[Gus1234U]

Every year since i began my self-directed rehabilitation, 19 yrs ago, i have made major improvements. it has not been easy, there have been hard times; i have done my share of crying,,, but,,, i have tried to laugh at every opportunity, especially when i hear myself wailing over the latest hurdle in my path~! aren't there others who have something good to say about their life ?

Please, post and tell me that you have learned so much~!! that you have come so far~!! that your efforts to cope have born fruit~!! anything positive,,,, anything joyous and gracious and wonderful, oh Please~! Gus

[bridgie]

Gus. You aren't the only one. Every once in a while I post my positive posts. How well I'm doing. Just recently in the anxiety section. its def a long journey one I am far from finishing. But over all I can't complain. My life is pretty good compared to many and my issues trivial when put up against many here.

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

Every year since i began my self-directed rehabilitation, 19 yrs ago, i have made major improvements. it has not been easy, there have been hard times; i have done my share of crying,,, but,,, i have tried to laugh at every opportunity, especially when i hear myself wailing over the latest hurdle in my path~! aren't there others who have something good to say about their life ?

Please, post and tell me that you have learned so much~!! that you have come so far~!! that your efforts to cope have born fruit~!! anything positive,,,, anything joyous and gracious and wonderful, oh Please~! Gus

Hey Gus I have came along way dealing with ocd and deppression panic attacks and social anxiety and adhd.I learn how to deal with it going to doctor and taking meds .I feel so much better now Iam enjoying life by shooping and going to movies and working out.I learn a lot in group sessions .Before I got to this point In life I was a mess would cry and stay in the house that wasnt healthy .Now that I go to group sessions I dont have to feel so down and out .Iam loving life now.Good luck

[Princess_Obsidian]

Greetings,

I enjoy my life, to the full, which, btw, diminishes any/all difficulties which come my way. In fact, the more I positively embrace my life, the less difficulties I seem to notice, period. Yay me!!!

Have a good one.

[Melbadaze]

If my birth mother hadn't been irish catholic I would have ended up in a dish on an abortion table...instead I was "bought" by abusive adoptive parents and led a traumactic life...but today I can honestly say I love my life and wouldn't change anything about it now...my life brought me to this point and to the people Who have helped me were well
Worth meeting.....there is nothing more bad that could have happened to me...had it all..experinced all types of trauma and abuse...explosions, ira bombs....Blah blah blah and now I take it all in my stride...mOst days..they are things that i have been through they are not who i am...yes there are off days...i'm human...but for whaT I've been through I now have a good life..

[Sabrina]

I am happy now. I have worked through my depression and despite my daily challenges and extreme financial stress, I can honestly say that I am stronger, perhaps a little wiser but also just a better person. I do believe in their being light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for starting this positive thread.

((((((((((((((Gus))))))))))))))))

I do enjoy my life....and three years of therapy has been a big key towards overcoming enough of my PTSD symptoms to be able to see and appreciate what is around me.

I'm in a rock band , and have awesome friends and three wonderful sons. I am fortunate to be able to go camping and be out in nature, and to be healthy enough to run for miles which reduces my stress.

Do I have hard things I have to deal with? YES. But I am slowly, slowly gaining distance from the demons of my past, and that is a wonderful thing.

[madisgram]

super topic, gus! presently i'm going thru a rough time of it with depression BUT....i've had 20 years of stability prior to this recent episode. i am so grateful for the wonderful T and pdoc that helped me transition from an alcoholic, bipolar state, not wishing for life anymore, to a productive member of society. i have 20 wonderful years of sobriety too and no amount of depression can flail that! i cherish my freedom from that disease.
life is work sometimes but worth it. i'm glad i was willing to learn to do it better and stick around for the show. no regrets on that note.

I have taken a while to answer this because I found it hard to think of the positive and not the negative !

But I found one ! I love my kids I love my husband and thank God everyday for having them in my life without them I would be a shell.

Yes they give me purpose to carry on and always have regardless of how low I get.

I had them while I was depressed and am glad I did. I see love from them towards me every day. Even the snert shows love.

[Aardwolf]

The good:
I've learn't to see positives - Not great at accepting them, but I see them none the less !

The great:
I've got better at handling myself and my emotions, hard, but just about do-able

The awesome:
I've met some awesome people here

I have learn't a lot, and I have come so, so far.

[Travelinglady]

You're right, Gus! We do a lot of complaining here--even me. Of course, we are here to help the hurting, so I'm glad when people do share their concerns. I have to say I'm doing better in my life than I have ever been, overall. I try to keep positive and have a sense of humor. I'm still in therapy and taking meds, but my times between "episodes" have increased, I am able to plan positive activities in my life, and I am actually ENJOYING LIFE! There is hope!

[splitimage]

I've really struggled with PTSD, Depression, and Alcoholism, and now unemployment. And as my T reminded me I've been in therapy with her for 12 years. But I'm sober today. I'm in a relatively good mood despite being stressed over job hunting, I have close friends. I have music back in my life. And I'm making lifestyle changes to become healthier physically.

[Gus1234U]

thanks for all of you who shared something of the good life we can have ~!! it's good for those who are newly diagnosed, or long time sufferers to know and hear from people who's lives have gotten better. some of us have benefited from meds, some from therapies, but all of us have acquired the skills to see ourselves, others, and our lives more positively; and that is what i had hoped would be shared here~! Thank you each and all, soooo MUCH ~! Gus

[lyrical_chula]

i have learned that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark and scary the tunnel is

i try to see the good in every situation because it can never be as bad as it seems

despite the negative there always has to be one positive thing in it all...so i make myself laugh to make it better

[blueoctober]

I am happy with my life and I'm also proud of what I have accomplished even though I had an abusive childhood and have struggled at times with bipolar. In the last year I have finally learned to appreciate the positives instead of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" for the next episode or negative thing to happen.

Life is good and I couldn't say that in 2007 when I was first diagnosed, inpatient etc. There is hope for everyone.

[BAPearl]

Hi Gus,

I have definitely learned much since I began my recovery, and I am enjoying my life! Never would I have thought it possible to wake up each day and be glad to see another day; but it is true! I look forward to spending time each day learning about my God and myself - who I am as I grow into a healthier and happier person who is, for the first time, taking responsiblity for my own life and problems. It is exciting to learn that I do have control over my own thoughts and emotions, and though I cannot change my outside circumstances, I sure can learn to change my reaction or response to those circumstances. And that changes my entire outlook on life!

Yesterday was my first Dialectical Behaviour Therapy chat session, and I just loved it! I am looking forward to attending each week, as well as other chats, and also to meeting more people here in Psych Central. I am very thankful to have found this site, and every day I find there is something to look forward to - including spending time with my wonderful husband and talking with current friends and making new ones. Life for me is truly good right now.

Thank you for this thread, Gus! I enjoyed reading the members thougts and seeing all the positive responses! Great idea!

With appreciation and hugs,

BAPearl

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

thanks for all of you who shared something of the good life we can have ~!! it's good for those who are newly diagnosed, or long time sufferers to know and hear from people who's lives have gotten better. some of us have benefited from meds, some from therapies, but all of us have acquired the skills to see ourselves, others, and our lives more positively; and that is what i had hoped would be shared here~! Thank you each and all, soooo MUCH ~! Gus

and THANK YOU, GUS, for thinkin' of starting this thread!!!

[beatpeace]

OH Gus!

Everyday I find something to laugh about! I am always rewarded by finding something funny! I LOVE to laugh and smile ! I wake in the mornings and jog my mile and pray the entire time. It prepares my heart and soul for what might come along! When I start my day this way, I find that the day is 10 times better than it would have been otherwise!
Really cool thing is, in spite of being in the midst of a spouse with depression, I am loving life, finding beauty all around me and laughing!!

My journey has been as difficult as the next guys, but I have always tried to view the glass as half full!!

Do I have bad days? Yep! But I try very hard to jog that bad day away and begin each day new and fresh!!!

Hugs!

[kikki27]

Originally Posted by Gus1234U

thanks for all of you who shared something of the good life we can have ~!! it's good for those who are newly diagnosed, or long time sufferers to know and hear from people who's lives have gotten better. some of us have benefited from meds, some from therapies, but all of us have acquired the skills to see ourselves, others, and our lives more positively; and that is what i had hoped would be shared here~! Thank you each and all, soooo MUCH ~! Gus

YwYeah It will get better for you and Iam going too keep you in my prayers good luck

[WikidPissah]

I have the most incredible family. I adore my H, he is my rock. My three young adult children are my treasured gifts. By some great mercy, the trauma and abuse from my life has had little affect on theirs! I do more things everyday...I went from total social phobia to being able to work out at the gym every morning, attend a small church group, help at the homeless shelter, volunteer at the seniors center and much more. I have a good life, and I am working very hard to rid it of the "yuck from my youth".

Gus, I am fortunate and blessed with a wonderful family, immediate and extended. They are my rock and my joy. I still struggle with my disease and will for the rest of my life, but I take comfort in the love of family.

[brittfly]

my life has changed so much since the begining of t some 20 years ago. Now i have a great awesome loving partner and i can give her as much as she gives me. I feel so much better especially in the last 4 years... it has been a long haul.. have more to do.. job.. stuff like that... but to have someone special in your life and know she feels and u feel u r equal after so many horrible abusive relationships to have a loving kind beautiful one says to me i have come a long way baby

[sane1logic1]

I was thrilled and grateful to discover my learning disabilities and explore wholesome adaptations.

I try to remember that during my present bad patch.

[Gus1234U]

aaah, these posts are so moving.. . you touch my heart~~ Gus

[lizardlady]

AWESOME topic for a thread Gus! Thanks for. starting it.

I've come soooo far. Before I started therapy in the mid-90s I was a mess... suicidally depressed, symptoms of PTSD, had DID and kept shifting...

Since then I entered and finished therapy. My depression is under control through therapy and meds. I integrated. I no longer lose time or dissociate. No more flashbacks. When I go for med checks my pdoc and I talk about the progress I've made.

Do I still have problems in life? Oh heck yes! but isn't that the nature of life? I've learned ways of coping. I've learned how to manage the symptoms. My pdoc and I have decided that I will most likely be on meds for the depression the rest of my life. That's OK. I function quite nicely on the meds.

a little tale....

My mom died a year ago. The last year of her life was pre h*ll for her. At her memorial I quoted a song I love "I could have done withouth the pain, but I would have had to miss the dance." I could have done without the pain that's happened in my life, but I like the person I am today. I like the life I have today. All that's come before added up to create the person I am today. If those things hadn't happened I wouldn't be who I am today. I'm glad I didn't "miss the dance."