ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING by Pennie Hunt

Gracie wearing one of her coats

As I type this, I am sitting in my home office with the door closed, the lights dimmed, relaxation music playing, and the shutters tightly closed to keep out any glimpse of the rain and hail outside. This is the routine every time it storms.

My 9-year-old shih tzu, Gracie, is petrified of storms. I am certain she feels the vibration of thunder and rain long before the sky darkens above our home. She shakes. She pants. She tries to hide. Every time this begins, I take my two dogs into the safety zone. My secluded office.

Her stress is due to a thunderclap that happened years ago. We were on the deck when the sky became filled with storm clouds. I was carrying Gracie through the door to go inside just as the loudest thunderclap I have ever heard shook our world.

That was all it took. Since that moment, Gracie has struggled with PTSD. Rain, hail, wind, fireworks, or any sudden noise causes her great distress. Even a gray, cloudy day worries her.

I understand. I was in a severe car crash years ago. I continue to struggle with traffic, the smell of hot asphalt, and seeing fire trucks and ambulances.

Our brains are interesting. One moment in time can change how our minds process. Gracie had sat with me on the deck many times, watching it rain, and was never bothered by the thunder. That one crazy moment changed everything. Now, every warning signal in her brain alerts her to be afraid when the clouds roll in.

I was never bothered by driving in or being a passenger in traffic before my accident. That one mistake by the driver who hit me changed everything. Now, traffic sets off my warning signals of fear and anxiety.

What moment in time changed you, and how your mind processes?

It could have been a joyful moment. The second you become a parent, your world changes. The way you look at life changes. You become more protective and careful. Your priorities change. You create systems to create a life that encompasses your child.

For Gracie, it is the same. She has created a system for ​​storms. She begins pacing and panting. She shakes. She has a variety of coats that act like her thunder coat. A cloak of protection that holds her tight and comforts her. The seclusion of my office is her safe spot.

Over the years, we have tried medication that didn’t help. Talking calmly to her, telling her it’s okay, putting her coat on quickly, and joining her in my office helps, but her mind will always negatively process storms.  

Our brains have wrinkles and folds that create a complex path of cognitive functions like learning, reasoning, and yes, memory. The thunder for Gracie and the accident for me have lodged in one of our wrinkles. I doubt either of us will forget the memory. The best we can do is stick to our systems of coping and also try to fill every wrinkle and fold of our brains with more happy memories than frightening ones.  

Our minds can grasp onto fear and painful memories, but there is also room for comfort, healing, and joy. We can recognize the scars, honor the triggers, and gently create safe spaces and systems for the negative, harmful moments. One bad or good moment can change everything. Make an effort to fill your life with as many peaceful, loving, happy moments as possible.
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                                                    Pennie’s Life Lesson:
          One moment can change everything - how we think, feel, and respond.
      Try to find more positive moments of change than negative moments of fear.
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​​YOUR TURN...        
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