tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444764900229834270.post5260947975055113908..comments2024-02-10T15:34:36.302-08:00Comments on Brilliant at Breakfast <br>Rebooted: What is the extent of our obligation to know?Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03865082576641051315noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444764900229834270.post-54353716463265339382020-10-27T11:42:19.027-07:002020-10-27T11:42:19.027-07:00As a vet who survived Vietnam a day at a time and ...As a vet who survived Vietnam a day at a time and feeling that every minute was under a dark cloud, it took me nearly two years to understand I was suffering from PTSD. Not severely, but subtly. Hyperaware, always checking my position in relation to others and exits, awakening to nascent sounds, and, in my first weeks back, dropping to the ground at sudden loud noises. I thought at first it was instinctive behavior, but no, it was learned quickly under the influence of rapid horrific events and a continuous adrenaline cocktail to crystalize unconscious function into protecting myself and my buddies.<br /><br />I can see how your life events, family history, and persistent sense of vague danger would activate anxiety and panic. Maybe even panic attacks. These self protection modes have gone into hyperdrive and are crippling physically and emotionally. Finding a lifestyle that reduces stresses, evokes a sense of well being, knowing you are not alone in your concerns or anger at a world seemingly gone insane is not easy, but can be done.<br /><br />My wife has symptoms similar to yours and her path to mitigating anxiety is bi-weekly therapy sessions, no caffeine ever, Xanax as needed, very small doses of tv news from neutral sources, and exercise. And letting her vent or rant when shit just boils over.<br /><br />I was able to unwind my PTSD by understanding my behavior, my anger at Kennedy and Johnson (especially), the government lies and cover ups and finally accepting that I could not change the past. I was determined not to become bitter, or use drugs (the really bad kinds) to tune out, or lash out at every injustice. I learned to take responsibility for my actions; how I would react to people challenging me in inappropriate ways. The best examples of folks who do that so well are Barack and Michelle Obama. And as Carla said, "..do the next right thing." So I do that and, together, we will make a difference.<br /><br />Take care, be safe, vote, stay strong, and make the change you want to be. And don't stop posting!JustMusinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04512264615151227445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444764900229834270.post-43403492763520250632020-09-29T07:50:49.589-07:002020-09-29T07:50:49.589-07:00I think there is a grey areas between looking away...I think there is a grey areas between looking away/not caring/living in delusion and being hyper-aware/choked with anxiety and terror/emotionally paralyzed. I can only speak for myself, but here are my thoughts. I choose not to listen to the news much, especially when it has to do with politics. However, this does not mean that I don't care about the state of our world or am living in a state of delusion. Quite the opposite. However, I value my mental health and choose not to live in a state of fear or anxiety, to the best of my ability. I choose not to project about what might or might not happen, because in reality I don't know. In reality, I can only control what I do or say or think or feel at this very moment. Yes, we can look at history as a guide to the future at times, but who the hell in 1970 thought Trump would be president in 2020? The code I try to live by is to do my very best to do the next right thing. That may mean voting. That may mean using my skills, gifts, talents to make the world a better place with one small action at a time. That may mean turning off the TV which is showing Trump spewing his lies and hate because I don't want to infect my brain with his shit that I am powerless over to change. I am not really a believer in hope. For me, hope is delusion. Hope is not living in reality. Hope is ignoring the truth of what is. So, I guess the bottom line for me is I know what the big picture is, even when I do turn off the TV, and do what I can to change what I find unacceptable. Carlanoreply@blogger.com