Monday, March 29, 2021

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. 

Sunday, March 28, 2021

When I don't fit in

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 28, 2021

I don't fit in anywhere. I never did. When I was young, it didn't matter to me at all. I just wanted to be myself. When I got older, I wanted to fit in but I still wanted to be me. When I got a lot older, I didn't care if I fit in again. That is not always a bad thing. 

People who do not fit in are the ones who change the world. If everyone thought the same, settled for the way things were, then nothing would ever change. They are the creators of change. The dreamers, poets and writers, artist, musicians, scientists and misfits create things that were never done before.

If you have PTSD, then you may not really fit in with people who never survived anything like you did. It is OK. You do fit in with others who are trying to heal, but you can also do something different because you know things have to change to make lives better.

Today is Palm Sunday for most Christians, but not Greeks like me. It is the day Jesus road in on the donkey and the people shouted "hosanna" as he went by them. In other words, they wanted this One who did not "fit in" to save them. Jesus did not fit in with the other Hebrews and came to change the world. It is why today the featured video is Sanctus Real, Forgiven. 

Part of the lyrics is about not fitting in. 
And I don't have to carry the weight of who I've been
'Cause I'm forgiven
When I don't fit in
And I don't feel like I belong anywhere
When I don't measure up to much in this life
Oh, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ
'Cause I'm forgiven

The rest of the world may tell you that you should hold onto anger and blaming others. It tells you to hate those who hurt you or didn't care what happened to you. The world tells you a lot of things but deep inside, it is destroying you. It is taking room in your soul where goodness belongs. Where hope should be and where dreams begin. Don't let all that negative stuff take up that much room in you.

Isn't it time to be "you" with all your flaws and gifts? Isn't it time for you to do more than settle for what "is" because people are telling you that you should, or far worse, tell you to just get over it? Be a misfit and then show others how to be happier being them!

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!
#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

Forgiven
Sanctus Real

Well, the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I'm reminded of the wrong that I have said and done
And that devil just won't let me forget
In this life, I know what I've been
But here in Your arms, I know what I am
I'm forgiven
I'm forgiven
And I don't have to carry the weight of who I've been
'Cause I'm forgiven
My mistakes are running through my mind
And I relive my days in the middle of the night
And I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry
And in this life, I know what I've been
But here in Your arms, I know what I am
I'm forgiven
I'm forgiven
And I don't have to carry the weight of who I've been
'Cause I'm forgiven
When I don't fit in
And I don't feel like I belong anywhere
When I don't measure up to much in this life
Oh, I'm a treasure in the arms of Christ
'Cause I'm forgiven
I'm forgiven
And I don't have to carry the weight of who I've been
'Cause I'm forgiven

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Graalman Mark Steven / Hammitt Matthew D / Rohman Christopher James / Prevost Peter Thomas / Gartley Daniel David
Forgiven lyrics © Birdwing Music, River Oaks Music Co., 1012 Rosedale Music, Toledo Tomorrow Music, Stonebrook Music Co., Eventho Publishing, Olde Irish Publishing, Look At My Beard 


As I said, not fitting in, is not always a bad thing.

Saturday, March 27, 2021

I made it through the rain and so can you!

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 27, 2021

Think of PTSD this way. It was a storm. You survivied. Then came the rain. You can survive that too! If you know that, that is half the battle. The other half is trying to figure out how to do it. That is why there is so much information on exactly how things can get cleared up "by others who got rained on too." This is why today the featured video is Barry Manilow, I Made It Through The Rain.

If you Google Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, there are over 78 million results. If you Google PTSD, there are almost 77 million results. That is because there are over 8 million Americans with PTSD. Canada has the highest rate of PTSD, but it is helpful to consider the fact, no matter what reported numbers are, far too many do not get diagnosed because they have no idea there is a name for what happened to them after they survived. All research being done indicates an huge increase of pandemic survivors who will also need help to make it through.

The Nation Center For PTSD has this,

The fact is, help works, but there is no one size fits all.This is why there are so many different approaches to treatment. Find what works best for you and talk to your doctor. If something worked for someone you know, but does not work for you, then try something else.

Treatment works but it cannot work if you do not know for sure what is raining on your life. Isn't it time you found out for sure so that you can make it through too?

 

Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!
#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD
I Made It Through The Rain
Barry Manilow

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive
We keep the feelings warm
Protect them from the storm
Until our time arrives
Then one day the sun appears
And we come shining through those lonely years
I made it through the rain
I kept my world protected
I made it through the rain
I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain
And found myself respected
By the others who
Got rained on too
And made it through
When friends are hard to find
And life seems so unkind
Sometimes you feel afraid
Just aim beyond the clouds
And rise above the crowds
And start your own parade
'Cause when I chased my fears away
That's when I knew that I could finally say
I made it through the rain
I kept my world protected
I made it through the rain
I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain
And found myself respected
By the others who
Got rained on too
And made it through
I made it through the rain
I kept my world protected
I made it through the rain
I kept my point of view
I made it through the rain
And found myself respected
By the others who
Got rained on too
And made it through
And made it through
I made it through

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Barry Manilow / Bruce Sussman / Jack Feldman / Gerald Kenny / Drey Sheppard
I Made It Through the Rain lyrics © D And J Arlon Enterprises Ltd 



Friday, March 26, 2021

PTSD if you believe God did it to you

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
March 26, 2021

We haven't talked much about spiritual healing lately, but I wanted to share how powerful it has been for me.

I was talking to someone who used the cringe worthy saying, "God only gives us what we can handle." That is used when someone wants to shut down the conversation, or because they think they have to say something but have nothing reasonable to say. It is much like when someone says, "If God brought you to it, He'll get you through it."

You are telling someone who survived the cause of PTSD that it is punishment from God. What is the point of praying if you believe God did it to you? You spend the rest of your life questioning everything in your life and then believe there is no point in trying at all.

I was struggling with many things lately. One was my confidence. Another one was being able to forgive. I am not struggling anymore on those.

My confidence was restored. The people who used me and abandoned me, are no longer in my life or taking up any room in my heart. The people who stole my work, used it as their own without asking permission or giving me any credit at all, no longer get in the way of me doing what I've done all these years.

The biggest one I struggled with was praying for inner peace. When you are in spiritual turmoil, that can ruin everything else in your life. If you have faith that God does have the power to deliver a lot things you need from Him, you will receive it. I did.

There are things we pray for that involve the will of other people to take action. God will not try to control their own freewill, so sometimes we don't have our prayers answered because they were not willing to listen to Him. But there are things He can do on His own if we are willing to ask and have faith He can, and it will be done.

It does not mean we will never have to ask for these things again at some point in our lives....but it does mean that if we do, then He will be there for us!



Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it!
#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD


Whenever God Shines His Light
Van Morrison

Whenever God shines his light on me
Opens up my eyes so I can see
When I look up in the darkest night
And I know everything's going to be alright
In deep confusion, in great despair
When I reach out for him he is there
When I am lonely as I can be
And I know that God shines his light on me
Reach out for him (reach out for him), he'll be there (he'll be there)
With him your troubles (with him your troubles) you can share (you can share)
If you live (if you live), the life you love (the life you love)
You get the blessing (yeah) from above (from above)
Heals the sick and he heals the lame
Says you can do it too in Jesus' name
He'll lift you up and turn you around
And put your feet back (feet back) on higher ground
Reach out for him (reach out for him), he'll be there (he'll be there)
With him your troubles (with him your troubles) you can share (you can share)
Oh, you can use his higher power
Every day (every day) and any hour (any hour)
Heals the sick and heals the lame
And he says you can heal them too in Jesus' name
He lifts you up and turns you around
Puts your feet back (puts your feet back, puts your feet back) on higher ground
When
When he shines his light
Whenever God shines his light
On you
On you
He is the way
He is the truth
He is the light, hoo
Put your feet back, put your feet back, higher ground, put your feet back
Higher ground
Put your feet back, put your feet back, higher ground, put your feet back
On higher ground
Put your feet back, put your feet back, higher ground, put your feet back
On higher ground
Put your feet back, put your feet back, higher ground, put your feet back
On higher ground
Put your feet back, put your feet back, higher ground, put your feet back
Put your feet on higher ground
Put your feet back, put your feet back, higher ground, put your feet back
Back

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Van Morrison
Whenever God Shines His Light lyrics © BMG Rights Management 
When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God
Van Morrison

The sun was setting over Avalon
The last time we stood in the west
Suffering long time angels enraptured by Blake
Burn out the dross
Innoncence captured again
Standing on the beach at sunset
And all the boats keep moving slow
In the glory of the flashing light
In the evenings glow
When will I ever learn
To live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
You brought it to my attention
That everything was made in God
Down through centuries of great writings and paintings
Everything lives in God
Seen through architecture of great cathedrals
Down through the history of time
Is and was in the beginning
And evermore
Shall ever be
When will I ever learn
To live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
Whatever it takes to fulfill the
Main change was to delete the is mission
That is the way we must go
But you've got to do it your own way
Tear down the old
Bring up the new
And up on the hillside it's quiet
Where the shepherd is tending his sheep
And over the mountains and the valleys
And the countryside is so green
Standing on the highest hill with a sense of wonder
You can see everything is made in God
Head back down the roadside
And give thanks for it all
When will I ever learn
To live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
When will I ever learn
To live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
When will I ever learn
To live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?

Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Van Morrison
When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God lyrics © Barrule Uk Ltd, Universal-songs Of Polygrm Obo Essential Music

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Does the person in your life know you love them?

PTSD Patrol and Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
March 25, 2021

Does the person in your life know you love them? If you have PTSD and you are not talking to them about what is going on with you, then they will think you just don't love them anymore. Today the featured video is Bonnie Raitt, I Can't Make You Love Me because there have been too many conversations from women giving up on their marriages and relationships with veterans.

This can apply to husbands, because we also have to face the fact that there are female veterans too. It can apply to anyone with PTSD in a relationship because you are leaving them to believe you don't love them anymore. What other choice can they make if you won't tell them why you changed?

They can only base what they feel on how you treat them, how you act toward them and how you talk to them. It sucks!

You may be destroying a relationship that is strong enough to last the rest of your life because you won't talk to them or even try to get them to know what is in your heart.

"You can't make your heart feel something it won't," is what they think. I know because I almost gave up on my marriage. I remember driving and this song came on the radio. I'd cry hard enough I had to pull over until I could see better and wiped the tears from my face. I had no way of knowing if there was any love left or not, even though I knew what PTSD was.

What made it harder for me was dealing with what my ex-husband did when he tried to kill me, proving my life didn't matter to him, even though he said the words out of his mouth. My second husband and I have been married for over 36 years now and because he started to make the effort to trust me enough to talk about Vietnam, I was sure that while his actions had nothing to do with me even though it effected me deeply.

It is time to think about the person you share your life with or you won't be doing it much longer.
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
Just give me till then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't


Remember, it is your life...get in and drive it! 
#BreakTheSilence and #TakeBackYourLife from #PTSD

I Can’t Make You Love Me
Bonnie Raitt

Turn down the lights
Turn down the bed
Turn down these voices inside my head
Lay down with me
Tell me no lies
Just hold me close, don't patronize
Don't patronize me
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't
I'll close my eyes, then I won't see
The love you don't feel when you're holding me
Morning will come and I'll do what's right
Just give me till then to give up this fight
And I will give up this fight
'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't
You can't make your heart feel something it won't
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I'll feel the power
But you won't, no you won't
'Cause I can't make you love me, if you don't

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael Reid / Allen Shamblin
I Can’t Make You Love Me lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Amplified Administration 

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June 26, 2021 The new site for PTSD Patrol  is up and running. New blog posts will begin there on June 27, 2021. This site will remain up...

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It is your life, get in and drive it