[chalmette70043]

How do you build back up your faith? Can you find that faith again? Faith in the people around you, your community, your government and all that surrounds you. When you've believed all along the lies, that you thought were truths.

[Rapunzel]

That's tough. One thing I know is that it isn't going to happen overnight. Maybe you could find one thing, or one person, at a time that feels trustworthy to you. Then build from there. Try to expand that one thing and broaden it, but not too fast, just as it starts to feel comfortable to you. Keep looking for more things that feel like something you can believe in. You can use affirmations to remind yourself about things that feel safe enough to believe in, once you are comfortable enough to believe. Start small. Maybe for now you can believe that you will have a nice warm breakfast in the morning and it will feel good. Or choose something that is relevant and helpful for you, if that isn't. Build from there only as you are ready. Don't push it faster than you can go. We don't want the whole thing to collapse on you. But try to add to it regularly so that it is growing all the time.

[Rapunzel]

Other things you could start with:

That you can call a friend when you need to and they will listen to you.
That you can make it through the day, or the week.
That someone at PC will answer your post or PM in a helpful way.

What other ideas do you have?

(((chalm))))))))
Hope this helps. You and I are kind of from the same kind of issue.
Our areas different. But alot of things told wrong to us.
Faith is inside you , The truth you know.
If you can go to your friends who have been threw the same thing.
Join together. You have faith in each other.
Look at how far you have come my friend
I have with out a doubt Faith in you

The truth will set you free

Muffy your friend

[nowheretorun]

hi (((chalmette))))

for me, i like to center myself with some deep breathes... i look around the space i'm in, maybe add some objects of sentimental worth to the area... i create an atmosphere.. you've done that a little in the house i could tell in the video...

just pick a peaceful room and try to be grateful only for whats in that room in that moment... don't see the objects as items of value, but rather, symbols of Spirit... let yourself get filled with good feeling... you are a good person... the universe intends good things for you...

close your eyes if it helps... imagine goodness working in your life... even if you don't know about it, where its being done or who's doing it... tell yourself (and its probably true) that somewhere, unknown to you, an angel or some good person is doing work in your favor right this minute... let yourself feel good thoughts about it.. its most likely true when we imagine all the good people at work in our world as we speak..

and accept yourself.. its ok to be in the mood/spirit place you are in... thats where you are now.... you can grow from there... we all grow if we try.. i'm still growing myself...

view all available resources.. Rapunzel has excellent ideas...

[altonwoodsdrphil]

maybe you should'nt have faith in those things...you've lived long enough to be let down by them, thats important! so what now? try to rationalize "the lies' or keep searching for "the truth"...it takes courage to admit you are seeking, and I honour that in you!

Maybe you haven't lost faith in all things, just some things. Maybe... It could help to reflect a little on some of the things that you still have faith in to kind of reassure yourself... And maybe some of the past let downs and hurts have (in some way) the potential to moderate faith with realism in the sense of your figuring out what kinds of things it is wise to place different degrees of ones faith in?

[DocJohn]

At one point in my life, I lost all faith in virtually everything. If I think back to the kinds of things that helped me regain my faith in others, in my family, community and such, it was basically just taking things one day at a time and praying and hoping for the best.

Because, to me, faith implies a certain level of trust. I trust that you're telling me the truth, even though I can't verify all of it for myself. If something really shakes that trust, like a betrayal or such, then it's really hard to learn to trust again.

For me, trust was something I just had to take a little bit at a time, here and there. In the end, I think our lives are largely based upon faith and trust... so it's no wonder it can be so devastating when one of those is lost to us for a time.

Peace,
DocJohn

((Doc John)))
so true.......
trust and faith is all tied up in one

[Perna]

Yes, one person at a time helps me. When I lose faith in social institutions, I remember they are not "real" in the same sense as you and I are, here talking to one another. You can't point to a government or group of people, a pointing finger isn't big enough to include groups, maybe for a reason. We can only interact one-on-one and that's where I start looking for the truth. I look for individuals who are kind and helpful to me, personally, who take the time, go out of their way, and connect with me. As my individual friends, my husband, my therapist and others support me and help me grow, that in turn helps me help others and the circle is completed, another link in the chain forged, together.

[mandazzle]

I think...you have to believe in yourself before you can believe in anything else.

[nowheretorun]

the 'i think, therefore i am' principle? i believe in that one..

[KathyM]

Chalmette

It's difficult because we have so little control over the powers that be, let alone our own emotions at times. When it really gets to me, I try to focus more on people I can depend on and who have been truthful with me.

When I can get out, I like to wake up at the break of dawn and watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan. I'm stuck in my home, so now I settle for watching my "house" rise (darkness to light). I listen to the birds singing outside, and I spend some quiet time of reflection. I savor the beauty of a new day, and thank God for the gift of a new day - it's not a guarantee in life, so it shouldn't be taken for granted, IMO. I pray for the strength and resources I need to make it through that new day.

I hope you can find the faith to keep on keeping on.

[Abby]

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mandazzle said:
I think...you have to believe in yourself before you can believe in anything else.

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I like what mandazzle said, i think that is the start to trusting again.
But at the same time i believe things like that takes time, bit by bit faith in things comes back by actively attempting to see the world through a new perspective. Prehaps try living for the moment, making each person you meet someone that may open the doors for you. I guess to do that though you have to let go of your fears of being hurt....so what does that it all boil down to....err...hope??

Sorry my mind is confuzzled today (((hug))))

[KathyM]

Abby

I may have you beat on the confuzzled. In the middle of my response to Chalmette, I responded to Greenleaves' "What makes you feel spiritual" thread.

Poor Chalmette's probably wondering what sunrises and listening to birds have to do with faith in others.

I think it's time for my nap, lol.

[nothemama8]

please remove if improper
are we still allowed to say prayers here ?

[chalmette70043]

Thank you all for your responses and encouragements. Manda, just like all of you are right. I need to believe in myself first. I need to find that belief before the rest comes.

I feel myself start to trust something that is said and then tell myself no, dont you dare belive that. You know what will happen. Leave it as a rumor and just let it be. And it always fails to be an untruth. I live being scared of everything.

It really hurts me inside to not trust. I found out so many truths the hard way and its just left a big hole. You can reach in, but you wont find anything.

[snowflake_48888]

((((chalm))))
I lost faith and trust in something about 10 yrs ago and to this day I have not gain either back fully. I was very passionate and faithful to this but in the end it was all taken away. I have yet to accept this and move on. It has been and is a difficult road for me. I hope that your journey into understanding and healing will not be as difficult. Keep being strong Chalm
Snowy

[coralproper]

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chalmette70043 said:
How do you build back up your faith? Can you find that faith again? When you've believed all along the lies, that you thought were truths.

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The most faith based devastation, I had, that probably impacted my personality more than any single event in my life,at about age 12 ,was "when I believed all along the lies that I thought were truths" from a judicial system that is provided to serve and protect, instead I was used as a pawn in a agenda, for someone elses personal vendetta ........ the lies I was told, though scard me for life, possibly opened the door to a better path or world

I have no definitive answer for your questions above but, it is said that " TIME heals all wounds ", the amount may vary for whatever the situation, in my case, many many many years but, I feel that the wounds are healed, I just have some scars, to remind me of this

so I think the above cliche, could be accurate

edit: to correct spelling> I should probably start to compose posts in Word, then just cut and paste them ..LOL