The Lighter Side
"The lighter side" is intended to help my visitors, as well as to help me as webmaster, publisher of the stories here, as well as commenter. Please trust me when I say that this page is indeed following my philosophy to educate and improve the lives of my visitors.
You see, there are days when I am so inundated with articles, headlines and images of child abuse that I find myself in a funk, in a dark place, a place that I really don't want to be. On these days, even my workouts, yoga or meditation aren't quite enough to give me the release I need in order to gain perspective and balance.
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On these darker days, I find it necessary to find another outlet;
which got me thinking: My visitors must be in that same dark place,
especially after reading some of the more difficult-to-comprehend child
abuse stories. |
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And if my visitors are in a funk, what can I do to ease things up for them? What can I do to help put a smile on their faces?
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I decided to create a page that is dedicated to sharing what people do to find calmness and yes, humour, in their lives. Below is an example of what I've done to help myself de-stress from the darkness that can so easily take hold. |
The Lighter Side
by Darlene Barriere
(Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada)
Rocks of Relaxation
Yesiree bob, I found, puzzled together and lovingly placed every single stone, rock and boulder you see in this retaining wall.
What exactly do rocks have to do with de-stressing? Let me assure you, I don't have rocks in my head.
On any given day, I read countless child abuse stories, headlines, articles, and essays. I review child abuse forums, answer child abuse related questions, and I write several child abuse articles a week.
I've made child abuse an integral part of my life; and while I wouldn't change that for the world, every now and again I find myself thrown into a bit of a funk because of it.
Last summer, I was dealing with a multitude of changes on my website that I needed to de-stress about.
I decided to take on the rockery as a project, as a way to step away from the challenges I was facing.
I
planned the retaining wall, found each and every rock at various spots
along the lakefront road, I hauled them one by one to the back of our
truck, loaded them up, then carefully drove them to our campsite.
I then un-loaded each rock, sorted them by size and shape, and then puzzled them in a workable order. I shoveled away weeds, grass and dirt, after which I physically dropped every rock into place and back-filled with more dirt, grunting whenever the need arose.
As laborious as the project was, I found that when I worked on the rockery, I was taken completely away from any other thoughts. No troubles. No worries. No strength left to ponder. It was then I realized . . . rocks rock!
I know I'm not alone in my need to lighten the load when life takes control of my senses. I'm sure that every one of you has an activity you use to relieve the stress in your life.
You've just read one of mine.
Now it's your turn to write from the lighter side!
How do you relieve the stress in your life?
We all want to know!--share here!
We all need to lighten the load every now and again. Tell us how you find the lighter side. And don't forget to include photographs. They are gleefully accepted in this category.
The Lighter Side Contributions on this Site:
Check out the lighter side submissions on this page...
World Healing
Healing in the World is a beautiful thing. Loving people who will be there always for you. Dealing with abuse as a child. Hearing people talking about …
Beautiful Sights and Sounds
Walking on the beach seeing a dove go by. Puts a smile on my face while I'm walking on the sparkling water while my feet becomes warm. Thinking about my …
Think On Good Things
Tonight I was awakened by nightmares, flashes of incest. It's at these times I really have to look extremely hard for the good things. If I don't I will …
Destressor - Puzzles
Many times, i feel like i can't pick up the pieces of my past or sort through life. When i feel this way, i work on a puzzle. That way, even though i feel …
The Lighter Side of Basketball
The feeling on textured rubber sliding against my fingertips, hearing it bouncing against pavement with a dull thud, and then leaving my hands in a smooth …
My De-Stressors - Random Noise
I find that the greatest source to relieve stress, is Random Noise (Noise that has No Rhythm or Tempo).
Such as - The Wind Blowing through the Leaves …
Down Periscope
When my husband and I can't find anything else to do to relax, after eating dinner, walking the dogs, doing our chores to get ready for the next day, when …
The Arms of Nature Are Always Open
I love just going to a beautiful place, thinking about stuff and sorting out my thoughts and chillin'. Depending on my mood I go alone or with some friends. …
Dreaming Of The Unknown
The way I relieve stress is I dream, dream of a happier time with friends, family, and loved ones. Or I also write down what is on my mind. Once I fill …
Driving and Clouds
day to day i go to school worry about my parents and do my house chores everyday day gets stressful. so this is how i relieve my stress, i take a drive …
Grand Daughter
To see her lights up my life,to know that I went on with my life,my daughter's and hers is a blessing.She is only a year old but to know that she will …
Humor - A Great Stress Reliever
It's always a good idea to postpone the humor for a little while! After an appropriate count of, from one to ten . . .
I pull out the prank Hand Shake …
I Relieve Stress by Sorting
From when I was a little kid, I've always been very emotional and stressed. I lack the extra "layer" most people are wrapped in that sorts through all …
I like to do photography
i have been through all the child abuse stuff :/ im 17 now, im in a good place now, with dad but i still get really unhappy (i dont tell him that) but …
A New Hope!
Comeing full circle in life can be a very inspiration way of reinventing yourself as a sexual abused person.I have always found through out my trials and …
Laugh
I have had my share of heartache and stress, and the number one thing I do to lighten me up is laugh. Whether it's a funny tv show, jokes, or just the …
Speaking
Speaking is a very good thing to do. I speak to people every day, and if they don't speak to me I still speak to them. So those who don't speak to others …
Find the Happy
I have been abused i was the one that my dad did the bath tub game with anyway when ever i get sad or think about my past i just "find the happy" when …
Gardening My Worries Away
I do gardening when I can't find a way to deal with the mess, It is like with each weed I pull or piece of garbage I pull out of gardens, is like pulling …
Take Time For Yourself
I like to put jigsaw puzzles together, love on my pets, put makeup on to say wow i am pretty, and i love to dance all by myself then i can get silly if …
Just Relax
I just relax , empty my mind from all thoughts , listen to music ...watch the sky ...something i learned recently ..watching the sky ..seeing how great …
Nature Heals
I find that being out in the woods, listening to the birds and critters, the babble of a brook, the bubbling of a stream, the rush of a waterfall, to be …
Writing Since I was 8
Crying Through My Veins: For years, I've written poetry. I can remember starting to write as young as about 8. My abuse, however, started …
Respect to Visitors from an Inner Place
How do I feel the other's pain in the writing of their story??? We all are aware that reading the abuse story of another can be very stressful …
How I Relieve Stress
I like to pour a hot bath, light a stick of incense and put on some Enya. Turning off the lights is also helpful. Then I just sit there.
Note …
The Lighter Side Destressors by Maurice
Light a candle and just sit by it; peace descends all about you: Hiya all, this is me Maurice here in a small corner of Eire/Ireland in my …
The Lighter Side Destressors by Sarah
Change has always been difficult for me. Even positive change. I think it has to do with control. I fear not having any and it's easier to deal with what …
Keep God Close
God created us for A SPECIAL PURPOSE!!! Keep up the courage each morning with this one thought in mind: God loves us.
Even the closest …
Another Helpful Mood Changer
Another thing I love to do when I feel stuck in a negative thinking rut...I take a nice warm shower (or bath if I have time). It really helps!
Sometimes …
Playing Frisbee!
My favorite unwinding activity (when I can get someone to join me) is going outside and playing frisbee. :) I love throwing real hard and far, jumping …
Bike Riding and Anything with my Dog Charlie
I've always enjoyed riding my Bike. It was used as my only form of transportation in my younger years. I can always get on my Bike and escape reality for …
Learning to Play the Violin
I am currently trying to teach myself how to play the violin. When every I am having a down-and-out sort of day where all that is on my mind is him I pick …
My Little Destresser
Here.... The only thing I got to say, is if rocks, rock...then so does this cute little animal!!!!! Take her to the park...your cares are …
Back to the Farm
I grew up on a farm in central Wisconsin with my grandparents. My father lived in the same community but my mother was in St. Paul, Minnesota. My father …
I Build Things
I build things - too - it gets me focussed on other things: I am restoring an old cabin that I live in. I find it great to see a project completed …
Rocks, wool, plants and tools
Rocks certainly do rock! I have personally built more than 35m of drystone wall about 1m high out of uncut basalt rock. Blistered hands, callouses, aching …
It's like writing a poem on my kitchen table
This may be silly. Over the years I have found it to be increasingly difficult to escape thoughts and memories. My depression and anxiety have both increased. …
Skating
When I was going through what I did, (see Child Abuse Story From Spades ) I would always see these three boys outside skateboarding. It made me realize …
Read and Walk
When I get stressed out and things become too much, I go to my neighbour's house where I get paid for dog walking and offer to take their dogs out for …
Reading Poetry
I like to read poetry to unwind. I came across this poem and thought it would be a good thing to share.
Angels are ever all around us,
And with …
Forward thinking
I really like to imagine what my life will be like in the future and I like to dream big. Then I move away from the past events that have bothered me so …
Happy New Year!
To my visitors and contributors: I take this opportunity to express a heartfelt thank you for helping my website become the foremost child abuse …
Video Games = Lifesaver
I started playing video games at age 6. My first video game of my own was a GameBoy Color along with the "Blue" version of Pocket Monsters (or "Poke'Mon" …
Another Gingerbread House
Each year, there are any number of children in our local woman's shelter here in Kamloops. As a child, I was never in a shelter, but I can tell you, there …
Writing Saved My Life
I was very suicidal and stressed out with no one to talk to. A friend bought me a journal, and I started writing everything down in the forms of poetry …
Healing and Fun with Gingerbread
Can building and decorating a gingerbread house be a relaxing and healing experience? Yes yes yes . . . ABSOLUTELY!
We all live busy lives. Our hustle …
Walk, and leave the candy alone!
Take a leisurely walk and enjoy colorful pumpkins, but keep your mitts off the bags of candy that you've purchased for trick-or-treaters. I've already …
Fitness: A Path Toward Healing and Recovery
Most of us know that fitness is essential for a healthy body, but what most don't know is that fitness can help a person along the road to healing and …
I Have a Tea Party
I have my own tea party with a little brown porcelain pot filled with tea, and fancy cookies. Then I sit in a quiet spot and read one of my comfort books. …
Chanelle's De-stress Formula
When the memories get too vivid and I need to get myself out of my negative thinking cycle, this is what I do to get the endorphins kicking in. Below are …
Make Your Life Work for You Rather Than the Other Way Around
It’s no secret that most child-abuse survivors wrestle with lifelong emotional-and-physical issues, but I look at “The Lighter Side” of life …
Lighten Up With Curling
We're a couple who live in the north.
We wanted to take up a sport.
We decided a broom would make us both swoon.
Curling was what we brought forth. …
Carole and Her Beloved Dogs
This is Shomer (Show-Mare) and Zohar with me on the Golden Gate Bridge, Northern California. Very proud, indeed!
Carole de-stresses with her cherished …
Lunch and a Million Dollar View
A mere thirty-minute walk from our campsite and this is the spectacular million-dollar view that awaits us! This mountain ledge is where I go to meditate …
References
NOTE: Information pages on this site were based on material from the
Canadian Red CrossRespectED Training Program. Written permission was obtained to use their copyrighted material on this site.
From Victim to Victory
a memoir
How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life
From Victim to Victory
a memoir
How I got over the devastating effects of child abuse and moved on with my life
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Jan 29, 18 11:00 AM
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