Hi Stella,

We have missed your positive outlook, so it’s nice to see you back here. I think a lot of us have been struggling emotionally through this pandemic, but are maybe afraid to talk about it, so I appreciate your honesty. I’m really glad to hear that you’ve reached out for help - that can make all the difference! All things have a beginning, a middle, and an end. I am hoping 🤞that with the vaccination rate nudging upwards, that we are just beginning to see the pandemic peter out. It will take awhile, and we will have to get our booster shots, probably annually, but I think we are all so tired of the isolation and the loneliness it brings. Stella, May I offer you a Buddhist loving kindness prayer that I learned several years ago? 

May you be happy 

May you be peaceful 

May you be well 

May you be safe and free from suffering 

May all people be happy 

May all people be peaceful 

May all people be well 

May all people be safe and free from suffering 

Take good care of yourself, Stella. We always look forward to hearing from you on this site.

Laurie

Hi Stella, This is definitely a world wide safe place for ostomate pals. I do count the folks here as friends. I even have a mental picture of what members look like. I am just a blue symbol but for those wondering!! I am a mix of Brad Pit and George Clooney. But without the hair 😂 Any one want a signed picture just ask🤪

@john68 that is exactly as I pictured you!! What are the chances of my imagination coinciding with reality? BTW, I am a former Bond girl, myself. I can’t tell you which movie because the paparazzi would be swarming my house. You know what it’s like.

Laurie (my pseudonym😉 shhh!)

Next time at the beach I will be looking out for you coming out of the water. Plus Brad or George would make a great next bond. Plus wouldn’t Osto Pussy be a great next title for a Bond movie. 

Well, that certainly lifted my spirits! I'd like to say that I look like Sophia Loren, but would be lying! My husband thinks I'm pretty - and that's all that matters! 

God bless,

Stella

@john68

John, there's nothing wrong with not having hair - my hubby is still as handsome as the day I married him sans his hair. I am sure your wife thinks the same thing!

@sjlovestosing Well, now I will picture Sophia Loren whenever I read your posts. Glad we made you laugh.

Laurie

Stella,

I have been wondering where you were. I’ve missed seeing you post. I’ve had problems with anxiety since my 30’s. It runs in my family. I take a maintenance drug for it and so most of the time I’m okay. I can see when the last year and a half would trigger it. I’m glad you are talking to someone about it. 💕

Posted by: @john68

Hi Stella, This is definitely a world wide safe place for ostomate pals. I do count the folks here as friends. I even have a mental picture of what members look like. I am just a blue symbol but for those wondering!! I am a mix of Brad Pit and George Clooney. But without the hair 😂 Any one want a signed picture just ask🤪

✋🏼 I want one!!  I haven’t had pictures of cute boys on my wall since I was a teenager. 🤣

@john68 

So you have feet like brad pitt and a bum like clooney :mrgreen: 

Watch out Liza its amazing the photo manipulation you can do these days?

Unfortunately some are claiming the next Bond will not be an alpha male anymore -signing up for that John! :lol: 

Love your humour John

@squeakyandliza 

I was actually going to ask John for a photo, but didn't want to make his wife or my hubby jealous! LOL

Stella

@squeakyandliza 

Thank you, Liza. It's good to be back in the swing of things. We have depression issues and anxiety in my side of the family. This is probably the first time in years I've had to deal with it. I do use a homeopathic remedy to help with this, but like anything else, it isn't a magic bullet. However, what it does do is to help me face my fears and sadness. It also helps to talk to my homeopath, who is also a counselor. 

God bless,

Stella

Bad or unusual situations can bring about many negative things. In day to day reality and in ones mind/emotions. That is normal. We are not meant to ignore or be happy with negative things. That is what should trigger the impetus to correct the situation. Or find new ways to deal with it. You just made one step in doing that. Reconnecting. Keep searching out paths to connect. You may need to learn new ways to do that. Take it as a challenge. An opportunity to learn and expand abilities. That can be fulfilling in itself. Can even lead to new connections.

Commiseration can be a temporary relief. But don't get lost in that. Too often it is a negative feedback loop. It can certainly feel like things are just piling up on you. Sometimes it is real. Don't get blinded. Peek out from under the pile and see how much there is to still enjoy.

There is the saying about if a door closes a window opens. Often it is up to you to open a new window. There are endless windows. Find one or many, and open them.

@sjlovestosing ....I too was wondering where you were, but please, don't feel bad about that.  Its always nice to know one was missed & you were!  You do what you need to do to get through this in whatever way you need, that's all thats important here.  

I wish I could say more but my eyes need off this screen for now. Don't be a stranger! Check in & let us know how you are doing! . 

Posted by: @kedikat

Bad or unusual situations can bring about many negative things. In day to day reality and in ones mind/emotions. That is normal. We are not meant to ignore or be happy with negative things. That is what should trigger the impetus to correct the situation. Or find new ways to deal with it. You just made one step in doing that. Reconnecting. Keep searching out paths to connect. You may need to learn new ways to do that. Take it as a challenge. An opportunity to learn and expand abilities. That can be fulfilling in itself. Can even lead to new connections.

Commiseration can be a temporary relief. But don't get lost in that. Too often it is a negative feedback loop. It can certainly feel like things are just piling up on you. Sometimes it is real. Don't get blinded. Peek out from under the pile and see how much there is to still enjoy.

There is the saying about if a door closes a window opens. Often it is up to you to open a new window. Th

ere are endless windows. Find one or many, and open them.

Thank you for your wise words. You are right to say commiseration can fuel the fire rather than put it out. We need to find common ground, look at each other's side in things and try to understand where we are all coming from. That is the beginning of a true path to peace in our world. However, it is not easy when people have been building camps of "them and us". I am a person of peace and balance, and sadly, the world seems so out of balance these days. But my hope is (I don't know whether you believe this or not) that God is still in control - that He is aware of what goes on here and allows things to happen in order to bring good from it. The challenge is to find the good.

God Bless,

Stella

@john68 

Hi John update on your brad pitt , clooney lookalike. I ask the wife if I was a better double than your, maybe one of the Bond's. Her reply I look more like worzel gummidge (Some you can't win)  :cry:  

@chrisandbagpus 

I have never seen you, but I am sure you're no walking scarecrow!🤣

Stella

@chrisandbagpus 

Chris, you got me to google Worzel Gummidge. 🤣  It sounds like you wife is good at keeping your ego in check.   I’m sure you fall somewhere between James Bond and Worzel. 🤣

@sjlovestosing I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling and hope you find a way out with the counseling you've got ahead.

I'm glad that the forum has made you feel welcome and has given you a place to unwind, vent, chat, or whatever makes you feel better.🙋

@veganostomy 

Thank you, Eric. The process is taking time, but I'll get through this. The events of the past year were more taxing than I realized - it all sort of caught up with me. 

Stella