalent when peeps reach their 30th birthda... View more

Hi Everyone I have noticed these days that many people seem to be fretting about not achieving what they dreamt of. Particularly with the Covid 19 pressures and never ending lockdowns. To me it seems more prevalent when peeps reach their 30th birthday, or just before retirement age. What happened to my goals, what have I achieved? I have been thinking about this quite a lot. Some time ago I read something about 'Surrendering more' and not overly focussing on goals. I can't remember much of it but some parts struck a chord that I have found really useful in adapting to my life. Here are some of the life principles I try to observe, (but am not always able to!). 1.Try to celebrate what you have, instead of searching for reasons to be happy. For example good health, job you like, friends, even that nice bed cover, a trip you enjoyed etc are all good things to celebrate! 2. 'Ke Sera Sera' - I find this one very helpful. Basically the song is about what will be, will be, and not fretting over goals and dreams. By all means still keep that over arching vision alive, but just let things happen a little more. I guess better expressed as letting go of the need to be in charge of your life and recognise that the Universe will look after you - with just a bit of guidance from you! 3. Obstacles are there for a reason. Difficult I know, but looking back, nearly every obstacle placed in my way was actually a detour in the right direction! Yes we really to learn from difficulties when looking back. So try not to let them overcome you or get in the way of your strong self belief. 4. When doing Philosophy classes years ago, I remember learning not to judge but to look at things objectively as they really are. Too often I let my emotions or beliefs get in the way and cloud my judgement. Even people you might think are a pain have very positive things to offer if only you will let that happen and get to truly know them. Is this the same as being in the present? I hope this post is not too waffly and some one may actually get something out of it. All I can say is that if I remind myself of some of these principles, It makes me feel much better about myself and my future. Very happy to receive your views! All the best, The Bro

nicko94 Advice for a poor financial situation + mental health issues.
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone, Pretty much my major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety and ADHD all underpin this situation I am in and this situation affects me daily. I cant work because I work in construction and have no money...I haven't been shut down for 2... View more

Hi Everyone, Pretty much my major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety and ADHD all underpin this situation I am in and this situation affects me daily. I cant work because I work in construction and have no money...I haven't been shut down for 2 weeks but instead since the start of the latest lockdown in Melbourne (because we do renovations in peoples homes we cant go in) essentially haven't been working for months now. I also want to move out of home but I dont have any money saved up its impossible to save sometimes. I have a new job offer at the end of this week, but its in construction as well - I just don't know if they are going to keep me on (it was a verbal agreement until this shutdown is over) its my anxiety playing up, plus my bad luck in the past. - do you think they would stick to their word? Any ideas if i should stick it out a couple of days to see if i got this job, or give up in construction completely and go work in a different area for the next few years? I am so tired of trying to grind it out and stick with it especially with coronavirus and not having any funds to back myself up with... whos experienced similar? I am trying to get ahead and save but in this industry its totally effed now I don't see an end to these ongoing lockdowns within construction. thanks again.

blondguy Covid-19's Impact on YOUR well being....Help us help others!
  • replies: 253

Hi Everyone This is a difficult and unprecedented time we are all going through. Out of 10 how has Covid-19 impacted your well being? Just for myself...I come in at about 8....A brief post will help us help others more effectively! 0 to 5 .......... ... View more

Hi Everyone This is a difficult and unprecedented time we are all going through. Out of 10 how has Covid-19 impacted your well being? Just for myself...I come in at about 8....A brief post will help us help others more effectively! 0 to 5 .......... Low impact...................Coping well and not really worried about Covid-19 5 to 7 ...........Medium Impact.............Concerned about Covid-19 yet is doesnt effect me 8 ................. Frequent Impact........... Very concerned and checking media/news reports 9 ................. High Impact..................Frequently concerned and experience some difficulty functioning daily 10................Very High Impact...........Difficulty sleeping...increased anxiety...loss of concentration and/or feelings of helplessness The forums are a rock solid safe and non judgemental place for anyone to post my kind thoughts always Paul