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What, or who, has sustained me during times when I felt hopeless?
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What has sustained me during times of hopelessness:
Praying
Journaling/ this website
Painting/sketching/drawing
PBS Kids shows
70’s music & Calming music
NATURE
Walking/stretching
Who has sustained me during times of hopelessness:
Myself
Our Creator
Mother Nature
My father
My sister
Animals
My Mentor- Matt L
My therapist
Brene Brown
Dr.Amen
Tara Brach
My friend Thomas & Joce
Pets (of all kinds)
Youtube videos of Dr vivek bindra,kiran bedi,bk shivani and novels like The Secret and Tuesdays with Morrie. Internships,mom,bhai,dad,entertaining shows and PS.
Helpless rather than hopeless for me. I am struggling to remember a time when I had no hope. But helpless in the face of life’s many sharp turns, yes. In that space I can to some extent leave it to the great unknown. I have also found strength in a belief that some change will act on me and that change will be a growth. Sometimes help from others can be helpful, professional or otherwise.
Monty Python and Star Trek.
The awe-inspiring landscape of my home,
Talking to my dearest two friends. Reminding myself of what the arts and literature mean to me, and reminding myself of what I have accomplished so far in relation to my ill health.
A cup of English breakfast tea with dessert, reminding me that the little, pleasurable, most trivial things are pearls in time.
The will that I know I need to carry on in order to see my dreams through even if it is hard for me to make it through each day
I owe the person who worked hard to make those dreams come alive the opportunity to work on them
Honestly, all the positive things I’ve heard people say over the years, even if it wasn’t meant for me … like hearing people say encouraging things gets stored in my brain and seems to resurface in difficult times.
I can’t recall ever feeling hopeless when turning inward – only my outward perception on a few occasions. So, I have come to learn that if I do not like what I see outwardly, turning inward is the answer. It might seem a bit like a solitary solution, because in one sense it is, but paradoxically at the same time it is being at one with all creation. The words are clumsy and inadequate, but they might give you some idea. I find myself dwelling more and more in internal dimensions as I go about my day-to-day being.
My family, friends, and the community has helped me when I have felt hopeless.
My spiritual practice has also played a huge role in letting go of negative minds.
My belief in a higher power. Praying, meditating, talking to my “guides”. Practicing gratefulness. Making myself move, walking, yoga.
Affirmations. Getting out in nature. Trusting that this too shall pass.
🙏🙏🙏
When did I feel hopeless? It’s hard to remember. But I remember times when I meditated heavily, at an altar on the nightstand by my bed, and I felt the presence of a tall robed woman on the altar.
My husband and family help me to keep going. Family dinners help me to laugh at the ridiculousness of life. Routine helps me to keep moving forward. Connecting with others help me to feel that I am not alone. Quotes and guided meditations help me to feel connected with myself and others.
Feelings of hopelessness forced me to look deeply into spiritual teachings which have given me an anchor and learning gratefulness has transformed the way I see my life. That and the love and support of my 3 children.
You know the phrase, “Be the person your dog thinks you are”? In a way, I try to be the person my little grandchildren think I am. That helps me to get my rear in gear and move into the future with positivity.
My faith, my meditations, this site, some are of my friends , my psychologist and one close friend who showed me the path of mindfulness and gratitude..
The What is my journaling and my prayer life. The Who are friends, family of course, our dog, meditations, and my church community. And last but not least, Nature. Seeing the ebb and flow happen, as life goes on, has given me an example of equanimity that has helped me tremendously…
Hopelessness is a form of despair, loneliness, depression. I’ve experienced all of these, at times, and turn to the teachings of the Buddha, Jesus, and others. I meditate and I pray. I pray to God. However, He or She is the Great Mystery. I don’t know if God is a ‘being’ or the vast cosmic energy of all that is light, all that is good, all that is love. In the end, I must go deep within to grasp the strength to turn to my writing or photography, and painting. These actions soothe my soul and give me hope.
My mom. She has always been such a great support for me, but there was a time several years ago where I was sitting in my rock bottom. And she loved me, helped me the way I needed her to, lifted me up, and didn’t think any less of me for what had happened. She has always been a good mom, but it’s been in my adult life when I’ve recognized and been grateful for her sustenance the most.
So true for me too, sunnypatti. My mom is 85 years old and such a good listener. We need each other. She taught me how to provide selfless care and now it is my gift to provide this for her as her primary caretaker. I know few people get to grow old with their mom still with them and I am amazed and grateful to share this wisdom time with her. When asked the other day, she said, “Well, I never thought I’d be around to see my daughter retire!”
In my experience it comes down to keeping my routine. Going through the motions of my life. Showing up. Keeping my word. For (so far) these periods of hopelessness, grief and sadness have passed. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Yet these actions are the framework that hold me up, keep me upright. And in time, as I said, it eases.
There’s an expression in rowing. When you are in a boat with seven other oarsmen, in order to row well it is crucial to be in sync. The saying “keep your mind in the boat” is just that. We have to build an ability to focus on the stroke we are in and not be distracted. So in these times of hopelessness my routine is in a way doing just that.
Yes Howie, I agree routine is so necessary & important for me as well. In fact I am trying to find my footing these days in routine, perhaps a new routine. Have been out of my home for the last 14 months due to “family stuff”, & now that I am back home my routine is what is keeping me sane. Altho I am trying to make, create a new one as so much has changed since I was away. Keep up your routine & yes, stay in the present moment. Blessings, ❤️🙏
I can’t say that I have ever felt totally hopeless…yet, in this life. But, it’s my wife of 49 years, Betty Ann, that has sustained me through thick and thin, whether it’s some kind of crisis, health challenges, sudden job loss, and or financial difficulties, etc. I am a very luck man.
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What has sustained me during times of hopelessness:
Praying
Journaling/ this website
Painting/sketching/drawing
PBS Kids shows
70’s music & Calming music
NATURE
Walking/stretching
Who has sustained me during times of hopelessness:
Myself
Our Creator
Mother Nature
My father
My sister
Animals
My Mentor- Matt L
My therapist
Brene Brown
Dr.Amen
Tara Brach
My friend Thomas & Joce
Pets (of all kinds)
Youtube videos of Dr vivek bindra,kiran bedi,bk shivani and novels like The Secret and Tuesdays with Morrie. Internships,mom,bhai,dad,entertaining shows and PS.
Jesus Christ. But I often didn’t see this in the moment.
Helpless rather than hopeless for me. I am struggling to remember a time when I had no hope. But helpless in the face of life’s many sharp turns, yes. In that space I can to some extent leave it to the great unknown. I have also found strength in a belief that some change will act on me and that change will be a growth. Sometimes help from others can be helpful, professional or otherwise.
Monty Python and Star Trek.
The awe-inspiring landscape of my home,
Talking to my dearest two friends. Reminding myself of what the arts and literature mean to me, and reminding myself of what I have accomplished so far in relation to my ill health.
A cup of English breakfast tea with dessert, reminding me that the little, pleasurable, most trivial things are pearls in time.
The will that I know I need to carry on in order to see my dreams through even if it is hard for me to make it through each day
I owe the person who worked hard to make those dreams come alive the opportunity to work on them
Honestly, all the positive things I’ve heard people say over the years, even if it wasn’t meant for me … like hearing people say encouraging things gets stored in my brain and seems to resurface in difficult times.
My partner. He’s my rock, my biggest cheerleader, my confidante. And also our dogs Cody and Calvin shown in my profile pic. 🙂
My Dog Pecan
I can’t recall ever feeling hopeless when turning inward – only my outward perception on a few occasions. So, I have come to learn that if I do not like what I see outwardly, turning inward is the answer. It might seem a bit like a solitary solution, because in one sense it is, but paradoxically at the same time it is being at one with all creation. The words are clumsy and inadequate, but they might give you some idea. I find myself dwelling more and more in internal dimensions as I go about my day-to-day being.
The zabuton and zafu.
My faith.
My family, friends, and the community has helped me when I have felt hopeless.
My spiritual practice has also played a huge role in letting go of negative minds.
unadulterated love
My belief in a higher power. Praying, meditating, talking to my “guides”. Practicing gratefulness. Making myself move, walking, yoga.
Affirmations. Getting out in nature. Trusting that this too shall pass.
🙏🙏🙏
When did I feel hopeless? It’s hard to remember. But I remember times when I meditated heavily, at an altar on the nightstand by my bed, and I felt the presence of a tall robed woman on the altar.
My husband and family help me to keep going. Family dinners help me to laugh at the ridiculousness of life. Routine helps me to keep moving forward. Connecting with others help me to feel that I am not alone. Quotes and guided meditations help me to feel connected with myself and others.
My daughters, my spiritual directors/friends, excellent and compassionate doctors. Sometimes the dawn of a new day or season.
Myself.
Feelings of hopelessness forced me to look deeply into spiritual teachings which have given me an anchor and learning gratefulness has transformed the way I see my life. That and the love and support of my 3 children.
You know the phrase, “Be the person your dog thinks you are”? In a way, I try to be the person my little grandchildren think I am. That helps me to get my rear in gear and move into the future with positivity.
I didn’t know that phrase. Love it. Thanks Patricia
Thank you, Patricia – that’s delightful!
My faith, my meditations, this site, some are of my friends , my psychologist and one close friend who showed me the path of mindfulness and gratitude..
God. Family and friends. Leaning on God and talking to him.
The What is my journaling and my prayer life. The Who are friends, family of course, our dog, meditations, and my church community. And last but not least, Nature. Seeing the ebb and flow happen, as life goes on, has given me an example of equanimity that has helped me tremendously…
My family and friends.
Running.
Nature.
My own bad self 🙂
And my own good self
And God.
And nature.
And family.
And friends.
And a damn good song.
Have a grateful day!
And you as well!
Hopelessness is a form of despair, loneliness, depression. I’ve experienced all of these, at times, and turn to the teachings of the Buddha, Jesus, and others. I meditate and I pray. I pray to God. However, He or She is the Great Mystery. I don’t know if God is a ‘being’ or the vast cosmic energy of all that is light, all that is good, all that is love. In the end, I must go deep within to grasp the strength to turn to my writing or photography, and painting. These actions soothe my soul and give me hope.
My mom. She has always been such a great support for me, but there was a time several years ago where I was sitting in my rock bottom. And she loved me, helped me the way I needed her to, lifted me up, and didn’t think any less of me for what had happened. She has always been a good mom, but it’s been in my adult life when I’ve recognized and been grateful for her sustenance the most.
So true for me too, sunnypatti. My mom is 85 years old and such a good listener. We need each other. She taught me how to provide selfless care and now it is my gift to provide this for her as her primary caretaker. I know few people get to grow old with their mom still with them and I am amazed and grateful to share this wisdom time with her. When asked the other day, she said, “Well, I never thought I’d be around to see my daughter retire!”
I’m glad she was around to see you retire! I hope my mom is when my time comes. She is about to retire herself, and I’m SO happy for her!
In my experience it comes down to keeping my routine. Going through the motions of my life. Showing up. Keeping my word. For (so far) these periods of hopelessness, grief and sadness have passed. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. Yet these actions are the framework that hold me up, keep me upright. And in time, as I said, it eases.
There’s an expression in rowing. When you are in a boat with seven other oarsmen, in order to row well it is crucial to be in sync. The saying “keep your mind in the boat” is just that. We have to build an ability to focus on the stroke we are in and not be distracted. So in these times of hopelessness my routine is in a way doing just that.
Yes Howie, I agree routine is so necessary & important for me as well. In fact I am trying to find my footing these days in routine, perhaps a new routine. Have been out of my home for the last 14 months due to “family stuff”, & now that I am back home my routine is what is keeping me sane. Altho I am trying to make, create a new one as so much has changed since I was away. Keep up your routine & yes, stay in the present moment. Blessings, ❤️🙏
Excellent!
I can’t say that I have ever felt totally hopeless…yet, in this life. But, it’s my wife of 49 years, Betty Ann, that has sustained me through thick and thin, whether it’s some kind of crisis, health challenges, sudden job loss, and or financial difficulties, etc. I am a very luck man.
I lived with sadness, grief, pain and sorrow but I am glad that there was always hope.