I turn to my faith for solace, I know I can call my mom and sometimes I do, other times I might choose a friend or change gears and do something fun with one of my kids.
Music, exercise, reading and writing are all uplifting and or personal actions that bring forth a perspective to help me handle whatever has led to the need for solace.
There are a few friends I reach out to by phone and that is helpful to talk of the experience(s) of grief, loss, or sadness I’m walking through. Journaling provides comfort too. Engaging in prayer / conversation with my Creator is usually the best balm. Getting a little more sleep that night is also helpful for self nurturing. Easter Blessings, Post Passover Blessings, and Spring Cheer to all! 🌷💕🌷
I have found solace
in the arms of those who love me,
but I admit,
not very often.
My parents
reached out to me
when my first son died,
but they had an agenda
(that of taking me away from my husband
and back into the home of my childhood),
so I did not let them in.
Since then,
I have felt compelled to minimize my pain with others . . .
it is very difficult for me to accept compassion,
and I do not do it well.
So I most often seek solace in solitude . . .
in Nature,
in music and drawing . . .
in my cats,
who tolerate my tears.
My husband
does not know what to do with my grief,
but does the best he can,
and I am grateful for that.
When I calm down
the heart of what I believe
comforts me,
brings me back to Source,
and helps me cope more normally.
My safest place
is to be on a beach and utterly alone . . .
screaming into the wind and the waves
with no one to witness my despair.
Maybe
I still have a bit of the
‘lonely bird on a dark sea’
in me
after all.
As a child, I turned to my parents. Their presence, their arms, their words were enough to soothe me. Later, when I was married, I turned to my husband. But in time, I learned he was unequipped to offer the empathy or comfort I needed. That part of the partnership, the safety in vulnerability, wasn’t there.
Now, my children are grown. And while I love them deeply, I don’t want to place the weight of my sadness on their shoulders. My pain is mine to carry, not theirs.
So I turn inward. I turn to myself.
I turn to this group, to the quiet connection of being heard.
I allow myself to feel the sadness when it comes. I talk to myself. I stroke my dog. I walk among nature.
Since my parents died, the simple comforts of a hug, and kind words of reassurance have not been within reach. So I’ve learned to sit with my pain, to feel it fully and to believe that it will pass.
“…, the simple comforts of a hug, ….” Antonia thank you. I will appreciate the hugs from my lovely wife Cheryl, if possible, more and return to her the same comforting energy.
I so understand where you are coming from,
dear Antonia,
and know this kind of aloneness.
You remind me
that I am not alone . . .
and neither are you.
You are held
with love . . .
sparrow
Most often when I need solace I turn to my husband and tell him I need a hug. He wraps his arms all the way around me and holds me close and warm.
If it’s something between us that leads me to seek solace, I have a couple of best friends I might confide in, or I go for a long walk by myself, tuning into what’s around me.
We live near a couple of parks. One in particular is a big one with lots of forested paths and access to the waters of an inlet of Budd Bay on the south end of Puget Sound. It’s peaceful there and I can easily walk for an hour. The park has a “Telephone of the Wind,” an old phone mounted on a tree that invites us to lift the receiver and talk to someone who’s gone. This idea started in Japan after a terrible tsunami and has spread to multiple locations. I went there with my sister and sister-in-law when they came to visit and we took turns lifting the receiver to talk to my brother who drowned in 2016. It’s comforting to send those loving thoughts somewhere. A story about ours https://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/the-telephone-of-the-wind-olympia-grief-hope and a directory a grief center established https://thetelephoneofthewind.com/.
I might also write in my journal to try to make sense of whatever it is that hurt or stung. Describing what happened sometimes provides insight; it gives me the distance to observe my own words and actions and understand how they might have landed with someone else, and distance to remind myself that everyone is carrying their own internal stuff that might show up in an interaction with me without being about me at all.
I love the idea
of the ‘telephone of the wind’,
dear Barb . . .
thank you for sharing that with me.
Having lost my own brother to covid,
I feel your sorrow
and hold you in my heart
with love . . .
sparrow
When I need solace I go inside myself. I focus on my breath. I pray. I meditate. I sit in silence.
I get outside in Mother Nature & I walk.
I listen to music.
Easter Blessings to All.✨🌅🌷🐣
🕊️🩵
My son went with me to the Easter Vigil at Father John’s church last night and it was amazing but very long – 2 hours!
There was also 5 baptisms and 3 confirmations during the service. It was surreal to be there. He was the priest at my son’s first communion 25 yrs ago!.
WOW, so many wise and pure ” i don´t need another human being close by” reactions… apart from Sunnipatty- WOW. Have i translated “solace” wrongly? is it not when you feel sad?? You all other do not turn to ones dear to your heart? And you all feel consoled by the universe? You are all pure water running through all which is without resistance?? without someone hugging you, consoling you, or someone being with you in the first place?? I really cannot believe this. I must misunderstand something quite a lot… Really, no idea.
No,
dear Ose . . .
I don’t think you have translated ‘solace’ wrongly.
Sometimes,
in the deep, dark night of our suffering
there is no one to turn to . . .
given a choice,
most of us
would turn to a loved one,
but when we can’t,
for whatever reason,
we must be wise enough
to find something in the Universe
that helps to soothe that pain. ♥
You are so right that the hug of a person dear to our heart can be so very healing. For some of us, that person is no longer in our life or they’ve hurt us in ways that made it unsafe for us to lean on them. So we learn to comfort ourselves because there is no one else to turn to.
I turn inward.
That sometimes means sitting in silence and prayer, going for a walk, but also talking to my husband or calling my mom.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate 🐣 We came to visit family in Lake Lure and are going on a hike in a bit. I’m ready to soak up more mountain energy ⛰️💫
I turn to rote or spontaneous prayer.
I turn to reading quotes from different wise folks.
I like to reach out to a needy person.
I turn to a hot beverage, a cozy chair and a sweet.
May all your Baskets be filled with peace, joy and hope
“I like to reach out to a needy person.”
I find,
dear Yram,
that through my own pain
I find more compassion in my heart
for others.
I think you do too. ♥
I turn to what is never dying, never changing and eternal which is Truth . Speaking worlds of wisdom – surrender let it be – let go. Thank you universe! 💯🙌💓
When I find myself in need of solace, I enjoy the quietness of my bedroom, lighting candles throughout the house, enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana, and relaxing.
Happy Easter and 420 Everyone:)
I was going to say “Faith and inner strength”, but EJP already answered that. Moving on. I’m in a good spot now. I’m sure I’ll be able to find places to turn to when I need solace. As I’ve said before, a quote I always bring up that reduces overthinking is “I make it up as I go” Indiana Jones.
Now that I’m doing improv, I appreciate this Indiana Jones line more than ever! I found a clip of this and shared it on the page I manage for our improv troupe. Thanks for the inspiration, Loc.
No problem, Barb. As we were talking about Phil Jackson yesterday, I remember reading in the papers before that was the exact line he used when preparing his players for the inevidable chaos by always shaking things up during practices.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
I turn to my faith for solace, I know I can call my mom and sometimes I do, other times I might choose a friend or change gears and do something fun with one of my kids.
Music, exercise, reading and writing are all uplifting and or personal actions that bring forth a perspective to help me handle whatever has led to the need for solace.
There are a few friends I reach out to by phone and that is helpful to talk of the experience(s) of grief, loss, or sadness I’m walking through. Journaling provides comfort too. Engaging in prayer / conversation with my Creator is usually the best balm. Getting a little more sleep that night is also helpful for self nurturing. Easter Blessings, Post Passover Blessings, and Spring Cheer to all! 🌷💕🌷
I have found solace
in the arms of those who love me,
but I admit,
not very often.
My parents
reached out to me
when my first son died,
but they had an agenda
(that of taking me away from my husband
and back into the home of my childhood),
so I did not let them in.
Since then,
I have felt compelled to minimize my pain with others . . .
it is very difficult for me to accept compassion,
and I do not do it well.
So I most often seek solace in solitude . . .
in Nature,
in music and drawing . . .
in my cats,
who tolerate my tears.
My husband
does not know what to do with my grief,
but does the best he can,
and I am grateful for that.
When I calm down
the heart of what I believe
comforts me,
brings me back to Source,
and helps me cope more normally.
My safest place
is to be on a beach and utterly alone . . .
screaming into the wind and the waves
with no one to witness my despair.
Maybe
I still have a bit of the
‘lonely bird on a dark sea’
in me
after all.
❤️🌱
These days I turn mostly to music…I always find solace there.
As a child, I turned to my parents. Their presence, their arms, their words were enough to soothe me. Later, when I was married, I turned to my husband. But in time, I learned he was unequipped to offer the empathy or comfort I needed. That part of the partnership, the safety in vulnerability, wasn’t there.
Now, my children are grown. And while I love them deeply, I don’t want to place the weight of my sadness on their shoulders. My pain is mine to carry, not theirs.
So I turn inward. I turn to myself.
I turn to this group, to the quiet connection of being heard.
I allow myself to feel the sadness when it comes. I talk to myself. I stroke my dog. I walk among nature.
Since my parents died, the simple comforts of a hug, and kind words of reassurance have not been within reach. So I’ve learned to sit with my pain, to feel it fully and to believe that it will pass.
“…, the simple comforts of a hug, ….” Antonia thank you. I will appreciate the hugs from my lovely wife Cheryl, if possible, more and return to her the same comforting energy.
And we do hear each other here! I hope you do find this group as supportive as I do : )
I so understand where you are coming from,
dear Antonia,
and know this kind of aloneness.
You remind me
that I am not alone . . .
and neither are you.
You are held
with love . . .
sparrow
Antonia- I offer a warm loving hand on your back
Antonia, You are a wise woman.
Most often when I need solace I turn to my husband and tell him I need a hug. He wraps his arms all the way around me and holds me close and warm.
If it’s something between us that leads me to seek solace, I have a couple of best friends I might confide in, or I go for a long walk by myself, tuning into what’s around me.
We live near a couple of parks. One in particular is a big one with lots of forested paths and access to the waters of an inlet of Budd Bay on the south end of Puget Sound. It’s peaceful there and I can easily walk for an hour. The park has a “Telephone of the Wind,” an old phone mounted on a tree that invites us to lift the receiver and talk to someone who’s gone. This idea started in Japan after a terrible tsunami and has spread to multiple locations. I went there with my sister and sister-in-law when they came to visit and we took turns lifting the receiver to talk to my brother who drowned in 2016. It’s comforting to send those loving thoughts somewhere. A story about ours https://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/the-telephone-of-the-wind-olympia-grief-hope and a directory a grief center established https://thetelephoneofthewind.com/.
I might also write in my journal to try to make sense of whatever it is that hurt or stung. Describing what happened sometimes provides insight; it gives me the distance to observe my own words and actions and understand how they might have landed with someone else, and distance to remind myself that everyone is carrying their own internal stuff that might show up in an interaction with me without being about me at all.
Wow that idea of the phone out in nature is really remarkable!
I love the idea
of the ‘telephone of the wind’,
dear Barb . . .
thank you for sharing that with me.
Having lost my own brother to covid,
I feel your sorrow
and hold you in my heart
with love . . .
sparrow
When I need solace I go inside myself. I focus on my breath. I pray. I meditate. I sit in silence.
I get outside in Mother Nature & I walk.
I listen to music.
Easter Blessings to All.✨🌅🌷🐣
🕊️🩵
I turn to my faith.
My son went with me to the Easter Vigil at Father John’s church last night and it was amazing but very long – 2 hours!
There was also 5 baptisms and 3 confirmations during the service. It was surreal to be there. He was the priest at my son’s first communion 25 yrs ago!.
Happy Easter Sunday!
WOW, so many wise and pure ” i don´t need another human being close by” reactions… apart from Sunnipatty- WOW. Have i translated “solace” wrongly? is it not when you feel sad?? You all other do not turn to ones dear to your heart? And you all feel consoled by the universe? You are all pure water running through all which is without resistance?? without someone hugging you, consoling you, or someone being with you in the first place?? I really cannot believe this. I must misunderstand something quite a lot… Really, no idea.
Not all humans are capable of offering a sincere consoling!
No,
dear Ose . . .
I don’t think you have translated ‘solace’ wrongly.
Sometimes,
in the deep, dark night of our suffering
there is no one to turn to . . .
given a choice,
most of us
would turn to a loved one,
but when we can’t,
for whatever reason,
we must be wise enough
to find something in the Universe
that helps to soothe that pain. ♥
You are so right that the hug of a person dear to our heart can be so very healing. For some of us, that person is no longer in our life or they’ve hurt us in ways that made it unsafe for us to lean on them. So we learn to comfort ourselves because there is no one else to turn to.
The very first line in my response (which I posted after yours) is that I get a hug from my sweetheart. Humans are the best medicine for me.
I turn inward.
That sometimes means sitting in silence and prayer, going for a walk, but also talking to my husband or calling my mom.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate 🐣 We came to visit family in Lake Lure and are going on a hike in a bit. I’m ready to soak up more mountain energy ⛰️💫
I turn to rote or spontaneous prayer.
I turn to reading quotes from different wise folks.
I like to reach out to a needy person.
I turn to a hot beverage, a cozy chair and a sweet.
May all your Baskets be filled with peace, joy and hope
“I like to reach out to a needy person.”
I find,
dear Yram,
that through my own pain
I find more compassion in my heart
for others.
I think you do too. ♥
I turn to what is never dying, never changing and eternal which is Truth . Speaking worlds of wisdom – surrender let it be – let go. Thank you universe! 💯🙌💓
When I find myself in need of solace, I enjoy the quietness of my bedroom, lighting candles throughout the house, enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana, and relaxing.
Happy Easter and 420 Everyone:)
The same to you dear Michele.🐰
I turn to the Divine and its manifestations in me, in nature, everywhere I look.
For those who celebrate it, may you have a joyous Easter today!
I was going to say “Faith and inner strength”, but EJP already answered that. Moving on. I’m in a good spot now. I’m sure I’ll be able to find places to turn to when I need solace. As I’ve said before, a quote I always bring up that reduces overthinking is “I make it up as I go” Indiana Jones.
Now that I’m doing improv, I appreciate this Indiana Jones line more than ever! I found a clip of this and shared it on the page I manage for our improv troupe. Thanks for the inspiration, Loc.
No problem, Barb. As we were talking about Phil Jackson yesterday, I remember reading in the papers before that was the exact line he used when preparing his players for the inevidable chaos by always shaking things up during practices.