Hi Geoff,

I have the same thoughts as you in regards to what’s happening in Ukraine, it’s just horrible.

Hello Petal, it just makes you wonder why someone is so inane to create all of this devastation and cruelty upon innocent children, families, kindergardens and hospitals under the Geneva Convention.

Geoff.

Hi Geoff, exactly….. insane…..

Its all just horrible.

Hi Petal and Geoff

Its bizarre that the year is 2022 yet the war in Ukraine has so much in common with the 1940's

The Ukrainian people's suffering is something I cannot even begin to comprehend ...not only physiologically but where the PTSD and mental health is concerned

Beyond Blue is an excellent National platform yet mental health knows no boundaries

Just for myself I am very proud to stand with Ukraine

my kindest always

Paul

Hi Paul,

I also find it hard to comprehend the people of Ukraines suffering it’s going to be felt many years to come, it’s very sad that they have had to go through what they have.

Beyond Blue is an amazing National platform but yes mental health knows no boundaries……. It’s devastating.

I too am proud to say I stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦

Alas what is happening in Ukraine has been happening for centuries and in the last 59 years.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”

we need to speak up against any atrocities wherever they are occurring and not just where there is media attention.

What is happening in Ukraine is so horrible and it is encouraging many are speaking up. We need to do this for all countries .

Knowing that people care for others welfare is reassuring.

hi Petal22

You know your post got me thinking about how chaotic and painful the world is. I believe the ukraine events are a catalyst for so many of us. I mean we now have an election period and already both candidates look tired and sick of it already. The world is a truly strange place.

That much said, I have found beauty in nature and good things. Sunrises, weddings, overcoming personal battles and similar things can give us a much needed boost.

I really think that you have tapped into something here Petal22

Hi quirkywords,

I agree we need to speak up for all countries were this is happening to so many innocent people.

The more we speak out against what is happening in our world, the more attention will be drawn to the evil that is happening in our world….

People who carry the light of good inside them who speak out against these things will triumph, because the light combined is a very powerful source the source of LOVE……

I see President Zelenskyy as a symbol of light, love and power he isn’t afraid of the evil he defies it…… with his light of good, that he shines for all people.

He shows us his light and power in his every day work………..if only more people and powerful people took his lead I think this world would be become more united.

Heres to people power! Eventually our light will outshine this evil and good will prevail. ❤️🙏🇺🇦

Hi HamSolo01,

Thank you for your post… 😊

Yes I agree that the world can be a very chaotic and painful place when we really “look” at what is taking place.

All of this is brought on by human behaviour, human behaviour that can be stopped and changed if only the people who are creating this evil behaviour could just sit back and recognise it for what it is…………. It’s very catabolic it’s behaviour that feeds the self ego which really has no need to be fed.

If only we could just allow the goodness of human behaviour evolve what an absolutely beautiful place our world would be ………. this is something that ALL humans have the ability to do we all just need to choose it.

More LOVE less hate….

After all we are all one.

There is no place for war in our world we all just need to stand tall and say “ no more “……..

To all the powerful leaders of our world they just need to be able to stand tall and say “ No More”……..

Praying for Ukraine 🇺🇦 and all parts of our world that need it ❤️🙏

Lets unite

I also think that it’s great Hamsolo01 that you have found beauty in nature and good things 😊 this is really important.

Overcoming personal battles does give us a boost 😊 we can look back and see how far we have come.

Wishing you all the best

thanks Petal22

has been a rough day for me in fact - had to contact lifeline

hope to find some peace soon hey

take care and see you around

Sorry to hear it’s been a rough day for you….

Things will get better.

We are always here to support you.

Hey Petal22 and everyone

I know we have to 'say the right thing' yet just for myself I cant generalize the war in Ukraine with historical references from others like ' Alas what is happening in Ukraine has been happening for centuries and in the last 59 years' I have no idea what that means as people in Ukraine are suffering now Wednesday April 2022

* Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a loving, compassionate and kind person

Thankyou Petal for this brilliant humanitarian/relevant thread discussion

my kindest always

Paul

Hi Paul.

If it's OK for me to throw my two cents in, I think what Quirky might mean is that awful stuff has never stopped happening and that the world's not really all of a sudden gone back several decades.

Far from diminishing the terrible reality of what is happening in Ukraine at the moment, I think this insight is important for grounding. While Europe had been at relative peace since WWII, much of the world has not. And even this European peace has been punctuated multiple times, sometimes quite brutally. The Soviets invaded Hungary in the 1950s. Northern Ireland and the greater British Isles were embroiled in a low intensity but still nasty conflict between Irish Republicans and Ulster Loyalists for decades. Much of what happened in the Yugoslav, Nagorno-Karabakh and Chechan wars is eerily and heartbreakingly similar to the current conflict.

It is certainly shocking and horrifying what has suddenly befallen Ukraine. I've personally felt like vomiting multiple times. But I think being aware of post WWII history means that we can regard it as less of a plunge back into a dark age but as a very modern catastrophe, one of many, and one that can be addressed through modern means, many of which didn't exist in the 40s.

if you have relatives/friends in Ukraine or are of a Ukrainian background, that adds a different dimension to it and certainly in that circumstance I would expect concern for Ukraine would be much more acute than for anything else. What I have written would probably apply less in that case.

These are just my thoughts on it. I'm sorry if I've misunderstood anyone at all.

All my best wishes to the people of Ukraine and for peace.

Thanks Paul, I agree with all of your words for President Zelenskyy.

The war that Russia has put on Ukraine is very senseless and shameful to Russia.

All Ukraine wanted to do was to live their life their way and that’s the truth…. They caused no harm to anyone and were at peace before Russia invaded.

” Power is in the truth” and the truth is not on Russias side.

Keep up your heroic struggle Ukraine…

The law of nature will have the last say.

Something which I am still finding difficult is despite mostly avoiding the news while updating myself periodically, I'm quite sensitive to unplanned exposure to the situation. This mainly comes through my dad, either when having the radio on or, more commonly, the tv, even when I'm in another room. It's meant I've been staying in my room most of the time so that I don't hear anything, but I know this isn't healthy. Whenever I close the door to the lounge room (which he is usually in) to the living room (which I, my mum and sister like to spend a lot of time in), he complains about it for some reason. I know I need to strike some kind of balance with this, but I'm not sure how. :/

Hi Doberman38,

I understand this would be difficult.

Have you ever practiced mundane task focusing or attention training?

By practicing attention training you really can begin to control your attention…….. our attention is like a muscle and it needs exercise.

Once you can gain control of your attention you can place it on what you choose.

If you do hear something unsettling to you …… turn your attention to something more positive in the present moment.

It takes practice

Hi Petal22... Doberman38

Thanks Doberman38 for sense of balance on Petal's thread. I was only providing my own opinion as you are doing now....Just for myself history is not relevant here as I was posting in real time on April 13

We cant 'gloss' over this war and generalize its impact....example from another member above...'we need to speak up against any atrocities wherever they are occurring and not just where there is media attention' Just for myself I find this downplays the suffering in Ukraine

On a positive note Doberman38...I hear your loud and clear regarding the news on Ukraine..It can be awful to hear. I also find it unsettling...You are strong and thankyou for speaking from the heart too :-) I really hope you can continue to be a part of the Beyond Blue family

Hi Petal....Im sorry to hijack your thread...oops..

Happy Easter everyone 🐇🐇🐇

Paul x

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your valued contribution to this thread 😊

Happy Easter 🐣

Paul

thanks for your feedback and honest comments.

Not for one nano second am I underestimating the suffering of people in Ukraine . I have ancestors from there and my heart bleeds for them.

I wrote “What is happening in Ukraine is so horrible and it is encouraging many are speaking up.”

Just because one mentions another countries suffering it by no means lessens the suffering and compassion for another country.

I am sorry you misunderstood the intention of my words, I apologise if you were offended or felt I was offending others

Never my intention.

Thanks for all your contributions to Beyond Blue.

Petal Thanks for your comments and understanding my post.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,”

I think this is so important and I am witnessing individuals and countries rushing to Ukraines aid.

Hi Petal...excuse I for hijacking your thread....again!

Hey Quirky...no worries at all and Petals thread topic is specific where Ukraine is concerned. Im sorry you misunderstood my post..You mentioned 'we need to speak up against any atrocities wherever they are occurring and not just where there is media attention' You are spot on Quirky and you have a super caring focus as always

I totally agree that all global atrocities are vile Quirky for sure. It is only my humble opinion that we cant generalise about the conflict in Ukraine just because there is 'media attention' as you mentioned

The Beyond Blue forums are national where participation is concerned. Yet there are a small group of people I know in Ukraine that are reading our forums and this particular thread topic...as we speak

Thankyou Petal for your respectful thread topic and to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his kindness

Paul

Hi Bookgirl,

I'm sorry you are feeling this way I understand it is hard and confronting.

We can't control what is happening but we can control how we react to it, when you hear people talking about this just try to keep your breathing slow, really concentrate on controlling your breath because if you can do this your anxiety can't escolate........ try to keep your attention on your breath.

Or try to put your attention on something more positive in the present moment.

Please try not to feed the thoughts with your attention, try really hard to focus on something else like if your driving your car what can you notice about the road? What can you hear? What can you feel? What can you taste

By practicing this you will learn to be able to catch yourself when you are beginning to think about negative things and then you will get quicker at re directing your attention. ( It takes practice).

Please chat to us any time

Bookgirl

petal and Sophie have given you many helpful suggestions.
I too sorry about what might happen but as Petsl says we can’t control that but we can acknowledge our thoughts and work out what we can do.
For me I donated to a charity thst help children in Ukraine. This is only small but it is something I can do.
Also I am trying to be peaceful and avoid conflict. If people disagree with me I let it go.

Keep writing here if that helps as you are not alone.

There is a thread here that asks us to write 3 things we are grateful for each day. I find it helps me to focus on what I am grateful for.
You are sensitive and care a lot and they are great qualities.

Hello Bookgirl, I know people say 'don't watch the news', but we are drawn towards it, that's the curiosity we all have, wanting to see what's actually happening around the world and our only source of finding out, because word and mouth can become distorted.

The information we receive is to make news and draw our attention to that particular station, but no one actually knows what the future holds and once we start 'assuming' can lead us down the wrong road.

Whatever is said we can never know what the outcome may be, as there are many other countries, especially in Nato, are talking about the 'what if', which none of us know about, just yet.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Hello Bookgirl

Its good to see you again despite these difficult circumstances. I understand your pain and anguish with the conflict in Ukraine. If memory serves we have chatted before about global issues before re south east Asia

As Petal mentioned above...we dont have any control over the war in Ukraine. The breathing exercises are always helpful when done correctly, yet talking about our feelings (as you have been doing!) is a super helpful technique so we can find some balance in our lives

Im sorry that your husband tells you not to look at the news. I am probably like yourself and have a humanitarian interest in the news.....with limitations of course when we find the issues overwhelming. Geoff has posted some excellent points re the news in his post above

Everyone has their own way in dealing with global conflict...just for myself I spend time in my garden to find some peace of mind without any news :-)

you are not alone Bookgirl...we understand how you feel

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hi Bookgirl,

I understand its hard.

Please try to remind yourself that we can’t control what is happening in Ukraine we can only control how we react to it …. “That’s where our power is”.

When you find yourself worrying about Ukraine try to put your attention on something else, even if you change the room your in or go outside and focus on something like a flower.. really study the flower how does it smell? How does it feel? What does it really look like? Study it…….

Practice slowing down your breathing.

It’s great that you meditate.

Keep practicing

Your not alone and we here for you.