Tag Archives: Buddhism

No Sleep For Me; Time to Use Skills

Posted on by Gertie

As of starting this particular blog post it is 12:34 in morning Seattle time. It is currently raining quite hard once again which is nothing new this time of year in Seattle. My insomnia suck shit right now because of PTSD and Depression. I really dislike having mental health challenges. Right now I am going to start using a skill that helps me ground myself so I can do my other skills a bit easier.

I will start with doing two mindfulness meditation practices to put me into a good head space or a head space that will have me make wise mind decisions. Another thing I will do is read a couple of sacred writings from Buddhism scripture. Mindfulness meditation and Buddhism is quite helpful for my mental health recovery.

Another thing I will do is finish reading a book about Tarot for beginners. It is an easy book to read. I will also read the tiny books that come with the tarot cards to help see if I can learn anything more, before I do my first tarot reading on myself. I also plan to journal about the tarot reading and documenting the cards that were chosen. I will also attempt to do a tarot workbook but not sure if I will do that but hope I can do it.

One last thing I plan to do is a workbook that focuses on my mental health recovery. I feel like needing to do recovery workbooks for my mental health challenges will be helpful for my recovery and be helpful with my work with my therapist. I do have to say I have an amazing therapist. Of course my cat will be helpful with helping me with my depression and my PTSD.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read on my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Gaining Knowledge, Wisdom & Understanding

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Friday, World!!! I am continuously attempting to gain more knowledge, wisdom and understanding so I can better improve myself as well as help myself to stay on my path recovery. In fact my path of recovery has been going well which is probably one of the reasons why I am focusing my attention on learning more about Tarot Cards and Buddhism. I am on this path of learning about Tarot Cards and Buddhism so, I can grow as a person as well as be of help to others.

You may be wondering how I am doing this and I am more than happy to share it with you. I have purchased books and workbooks on both Buddhism and Tarot Cards to read and do the workbooks. I am reading a book on Tarot Cards and then plan on doing a workbook after I am done reading the books. I also bought a book and workbook on Buddhism. I am also reading the book on Buddhism and plan on doing the workbook after I am done reading the book.

As of right now I am finding both books quite interesting and hope to gain more knowledge on both subjects. The books are written in layman terms which is quite helpful for me. I am hoping this will be helpful for my own recovery as well as being able to help others with their recovery.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Sleepless In Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is just after four in the morning in my corner of the world and I have not slept a wink all night. It is kind of frustrating as I will be celebrating Christmas with my dads side of the family today and then head off to my moms later this evening. I just don’t want to be a cranky bucket for anyone in my family.

I most definitely don’t want to be a cranky bucket when I am at mom’s as she and my uncle want me to go to the midnight church service with them to bring in Christmas. I don’t consider myself Christian but if my mom wants me to go to church as part of her Christmas gift from me to here I might as well. It won’t hurt me going just this once.

In fact I have been looking into Buddhism for awhile now and am going to start attending a Buddhist temple in the new year. Or at least that is my goal at the moment. I know Buddhism and Christianity don’t go hand and hand but I can respect other people’s religion. My mom doesn’t like the fact that I have been looking into Buddhism which is why I think she want me to go to church as part as my gift to her.

I best be going. I am hoping to at least get some sleep in. I hope everyone has a good holiday if you celebrate Christmas. Thank you for reading my blog. It is much appreciated. Peace Out, World!!!

Sleepless In Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am sleepless in Seattle once again. It has nothing to do with Lil Gertie wanting to play at this hour of the day. It has everything to do with the insomnia that I am experiencing. Insomnia sucks!!!

Since my last post, I have not only attempted to sleep but I have read. I am reading about Buddhism. It is helping me be at peace with myself and the world as a whole. The more I read about Buddhism, the more I realize it is the right spiritually for me. Having faith in something is quite helpful for me as an individual as well as my recovery.

I am going to go now. I am going to play with Lil Gertie as she appears to be playful at the moment. Peace Out, World!!!

Busy Lil Bee Being In Recovery

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I haven’t been back to sleep since my last post. I have been busy since my last post. I read a little bit. I read about Buddhism. If you regularly read my blog you know I have been looking into Buddhism. I am looking into it as I haven’t really been searching spiritual wise the last couple of years. Spirituality is a part of being in recovery. Being in recovery is something I have aspired to be and have been for quite some time. Yes, I have had bumps in the road. Yes, I have fallen however I have picked myself up and wiped myself off.

Being in recovery means doing things that are difficult. For me doing workbooks is quite challenging for me as it pushes me to aspire to be the person I am meant to be. This morning, I have chosen to work on the workbook that focuses me being queer and resilient. Being able to push myself with my gender identity, queerness and resiliency goes right along with my values in my personal recovery path with mental health challenges.

Being in recovery is a major deal for me. I was informed that I would never be in recovery from a mental health condition because my symptoms were so severe. Never tell me I can’t do something because I end up proving you wrong with being able to do it.

Thank you for reading. Have a nice Wednesday. Peace Out, World!!!

Cat = Help With PTSD

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I woken up by Lil Gertie. She licked me smack dab on the nose. Some how this cat knows when I am having a nightmare or some other symptom of PTSD. I’m not sure how she knows but she knows.

I think once I am done blogging this post, I will read. Read about Buddhism. I am learning so many different things about this religion. A religion that knows that you’re going to struggle yet doesn’t shame or guilt you into a being something you are not. It encourages you to strive to be the best you are.

Having a faith in something spiritual is key to being in recovery for anyone. It doesn’t have to be Buddhism or even Christianity. Just as you have faith in something. For me it is Buddhism. Or at least for now it is because I am looking into it, to make sure it is the right faith for me.

Thank you for reading. Have a good morning. Peace Out, World!!!

Middle of the Night Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I just got done watching the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He is a very funny person. I am planning on going to bed within the next hour. Lil Gertie is smack dab in the middle of my bed. If she is still there when I go to be, I will move her.

I am planning on watching M*A*S*H after I am done blogging. Watching something that is a comedy or has humor involved helps with my anxiety especially before bed. Some how laughter helps me sleep.

I haven’t really done much all day as I didn’t have much planned but an interview that got cancelled. It was a nice and relaxing day for me. I read a great deal. I read about Buddhism. I also read Buddhist Scriptures.

Thank you for reading. Goodnight and Peace Out, World!!!

Sleepless in Seattle, Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I am unable to sleep at the moment and it has nothing to do with my cat and every thing to deal with the symptoms of my mental health challenges. Dealing with a mental health condition is not my idea of fun yet I have learned a great deal from them. I have learned that acceptance of oneself is not easy however you can still have fun despite all the challenges the conditions bring.

For an example; painting can be fun. I love to paint. I am painting an abstract version of my cat for my grandpa per his request. My grandpa loves the idea that I am painting. He thinks it is a great way to express myself in a healthy and productive way.

Something else that being in recovery brings to me is faith. Or at least searching for a particular faith. Right now I have been reading books on Buddhism. It has given me some hope and peace that I have been looking for. Some people in my life may not like the idea that I am looking into Buddhism but they are grateful that I am searching for some type of faith even if it is not their faith.

I have been working on my strengths based recovery workbook. That part that I am working on is about attitudes. That attitudes that it is discussing at the moment is hope and courage. I am thrilled that I decided to get this workbook as I have been finding it quite helpful to me as well as to my recovery.

I find it amazing that being able to write in the middle of the night can come easy to me. Maybe it is because I am naturally a night owl or that I am more creative at night. Whatever the reason, I am glad that I can express myself in a healthy way. A way that my old therapist, Diana, would be proud of me.

Thank you for reading. Have a great morning and Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Blog
  • Read (specifically books on Buddhism)
  • Print out photos of my cat, Lil Gertie
  • Paint (a picture of Lil Gertie)
  • Scrapbook
  • Relax

Monday

  • Blog
  • Read (not sure which book yet but I will read)
  • Scrapbook
  • Paint
  • Relax
  • Workbooks

Tuesday

  • Blog
  • Hearing Voices Group
  • Read
  • Workbooks

Wednesday

  • Blog
  • Read
  • Paint
  • Scrapbook
  • Relax
  • Workbooks

Thursday

  • Blog
  • Therapy
  • Read
  • Workbooks

Friday

  • Blog
  • Read
  • DBT Group
  • Workbooks
  • DBT Homework

Saturday

  • Blog
  • Training to be a co-facilitator at a Peer Run program.
  • Workbooks

 

 

Semi-Early Morning Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I got sleep last night which is good news. The bad news is I woke up with depression. Yes, I know I am up early but I am happy I got sleep. Waking up depressed is no fun.

I am not sure what I am going to do today. My therapist will be out of the office today so I will be checking in with his supervisor. His supervisor is a nice woman. I will be checking in with her over the phone for a fifteen minute check-in.

I am most likely going to be reading. I am going to be reading my Star Wars book. I make it a habit to read every day. I love reading. I am also going to be reading a book or two on Buddhism. One of those books happens to be Buddhist Scriptures.

I need to be finding things to do to help combat this depression. For me having plans helps me with fighting off the depression. I am hoping I can talk with my therapist supervisor early so we can come up with a plan.

Thanks for reading. It is very much appreciated from my end. Peace Out, World!!!