Take your passion and make it happen

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 29, 2021

"First when there's nothing but a slow glowing dream, that your fear seems to hide deep inside your mind." The featured video today is What A Feeling from Flashdance. Listening to this song made me very happy because I've been thinking a lot about retiring. Next year, it will be forty years since I had a dream of making things better for people with PTSD. That's a long time for anyone!

I feel so much better thinking about it now because of one of the groups I discovered, using music, a message and trying to save people from suicide. Sounds Of Saving is doing the work I do and doing it a lot better than I ever could.

Songs that save lives
Music has been clinically proven to have a positive impact on mental health. The right song can affect our psychobiological stress system and create feelings of motivation, happiness and relaxation.
We think the world should know that music can fight mental illness.

"Take your passion and make it happen." That is what came into my head when I was reading and listening to what they are doing. When you are passionate about something, share it. If you are an artist and find a new way of doing something, do it. You may not be the best artist, but you can inpsire a better one and the beauty gets out into the world. You may love to write but never had the support or someone to publicize your work (been there and done that) but your words can inspire others and the world changes.

I often think about all the others who were involved with defeating PTSD long before me and wonder how they feel about what ended up happening because of "slow glowing dream" of healing they started when there was nothing before they came along.

The goal is to save lives and help people find a new way to live, healing instead of suffering. With Sounds Of Saving out there, along with a lot of other groups, they will make it happen.

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD 

Flashdance...What A Feeling

Irene Cara 

First when there's nothing

But a slow glowing dream

That your fear seems to hide

Deep inside your mind

All alone I have cried

Silent tears full of pride

In a world made of steel

Made of stone

Well, I hear the music

Close my eyes, feel the rhythm

Wrap around, take a hold of my heart

What a feeling (what a feeling), beings believing (beings believing)

I can have it all now I'm dancing for my life

Take your passion (what a feeling) and make it happen (beings believing)

Pictures come alive you could dance right through your life

Now I know, I got the chance

To reach the top, is so intense

In a world made of steel

Made of stone

Now I hear the music

Close my eyes I am rhythm

In a flash it takes hold

Of my heart

What a feeling (what a feeling), beings believing (beings believing)

I can have it all now I'm dancing for my life

Take your passion (what a feeling) and make it happen (beings believing)

Pictures come alive you could dance right through your life

I feel the passion, deep inside

I got strength, I got pride

In a world made of steel

Made of stone

Dancing, till the end of this night

Like now or never, got strength and pride

When I feel the music I'm losing control

Of my mind, my body, my heart and my soul

Let's go, make this dream come true

For me and for you, we can dance right through

You can have it all, there's no price to pay

Your feelings will show you the way

What a feeling (what a feeling), beings believing (beings believing)

I can have it all now I'm dancing for my life

Take your passion (what a feeling) and make it happen (beings believing)

Pictures come alive you could dance right through your life

What a feeling (what a feeling), beings believing (beings believing)

What a feeling (what a feeling), beings believing (beings believing)

What a feeling 

I can have it all now I'm dancing for my life

What a feeling

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Irene Cara / Giorgio Moroder / Keith Forsey

Flashdance...What A Feeling lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc 

when you have PTSD some songs have wrong message for you

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
April 29, 2021

Someone suggested Wilson Phillips Hold On. The only thing I could think, was they didn't listen to the lyrics. If they did, then they'd know this song is not helpful, even though it is popular. The song was perfect for the movie Brides Maids because the main character messed up her own life but when you have PTSD it is the wrong message for you.

The song is a good song and I like listening to it but mission of PTSD Patrol is to help you understand what PTSD is and how much power you have over it. The songs are carefully chosen to deliver the message of the day. I read the lyrics and search to find an offical video for the post. Sometimes it is about helping you hear what you feel when you cannot find the words to express them. Other times it is to change your mood. Other times it is to offer comfort and let you know that no one is happy all the time. Mostly it is about making it feel a lot better living your life as a survivor of whatever caused PTSD.

I really appreciate song suggestions. The only music I listen to are from the 70's, 80's and 90's. I'm old and I don't really listen to new music. When people send suggestions, I end up with great songs like the ones from Disturbed Sound of Silence and Five Finger Death Punch Wrong Side of Heaven. Please keep them coming if they help you with PTSD.

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD 

Hold On

Wilson Phillips

I know there's pain (I know there's pain)

Why do you lock yourself up in these chains? (These chains)

No one can change your life except for you

Don't ever let anyone step all over you

Just open your heart and your mind (Mmm)

Is it really fair to feel, this way inside? (Woah)

Some day somebody's gonna make you want to turn around and say goodbye

Until then, baby, are you going to let 'em hold you down and make you cry?

Don't you know? Don't you know, things can change

Things'll go your way

If you Hold On for one more day

Can you Hold On for one more day?

Things'll go your way

Hold On for one more day

You could sustain (You could sustain)

Hm, or are you comfortable with the pain?

You've got no one to blame for your unhappiness (No, baby)

You got yourself into your own mess (Ooh)

Lettin' your worries pass you by (Lettin' your worries pass you by)

Baby, don't you think it's worth your time

To change your mind? (No, no)

Some day somebody's gonna make you want to turn around and say goodbye

Until then, baby, are you going to let 'em hold you down and make you cry?

Don't you know? Don't you know, things can change

Things'll go your way

If you Hold On for one more day

Can you Hold On for one more day?

Things'll go your way (Oh, things'll go your way)

Hold On for one more day

I know that there is pain, but you

Hold On for one more day, and ya

Break free from the chains

Yeah I know that there is pain, but you

Hold On for one more day, and ya

Break free, break from the chains

Some day somebody's gonna make you want to turn around and say goodbye (and say goodbye)

Until then, baby, are you going to let 'em hold you down and make you cry?

Don't you know? Don't you know, things can change (Know)

Things'll go your way

If you Hold On for one more day, yeah

If you Hold On

Don't you know, things could change

Things could go your way

If you Hold On for one more day

Can you Hold On

Can you Hold On

Mmm, can you Hold On, baby

Won't you tell me now

Hold On for one more day, 'cause

It's gonna go your way

Don't you know, things could change

Things could go your way

If you Hold On for one more day, yeah

Can't you change it this time

Make up your mind

Hold On, Hold On

Baby Hold On

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Ballard Glen / Phillips Chynna / Wilson Carnie

Hold On lyrics © Universal Music Corp., Duchess Music Corp., Arlovol Music, Mca Music Publishing, A.d.o. Universal Studios 

the song I needed to hear

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
April 12, 2021

We haven't talked much about why music is so important when you are trying to heal PTSD. It has the power to change your mood. Sometimes you hear a song and you feel worse than you did. That is the time to find something else to listen to. It doesn't mean it is a bad song or you suddenly don't like it. It just means that is not the song you need to hear at that moment in your life.

There were a lot of times when my life sucked the most I'd hear a song and felt like the last thread of hope was being cut off. Other times I'd hear the same song and have a totally different reaction to it. Sometimes a sad song would comfort me, but other times it would remind me of why I felt sad in the first place and then felt even worse. Music is all relative to, not just the mood you are in, but the mood you want to get into.

Today the featured video is Dobie Grey, Drift Away! "When my mind is free," and I can drift away with the song it can be wonderful. This morning I heard it doing errands. I got so carried away by it, I almost forgot where we were going. It was a song I not only wanted to hear, I needed to hear. It took me out of my life for a little while and changed my mood for the better. We ended up enjoying the rest of the day.

There are some songs that seem more powerful because the singers are famous people. You know they are rich and probably have everything they want, but they manage to sing about being lonely. Either they are drawing from a time in their lives when they were lonely or, they very well could have been lonely when they recorded it. You can always tell when the words are more than just words to them.

Listen to songs you need to hear depending on where you are emotionally and can either find comfort or be uplifted by them. If they are making you feel worse, then change the station or find another one from your music collection. The point is to be connected in a positive way to the song and disconnected from negativity feeding your emotions.

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Drift Away

Dobie Gray 

Day after day I'm more confused

But I look for the light through the pourin' rain

You know, that's a game, that I hate to loose

I'm feelin' the strain, ain't it a shame

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Won't you take me away

Beginin' to think, that I'm wastin' time

And I don't understand the things I do

The world outside looks so unkind

I'm countin' on you, you can carry me through

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Won't you take me away

And when my mind is free

You know your melody can move me

And when I'm feelin' blue

The guitars come through to soothe me

Thanks for the joy you've given me

I want you to know I believe in your song

And rhythm, and rhyme, and harmony

You helped me along, you're makin' me strong

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Won't you take me away

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Give me the beat boys and free my soul

I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Won't you take me away

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Mentor Williams

Drift Away lyrics © Almo Music Corp. 

when we don't give up, we "do"

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 31, 2021

When I see people dancing on the ice, I am always amazed. I cannot understand how they do it. Every time I put on a pair, (when I was young) I fell way too much. Besides, I am lucky I can walk without tripping on air.

Today I am taking the day off from doing a video. As a gift, the featured video is Gladys Knight and the Pips, I Hope You Dance and they performed this while a woman dances on ice and in the air.

There are times when things are hard for us and we wish that we could do things we cannot do. Then there are things we can do if someone helps us. Someone teaches us what is hard for us to learn. Other times we understand things easily and we can teach someone else. The thing is, when we don't give up, we "do" what we can and rejoice for those who can do more.

I am not diminished by what others accomplish, nor am I uplifted because others cannot do what I do. I have learned to accept my limitations and quit turning everything into a contest.

If you are struggling with PTSD, then do not be jealous of those who were with you, or others you met later after they experienced similar events, but seem happier than you are, any more than you should look down on others struggling harder than you are. This is not a contest. This is a team effort where you get help where and when you need it, and pass on help, where and when you can.

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

I Hope You Dance

Gladys Knight 

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat

But always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Living might mean taking chances

But they're worth taking

Lovin' might be a mistake

But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart

Leave you bitter

When you come close to selling out

Reconsider

Give the heavens above

More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a real and constant motion always)

I hope you dance

(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who)

I hope you dance

(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small

When you stand by the ocean

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens

Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a real and constant motion always)

I hope you dance

(Rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who)

(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

I hope you dance

(Where those years have gone)

I hope you dance

(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)

(Where those years have gone)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Sanders Mark Daniel / Sillers Tia Maria

I Hope You Dance lyrics © Sony/atv Melody, Choice Is Tragic Music, Soda Creek Songs, Mca Music Publishing, A.d.o. Universal Studios

A veteran shares how music therapy has helped him live with PTSD, and how he's now hoping to give back to others that are struggling. We also learn more about what PTSD is and what symptoms someone might be struggling with.

For more on the MUSICRx Foundation: www.musicrxfoundation.org

Won't let life get me down

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 29, 2021

There are times when you are in a bad mood and others end up catching the mood from you. There are other times when you are miserable and you encounter a happy person, you catch it from them. Music has a way of changing your mood, so let this one change it to hopeful thought about your future. The featured video today is Kiki Dee, I've Got The Music In Me.

Ain't got no trouble in my life

No foolish dreams to make me cry

I'm never frightened or worried

I know I'll always get by

I heat up, I cool down

When something gets in my way I go round it

Won't let life get me down

Gonna take it the way that I found it

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

Let go of whatever problems you have just for a little while and remember what feeling hopeful felt liked. Chair dance or get up on your feet and do it. Sing to it, even if you cannot sing. If you are really bad then you can hum.

If you remember what feeling happy is like, then maybe you'll want to be that way more often. The thing is, you can be if you find what you need to heal. It is great to know you can recover a happier life with PTSD,  but is even better to know it is possible! Catch a better life from others who know exactly where you are so you can get to where they are...happier.

OK, for today, just enjoy the song and let it give you some hope of better days.

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYouLife from #PTSD

I've Got the Music in Me

The Kiki Dee Band 

Ain't got no trouble in my life

No foolish dreams to make me cry

I'm never frightened or worried

I know I'll always get by

I heat up, I cool down

When something gets in my way I go round it

Won't let life get me down

Gonna take it the way that I found it

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

Some say that life is a circle

But that ain't the way that I found it

Gonna move in a straight line

Keeping my feet firmly on the ground

I heat up, I cool down

I've got words in my head so I'll say them

Won't let life get me down

Catch a hold of my blues and just play them

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

Feel funky, feel good

Gonna tell you I'm in the neighborhood

Gonna fly like a bird on the wing

Hold onto your hat honey - sing, sing, sing, sing

I heat up, I cool down

I've got words in my head so I'll say them

Won't let life get me down

Catch a hold of my blues and you know I'll play them

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me.

I got music, I got music, I've got the music in me.

I've got the music in me, I've got the music in me

I've got music, pretty music, I've got the music in me.

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Bias Boshell

I've Got the Music in Me lyrics © Rocket Music Ltd. 

So what do you want someday soon?

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

December 20, 2020

I haven't done a post in a while about veterans but this morning as I was searching for the song for the day, Someday Soon by Judy Collins came into my head. Once I listened to the lyrics, I remembered why.

This song came out during the Vietnam War. My husband listened to oldies, just like me and I remembered when I heard this song, I was thinking it could have been about us. No, he wasn't in the rodeo but as the years went by, my parents had a hard time accepting the fact that he did make me happy even though my heart was breaking.

Seeing him suffer from PTSD, and doing whatever I could to help him, broke my heart. Eventually, they started to tell me to get a divorce, even though my Dad was a veteran and spotted it in him the night they met. It was a tough road we were on, but looking back, it was a trip so worth taking.

"My parents can not stand him

Cause he rides the rodeo

My father says that

He will leave me crying

I would follow him right down

The toughest road I know

Someday soon, going with him

Someday soon"

So what do you want someday soon?

Some people want to go back to the way their lives were before the pandemic spread out across the world. They want to go out to eat, get together with family, friends and enjoy concerts, plays, parties and go out to the movie theaters. They hang onto hope that will all be possible again...someday soon.

Some people want to hit the lottery, so they play their numbers or buy their scratch tickets faithfully because they are sure it can happen to them. It gives them hope as they dream about what they'll do with the money....someday soon. 

For some with PTSD, your someday soon can be living a happier life and it can happen. It can happen if you are will to change what you can..and as the prayer from AA goes, wisdom to access the things you cannot change. What gives you hope about what can come with your someday soon?

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it.

#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Judy Collins Someday Soon

There's a young man that I know

His age is twenty-one

Comes from down

In southern Colorado

Just out of the service

And he's looking for his fun

Someday soon, going with him

Someday soon

My parents can not stand him

Cause he rides the rodeo

My father says that

He will leave me crying

I would follow him right down

The toughest road I know

Someday soon, going with him

Someday soon

And when he comes to call

My pa ain't got a good word to say

Guess it's cause he's just

As wild in the younger days

So blow, you old Blue Northern

Blow my love to me

He's driving in tonight

From California

He loves his damned old rodeo

As much as he loves me

Someday soon, going with him

Someday soon

But when he comes to call

My pa ain't got a word to say

Guess it's cause he's just

As wild in the younger days

Blow, you old Blue Northern

Blow my love to me

He's driving in tonight

From California

He loves his damned old rodeo

As much as he loves me

Someday soon, going with him

Someday soon

Someday soon, going with him

Someday soon

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Tyson Ian

Someday Soon lyrics © Four Strong Winds Ltd.