[wackywidow]

What makes you a survivor, when everything around you is falling apart? What is the one thing/person you seek first, and why? Is there a 'first responder' in your life?

I cling to my deep Faith to help me survive, as well as a few sincere and trustworthy friends, who accept me just the way I am with all the variables in my life. My life is devoid of any family support at this time, so my friends are my family.

My other strength is the gift of laughter. If we cannot learn to laugh at ourselves and some of our own idiocincracies, our lives will not be happy ones.

So, the question is, "What makes you a survivor, and why?" [I see many here at PC].

[gma45]

Good question, I have often wondered this myself. I had a good friend pass away, someone said.....She just wasn't a survivor? She didn't have the will? I was very curious about those remarks. I know in the past teenage years I thought there has got to be more to life than this. I didn't want to hurt my Mom and Dad or leave my animals. Then as I got older it was I can't leave my kids and animals. What would they do with out me? Now that they are grown it is getting a little harder as I am older too! This latest round of depression I had a hard time thinking of a reason to live, then I thought AHA! Granddaughter needs me to teach her about animals! This can't be the end yet I might just figure out this thing called life! So I will stick around a while longer. Also now I think it is becoming a game of lets just see how I make it back this time. That is why I got a tattoo of a Phoenix bird because I have risen from the ashes and depths of depression and addiction and illness so many times and managed to come back! Every time I have gotten depressed the only thing that has really saved me is ME and anti-depression medication. Reaching out for help which is something I am really NOT good at. I shout at the top of my lungs.....I AM A SURVIVOR! There just might be an animal in need of rescue!

[wackywidow]

Originally Posted by gma45

Good question, I have often wondered this myself. I had a good friend pass away, someone said.....She just wasn't a survivor? She didn't have the will? I was very curious about those remarks. I know in the past teenage years I thought there has got to be more to life than this. I didn't want to hurt my Mom and Dad or leave my animals. Then as I got older it was I can't leave my kids and animals. What would they do with out me? Now that they are grown it is getting a little harder as I am older too! This latest round of depression I had a hard time thinking of a reason to live, then I thought AHA! Granddaughter needs me to teach her about animals! This can't be the end yet I might just figure out this thing called life! So I will stick around a while longer. Also now I think it is becoming a game of lets just see how I make it back this time. That is why I got a tattoo of a Phoenix bird because I have risen from the ashes and depths of depression and addiction and illness so many times and managed to come back! Every time I have gotten depressed the only thing that has really saved me is ME and anti-depression medication. Reaching out for help which is something I am really NOT good at. I shout at the top of my lungs.....I AM A SURVIVOR! There just might be an animal in need of rescue!

CONGRATULATIONS! There IS always one more HUMAN in need of rescue too.

[KazzaX]

I would say I am a survivor because *I* am the first responder in my life. I have learnt throughout life that other people cannot be trusted because it is part of the human condition to be selfish. If someone helps you, then it is because THEY get something out of it (eg. they feel all good about themselves because they helped an unfortunate person). People don't do this just to be mean... its part of the human condition. Humans were born with this instinct - I'm sure years ago it was great in terms of ensuring their own survival. Sort of like how cats are born with claws because it ensures their survival - humans were born with a selfish trait for the same reason.

So I don't have any thing against this phenomenon, it's just an evolutionary thing. I accept it, and I work around it. That's basically what it comes down to. So I am the first responder in my life, and I am still alive - so my first responder is doing a great job and I say I am a survivor!

[faerie_moon_x]

I consider myself a warrior against my illness. I close my eyes and picture myself as like a Joan of Arch type character of a really mighty goddess with all of the power of the universe behind me.This can be very hard when things are bad, but I know very well the darkness that lives inside of my head. I know that it is there, waiting to grab me and tear me to shreds if I don't fight it.

I've never had much help in this. But my kids and husband play a huge role in keeping me going. I don't want to leave them here with trauma. I don't want to give up or lose this fight. I've learned that no no one can save me and no one will try. But I can save me. I can't just lay in bed. I can't just let the darkness take me away. I learned how to fight from my mom. She was much, much, much stronger than me. She fought off cancer for eleven years. She is my role model.

[needfixing]

what makes me a survivor? knowing who i am in CHRSIT, i didn't become what i endured, the bad days are few inbetween, the nightmares/flashbacks are gone, no more triggers, anger, bitterness, betrayal, pity party gone, this is a BIG one went to a family get together and my relative who molested me doesn't scare me anymore.
the lists goes on and on, which means i am healing. thank you JESUS

[eskielover]

Know for me it was God........I tried to end my life so many times & came so close many of those times & know it was only God who kept me from dying any of those times.....the purpose that God had for my life had not yet been accomplished even though I considered my life over. No more career to hide away from my bad marriage in......there was nothing that I cared about enough to live for anymore.....but God didn't see it that way.

I am so awsomely glad that God saw the big picture of my life that I had no idea would exist.......my mother needed me to get her through the horrible home care person who abused her when she was dying from cancer......& in return.....I got my inheritance & was able to leave my husband....moved 2100 miles away from where I knew anyone & have a wonderful Christ centered life. Never had a relationship with God before.....I just had intellectual knowledge until I moved & was introduced to many wonderful Bible studies where I just couldn't get enough. The growing & understanding was amazing. I continually thank God for my life to start with & for providing me the most wonderful women's Bible study group, the most wonderful church group that has taken me in as family, the most wonderful group of women horse riders that I share so much of my time with & just the most wonderful friends in the world that I never experienced before.

Bad things happen.....it's not all roses........but God has provided beyond anything that I even could have imagined & has provided the people that help me through the rough times & truly care......& I can care in return.

Ah, life couldn't be more wonderful but it wouldn't have been if God didn't make it for me to survive to get to this point......ah, the land of milk & honey????? Maybe not quite...but the journey was just about as long to get there from the slavery situation I found myself in.

[wackywidow]

The moment we break faith with one another, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out. ~James Baldwin

[AniManiac]

I've honestly never thought of myself as a survivor. This is just the path I have to travel, and we all walk a different trail. Sometimes it's hard going and I wonder why others seem to have it so easy, but I like to think I've taken the road less traveled, the high road, the scenic route. I think my life has truly been more fulfilling for having gotten my boots muddy and seen more of life than the people who take the freeway will experience.

My husband is who I go to first when I need support - he just makes me feel better like nothing else can. Medications are clearly a lifesaver, but I wouldn't have made it far enough to find them without my husband.

But after that, I go outdoors. Preferably to the wilderness. It simplifies everything to the essentials: food, water, shelter, warmth, and putting one foot in front of the other. I gain a better sense of perspective - how small I am in the grand scheme of things, how exquisite every living thing truly is, and how important it is to pay attention to the things that really matter.

[wackywidow]

Originally Posted by AniManiac

I've honestly never thought of myself as a survivor. This is just the path I have to travel, and we all walk a different trail. Sometimes it's hard going and I wonder why others seem to have it so easy, but I like to think I've taken the road less traveled, the high road, the scenic route. I think my life has truly been more fulfilling for having gotten my boots muddy and seen more of life than the people who take the freeway will experience.

My husband is who I go to first when I need support - he just makes me feel better like nothing else can. Medications are clearly a lifesaver, but I wouldn't have made it far enough to find them without my husband.

But after that, I go outdoors. Preferably to the wilderness. It simplifies everything to the essentials: food, water, shelter, warmth, and putting one foot in front of the other. I gain a better sense of perspective - how small I am in the grand scheme of things, how exquisite every living thing truly is, and how important it is to pay attention to the things that really matter.

You are blessed with a wonderfull husband. Some of us were not. These are the people who arre in true need of our help. I am sinking lower because while i have founf some better housing dollr for dollar I cannot have my pet with me. So that is a no brainer to me ... I stay where I am with a bunch or weirdosml let inbecause they had ti fill the aoatments up......................Ameem