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Max & the Borderline Veteran; | a pupper & his vet;

@heart.pupper

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🐶 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫. 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 - 𝐂𝐎>𝐎𝐊>𝐓𝐗❣️
🇺🇸 𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧;🌱
👻 𝐁𝐏𝐃, 𝒩𝒫𝒟, 𝐏𝐓𝐒𝐃, 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫😈
📚 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝓀𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒫𝒽𝒟 𝒮𝓉𝓊𝒹𝑒𝓃𝓉-𝐔𝐓𝐀🫡
🎓 𝐔𝐂𝐎>𝐔𝐓𝐀-𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐑💙
🐾 𝟏𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓅,𝟏𝓇𝑒𝓅,𝟏𝒹𝒶𝓎🧘🏼‍♂️

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

🚶🏼‍♂️ Trying to get out more, but we’ve been a little tangled up. 🧶
🤍 Double taps for head pats !! ❤️.🐾

🐶 Took Max for a walk around campus recently. I love taking him to the locations I go to when he has no idea where I am. I like to think it connects dots in his mind if he can pick up the scent of campus when I come home. 🏫

📸 I was trying to capture a beautiful backdrop featuring a vibrant mural alongside a peaceful fountain and a campus tribal land acknowledgement. But this is what happens when you take photos while walking a blind dog. ⛲️

🔄 Because I stopped moving and Max kept trotting along, I imagine he thought he was walking straight. In reality, he spun a perfect circle right around my legs until he was practically sitting on my feet. 🌀

✨ A reminder to embrace the fun & messy moments as we step into new chapters & fresh paths. 🌱

📥 Drop a ‘🐶’ or Max’s name in the comments and I’ll slide a secret, behind-the-scenes photo of him looking adorable straight into your DMs !! ❤️.🐾

👟 p.s. i’ve had these Air Jordan 3s for like 16 years, and they’ve finally given out. the sole has started talking back to me. 🪦

#BPDWarrior #UTArlington #DogWalkFail #TrustTheProcess #Sneakerhead taken in The University of Texas at Arlington by @heart.pupper

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2 months ago

still sleeping on the job. 🤍.🐾
double taps for head pats !! (:

a slow & cozy start to our morning. quiet cues from my napping doggo, reminding me to breath & protect my peace.

#DogVibes #SlowLiving #PawsAndMind #DogsAreTherapy #CozyVibes taken in Out of Office by @heart.pupper

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2 months ago

🎉 Happy New Year !! 🎇✍🏻

🙏🏻 As we step into a new chapter, I find myself reflecting on the passage of time. It’s moved faster than I could have imagined, and in its flow, I’ve learned to release the grip on controlling outcomes. Choosing action and embracing the natural rhythm of growth, I’ve consciously slowed down time through the simple act of breathing. 🧘🏼‍♂️

❤️‍🔥 In the spirit of resilience and determination, I proudly closed the year with 209 yoga classes, hitting a milestone of 300 in October, and the magical number 333 in December with my 200th class this year. ✨

🌄 In the realm of spiritual symbolism, 333 is believed by some to serve as a bridge between the ethereal and the tangible. It’s often seen as a celestial nod, a sign that you are harmoniously aligned with the energies of the universe. A profound connection between the spiritual realm and the physical world, this triple repetition carries a message of divine encouragement and acknowledgment. 🌌

😔 Accepting the kind compliments you’ve shared on my posts has been a challenge. The title of “inspiration” comes with its own weight I’ve wrestled with, burdened by the ghosts of my past. Yet, I’ve decided to relinquish this burden, breaking free of the endless loop of rumination, to savor the beauty of life. 💗

🤍 This year has gifted me closure, lessons, and invaluable experiences. Along this journey, the solitude I once felt has transformed into a sense of belonging, surrounded by the warmth of a supportive community. 💚

⛈️ “And once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what the storm is all about.” 🌱

— Haruki Murakami, 2002, Japan 🗾

🌀 Here’s to embracing the storms, learning, evolving, and continuing to find joy in the journey. May this new year bring even more growth, connection, and moments of meaningful fulfillment. Cheers to the adventures that await! 🌟

Have Fun & Do Good
🩵✌🏻💜

#BPDWarrior #Resilience #Determination taken in YogaSix by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

🌟 Happy Holidays from Me 2 You! ✍🏻
🤳🏻 Swipe to catch a glimpse of mesmerizing night photos I’ve captured around campus—my latest experiment with exposure. 🎄

🧐 I stumbled upon a set of fictional characters said to embody Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). One character, in particular, drew me in—a figure from my childhood that mirrored my own struggles with devotion, loyalty, and a call above self. 🤯

🤨 My journey navigates unexpected turns, unraveling a parallel narrative—one of self-discovery, acceptance, and the stark realization that my life echoed the symptoms attributed to this complex disorder. 🧘🏼‍♂️

🖤 Embracing the lens, I illuminate the shadows of my past. The intense fear of abandonment, rapid changes in self-identity, and impulsive behaviors are chapters in my life, resonating with the character’s descent into darkness. ✅

💔 Intense relationships, periods of stress-induced paranoia, and wide mood swings. Each symptom a paragraph in the unwritten chapters of my existence. Envision impulsivity, mirroring the character’s reckless embrace of the dark side. 😈

🙅🏼‍♂️ I initially resisted the notion of having BPD. The diagnosis was an unwelcome label, a stain on my self-perception. Still, in that resistance, I found acceptance. 🙏🏻

❤️‍🔥 The path of darkness, a narrative woven into the fabric of my being. Embracing pain, anger, and vengeance felt empowering in the face of repeated failures. Yet, once you become the very thing you swore to destroy, the road back is a formidable challenge. 😰

😮‍💨 Coming back from the darkness requires courage, persistence, and a conscious effort to reshape one’s narrative. To those on a similar path, know that redemption is not an easy journey, but it is a path worth taking. 🤍

Obi-Wan: You have allowed this Dark Lord to twist your mind until now... until now you have become the very thing you swore to destroy.

Anakin Skywalker: Don’t lecture me, Obi-Wan. I see through the lies of the Jedi. I do not fear the Dark Side as you do!

— Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

💚✌🏻❤️

#bpdwarrior #bpdcommunity #mentalhealthjourney #selfreflection #consciouschoices #empowerment taken in University of Central Oklahoma by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

Max is so fluffy 💜
🐶 (double tap for head pats)

I feel like I have been holding out on you all by witholding photos of Max. 😅

As always, heart comments get passed along to Max for pets. 🐾

Dear Self, ✍🏻
You will look back on this time with positive affection. During this time you have achieved peace and mindfulness. Recall the amount of inner growth and obstacles overcome. You will use these lessons and skills for the benefit of yourself and others throughout your life.
Love,
Self

💙 heart.pupper 🩷

Today I affirm I am thankful for this time I have had to myself. 🧩

#cockerspanielcuties #bpdcommunity #heartpupper taken in Oklahoma USA by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

Unleashing the Power of Colorful Note-Taking… ✍🏻

👀 I often receive comments about my notes, and not because I'm an artistic prodigy.
It's because I've harnessed the magic of colors & developed a system that works wonders for my learning process. 🎨

🌈 My notes weren't always a vibrant rainbow of knowledge.
They started out as plain & dull as anyone else's. But over time, I discovered my secret sauce – I primarily copy the lecture presentation slides.
That's right, I don't reinvent the wheel; I just make it roll smoother. 🛞

⭐️ My notes are an integral part of my learning system, and here are the steps I follow:
1. Read the material: Get acquainted with what's coming.
2. Hear the lecture: Listen actively, absorb the knowledge.
3. See the presentation slides: Visualize the information.
4. Write the information: Your personal touch, your understanding.
5. Complete the homework: Apply what you've learned.
6. Make time for self-care: Nurture your mind and body.
7. Review before the exam: Solidify your knowledge.
8. Acknowledge your best effort: Believe in yourself.

🕺🏼By the time I encounter the material on the exam, it has danced through my body & mind at least six times, with the seventh waltz happening during the test itself. Sometimes, the course material & homework even cross my mind during a serene yoga session. 🧘🏼‍♂️

🎓 Returning to school seemed daunting, but I've crafted a rock-solid routine that's tailored to my needs. My notes began as simple black & blue, but observing other skilled note-takers inspired me to upgrade my system. The act of switching colors and designing information to be aesthetically pleasing serves as a mental trigger, cementing knowledge on paper. 📝

😰 Sure, I often leave exams feeling uncertain about my performance. But more often than not, I surprise myself with scores exceeding ninety percent. ✅

💫 I hope this insight helps in your note-taking journey. If you'd like more tips or have your own note-taking system, please share! Let's inspire each other to keep improving. 🙏🏻

“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of education.”
— Martin Luther King Jr., 1947

#bpdcommunity #veteran #notetaking

📖🤓✌🏻 taken in University of Central Oklahoma by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

like ascending from the abyss, ✍🏻

🕳️ I began creating my path out of darkness. 🧗🏻‍♂️

📖 One of my first decisions was to start listening to people much more educated than myself. It is common for people with borderline to have an unstable sense of self with rapid and extreme fluctuations. In one moment we may see ourselves as God’s Gift to everyone around us, and in the next see ourselves as completely worthless and alone. This rollercoaster of emotions was distressing, and often left me searching for stability and understanding. 😵‍💫

⭐️ Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Letters from an Astrophysicist is a compilation of 101 personal correspondences answering questions of readers. Portioned into the Aristotlian appeals of Ethos, Cosmos (Logos), Pathos, and Kairos, Tyson explores topics ranging from Philosophy to Parenting, Extraordinary Claims to Science Denial, and Hope to Life & Death. 🔬🔭

📚 Reading books had many benefits for me, but Neil’s words, in particular, helped ease existential curiosity and angst. Slowly, I began to cast away the cloak of desolation. 🧘🏼‍♂️

Today I affirm, I am in a good place physically & mentally.
I need direction before action.
I need focus before movement.
I need mindfulness before understanding.
I need patience before success.
I need discipline before expectations.
I need trust before love.

#bpdcommunity #coffeeandbooks #yogi

🧩✌🏻🤍

“We are stardust brought to life, then empowered by the universe to figure itself out—and we have only just begun.”

— Neil deGrasse Tyson, 2017 (@neildegrassetyson ) taken in Milky Way Galaxy by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

back in February… ✍🏻
I worked up enough confidence to return to my favorite yoga studio. 😅

I officially started doing yoga the last week of 2020. I felt alone in life & constant pain in my body. I wanted to try something new, improve my flexibility, & find a community. I found all of this and more at YogaSix (@yogasix ). 🤍

Throughout 2021 I completed 133 classes, but did not practice in the middle of the year. In the beginning, yoga was merely a physical endeavor that I looked forward to. But along the way, I learned how to breathe, experience, & be. Even when I was experiencing mania and sensory overload from the medication the VA had me on, I was still able to find mindfulness. A revolutionary experience in my life. I used to internally roll my eyes at the mere mention of meditation by therapists. And I call myself open-minded haha. Now I use breathing as a way to cope through anxiety attacks. 😮‍💨

In January of 2022 I had stopped going to yoga, and even sent a message to the studio stating I would never return. But not in such kind words. I did not return and did virtually no yoga that year. 😪

At the start of 2023 I began practicing yoga again at home, with the guide of Adriene (@adrienelouise ). Once I completed a month on my own, I felt ready to return to the studio. My goal for this year is 100 days practicing yoga. I think I have reached my goal, but I often do two classes a day so I’m not entirely sure. I know by the end of the year I will have certainly met my goal. 💪🏻

I plan to become a yoga instructor next year and hope to partner with the VA to help other veterans. 💜

I am happy that I chose to return. I was welcomed by friends that I knew and I have made many more along the way. ✌🏻

#bpdwarrior #yogi #bpdcommunity

🧩🧘🏼‍♂️🙏🏻

“When you slow down your breathing with yoga, you can increase your heart rate variability, and that decreases stress. Yoga opens you up to feeling every aspect of your body’s sensations. It’s a gentle, safe way for people to befriend their bodies, where the trauma of the past is stored.”

— Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D., Author of The Body Keeps the Score @bessel_van taken in YogaSix by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

Always by my side, 🐶
(double tap to send head pats) ♥️

Max is always near me, and if he loses sight of me, you can hear his paws pick up pace as he starts to search for me. The longer it takes him to find me, the faster his paws go.

When he was younger, I started playing hide and seek with Max. He begins by scanning the room as he passes through. Then he revisits every room. As it takes him longer to find me, he starts to search behind doors. Sometimes it seems frantic, but once he finds me, his playful demeanor returns.

This is how you can normally find him. Relaxing without a care in the world. 🐾

✍🏻
today i affirm i deserve happiness
i deserve success despite failure
i deserve understanding despite let-down
i deserve patience despite time spent
i deserve love despite hurt
i deserve trust despite pain
i deserve happiness despite sorrow
i deserve healing despite loss
i deserve vulnerability despite insecurity
🧩

“So what's the excuse? I'm not good enough, I did something wrong, I’m not perfect. Nobody asked anyone to be perfect, we just asking people to be honest. You’re a leader, lead. Don't be afraid, we got your back like the motherfuckin’ Verizon man. Run.”

— Dave Chappelle, 2022

💜♥️💚

#cockerspanielcuties #bpdcommunity #heartpupper taken in Oklahoma by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

📝📌🙏🏻

You will feel safe again.
A note to myself.

#thisshallpass #bpdwarrior #iamworthy taken in Oklahoma by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

I prefer peace, ✌🏻
And I believe in preparation. 🙏🏻

The Art of War has been attributed to various Chinese military leaders around 5th-Century BC. 🇨🇳

Combining intelligence and leadership to overcome obstacles and enemies,
Whether internally or externally, brought upon us. ♟️

“To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.”

— Sun Tzu (Sunzi, Master Sun)

Before starting this account, I had a year of time away from social media and I started reading. 📖

With that said, I have a lot of pictures to upload of the books I have read across the last two years and then catch up to what I am reading now. 📚

#bpdwarrior #booksandcoffee #thisshallpass #suntzu taken in Oklahoma by @heart.pupper

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3 years ago

Energy flows,
Where focus goes. 🧘🏼‍♂️

Breathing and meditation have helped me to achieve peace like never before. 🙏🏻

#thisshallpass #bpdwarrior #iamworthy taken in Peace ;) by @heart.pupper

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