I'm in a nest

[CheerBear]

@Spookytookims - I'm super glad you're not shaking like that, not that I'm glad PR is but I think that shaking you're talking about is different to the shaking I was. Phew. Thank you for letting me know.

[Phoenix_Rising]

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@CheerBear wrote:
That sounds really good @Phoenix_Rising. I'm going to set my timer on my phone and peel my legs from my chest and sit with them crossed and just sit. Big breath. Thank you phoenix_rising.

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I hope it helps @CheerBear. You know, I have learnt (both through reading and through therapists) that even though it is a super natural tendency to curl up in the foetal position, it actually helps us to feel calmer to stretch out. The rationale for this is along the same lines as the sitting with palms up thing. That is, when we curl up, this position sends a message to our brain that there is danger about. By putting our body in a more relaxed position, the brain gets the message that everything is ok - and thus it stops producing stress hormones like cortisol. It seems topsy-turvey because I know I tend to automatically curl up when I feel scared. That is, I feel scared in my brain so I curl up with my body. However, we really can flip it around and change our brain chemistry by deliberately changing our body position. That's why I've developed the habit of lying prostrate on the floor when I feel yuck, rather than curling up. Not that I don't also curl up sometimes too...but if I want to reduce anxiety, I know lying flat is going to achieve that goal quicker than curling up.

[CheerBear]

This makes so much sense @Phoenix_Rising and makes me think of the times my psych has suggested something about my brain almost relying on high stress hormones to function. This could be why even 1:14 seconds of relax can send me into a meltdown kind of mode. And maybe why my energiser bunny is super efficient. I'll try 3 minute thing again tomorrow and maybe even if i can get to 1:15 i will at least be taking tiny baby steps towards being able to change that brain chemistry. Thanks again

[Phoenix_Rising]

Yep, I'm going to head off now. One minute fourteen seconds is a whole one minute and fourteen seconds more than nothing - nice job @CheerBear  Crying is absolutely totally ok. It is extremely healthy you know - better out than in I think! That's what I tell myself when I am crying so much I wonder if it will ever stop. But guess what? It does. I am not aware of anyone ever crying endlessly. Crying takes a lot of energy. It will always stop - guaranteed. It's ok to cry @CheerBear.

Mmmmm muffins sound yummy. Muffin making, bath, bed. That sounds like a plan! Are the LF in bed? Does this mean you get to lick the bowl?

Night @CheerBear 

[Spookytookims]

Palms up reminded me of Buddhism.  And the very important hand positions in the stances.  So I went a quickly grabbed something because I find it interesting and I see a relationship with what you are saying about palms up @CheerBear and @Phoenix_Rising

"Meditation Buddha / Serenity Buddha / Calming Buddha

Another of the more common rupas is of the Buddha in Meditation. This statue is for people who are either looking for peace and calm in their lives, or for those who wish to improve their own meditation skills. People will often buy a Meditation Buddha if they want to set up a "serenity room" or a corner of their house where they can sit in calm for a little while and unwind.

In this pose, the Buddha is depicted with both hands in the lap, face up, and the legs are crossed, either in a Double Lotus pose"

(http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/buddha-poses.html - source)

[CheerBear]

Ok, now there's the promise of delicious triple chocolate muffins coming from the oven with some ice-cream soon, a hot bath I know I can get into afterwards, a positive spin on me struggling to stay chill for 3 minutes (cheers PR), the knowledge that @Spookytookims isn't alone or shaking, and tears that have passed, i can breathe better again. Far out this little boat is very touchy right now! And consuming way too much chocolate and not enough vegetables 😛

@Spookytookims - i love that idea of calming Buddha. I'm hoping one day soon I can be a little more calm too. I too had a laugh at the lending brain thing. How much better would the world be if we could literally have another's mind for a moment (it could also be very bad but I think mostly good)? And also agree, there are some serious caring bones happening. I notice lots of people here have strong caring bones. How was your day today Spooky?

Also a proper hi to @Shaz51 now 🙂 I like seeing you come past the nest. How are you? Hope things are ok for you and Mr Shaz today.

[Spookytookims]

I had a good day ...  very positive @CheerBear  up to lil-caterpillar leaving.  I know you don't want to talk about that...  but I just find it wrong and it brought a real downer to my day.

So are you really cooking those choc thingos?  are they for the LF lunches?

[CheerBear]

Not just cooking, have cooked and am now eating @Spookytookims 😂 This bunny can move fast lol.

They look/taste way better without the flouro lighting and melted icecream btw! I'll save some for LF, probably for afternoon teas I think 🙂

That's great you had a positive day Spooky. Anything in particular that made it that way?

Yeah that was/is really blegh. For LC the most obviously. I'm trying not to feel guilty/bad that one of the last interactions she had before leaving was that one with me. I do feel very sad thinking of her even more alone now and hope she comes back soon 😞 

[Spookytookims]

@CheerBear  if it's not too involved...  could you post the recipe some time?  My partner loves things like that and I'm terribly hopeless at them.  He'd love me forever if I pulled some out for him and I'd really love your recipe as I know it's from a reliable source. 

[CheerBear]

Haha sure @Spookytookims. It's super involved though. It's an egg, a cup of milk, and 80mls of oil with a white wings triple chocolate muffin mix packet 😂

In all seriousness though, these things are amazeballs. Especially gooey straight out of the oven with icecream