Gratitude

[i-m-Bri]

Yesterday another member asked me about my experience in a PM. I spewed out an unedited stream of details.

In letting it flow I recalled details I thought were erased as it happened. I also recognized key dynamics of our brief encounter.

But what I wanted to say was though I feel like hell right now, I am so grateful. I would be living in my own personal dark ages were it not for the men here and the rest of Team Brian: my T, my trainer and my husband.

This stuff sucks. But working through it has given me richness.

Thank you

 

[Napoleon]

LIKE

Sometimes, I wish there was a like button here, like on Facebook, where you could indicate you liked something, but really didn't have anything inspirational or supportive to say.

 

[KMCINVA]

I like the concept of gratitude. It was introduced to me through work but only began to understand through therapy and support.

Now each morning I write down what I was grateful for the prior day. At first I was staring at a blank page and over time it is an exercise in love and healing. At first I was looking for grand events but I learned it was the smallest thing that brought the gratitude to me, a smile, a laugh, someone spread words of wisdom, someone reaching out to give me a hand when I was struggling, a smile, a hug, and for what I was able to bring to others, helping them with a question or issue, making them laugh.

I guess going through and continuing to go through the process of healing I have learned about myself, others and life in a more broad sense, I have learned to appreciate and not judge others.

As is often says, what one focuses on expands. I spent years focusing on the abuse, the abuser and others who gave validation to the abuser and those that stifled healing and contributed to my unraveling. I look back now and say why, it only gave them power over me. For they must answer for their words and actions. I do not judge anymore. I try not to expand on these negative thoughts today because when the thoughts expand it takes over ones life. I think of the focus I had on the thoughts and the harm it did to me from extreme PTSD, dissociation, emotional and psychological distress. The thoughts stifled healing for me.

I tend, or attempting to, focus on the good in my life. I realize I have good people in my life who give meaning to life. My focus is the good in my life. BDD thank you for reminding me of something I do and the importance of recognizing what brings gratitude to our lives.

 

[Dust]

Hi Bri,

It's great that even in the midst of feeling awful you can still recognize and appreciate how far you've come in recovery and those who have helped you along the way. I think that says a lot about your progress in recovery. It's been a privilege to witness this. Thanks for the hope and encouragement.

 

[traveler]

Bri -

Your post is a good reminder of several important points :

Gratitude is a helpful and healing practice.

We really do need one another for comfort, growth, encouragement, to progress.

Telling our stories and retelling our stories can often yield unexpected and helpful (though also painful) results.

Thanks for contributing as much as you do to this forum.

Lee