I started off with such a zest and did well. Started the program with just the normal for me anxiety in my life and some. When some things got worse found it hard to recapture the brief happiness that I again lost. Now I am in lesson 13. I enjoy all the lessons but I haven't done the relaxation tape in a couple of weeks and am slowing down on the journal. I think other than being sad I got so behind on my secular work and personal study because doing the program correctly took so much of my limited time. Therefore, I have had to slow down with it. I still enjoy each lesson and plan to start it again with just listening to the tapes.

How about you or am I the only one?



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Victoria

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've stalled at lesson six...not intentionally, and definitely with the intention of completing the program at some point. But life just got in the way. It's been like a couple of months since I was last working intensely with the program, and this is the first time I've joined this BB in about a month.

However, despite this, I find I'm doing better than I was when I was working through the program! I think this "respite" has given me a chance to let some of the skills sink in and I'm definitely trying to use them. I've enjoyed the distance from the course, and I've appreciated the freedom from the rigor of it.

I am surprised, though, that I've let this happen. When I began the program in January, I totally believed I'd work straight through etc., because I do usually follow through with things, especially something this important. But it's not like giving up on a New Year's resolution or anything, because I know I'll do this; I simply want to enough, and I know I can do it. Even though life had gotten in the way, I think I'd gotten to a point where I began to struggle with the program, and my progress was waning. Now I feel stronger and have experienced some positive changes, so now I can attack this problem with a leg up on it.

I felt really guilty for a while, but now I'm just going to feel OK with all this, because I am doing better, because I have made progress recently, and because I trust myself to continue on very soon.

Good luck to everyone.

It's natural to be so excited about the program at the beginning. But every day life wears you down. The key is to incorporate the program's skills into your life.

Helen

DTC:

I basically stopped at six the first time, too. Even though I listened to the tapes after that I started to panic again.

Lesson six is also where I slowed down the second time around. I think it is because we get out and doing stuff we don't MAKE THE TIME for the program.

Carrying a spiral notebook doesn't take any time at all. And it is always there in case I need it.

The tapes are a breeze to keep in my car.

I listen to the relaxation tape as I go to sleep every night----and yes I am now sleeping.

I have found inspirational reading easier for me to listen to in the car. Maybe part of the reading is to slow down and sit???? Hmmm..I will think about that.

So basically it is the journaling that I haven't kept up with.

I will continue to work at it as I have seen big changes. Especially when I go back and take the questionnaires in the workbook. That is when I see how far I have come.

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

OK you guys....I'm leveling off at Lesson 3!!! I have already gained so much help from this program and I am enjoying my new attitude...so I guess the anxious/worried feelings that used to drive me to keep going through this program are not nearly as strong anymore because they have been reduced so much already.
I know that I usually find it hard to stick to ANYTHING....I get so excited about something and so inspired for a short while, and then the novelty wears off or I lose the inspiration to keep going. I dont want that to happen with this program, but I guess I feel so relieved compared to before that I dont have the strong drive anymore.
Maybe once I settle into this new way of looking at things, I will find that I dont want to stop at this level of comfort....but that I will want to keep on going to learn the rest of the skills. Every time I quit something before I'm supposed to it reinforces my belief that I cant stick to things. This makes me feel bad about myself and I compare myself to others and it seems like everyone else is so successful at sticking to stuff. It makes me feel 'behind' in life...for example...I feel like I should be about to graduate from college by now (I'm almost 21)and I'm only halfway through my sophomore status. Anyways....thanks for listening.

Thank you so much for posting this, Victoria!

I have to say that I have stalled at Lesson 7, and funny thing is that my fiancee' said recently that he had a feeling that is exactly where I would have the real trouble. Like DTC, this is the first time in a few weeks I have been here to the BB.

When will we stop letting daily life get in our way of recovery? I'm so full of excuses, but I don't believe any of them myself (so I wonder if ANYONE does)!!

Starting today, I'm going to stop feeling guilty, and start working the program again! I owe it to myself.

Lin

Dear Tulip and Lin,
Thanks for your replies. I am now in lesson 13. I can say that this program has helped change my thinking and behavior in some areas. I "expect less out of this program and therefore receive more." There are a couple areas of my life were I cannot apply some things in the program. It simply does not apply nor should it be applied. However, each tape and lesson has something that I can use that has only improved my way of thinking and doing things.

I did not allow myself to feel guilt when I started to slow down. I had to use the time it took for the course to take care of priorities. I had sick family members to look after. I still applied what I learned. Now, I am finishing up the study course and just cutting out, dating and highligting e-mails and cards recieved and sent to paste into my journal. This will update those days I missed.

All I can say is, don't stop! If you slow down and you find that the reason is a priority then fine -- no guilt! But don't wait too long to get back to it.

Tulip, you'r young and what you need to know is the fact that you ordered the course at your age ands that is a very mature thing! You recognize the need for it. Give yourself credit. Even people in their thirties and older have a problem not finishing or completing things. If you can recognize that now -- why that is fantastic. You can slowly work on it and you will be way ahead of many before your out of your twenties. Progress in the course and look forward to lesson 12! It is very simple but good.

Thanks again for your replies.
Victoria

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Victoria