PTSD Patrol: Are your hazard lights on?

PTSD Patrol

Kathie Costos

July 8, 2020

Yesterday we talked about how you actually send off signals, like the lights on the vehicle you drive, and people see all kinds of signs regarding the mood you are in. There is one that we did not discuss and that is one of the big ones...your hazard lights. When you read about the times you should use them, keep in mind that using them, lets people know your vehicle is in trouble!

When you should use your hazard lights

Consider using your car’s hazard lights when:
👮Getting pulled over. If law enforcement signals you to pull over, turning on your hazard lights can show the officer that you acknowledge their signal and are following the request. Slow down, turn on your hazard lights, and stop your car in a safe location. 

👮Changing a tire on the side of the road. Use your hazard lights when your vehicle becomes a potential hazard for other road users. If you’re parked on the side of the road changing a tire, it’s generally okay to have your hazards on. 

👮Your car has broken down and you’re waiting for a tow. 

👮 Your car has become a temporary hazard and you’re waiting for assistance. Warn other drivers of your presence, especially if you are not able to move your car out of traffic.

👮 Driving in a funeral procession. Funeral processions are an exception to most hazard light guidelines. It’s customary for vehicles in a funeral procession to drive with their hazard lights on, even when it is otherwise prohibited by law.

You may be operating with your hazard lights flashing without knowing it. This happens when you are not in control of your reactions to others. #BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

PTSD Patrol: Time to check your tires

Four tires move your forward
PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
May 13, 2018 

My friend Rev. Karen Estes has a message about how all of us need help along the way. One tire won't get you anywhere and you need three more. In other words, if we get help with what we need, then we get to move forward!

When you are stuck because of PTSD, you may think you do not want to burden anyone else. Those same people would have died for you, but you don't want to bother them? The same people you would have died for, yet you cannot bring yourself to ask them to help you heal?

How is that right? What does that actually say to them when you did not trust them enough with what is going on with you, yet you trusted them with your life in combat?

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:18 New International Version (NIV)

The second tire is the buddy, or helper to stand by your side. 

The third tire is a group as a support system. A team to help you. In this message, that group is a church, but when you think of your unit, that is also a support system, "to help bare your burdens" just like you would do for them.

The forth tire is God. He will never lose air or let His interest in you go flat. He is there to "carry you" when you cannot do it for yourself. There when others fail you because they are only human too.

Want to get on the road to healing? Check your tires! 

Karen was kind enough to send out what she said and here is part of it.

Sunday, May 13, 2018
The Need for a Support System
Musings of the Preacherlady

A dear friend who is a Chaplain and PTSD Advocate asked me to record a video to uplift, and encourage veterans. The series uses driving a car as the analogy. Here is what I came up with:

The Need for a Support System

A car needs four tires. If one gets flat or is removed, then the car can’t go. One tire by itself can be OK as a swing or something, but it won’t get you anywhere… OK, so I am NOT a mechanic. I know that, so I am smart enough to know when the car is having problems that I need to take it to someone who knows what they are doing. When our spiritual life is out of whack, we need to do that, too. If my car analogy is a bit of a stretch forgive me, my area is spiritual.

In today’s society there is an undercurrent that you must be self-sufficient. You need to “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.” Independence is everything. In fact, in Psychology the notion of being “co-dependent” is supposed to be a really bad thing. That undercurrent has made many people believe that they have to face their problems on their own and if they don’t then something must be wrong with them. I believe this goes against the very fiber of our being. We were created to be in community.

In Genesis 2:18 it says, “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” (NRSV) Most people interpret this as husband and wife, which is part of it. The Hebrew is much broader. The word “man” is Adama, which is the word for humanity.

So, Adam means human. So, it can be translated, “It is not good for a human being to be alone.” We were made to be in relationship. No one can make it entirely on their own. So, my first tire is find someone to be your “helper.” You need to find someone who you trust to walk with you through life’s journey; someone who will not abuse or take advantage of your vulnerability. This person can be a spouse, a best friend, a co-worker, a sibling, but needs to be someone who will always be on your side even when you don’t want to hear it.
read more here