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Please note that the following is a personal post. It has no connection to admin of PC.
It is a slightly different way of sharing what has helped me as far as my childhood abuse but also the devastating affects of serving in wartime.
*************Trigger Warning********************
Save It For Later If You Are Not In A Safe Place...Please
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Due To Popular Demand
The Administration Is Proud To Announce The Start of A New Class.
How to Be Kind To Ourselves
Location Of Class: School of Sorrow, Grief, Despair
2nd Floor, Terror Tower
Class Size: Open To All Students
Age, Sex/ Sexual Orientation, Income, Location, Religion,
No Religious Preference, Eye Color, Or Education
Bars Anyone From Attending This Class.
Prerequisites: Years of Misery, Months of Confusion, Moments of ***-Biting Anger, Hyper-Vigilance, Persistent Nightmares, Distrust
Class Materials: Students Must Provide Their Own Broken Hearts, Broken Dreams, Rational or Irrational Fears; Depression, Memory Problems, Tears, Little Or No Libido, Macabre Sense of Humor, Beggarly Self Esteem, Alters and Littles Are Welcome, Survivors Guilt.
Limited Understanding of the Concept Of Self Care
The Most Important Materials Are Guilt And Shame.
Knowledge Of The Origin Of Said Shame/Guilt Is Not Needed.
Instructors: Part A--Introduction
Authority Figures From Any And All Battles.
Childhood Issues, Sexual Trauma, Ongoing Abuse.
Adult Children Of Military Veterans Of Any War In The Last 50 Years.
Part B Mid-Term
A Circle Of Fellow Survivors Who Offer Peer To Peer Support Will Gradually Appear And Its Importance Will Hopefully Be Recognized By The Participants.
The Majority Of Students Will Become Brothers And Sisters In An Extremely Valuable and Exclusive/Inclusive Family.
Part C No Finals, Instruction Will Not Terminate
Individuals Have Taken The First Step On The Road *Of* Healing
Healing, Like Happiness, Is Not A Destination.
It Is A Journey, With Rest Stops, Getting Lost, Falling Flat On The Butt, And Finding Another Route If Too Many Detours Prevent Progress.
There Is No Cure; However Living With PTSD Is Attainable.
It Is Not A Race.
Therefore No Trophy Will Be Awarded For First Place.
Traveling At Your Own Speed And Comfort Is Recommended.
Graduation: Never; Class Is Ongoing
Refresher Course Available PRN
Expected
Outcome: A Measure Of PEACE, HOPE, and TRUST
These Three Things Are Not Bottled With An Expiration Date.
At Times They Will Appear To Disappear. They Have Not.
The Feeling Of Where Did They Go(?!) Most likely Comes From Not Taking Care Of The Spirit and Protecting The Heart From Those Who Know How To Drain PEACE, HOPE, TRUST From The Soul.
Limiting The Power We Give Them Is Invaluable.
Dress Is Casual,
Crying Is Not Only Allowed It Is Encouraged.
Honor Your Feelings.
Denying And/Or Hiding Feelings Will Require Emergency Treatment From Outsiders.
Staff Members Are Not Experts At Removing Stuffing From The Students.
Holiday Turkeys Are The Only Exception For Removal Of Stuffing.
The One Non-Negotiable Rule Is To Be As Gentle With Yourself As You Are With Others.
Bats And Other Dangerous Items That Are Used To Beat Yourself Up Will Be Checked In, FedEx Will Deliver Them To The Landfill. They Serve No Purpose.
GIGO
Garbage In, Garbage Out.
The Garbage That Is Dumped On You Does Not Have To Stay In You.
Get Rid Of Old Garbage.
Fill That Empty Space With The Seeds Of Confidence and Dignity.
Water Daily With Kindness and Care, Watch Them Grow!
Scar Tissue Around The Heart Also Doubles The Tenderness Found There.
Remember That You Are In The Right Place At The Right Time For The Right Reasons That May Never Be Revealed To You.
Accept It.
Enjoy Life; This Is Not A Dress Rehearsal ~~author unknown~~
It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work. And when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.
~~Wendell Berry~~
We want life to have meaning, and want to be fulfilled, and it is hard to accept that we find these things by starting where we are, not where we would like to be. ~~Kathleen Norris~~
Best Wishes,
Catherine
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The Most Dangerous Enemy Is The One In Your Head Telling You What You Do and Don't Deserve...
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