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CatDaddy60 June 30th

Hi,

Glad to find 7 Cups. I'm still a little bit nervous about this type of environment, though I'm hopeful that I can let some things out and I haven't been able to share fully. Have a lot of shame and guilt it's been holding me back.  I need a safe place.

Thanks

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@CatDaddy60 Welcome! We are happy you are here and it’s ok to be nervous. This is an open, positive space to support you. 😊Something to consider is that shame and guilt are appropriate emotional reactions to situations and interactions. Just like anger, happiness, and fear, shame is just another emotion that informs us of that experience/interaction. No emotion is ever wrong and they are meant to ebb and flow like the tides of the ocean. Over time, I’ve learned that when emotions become static states of being, is when we are held back.


Instead of letting the shame/guilt come and go, when we exist in perpetual state of shame, we become stuck in a toxic cycle that can seem impossible to escape. 


Luckily that is not true- overcoming shame and guilt is not only very possible, but something you deserve as a birth right on this Earth! 


It takes practice to begin to shift from a constant shame state to simply feeling shame, letting it inform us and moving forward so that we can live in alignment with our system. Some questions you may want to ask yourself:


  • What purpose does staying in a state of shame serve you?
  • How can you practice self compassion without judgment?
  • What would it take for you to forgive yourself for things you may feel shame about?
  • What would you say to the person you care about most if you knew they were carrying around the burden of constant guilt and shame? 
  • What would it feel like physically and emotionally to release the weight of all the shame you’ve been carrying?
  • What would you be able to accomplish without being held back by shame? 

You are not alone. We are here to support you in this journey. And, thank you self for the courage it took to show up for yourself by reaching out! Take care and reach out whenever you need to. ❤️

1 reply
CatDaddy60 OP July 5th

@sereneSunshine00 That was indeed a ray of sunshine.  It is interesting that in my brief time on 7 Cups = about a week = I have experienced such affirmation as yours, apparrently overloaded a Listener so that they bailed out of a session 🙃 gotten myself involved with another member slipping into what has been my problem, managed to grapple out of that quagmire, met some sincere souls that are willing to share a walk, and starting to sense that having confessed and said some things out loud on here that I already feel better ... still gotta watch it and not stumble, while moving along to a consistent walk where I am sincere with myself and others.  Thanks, Sunshine

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Helgafy July 6th

@CatDaddy60

@Tinywhisper11

Hi - a fine Bibleverse: Psalm 31:15 "My times are in your (Gods) hand;"

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CatDaddy60 OP July 6th

Good morning Helga and tiny, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers which began as soon as I woke up this morning. God loves you and I do too.

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Helgafy July 6th

@CatDaddy60
@Tinywhisper11

Thank you.
Tiny - congrats with the new prime-minister in your country England! (I watch the news every day -I think you said somewhere at this time of your life it's too much for you to watch).
I watched a bit of GodTV today. Cat - I like very much to watch Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen also - he's so very positive. Well - this song was played: "Turned it around" by Rikki Doolan. I liked it very much and what I want for all 3 of us - that Jesus Christ/God shall turn around everything in our lives so we live our lives to the fullest each day and experience the glory of God. Cat - I write Christ/God because Tiny don't label herself with any spesific label of religion. It's not a secret - I have seen her telling that several times at 7Cups. (I can also understand a bit of that since the sect she was in called themselves Christians - what a shame. - I'm just now following at TV a so called Christian sect from New zeeland - after 50 years they are in the court. Lots of s e x there also. I cannot understand why the authorities of N.Z. let them go on for so long. It really make me feel angry - well. well.)

1 reply
Tinywhisper11 July 6th

@Helgafy I have noticed you've  using God/jesus Christ when speaking to me lately ❤ thankyou your just the sweetest person in the world ❤ and yep, we got a new prime minister, a new party in control. I wish them good luck ❤ I'm not sure how long the cult I was in as been going. But power, money, I guess the law and government just ignore it😥 it's very sad.

I really hope we all live out the rest of our lives with joy in our hearts, God by our sides🙂

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Tinywhisper11 July 6th

@CatDaddy60 good morning ❤ yes we are all so blessed to have God and each other ❤❤

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Tinywhisper11 July 6th

@Helgafy perfect bible verse ❤❤ I'm definetly in the palms of God ❤❤ thankyou

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Helgafy July 7th

@CatDaddy60
Hi. Hi Cat.

As I have said before I in no way try to be a therapist for you. But today I watched a show on GodTV by Sid Roth ("It's supernatural"). A man called Rick Jimenez witnessed. He has been in the military as you. He has also been in Iraq, fighting there. His heart became hard in the service, he said there was a lot of shouting and degradation there. He also had trauma and depression after fighting and as you had difficulties in forgiving himself. Well - the Lord softened his heart, he had to ask his wife for forgiveness for many things.  He has some CDs to listen to about the spiritual battle we're in. I hope you'll watch the show.
Helgafy July 8th

@Tinywhisper11

Hi Tiny and Cat.
A fine Bible verse for us: 
Psalm 143:8 "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust
in you. 
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."
I wish us all a fine day. Remember to eat something good! From Helga.

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CatDaddy60 OP July 8th

Thank you helga. It's important to start the day focused on God and the path is laid before us. It was a great day in church yesterday. I had been talking to a lady last week who grew up Roman Catholic her husband is a Methodist they're trying to get back in church but yet she has a lot of social anxiety. So we were able to gently greet her when she arrived and get her settled in a back pew and she seemed to respond well. I feel like I did a good thing yesterday.

9 replies
Helgafy July 8th

@CatDaddy60

look at that! Thank you Cat for telling. I have seen from sharing circle here that many persons have social anxiety. And as you know I also want @Tinywhisper11 to explore the beautiful world out there more. Tiny - you don't have to tell this if it bother you. I know that you can eat delicious food now. Can we (Cat and I) ask what you ate in your "prison". Please don't tell if it's unconvinient for you Tiny - a beautiful rose on this earth.

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Tinywhisper11 July 8th

@Helgafy ok this is a bit embarrasing and shameful, but I had no choice. We were made to eat dog food from a bowl on the floor, if we didn't eat it, or was sick from it. We were beaten with a chain😥 I'm sorry I ate that stuff, but it wasn't my fault😞

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CatDaddy60 OP July 8th

Oh Tiny, my heart goes out to you. Nothing for you to be sorry for, you were victimized and exploited. Thank you for sharing as hard, as it is.

3 replies
BlossomGirvan July 9th

@CatDaddy60

very well said 

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Tinywhisper11 July 9th

@BlossomGirvan ❤❤

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Tinywhisper11 July 9th

@CatDaddy60 ❤🙂❤

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Tinywhisper11 July 8th

@Helgafy thanks ❤ trying to get through this month the best I can🙂 I hope God continues to keep me strong. Hugs you tightly, I hope you have a great day ❤

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Helgafy July 8th

@Tinywhisper11

Here is a wonderful word for you Tiny.  Psalm 41:11-13 "I know that
you are pleased with me, (
for my enemy does not triumph over me). Because of my integrity
you uphold me
 and set me in your presence forever."

4 replies
Tinywhisper11 July 8th

@Helgafy sometimes the bible versus you write, bring me lots of comfort and tears to my eyes🙂 I think you must be my Angel sent from God. Thankyou Helga ❤

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Helgafy July 8th

@Tinywhisper11
lol - not an angel Tiny, but very often the verses I give are verses that have helped and still help me.

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Tinywhisper11 July 8th

@Helgafy ❤❤ your a earth angel ❤

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BlossomGirvan July 9th

@Helgafy

Very lovely. I appreciate the scriptures you write🌹

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@CatDaddy60 Hi there! Excited to have you here. The Welcome Pack is very helpful (Blue text is clickable)

1 reply
Heather225 July 8th

@healingsoul4892

thanks for linking this!

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Phoenix22k July 8th

Hi there!


I also feel a bit nervous, but am hopeful to find some friends and connection. Sometimes it's just nice to know someone is reading.


Know that whatever it is you're experiencing that taking the step to admit it takes a lot of strength. I have many dark things in my past that I feel shameful about too and it's a burden that weighs me down


Keep going forward! Oh and I'm a cat father as well 😊

2 replies
CatDaddy60 OP July 8th

Thanks Phoenix, I'm here for you too!

BlossomGirvan July 9th

@Phoenix22k

Thank you for reaching out and sharing a bit about yourself. It's completely natural to feel nervous, but I'm glad you're here and hopeful to find friends and connection. It really does make a difference knowing that someone is reading and listening.

Your words about admitting our struggles resonated with me deeply. It takes immense strength to confront and share the darker parts of our past, and you're not alone in feeling that burden. It's a heavy weight to carry, but taking steps to address it is incredibly brave.

Keep moving forward, and remember that you're not defined by your past. You have the strength to overcome it and find brighter days ahead.

And as a fellow cat parent, I can totally relate! Our feline friends can bring so much joy and comfort into our lives. 😊

Sending you support and a virtual high-five!

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Helgafy July 8th

@CatDaddy60

Hi Cat. You once said I could tell you about myself if I wanted to. Here are some lines from my story:
I have been sick for many years - ME (Myalgic encephalomyelitis/CFS-chronic fatigue syndrome). Because of that sickness I have to be in bed or at the couch in my living room - watching TV. I have not been walking around outside my flat for 2 years now.

1 reply
BlossomGirvan July 9th

@Helgafy

Thank you for sharing a part of your story with us. It takes a lot of courage to open up about your experiences, especially when dealing with something as challenging as ME/CFS. I'm so sorry to hear about the difficulties you've been facing and how it's affected your daily life.

Your strength and resilience in the face of such a tough illness are truly inspiring. Even though you may be confined to your bed or couch, the fact that you're reaching out and connecting with others shows tremendous bravery and determination. I admire your faith and trust in God through this, as it must be a source of comfort and strength for you.

Sending you warm thoughts and gentle hugs.


1 reply
Helgafy July 9th

@BlossomGirvan

Very nice written. Thank you!

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CatDaddy60 OP July 9th

Helga, thank you for sharing that with me. It helps me to at least catch a glimpse into your world and your experiences. I'm sorry to hear that and know that you long for the outdoors and more General contact. I'm praying for you, but you are such a positive presence here that you are making a difference in the lives of others. Not only mine, but I can see it in that of others. Thank you for all that you do to support this community.

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Helgafy July 9th

@CatDaddy60

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the very fine words - and being prayed for! (some said it is the highest job - (I don't know)). Well. well - I always try to see my suffering in contrast to what's on the news. Yesterday childrens hospital was bombed by the Russian in Kiev - Ukraine. So now is the NATO-meeting in Washington. And guess what! The leader Jens Stoltenberg is from Norway!!! (proud me). He has been for a loooong periode, but now is a new leader from the Netherlands coming.

Helgafy July 14th

@CatDaddy60

Hi. Hi Cat.
I just think you missed my message to you here above - a bit about Jens Stoltenberg. And yes - he was honored by a prize given at the NATO-meeting giving by president Biden. (Poor fellow - storms around him these days). Mother Theresa also had this prize.

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BlossomGirvan July 9th

@CatDaddy60

Welcome to 7 Cups! We're so glad you found us. It's completely normal to feel a bit nervous, but this is a safe and supportive community where you can share and find the support you need.

I absolutely love the cat in your profile picture—such a beautiful feline friend! Pets can be such a source of comfort and joy. I am a cat mommy. 🐱💖

I am here to listen and support you every step of the way. Sending you hugs!


Helgafy July 9th

@Tinywhisper11
Hi Tiny - Good morning to you.

The prayer I pray most is: "Please help me Jesus."

Psalm 1211I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?2My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.3He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;4indeed, he who watches over Israel (for us all who believe in him - my writing
Tiny) will neither slumber nor sleep.5The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand;6the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.7The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life;8the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

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BlossomGirvan July 9th

@Helgafy

Thank you for sharing such a comforting scripture and prayer. It's reassuring to be reminded of the Lord's watchful care over us. Your words resonate deeply, and I appreciate the encouragement they bring. Wishing you a blessed day ahead! [If it is day time for you]

Warm regards, Ruth (BlossomGirvan)

Tinywhisper11 July 9th

@Helgafy good morning sweetie ❤❤ thank you for that. I'm in God's light now🙂 and to God I pray that he looks after us all ❤ hope you have a great day ❤

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rachel0707 July 9th

welcome and thank you for being here!

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CatDaddy60 OP July 9th

Thank you Rachel, for the welcome and also for being here. I hope I can be in affirming presence for you.

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