I am working on Lesson 15 and I am so excited. I went for my checkup today and my doctor took me off of Xanax...She is so happy with me and proud that I have accomplished this in a few months. I could do a dance if I wasn't so dang old. Yippee...Ho Ho....I am not going to stop when this lesson is over. I am going to review them just to be sure I feel secure with all the changes I am working on. Thanks to all of you.
I am not leaving the group. I have made some really nice friends in the Chat room and I would miss them too much. I guess I am here to stay. LOL

Yay!!!

How bout if Mr. Banana does the jig for you?

Congratulations!!! That is wonderful news and you must be on cloud 9 right now. I am sure I can speak for the rest of us that we will do a dance for ya!!!!

You sound very positive and excited. Great job!!

Keep it up and I am sure your friends that you have made would miss you too much in the chat room if you left. So, don't!!!

Thanks for sharing with us.

I am soooo HAPPY for you!!!

That is a great thing to hear!!!

You are all so sweet and kind. I love Mr. Banana. Thanks so much. Have a great evening.

`

What an inspiring post! Thanks, BD.

Just what we need in here, more great news.

HOWEVER ....

.. we also need the other posts, as well. I find out many things
in here about my phobia and about others, as well. And it feels
so great to offer advice and comfort and prayers to anyone
who needs it.

Amen?

quote:

Originally posted by John * Thunder!:
`
HOWEVER ....

.. we also need the other posts, as well. I find out many things
in here about my phobia and about others, as well. And it feels
so great to offer advice and comfort and prayers to anyone
who needs it.

Amen?

I'm not sure why you felt the need to write a "However". I don't think her positive post takes anything away from the ones on here asking for help. In fact I feel that it in fact enhances them because it gives light and hope to those who are suffering.

Barndog!

YOU DID IT! I knew you would! You are such a strong lady! I am so very happy for you. That is a great accomplishment. Remember to always take care of you! You are a VIP too! (and such a sweet person!) I am glad that you will be around the site. You are a wonderful inspiration. God Bless you! LizB

Good for you! great news to hear!!!!!!!

`

Shal, I was actually covering my own butt.


By saying that it is great to see some positive posts in here for
a change, I may have made some people leery of posting bad news
or negative words so as not to bring anyone down.


In other words, someone reads my reply to BarnDog, and they
think to themselves "Nah, I better not post the cry for help
I was planning to. These ppl are sick of seeing that.


Just making it clear that we are here to help each other and
love each other, in good times and bad, as well.


I have learned that we need to be careful of what we say
in these rooms.


Boy, you're a toughie.

quote:

Originally posted by John * Thunder!:
`

Shal, I was actually covering my own butt.


By saying that it is great to see some positive posts in here for
a change, I may have made some people leery of posting bad news
or negative words so as not to bring anyone down.


In other words, someone reads my reply to BarnDog, and they
think to themselves "Nah, I better not post the cry for help
I was planning to. These ppl are sick of seeing that.


Just making it clear that we are here to help each other and
love each other, in good times and bad, as well.


I have learned that we need to be careful of what we say
in these rooms.


Boy, you're a toughie.

I'm truly not a toughie, I just misunderstood your post. I appreciate your explanation though and offer my apology if my post caused you duress. I just didn't want barndog to feel bad posting her good news. I guess we were both just trying to make everyone happy.

Barndog,

You are an inspiration in so many ways. Your age yes…because we all know how physically draining this condition is—and for all those who finish this program—we know how much effort and energy it takes to commit to it; the effort it takes to learn how to support ourselves thru the challenges…the patience it takes to develop our ‘own best friend’ voice, the emotional ups and downs.

But, independent of age…in reading your posts, I’m typically struck by your motivation and openness to ‘consider’ change. There are so many changes held up for us to look at and consider throughout this program (and while I’m betting most of us have a real tough time accomplishing those changes), before we can accomplish them we must first be open to considering them and giving them a try. I hope stating the above doesn't make you uncomfortable, because I know you are still up against challenges like the rest of us and I know you have more change you want to accomplish, and I know you will have growth spurts…but none of that takes away from your desire to consider how about going after what you're looking for…your accomplishments, your determination...and I find a lot of inspiration in that.

The one thing I would say having read a number of your posts, and knowing you are finishing up lesson 15, is that in addition to your motivation and desire, I detected a super high level of expectation for yourself and a compassionate self voice that could be even more compassionate. I think you share this in common with the rest of us and for myself, I find these some of the parts of the program that require the most patience…it really does take time to trust this voice and accept this lowering of expectation—rewarding our effort more than the outcome etc. During those times when you find yourself frustrated—reach for that self support and compassion—reach for that reward of effort in place of trying to outright ‘will’ that outcome you are striving for. When I run up against my growth spurts, I find I do myself a real service by re-considering the basic skills in the program, rather than trying to squash the symptom or anxiety or depression head on (for whatever reason, I got a strong feeling that this was a worthwhile piece of information to pass along…forgive me if it sounded like a lecture…LOL).

Thanks for sharing your positive voice on this forum…and congratulations on reaching lesson 15!!!

My best to you
JOP

Wow, I am so pleased to have you all say so many nice things about me. I did not expect all this attention. I was merely trying to tell you IT CAN BE DONE BY AN OLDER PERSON as well. I personally had my doubts.
When I first started it went pretty good and then I had a few weeks of nasty feelings and depression. I was beginning to think I was reading backwards or something because I seemed to get worse instead of better. But, just overnight the "peaceful" feeling we get when we are completely relaxed and our minds are clear, came over me and it all came into place and I was on my way to being calm and feeling just so good about myself. Can you understand what I am trying to say. It is an inner peace, like the one you get after you have taken communion.
Only this one lasts more than a week if you are lucky.
I can understand why some people with addictions fail....this anxiety and the obsessive thinking is like an addiction...it really takes alot of effort and work to stop it and make it go away. Old habits are hard to break and boy mine are old.
To all of you who have given me the strength and motivation to continue I want to thank you so much. I doubt if I could have done it without you and I hope I can offer my help to anyone who may need it. I love you all. God Bless.

ALLRIGHT barn dog, i remember your doubts when ya first got here about the program.. GOOD for you!!!!!I am so happy for you!!!!

barndog, I'm glad you posted this good news report.

I "fell off the wagon" a couple of weeks ago but I'm inspired to get back on and ride to the finish line!

Thank you for your inspiration