Recently, I was sitting in a meeting, listening to someone share their story and—WHAM! I was triggered.  My breathing slowed, my hands got sweaty, and I began to panic.

Suddenly, memories (and the intense feelings that went with them) came flooding back. It happened in a matter of seconds, and I found myself wanting to flee those old traumatic experiences once more.

When triggers hit, it's hard because they make us feel out of control. They remind us of hurtful things— things we don't want to relive. We can find ourselves reacting in ways we don't want to react, such as lashing out at our friends or pulling away from loved ones. Reacting to triggers in this way doesn't mean we're crazy or that something is wrong with us.  It means we're human, and it's a normal response to trauma.

Fortunately, if we're aware of our triggers, we can learn how to respond appropriately.  I know when I go to my meeting tomorrow, I am going to face a situation that will trigger those memories again.  This time, however, I'm going in prepared.  I'm going to take a short walk ahead of time, so I can burn off some of my anxiety.  I'm going to take a warm, comforting drink with me and have something in my hand I can fiddle with.  These are some of the things that help me stay calm.

Knowing which things help soothe our nerves is helpful in situations such as these.   It's also helpful to know our triggers and how they make us respond.  Self-regulating can help us avoid the intense feelings and behaviors, and help us choose healthier and more constructive responses. 

This powerful video was shared to my Facebook page.  Its images triggered some painful emotions, but the message is clear. People who have been through the battle of depression and survived know that hope is waiting on the other side.  Whether you find it in faith or somewhere else, hope is waiting for you.  Please don't kill yourself!

     Do you ever feel like pain is your enemy? You wake up in the morning and try your best, but somehow pain always finds a way to slice through your happiness. And you wonder...will you ever be able to escape it?

     If you feel this way, I'm sorry for the hurt you are experiencing.  I understand where you're coming from; I really do. I've experienced both physical and mental pain that have left me begging for mercy.

      I'd love to take all of that pain away from you, but I know, deep down,  it would be one of the worst things I could do.

     You may be surprised by that statement, but it's true.  You see, pain is not our enemy.  It is simply a warning to us that something is amiss— something's not right.  

    Without pain, we wouldn't know anything was wrong; and that, my friend, could be detrimental. After all, some of the most dangerous types of diseases are those where we feel no pain until it's too late for healing.  

     I'm not saying pain is good, but what I am saying is that pain often triggers us to search for the help we need. It causes us to find new solutions... make supportive connections...repair important relationships.  It causes us to fight with the determination of a warrior, knowing healing is right around the corner.

     Pain doesn't have to be a stumbling block.  It can be a stepping stone—a way out of your faltering strength and into a transformative wholeness.   Don't stop fighting.  Reach out.  Connect.  Search for healing.  It won't be long until you find it.
     

We are so thankful for the agencies who join hands with us in our journey to help you. 

​Topcounselingschools.org shared the following graphic, which you may find insightful. As you go about your week, please take care of yourself.

​I'm fine.

Have you ever said that?  Someone makes a comment to you because they're concerned about your eating habits, and you push them away by saying, "I'm fine."  You know they're probably correct, but you don't want to hear it.  You want to keep doing whatever you're doing, because it's giving you something you feel you need.

Like a smaller number on the scale.
A smaller jean size.
Comments from your friends about how "tiny" you look.

It's easy to convince yourself you're fine, because of the pretty package on the outside.  But inside, you know something's not right.

You're tired.
You have dizzy spells and headaches.
Your stomach hurts.

Your body wasn't made to run on empty.  It needs fuel to run smoothly, and when it doesn't get enough fuel, severe problems arise. 

Plus, it's stressful having to worry about calorie counting and calorie burning!  You wish you didn't have to worry about such things, so you could devote yourself to relaxing and having fun in the moment like others do.