PTSD Patrol Touch By The Sun

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 31, 2020

When you start to heal it feels like when the rain stops coming down, the sun starts to shine and drizzle sparkles. You find so much to be happy about your life will sparkle too!

"If you want to be brave

And reach for the top of the sky

And the farthest point on the horizon

Do you know who you'll meet there

Great soldiers and seafarers,

Artists and dreamers

Who need to be close, close to the light"

That is the beginning of the featured video today by Carly Simon.

To be touched by the sun is to feel the warmth and power wash over you, filling your soul and lifting you up.

Touched By The Sun

If you want to be brave

And reach for the top of the sky

And the farthest point on the horizon

Do you know who you'll meet there

Great soldiers and seafarers,

Artists and dreamers

Who need to be close, close to the light

They need to be in danger of burning by fire

And I, I want to get there

 I, I want to be one

One who is touched by the sun,

One who is touched by the sun

Often I want to walk

The safe side of the street

And lull myself to sleep

And dull my pain

But deep down inside I know

I've got to learn from the greats,

Earn my right to be living,

Let my wings of desire

Soar over the night

I need to let them say

I, I want to be one

One who is touched by the sun,

One who is touched by the sun

I've got to learn from the greats,

Earn my right to be living,

With every breath that I take,

Every heartbeat

And I, I want to get there

I, I want to be one, One who is touched by the sun,

One who is touched by the sun.

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Carly Simon

Touched by the Sun lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

PTSD Patrol find a new purpose

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 30, 2020

There are two ways people think after surviving trauma. Either God did it to them, or God saved them.

If you believe that God did it to you, it makes it very hard to hope or even pray. It is even harder if someone says, "God only gives us what we can handle" as if telling us that God did it on purpose, would be comforting.

Yet if we believe we were saved, then we not only have hope and find it empowering to pray, we also live believing there is some purpose to our lives, not our suffering.

We just had an example of that with the passing of Chadwick Boseman. He died after a long battle with cancer, yet all the time he was suffering, he was giving hope and inspiration to others.

"Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is and how you need to fight it," he told the class of 2018.

"Whatever you choose for a career path, remember, the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose," he said. "When I dared to challenge the system that would relegate us to victims and stereotypes with no clear historical backgrounds, no hopes or talents, when I questioned that method of portrayal, a different path opened up for me, the path to my destiny."

Everyone of us can take our own pain that we felt, and help others carry their own, if we really understand that what caused the pain was not sent to us, but what came afterwards, we are empowered to use to help heal the world.

When you survive the event that caused PTSD, your life is not the same as before. You can find a new purpose for the future to make life better for others by thinking about what made it better for you. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Ecclesiastes 3
English Standard Version
A Time for Everything 3

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

PTSD Patrol oh happier ride

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 29, 2020

Imagine being on a better road than you are on right now. Taking a new road toward a happier life instead of being stuck on a lonely, bumpy road. 

You can have a happier ride if you are ready to get off the familiar road and onto the road you traveled less thus far.

The song Oh Happy Day from Sister Act 2 is one of my favorites because it shows the transformation from being afraid to rejoicing and it feels like that when you heal. That is why it is the featured video on ptsdpatrol.com today. Imagine your life changing like that! It can and you can start to rejoice as a survivor! #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)

When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)

When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)

He washed my sins away (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

He taught me how to watch, fight and pray, fight and pray

And live rejoicing every, everyday

Oh happy day

He taught me how

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Edwin Hawkins

Oh Happy Day lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management

PTSD Patrol You've Got A Friend For The Road

PTSD Patrol 

Kathie Costos

August 25, 2020

When things are going wrong, and days seem impossible to get through, it is easy to feel alone. People you thought were you friends can turn their backs on you because they do not understand what PTSD is. But you're not really alone.  There are over 8 million more Americans who know exactly how you feel. Most of them are reaching out to help others....just like you.

Search online and you'll find them.

For today's feature video, it is James Taylor singing You've Got A Friend....because you do!

PTSD Patrol: We Shall Overcome That Hill

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 9, 2020

Shauna Quigley is the feature video today. She is talking about when she was young and grew up with a problem..alcoholism in the family, tragic death and multiple traumas.

As I was listening to her, it sounded a lot like my life. My wakening moment came when one night when I was about 7, I woke up in the middle of the night and headed to the bathroom. As I walked down the hall, the light was coming from across the street and made a door glow. I swear to this day, it was the face of Jesus. I was comforted. 

Like Shauna, experts said that I should have had PTSD and all the other problems that come along with it. I didn't. Sure I went through all the symptoms that come with shock, but PTSD did not take hold for long. That is, not until I was much older and my ex-husband tried to kill me, and then stalked me for a very long time.

For the most part, I was able to fight on unless I heard a muscle car and the engine rev. Adrenaline rush, heart racing, flashbacks and fear would take over for seconds until I could remind myself it was not him and I survived the worst he could do.

Rationally that fear should have not followed me down the east coast, but it did until my cousin sent me his obituary clipping from the newspaper.

But I overcame all of it! So can you. I hope that you find comfort on these pages and daily reminders that the only thing you are limited by, is giving up. This is a hill that you can get over and sometimes, you need to go into overdrive to do it~

Healing Trauma: New Paradigm Letting the Body Inform the Mind | Shauna Quigley | TEDxStormontWomen 

Trauma and it’s negative effects on our mental health has been an age old problem. Therapist Shauna Quigley demystifies the healing process by sharing her story of healing her own childhood trauma. She invites you to consider the idea that trauma can be healed if we allow the body to inform the mind. 

Shauna is the Founder and Director of Wellnessseeker, an online school that offers a variety of programmes, aimed directly at supporting mental and emotional difficulties. Shauna is passionate about the potential of the human spirit to heal and is convinced that everyone has the capacity to transform their suffering.

Keep these lyrics in your mind and know that we shall overcome, if we believe!

We shall overcome

We shall overcome

We shall overcome, some day 

Oh, deep in my heart

I do believe

We shall overcome, some day 

We'll walk hand in hand

We'll walk hand in hand

We'll walk hand in hand, some day 

Oh, deep in my heart

I do believe

We shall overcome, some day 

We shall live in peace

We shall live in peace

We shall live in peace, some day 

Oh, deep in my heart

I do believe

We shall overcome, some day 

We are not afraid

We are not afraid

We are not afraid, TODAY 

Oh, deep in my heart

I do believe

We shall overcome, some day 

The whole wide world around

The whole wide world around

The whole wide world around some day 

Oh, deep in my heart

I do believe

We shall overcome, some day

PTSD Patrol: On the road with geniuses

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
August 17, 2020 

The feature video today is Jim Carey. Most people don't know he suffered from depression. I think that was what motivated him to try to make people feel better about the road they were on. Do you want to make your life better? Then remember what it felt like to not know you could, do it and then pass on hope. To quote from Bruce Almighty..."Be the miracle" and make someone's life better than it would have been if you didn't try.

It works the same way when you have PTSD. Change the "world" you live in, heal and pass it on too! Be the miracle in their life."

#breakthesilence and #takebackyourlife from #PTSD

Jim Carrey on Spirituality and Overcoming Depression

Jim Carey motivational speech

PTSD Patrol Humming Along

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 16, 2020

Today I spent the day with friends and saw this humming bird flying around the feeder. Every time I thought I had a chance to get it on video, it took off. Then after it teased me for over an hour, it decided to give me a break. Life is like that and when you are ready to give up on something....you catch a glimpse of wonderment!

So, after seeing me every day on these videos, I figured I would give readers a break and just something uplifting of the spirt with no words needed.

But if you do need words... "98% of people don't understand this" Matthew McConaughey's Incredible Motivational Speech. Matthew McConaughey's Important Life Advice That Will Change Your Future.

PTSD Patrol: Til It Happens To You

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August  15, 2020

We know about PTSD because people came out and broke the silence. We know we are not alone because it happened to someone before it happened to us. We know we are not alone because others had the courage to tell us.

We also know that we have the power to take back our lives after surviving trauma because people like Lady Gaga understood the value she was proving to others....

The featured video today is by Lady Gaga who has PTSD from sexual abuse. It is hard to watch but when you think about how we learn about something that happens to others we also learn that no one is alone. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from PTSD

New York (CNN)Lady Gaga made a powerful announcement to a group of young LGBT people in New York -- she suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Gaga revealed that she suffers from the debilitating mental illness at Harlem's Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBT youth on November 25. The taped segment aired on NBC's "Today" show Friday. She visited the center as part of a collaboration between her foundation, Born This Way, and the NBC morning show. She brought along clothing, gifts and donuts. (CNN)

Lady Gaga - Til It Happens To You (Official Music Video)

PTSD Patrol fueling the fearless soul

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 14, 2020

When you survived something it can seem impossible for you to find meaning to live. Once you discover how much happiness you can gain back, then you'll want to pass it on to others and create a new beginning for them. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Fearless Soul

This Is Not The End - Inspiring Speech On Depression and Mental Health

PTSD Patrol: It is like "Katniss going into the Hunger Games"

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 12, 2020

Today's feature video is Janet Seahorn, Ph.D talking about what PTSD is with a personal connection to it...her Vietnam Veteran husband and living with PTSD.

Knowing what that is like, it is with pleasure I listened to this. All too often when we are a family member, we feel alone, as if there is no help for us. I used to feel that way for a long time.

In researching it I discovered years ago, I very well could have ended up with raging PTSD from being a survivor of over ten events. The more I understood my husband, the more I understood how important it was to #takebackyourlife because I did and he is too!

Today's feature video is Janet Seahorn PhD who is also married to a Vietnam VET. She covers what PTSD is for everyone including those who live with them. It is educational and comforting, plus she shows her sense of humor with "I feel like Katniss going into the Hunger Games."

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

"I feel like Katniss going into the Hunger Games!"
Janet Seahorn

Understanding PTSD's Effects on Brain, Body, and Emotions | Janet Seahorn

PTSD disrupts the lives of average individuals as well as combat veterans who have served their country. The person experiencing the trauma often then impacts the lives of his/her family, friends, and workplaces. PTSD does not distinguish between race, age or gender and often goes undiagnosed. Even with proper diagnosis, many individuals do not know where to turn to get help. Society needs to understand the aftermath of trauma especially combat trauma and how to prepare for warriors when they return home.

PTSD Patrol: WHEN IT HURTS! Don't you give up on life

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 11, 2020

When things suck, you may think you are alone, but you are not. Remember, there are at least 8 million Americans with PTSD. A lot of them went through really dark days too, and a lot of them ended up healing enough that they ended up loving themselves again.

Today's feature video is Coach Pain giving a pep talk to the team. You are part of a huge team with others trying to heal. At least 8 million Americans have PTSD, so you are not alone even though you may think no one else will understand. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

WHEN IT HURTS - Best Motivational Speech Video 

(Featuring Coach Pain) From Motiversity

 

WHEN IT HURTS! Don't you give up on life. Help someone. Lift someone up when they are down. Be someones strength when they are weak. We all struggle. Keep fighting forward. Make your mark in this world because someone didn't make it today... But you did. Powerful new motivational speech and our first release with Coach Pain.

PTSD Patrol Playing With Fire

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 6, 2020

When you survive you may continue to feel helpless. Then someone comes along to give you hope that you can heal by telling their own story. When you see them, unashamed, standing tall and having the courage to share what they went through, that is powerful. I know it was powerful for me as I began to study PTSD and read about others talking about their own pain. We may break by different circumstances by ourselves, but when we find that thing that binds us to someone else, we realize the only limits are the ones we allow. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Playing With Fire

How To Heal From Trauma | Theo Fleury | Goalcast
Olympic superstar and NHL All-Star Theo Fleury shares his harrowing story of abuse in a powerful speech about the need to start a conversation around trauma and mental health.

PTSD Patrol: only forces of light get you out of dark places

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

August 2, 2020

"Why do some.....overcome?" That is the question Charles Hunt asks in this featured video today.

He is talking about how important it is to choose how we respond to things to what happens.

I could dwell on things I had to go through, but I choose to use them to help me understand other people. I use them to help me help them find hope that they can heal too.

Above all of that, I choose to not let anyone stop me because of what they decide to do with their own power.

Who are you letting stop you from becoming all you can be? Who are you letting get in your way instead of walking away from their negativity?

No one can control you but you!

When you help someone else it feels wonderful but when you need help and they walk away from you, it hurts 💔 Do not give forces of darkness power over you. Seek forces of light to get you out of the dark place you are in. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

As the founder of The Audacity Firm, LLC, his firm provides professional and personal development programs, coaching, and events to equip clients with financial literacy/education, workforce readiness, professional development, and career planning tips, tools, and strategies to LIVE, DO, and BE BETTER.

PTSD Patrol: Survivor clings to anchor

PTSD Patrol 

Kathie Costos 

July 31, 2020 

Reminder, part of a series with inspirational videos on healing as a survivor

Today I'm putting up a great video about a survivor of a boating accident and if nothing else, learn that you can be happier than others who never experienced trauma. "What trauma taught me about happiness" Lindsey Roy TEDxKC is the video I am sharing today because as a survivor, I think she summed it up perfectly! #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

"Why are trauma survivors happier, on average, than lottery winners?" Lindsey Roy

"It is easier to be negative."

Why are trauma survivors happier, on average, than lottery winners? During her recovery from a devastating accident, Lindsey Roy developed ideas and ways of coping that suggest an answer to that question. Learn about her specific methods for overcoming the brain's natural negativity bias, letting go of past expectations, and connecting to a deeper self in the here and now. Lindsey Roy is a brilliant storyteller with a captivating story. A tragic boating accident while on vacation almost claimed Lindsey’s life and left her with an amputated left leg, severely injured right leg and injured right arm. Through a challenging recovery process, Lindsey learned impactful lessons on how to harness disruption and find clarity in the chaos.

 

PTSD Patrol Open the garage door and let the new journey begin

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 29, 2020

Now that you have heard about how you need to heal your mind, body and spirit, it is time to being the awesome new journey to #TakeBackYourLife

No journey can begin until you open the garage door.

Your destination is set into your GPS. Your co-pilot should be ready to go with you.

Today, we are going to start putting up some of the awesome videos I found over the years. There are a lot of people talking about how you can get from where you are, to where you want to arrive....at a happier life.

Peter Tuerk, the director of a VA PTSD program, introduces how we process experiences and trauma. Using examples from his research, he describes how it's possible to process memories and their associated meanings to overcome a traumatic incident. When active avoidance impedes natural recovery the most effective healing is facilitated through treatment designed to limit avoidance and to assist with the processing of relevant information.

PTSD Patrol in a good direction

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 28, 2020

Today is the last in the part about the power of forgiveness. When we consider all that we discussed so far between our mind, bodies and spirit, this is the hardest one of all to do. It is also the most important one if we are ever going to be empowered to heal.

The Faith of the Centurion
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. (Matthew 8)

PTSD Patrol:Putting the brakes on hate

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 27, 2020

“We are one people with one family. We all live in the same house... and through books, through information, we must find a way to say to people that we must lay down the burden of hate. For hate is too heavy a burden to bear.” John Lewis

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., near the statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Capitol Rotunda

 CQ-ROLL CALL, INC VIA GETTY IMAGES

FORBES

Congressman John Lewis was brought to the Capitol Rotunda today and it was easy to see how no matter how he was treated he refused to hate others while standing up to them because of what they did. 

Watch this about how it applies to you.#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

PTSD Patrol: Don't stay stuck in the sand with a grudge

PTSD Patrol 

Kathie Costos 

July 26, 2020

A day at the beach may sound like a good day, but not if you go there right before a hurricane!

 

This Beached Dodge Charger Is Buried in Sand Thanks to Hurricane

The Drive

You missed the signs in the sky and kept driving. You did not check the weather report. When it is too late and you are stuck in the sand, you could get angry that no one told you it was coming. The thing is, plenty of people were talking about it, but you didn't listen.

There is a storm in you when you have PTSD. Plenty of people are trying to tell you what you need to know but if you do not listen, it is not their fault.

There are also signs that you need to see when it comes to holding a grudge against someone. Maybe they tried to get you to listen to what you were doing, but you just got angry. Maybe they tried to tell you how you made them feel but you just got defensive.

For whatever reason you may think holding a grudge is justifiable, it is probably a bad idea like going to the beach on the wrong day.

PTSD Patrol: Forgiveness creates a new road to heal on...together

PTSD Patrol 

Kathie Costos 

July 25, 2020

Happily Daily

When you have PTSD, you can start to understand what is going on with you but other people don't know until you explain it to them. You can always find a way to make your life easier with them by forgiving them and they'll forgive themselves too.b #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

As you can see, geese discovered they have an easier journey when they work together as a team. They lift others up, and in return, when they get tired, they are supported by the others. When it is like that in life, it is an amazing journey for you too!

So why not let them help you when you need it? Things can be so much better for you when you do and you'll be able to soar above the pain you are in faster!

PTSD Patrol: Spiritual healing with a clean windshield

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 24, 2020

There are many different places online referring to the power of forgiveness. Each one of them is helpful. For right now, Psychology Today has a great piece from 2015 by Mark Banschick MD.

Should You Forgive? Forgiving — sometimes easy, sometimes impossible

Forgiveness requires a special kind of thinking that is not always easy; a letting go, a putting things in perspective and an acceptance that the world has been unkind, or perhaps even cruel to you.

Forgiveness and Trauma:

When a psychological hurt lies deep in our minds, like an early trauma or deprivation, or a violent betrayal, forgiveness will require trauma work. This is because trauma wires your brain to a fight/flight mode that can be triggered in multiple ways - and sometimes daily. You strive to let go, but you find yourself reliving the event, over and over.  In order to do forgiveness work, you will have to deal with the depressive and often maladaptive ways that your mind processes trauma.

After surviving many other things in my life, the hardest one centered around domestic violence. That is what I am talking about in the video today.

Until I could forgive, there was no room in me for anything positive to get in. 

After talking about the mind and what PTSD does, we're moving onto the most important part in my view. That is your spiritual path towards healing. It's the windshield. Hanging onto the bad someone did to you, keeps good things from getting in. There is no room when bitterness consumes you. This part of the videos is explaining how to forgive and see things in a different way. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD