[Myzen]

Hi folks,

When we have had hard illness, or overwhelming life events, one thing that can happen to us is 'living inside our own stories'. The experience becomes so consuming that we start to think only of our own situation, as if we were the main character in a book or a film, rather than a member of the audience.

My intuition is that healthy people like to think of themselves as the audience, looking with interest at what happens to others, but not feeling that it is all happening to them. Some people call this objectivity rather than subjectivity.

I have struggled with this, trying to turn my eyes outwards rather then always looking inside my own head. It can be achieved. One thing I do is to lay in bed at night and think of all the people in the world, living, dying, giving birth. All those people getting on with their lives. I can't always do it, but it helps when I can get that feeling of being part of a big world and not just stuck in my own self.

What do you folks do to get outside of yourselves?

Cheers, Myzen

[LostandLonleySoul]

Well I just leave me. I will lay in bed and I can float up to the celing and just watch from a distance. I also think about my kids and how much that I miss them and those kinds of things.

i work with kidney dialysis patients. they are all dying. it isn't hard to get outside myself, being with them. even one loss, of a patient, takes you to your knees.....we've lost four, since i started working there in January. i look at their families and see that they are struggling with the illness and the finality of it.

on my off days, i play with my granddaughter, play with my animals and say a prayer, at night, because regardless of my illness, i'm okay.....pat

[Myzen]

Gosh Kathie, that was the quickest reply that I have ever seen on PC!

Yes, our children are great for getting us unstuck, in fact any children brighten me up. Don't even get me started on babies - I could watch them all day!

Lovely, Myzen

[(JD)]

Actually, I find meditation helps. It helps me ground and think deeply about things. When I'm out and about and need grounding, I pull the breathing from the meditation... and use a marble to remind me unconsciously of those calming, positive thoughts I need.

Also, pulling back and trying to obtain a "higher" perspective like if I were an eagle viewing the mountain... would it all seem different?

[LostandLonleySoul]

LOL I have nothing better to do than to sit here at this computer all day and reply to posts. I have 2 babies and they are awsome. I love showing off pics.

[Myzen]

Hi fay,

That's quite a job you are doing there. Respect.

Cheers, Myzen

[Myzen]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
LOL I have nothing better to do than to sit here at this computer all day and reply to posts. I have 2 babies and they are awsome. I love showing off pics.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Kathie, I just popped over to your funblog for a peek. You have a nice family, and yes, they do look like fun!

I've been thinking of putting some pics out there, but still feel a little shy at the moment. Watch this space though.

Happy thoughts, Myzen

[SeptemberMorn]

Getting outside ourselves is the best therapy! What I do:

Watch my doves and their silly antics
Watch my rabbit or the parakeets
Today, watching one of my Chinese Quail sit on a dove egg LOL
Work (play?)out in my garden
Have a grandchild over for the weekend (that NEVER fails!)
Go to the plant nursery and just look at the plants (it's better than any park! They don't have those anymore, do they? They're playgrounds.)
Spend some time here on the site and chat with Jan, Ok(Karen), Bethy, Down (of all people! ) and the other sillies... ... or offer up some good suggestions on the board

Let's see. What else.....?

[heatherm]

(((((Myzen))))))

I am a firm believer in that we are the author of our own story....we have the control to change the story along the way. Almost like a driver controlling a car....deciding whether to turn right or left....or go straight through.

Your post is very thought provoking....when I feel like I am too consumed in being the author and not enjoying the story so much I step back and look at it through my children's eyes. When you think of how they look at life....those awe inspiring moments....sigh. We can all learn so much from them can't we.

Great post....thanks!

[jmo531]

(((((((((((((((Myzen))))))))))))))

You have opened up more and more. Before long, you will have graphics that will be able to express yourself just as I do. I kinda think of it as therapy in a way. I can express myself through pictures.

Right now I have a pic of Yoda. This means i am feeling........Wise. LMAO