Will You Find Some Measure of Peace in This Life?

[upstream]

In the movie 'The Last Samurai,' the main character has combat PTSD and is haunted by his memories, including terrible nightmares.

His environment changes, as does the way he lives his life. Through this he finds a sense of purpose and a measure of peace. The turmoil in his life and mind seem to fade away.

On this forum there is a never ending debate about whether or not PTSD is curable. To me, this is a different question. I'm not asking if you will completely forget, if your symptoms will entirely disapear, or if you will return to the person you used to be.

I'm just asking if you expect to have some measure of peace in your life, and what that means for you. If you have already, I'd love to hear about it.

[nic]

I think that peace in life comes and goes. In many aspects, I do have peace in my life, and in others, I don't. No matter how good things are for anyone (with or without PTSD), there are always events that happen that shatter this peace. The hope is, however, that he/she will regain that peace once the dust settles, so to speak.

The definition of "being at peace" also differs, and sometimes even differs within one person. For example, there are days that I feel "at peace," because I know that I am loved and have those I love, and this is what being at peace truly means. However, there are other days that I think "being a peace" means that I will never have to worry about another anxiety attack and I won't have to deal with the PTSD so much. Both of these definitions are true for me.

I want to reiterate the "life as rollercoaster" metaphor. It has its ups and downs. If being at peace means that things go along smoothly, then I don't think anyone is at peace, and I don't think that most people (if they really thought about it) want that kind of "peace," as our struggles, our highs, our lows, all help to define who we are.

Neither do I think that in order to be at peace, a person must full accept all the crap they have had to deal with. I can feel peaceful, love myself and the world, and still hate what was done to me.

Okay, I will stop my prate now.

Nic :-)

[spiritofnow]

Great thread, Upstream! :wink:

I will answer this in terms of the life and experiences that I have had, and what I have come to make of these.

Peace; to begin with they will come in the samllest of moments, a second of serenity, a minute of tranquility, an hour of calmness, a day of stillness, a week of placidity as if a lull in a storm has occurred. Peace is a state of mind, it is something we have to practice and just as Nic above pointed out it is something that we are all striving for irrespective of PTSD. Peace is not about getting away from, being free of, it is about acceptance of the way things are. We live in a world of chaos yet we set boundaries and conditions on life events. I have come to feel that it is our need to excerpt control and order over our worlds' that causes us to feel less peaceful.

I am finding peace as I tap into this mind set!

Spirit x

[Roo]

Yes, absolutely -- I've experienced peace (what I equate with a quietness of mind and a sense of complete presence, cohesion and awareness) -- it always seems to come on in the most ordinary moments. I've experienced it while baking muffins and ironing; while being in certain beautiful places (especially in Shield Country -- a part of Canada -- and by the sea); while showering with my husband; while listening to music; when I've shared a loving embrace with another; when I'm schmoozing with one (or more!) of my cats...

In my mind, peace "pads in on little cat feet" (who wrote that?) and softens all edges. It is a gift...in my understanding a fairly rare one...but I am working to change that...

[Cindy]

Yes I have experienced peace of mind, body, and soul since PTSD. Not often but in one of three ways.

Location - usually water and nature when I totally focus on being there and listening and sensing all that I can.

Complete focused meditation with music with nature background.

Occasionally when I am totally absorbed in an activity I enjoy, I stop and realize the mind chatter is stopped, I'm relaxed and enjoying myself. A moment of peace has snuck up on me.

These moments are few and far between, but I hope to increase them tremendously over the summer as I plan to take the summer off from teaching. Just work on me, my space, and creating a life rythym.

[Murphy's Law]

I love those brief moments, I call them my moments of sanity. ANd I love the way Roo discribes it.
My moments of sanity, or peace, dont seem to laste very long, something always creeps in, distracts me. But that is what keeps me going. Keeps me working at making me better. More of those brief moments.

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I agree with nic.

One instance I found peaceful, may create stress for some one else. About 3 days ago when I was feeling really $hitty, our town had a huge storm come through. I was looking out my picture glass window and had the door open. I felt the wind blowing and seen the sky turning dark. The clouds were flying by fast, some were white and some were gray. I seen the sun get covered by the variety of clouds then I heard thunder and seen a bright streak of lightning in the sky.

In this whole 5 minutes of watching this storm I was in a total state of peace. I was in the present moment not thinking about anything other than the storm, and watched it in amazement. It was like I seen a storm for the first time in my life.

In the past, a storm was just another nuisance that I would complain about. I learned to slow down and look at things in a different perspective. It doesn't happen over night, but as I have learned to do this, I'm finding it's happening more and more with different things.

It's amazing how the little things can add up over a period of time.

Take care
Tammy

[Marlene]

I have found a measure of peace with my life post-PTSD. Granted life can sometimes be a pain in the ass...but for the most part I'm happy and content. Actually happier and more content than before my PTSD.

There was so much anger and unhappiness inside of me that I didn't even know was there. Finding out why it was there, releasing it and learning to live with my past have been some of the biggest reasons for this. Having a loving and supportive family has been a big help as well. Learning to like and love me for me...instead of belittling and tearing myself apart like I had always done...was another big part of finding my inner-peace.

I still have a ways to go in all areas. I know this without a doubt. Life is always a work in progress. But I do know that I'm headed in the right direction.

PTSD is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy. But if there is the proverbial silver lining to all of this, it's that I dealt with a lot of issues in my life that I probably would have kept ignoring without having them forced to the surface. Maybe there is something good that always comes from something bad.

Lisa

[Seeking_Nirvana]

I
Maybe there is something good that always comes from something bad.
Lisa

I watched a movie last night called "Fierce People" It states the same thing that you stated Lisa. I really recommend this movie, it shows how a boy learned to deal with a bad situation.

The movie has some intense scenes that may trigger some one. But otherwise it addresses the importance of learning how to over come the ups and downs of life.

Tammy

[goingonhope]

There was a time, I never would've believed this possible, but yes I often can and do find great peace. And, sometimes life tosses oncoming daily stressors, add in perhaps a trigger or trauma related memory, and it's not so peaceful, however, even this is far more manageable these days. And, yes it does pass. And, it seems to pass quicker with good intention and attitude.

I remember yrs. back when I couldn't even imagine peace. And, I use to hear this saying, "This to shall pass," and I thought OM, is this person stupid, full of it, or hoping to manipulate me. I thought then: Nothing ever passes. ... Nothing will ever pass. ... Not this. ... No this cannot pass! Clearly, ...though convinced then, I was mistaken. But, oh' how it can pass and how it does, but for me not magically or without pain, decision, more pain, and continuing honesty and efforts, and my share of work.

So, I can generally maintain the faith that yes, I will usually find a measure of peace in each day. Add up all those days, (sometimes back to back), and it works out well enough.


Hope

[linasmom]

I sure hope I will. For me, peace means to "be here now", as others have mentioned. To accept, without the desire for something different, the present.

[goingonhope]

Once again, I spotted this posted on the dojo bulletin board today and thought it might be nice to share here, so I asked for a copy and ta'da. I really like it! Here goes:

(there is no name, author, ect........so therefore it's anonymous.)


Symptoms of Inner Peace

1. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experience.


2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.


3. A loss of interest in judging other people.


4. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.


5. A loss of interest in conflict.


6. A loss of the ability to worry.


7. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.


8. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.


9. Frequent attacks of smiling.


10. An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.


11. An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

[Marlene]

These are too cool, Hope!!

Lisa

[Cindy]

I love it! Thank you!

[Grama-Herc]

Hope

As I began reading this thread my thoughts went in the direction of "Will I ever have peace" in my life. Then I read your list and each item put a bigger smile on my face
and caused me to look at things somewhat differently.

Aside from a few minor irratations I can say that I am at peace. I've been blessed with
having my mom with me. Stressful as it may be--I have her with me. My daughter has come back to me. A gift from God, no doubt!

Life is never perfect and there will always be minor/major problems to tax our coping
skills. If everything was always perfect we would never grow in our emotional strength.

I get stressed, and grumpy, and touchy, and way to sensiive at times. These all help
to remind me of how really peaceful my life is.

The changes in my inner self since diagnosis is amazing. My problems have not gone away. My issues are not gone either. But being aware of WHY I am like I am and why I feel as I do has given me a sense of peace like I have never known. The world around me is not quite as scarey knowing "why" I am scared.

Does this rambling make any sense?

[upstream]

Thanks Hope!