Today's Thought:
When a person drowns himself in negative thinking he is committing an unspeakable crime against himself.
-- Maxwell Maltz
Negative thoughts can rule our lives as compulsively as an addiction. The feelings of power we get from holding a dismal and gloomy outlook deprive us of the positive and pleasant parts of life. Some of us have said, "If I expect the worst, I won't be disappointed. If I think the worst about myself, no one else can cut me down." It is like taking a driving trip and looking only for trash and garbage in the ditches, ignoring the beauty beyond. Indeed, what we see may be real, but it is a very limited piece of the picture.
When we have relied on negative thinking, it feels risky to give it up. We cannot do it in one day. We can begin by imagining ourselves with a more open attitude toward ourselves and the world. Then we can try it out as an experiment in little ways, with no commitment. Finally we reach the point where we can take a risk and entrust our Higher Power with the outcome.
Today, I will experiment with hopeful and positive thoughts about what happens.
VWGirl....Great Post! Thank you as always!!!
Your Friend Valarie
Your Friend Valarie
Hey VWGirl great post, negativety and addiction complement each other and fuel each others destructiveness. I grew up believing that the negative always happened as Dad said it would and Mum always worried it would. Any situation that i am involved with i can automatically think the negative, if i allow myself to.
It does get better and being positive and strong spiritually really helps along with all other methods that encourage recovery.
Light and love Zac
It does get better and being positive and strong spiritually really helps along with all other methods that encourage recovery.
Light and love Zac
that's a great thought VWGirl. When I'm having trouble with my negative thinking and just can't seem to see the positive side - I aim for neutrality. 'What will be will be."
I see it as a stepping stone to positive thinking, sometimes when we get in those really negative moods its hard to make a big jump all the way to positive - an in between step helps me.
Idgie
I see it as a stepping stone to positive thinking, sometimes when we get in those really negative moods its hard to make a big jump all the way to positive - an in between step helps me.
Idgie
VW...
Boy oh boy did that strike a chord with me... thank you for posting it. I"ve spent a long, long time battling negativity, wasted so much time and energy on it, only recently have I been able to be more positive about things in general. And Idgie I understand that neutrality too, "que sera, sera", I've been there too.
Thanks again for reminding me of how harmful negative thinking can be VW...
Boy oh boy did that strike a chord with me... thank you for posting it. I"ve spent a long, long time battling negativity, wasted so much time and energy on it, only recently have I been able to be more positive about things in general. And Idgie I understand that neutrality too, "que sera, sera", I've been there too.
Thanks again for reminding me of how harmful negative thinking can be VW...
Hello VWGirl.
I learnt early in recovery that Thinking could be the noose around my neck" and it might be better if I reflect rather than think. People would say when new in recovery and it applies today for me.Dont go into your head without adult supervision.
I had one of those heads Bob Earl talks about. When I wake up in the mornings my mind says were have you been Ive been waiting to talk to you. Then it would go over all the negative things in life. When early in recovery I had this committee in my head and when they started up I was oblivious to what was happening around me.
We all have these voices in our heads and if youre thinking what voice, its the voice that just said what voice. An osm said to me once that one day you will wake up and there will only be two voices in your head and one will pull out this great big hammer and dong the other on the head and there will only be the one voice and you will have what is known as.Piece of mind rather than a mind in pieces.
While on the subject of thinking I was also told that I am not responsible for my first thought that says example If I have one drink it will take away all this pain I am going through. Though I am responsible for the second thought that says alcohol is only a temporary solution and the pain will still be there tomorrow with some new problems. You can use many examples..
I better leave it there I hope everyone has a sober 24 .
God Bless Lionel
I learnt early in recovery that Thinking could be the noose around my neck" and it might be better if I reflect rather than think. People would say when new in recovery and it applies today for me.Dont go into your head without adult supervision.
I had one of those heads Bob Earl talks about. When I wake up in the mornings my mind says were have you been Ive been waiting to talk to you. Then it would go over all the negative things in life. When early in recovery I had this committee in my head and when they started up I was oblivious to what was happening around me.
We all have these voices in our heads and if youre thinking what voice, its the voice that just said what voice. An osm said to me once that one day you will wake up and there will only be two voices in your head and one will pull out this great big hammer and dong the other on the head and there will only be the one voice and you will have what is known as.Piece of mind rather than a mind in pieces.
While on the subject of thinking I was also told that I am not responsible for my first thought that says example If I have one drink it will take away all this pain I am going through. Though I am responsible for the second thought that says alcohol is only a temporary solution and the pain will still be there tomorrow with some new problems. You can use many examples..
I better leave it there I hope everyone has a sober 24 .
God Bless Lionel
Hi Everyone, thanks for the replies...got us all "thinking", didn't get it, love those Today's Thoughts sent out by Hazelden.
Hi Lionel
thanks for posting that - I actually have a Bob Earl tape that I've never listened to, mainly cause the guy who handed to me is a bit obnoxious and in your face and it put me off. Guess I should get over myself and have a listen :).
He is obnoxious but he's also an OSM so maybe I should take his gift on board with gratitude.
cheers
Idgie.
thanks for posting that - I actually have a Bob Earl tape that I've never listened to, mainly cause the guy who handed to me is a bit obnoxious and in your face and it put me off. Guess I should get over myself and have a listen :).
He is obnoxious but he's also an OSM so maybe I should take his gift on board with gratitude.
cheers
Idgie.
Hi Idgie
The tape he gave you is probably Bob Earls Head Tripper and if it is it has a lot of good listening on it. I have given a few tapes away in my time. And I am sure some of them havent been opened yet. But its in the given that one receives. If you can get hold of Joe & Charlies BB study on tape or cd their well worth listening to as well.
By Idgie God Bless
Lionel
The tape he gave you is probably Bob Earls Head Tripper and if it is it has a lot of good listening on it. I have given a few tapes away in my time. And I am sure some of them havent been opened yet. But its in the given that one receives. If you can get hold of Joe & Charlies BB study on tape or cd their well worth listening to as well.
By Idgie God Bless
Lionel
