One thing I'm realizing as I go through Session 3 and list my negative thoughts is that I sometimes start out with a good thought and then it develops into negative thinking. An example is that I've been thinking a lot about my mom and dad who passed many years ago and while most memories of them are warm and positive, I then start thinking about death and how many friends and family I have lost over the last few years. Before you know it, I'm in a funk. Any suggestions how to deal with this line of thinking?

Hello Matthew,

What I have noticed as I have gotten a little older (40 something) is that you do experience or are very close to people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. And I have found myself thinking the way you described. I too would think a little too much about my own mortality and those thoughts did bring me down. This program focuses on something caled the present moment. I'm really starting to understand that. Life is about now, not that we shouldn't think about the one's we lost but focus on the good memories. And as far own own mortality, that's kind of like a "what if" thing...So what if! This is your time. When the negative feelings try to come in, put up that big red stop sign and replace them with one of those warm memories that you mentioned.

Regards,

I can totally relate matthew, i think the best thing to do is when you see that follow up negative thought start to come through that you start talking yourself through it some more. Many times you wont be able to quench some negativity the first time you try, but we are able to think more positively if we continue to practice.

Thanks GS and Billy. Appreciate your suggestions and looking forward to moving on to Session 4!

Hi matt my parents both passed away awhile ago I still think of them often and yes my thoughts do tend to drift over to what if and general scary thoughts but hang in there you are normal Remember "Thoughts only thought" and you will start to replace those scary ones with warm fond ones of your parents You have to remember your parents would never want you to be sad or guilty that took me forever to accept but its true The greatest way to honor them is to live life and enjoy the ride up or down