One of the PTSD pages I liked on Facebook asked people to write in 4 words the best advice they received.  This was what people shared….

PTSD Support And Recovery

What is your best advice in 4 words?

• Survive for five minutes……amazing how long I lived 5 minutes at a time…a whole day was too much to think about.
• From struggle comes STRENGTH !
• I’m sorry if this offends anyone and it’s longer than 4 words but what I tell myself is f*** you (to my mental illnesses) you don’t control me.
• Breathe, pray, hope, stay!!!!
• Keep pushing forward
• It’s not your fault.
• You are not alone
• FEAR = Face Everything And Rise !…
• If he’s weak – RUN.
• Be careful who u trust
• Never give up xxxx
• Our story isn’t over…
• Live your life today
• Be true to yourself.
• Just keep on swimming J
• Be your own friend
• Live minute by minute
• This too shall pass
• Things will get better.
• Psychiatrist
• Don’t let it win.
• Believe in YOUR Self
• Be patient with yourself
• Don’t let them win
• Like soldiers,march on x
• Do you, don’t worry
• Become a BETTER you !
• Believe in yourself
• Find a safe place.
• you matter
• Keep breathing – Breathing is good.
• Be gentle with yourself
• Few things are unchangeable
• Never look back
• Keep Faith In God!!
• There’s nothing you lack.
• Anger is no answer
• Me myself and I – Great team.
• Exercise and find balance
• Let yourself be loved.
• Go With Your Gut…
• Don’t give up
• Be gentle with yourself
• Remember to breathe
• Lose the drama.
• Here if needed – Thanks
• Don’t let it win.
• live and learn … enjoy
• This is only temporary
• Love yourself.
• Be yourself!
• Get your shit together.

Choose any one of these to focus your thoughts on for a day or a week or a month…..where do you end up?  Too often with PTSD I felt stuck.  Short statements that encouraged me to move forward, my motto, helped me to stop looking at the brick walls in my life and looking for ways around them.  Or the weak points to take them down.  I grew up with the Berlin Wall.  I believed it would take a mighty war to take it down.  It didn’t, it crumbled in a night.  PTSD is much like the Berlin Wall keeping us from being who we want to be.  Look for that weak point that brings down your walls knowing you have the strength to battle what is there.