At the suggestion of a fellow blogger, I spent some considerable time yesterday night, when the rest of the world was sleeping, to check out other writers who were addressing their issues with hyper-vigilance, and other PTSD and anxiety disorders. As usual, I became overly focused, and after approximately four hours of reading stories of pain, suffering, and healing, I have to admit it all made me rather sad.
No matter what you’ve gone through in your life, there is always someone else who has had it worse. I didn’t
comment on most of the stories, and as you have all figured out about me now, I can usually always find something to say. But, when it comes to the intense personal pain so many fellow humans were writing about, I was at a loss. I tend to hide somewhat behind humor, and there was nothing to hide behind when I was reading those broken people’s pain.
The exploration down the road of hyper-vigilance last night was a good one for me. It made me appreciate that I had a God, and I knew how to go running to Him. He turned my tears into laughter, literally. I’ll always be thankful for that. Maybe even more so today. The anger that most victims have every earthly right to feel about how unjust this treatment had been to them, had been dissipated in me. Even while reading similar stories as mine, the anger never reappeared. It is truly just..gone.
I have my bouts with depression, but they usually don’t last long, and I will have the occasional panic attack after something freaks me out. And of course, my brain is ever-vigilant to keep all that is around me safe from danger. As afflictions go, I got it pretty easy.
So, today, I am going to be appreciative again for the way my life has turned out. I’m going to say a prayer or two for some of the people whose stories hurt my heart. And then I’m going to focus on other things….
And I am only reading sites dedicated to pictures of baby kittens…. 🙂
— Bird
Everyone Has A Story... Again 
14 responses to “Exploring Others Pain”
Good for you I say! The tragic stories will never compare to what Jesus went through. But they dure can break ones heat for sure!
I say read the book the cat in the hat it always makes me smile. 😉
You have yourself a beautiful God filled day, and I shall be waiting to read all about it!
Fly high, and enjoy the sky Bird
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Thanks, Rj! It’s only happy places for me today!
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i never want you to feel sad or bad over my stories. i just want to touch someone’s heart and soul
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When I compare how I write with how you write …(because if we’re being honest, that is what writers tend to do…) I am amazed that you can come up with a tenderness in your words that completely alludes me. My mom had that writing style, too. Maybe I’m drawn to it because I miss my mom, as well. In a way, I think of you as one of the Mourners in the Bible. It’s a gift that isn’t given to all of us. I always look forward to reading what you write each day…
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thank u so much bird. you touched my heart
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Right back at you, Terry!
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may i share your comment to my followers?
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Of course! I don’t say anything I don’t mean…even if I regret it later on… 😉
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thank u
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No matter our pain, Jesus holds us with tenderness. I have something in my life that breaks my heart, but all I can do is to give it to Him. I know He will turn my ashes into beauty. I’ve seen Him do it before and I know He can do it again. And…your writing style is YOUR writing style. That’s what makes it fresh and heartwarming, and touching to others. It’s an honest, courageous story. Do not pretend to be someone else. I, for one, want to hear from Bird in Bird’s voice. Wouldn’t a cardinal look funny with a bluebird’s wings?
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When I first set out to become a writer, I tried to write fiction, mimicking the styles of the authors that I enjoyed so much. It just didn’t flow. I am not a fiction writer. And I don’t have enough knowledge on any particular subject to be an effective non-fiction writer, which is genre I also really enjoy. I have been analyzing myself and my family so long now, though, that I have a lot of things I can say about those topics, and it shows in how I write. This just how I talk in my everyday life. Now, when I write, I really enjoy it, and it doesn’t feel like work. Thanks again for connecting with me!
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Oh, I’m very flattered by the cardinal analogy, but I imagine it’s more like a sparrow or a pigeon… ;-).
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Bird, I can totally relate to this post (Surprise, surprise). I try not to watch the news very often because I really take it personally. It has the ability to make me depressed and angry as if the people these things are happening to are friends or family of mine. I empathize with others so much that I sometimes I can’t even watch a sad movie. Lifetime channel is a big no-no for me, especially the movies that pertain to domestic violence. And like you, even though I know what I should and shouldn’t do, I am sometimes drawn to the very things I know will make me miserable the rest of the day. Thanks for sharing. ~Dawn
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It is always nice to know someone else can relate to this. When I get in my depressed state, it feels pretty lonely. Lifetime is a no-no for me too! I tend to gravitate to comedy and romantic comedy. Rarely do I venture to the news or sad stories. Thanks for the comment! — Bird
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