This part of my mind has been operating ever since i can recall, and it's purpose is to interrupt any newfound peace i may be feeling. I know enough to understand it's purpose.....it's an aspect of myelf that is, of course,frightened. So, it's the same old thing appearing in a different guise. What i mean is, for example: I might practicing this program, feeling such wonderful benefits from the self-talk and experience what it's like to just 'keep it simple'. And then, along come my irritating thoughts.....like, "are you sure you're doing this right" and "you have to remember all the rules" and wait a minute...you're about to say something to 'him' which could sound judgemental...think about it....okay, don't run away from the thought and don't fight it...just let it be there. On and on this mind of mine goes, it's so disturbing and ends up confusing me and now i don't say something that was so natural to me. I do realize that this can sound absolutely 'nuts'! One could get a headache just listening to me describe this. Does anyone out there have this particular kind of irritating self-talk which ruins everything you've been working for? Knowing what the nature of this 'noise in the head' is all about (afraid of change) does not help me at all to just say to it "Shut up". Okay, that's the best way i can explain this. Thanks. Linda

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Linda

Linda,
I can totally relate. When things are going good for me I end up saying,"ok, how long can this last? It is too good to be true. You can't possibly be doing this right. Something has to be missing." etc etc etc.
So there are many of us who can't accept that things really can go good and I am one of them. Things haven't gone good with no strings attached for a very long time...but I wonder how many times I have actually ruined it for myself. ~Flutterby

I hear ya ladies! That is my biggest problem right now, I can enjoy the days and days of feeling excellent but in the back of my mind I feel like at any time the anxiety can occur. I continue to remind myself I deserve the peace and will continue to have it. Especially in the evening and night if I wake up I know those are the times I'm at my worst and I pray that I don't have the scary thoughts or feelings of anxiety.

I don't always have time to write much, but I just wanted to say I completely understand; I have the same thing. Maybe if we can somehow try to maintain an "oh well" attitude, to not give the anxiety so much power over us, like just expect that it will come and go, as will the feelings of peace and happiness. Just a thought.

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. The tape series has been great. I feel a major change just in the few short weeks but as it stands, it is difficult getting rid of the negative voices and replacing them with positive thoughts. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS GLADLY ACCEPTED.

Hi everyone! Thank's, each and every one of you for your input. So much appreciated. Keep it coming, because i think that when we hear that we are all struggling with this same sort of thing, it helps! Well, that part of my mind still keeps 'doing it's thing' and i am more able to start treating it with an attitude of "oh hi, it's you", as i do with so much else. I have a 'sense' that as i keep recovering (from a habitual way of being i've had for so many years) i just might become less interested in giving any attention to this part of the mind which wants to hold me back. I think when we become healthier and TRULY free of fear, that the doubts we hold on to so dearly...stop acting up so much. OLD HABITS REALLY DO DIE HARD!!! I think that this 'harassing' part of our minds is simply afraid of change. Patience with ourselves has to be the key. So, God bless us all! Linda

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Linda

I completely understand. I don't know how to get my mind to quit racing. All these racing thoughts non stop. I try to do positive talk but I can't always get it to work. I just want my mind to relax. But its getting passed the racing part. I guess that would be the same as what if thinking uh? Just the same vicious cycle. I enjoy the relaxation tape. I pray alot and it helps too. Good Luck to all....any suggestions on how to change this way of thinking would be greatly appreciated. Have a great Monday!!

Hi Mo, Are you practicing the program at all? Changing this way of thinking can 'seem' impossible, but even I have found that working on Lesson 3 helps SO much....during this past week, i'm experiencing such an amazing 'peace' within me, i can hardly believe it! And when my usual way of thinking surfaces, which it's bound to do, I am talking to myself in ways that help me to accept it ALL!! Please start practicing this lesson. I write out alot (about 20) of the more helpful ways of thinking (many are shown to us in the Lesson) and place pieces of paper with these sentences...all over the apartment, so i continue to see them all the time. So easy to just forget otherwise. I have started this program over again from the beginning, with a willingness to actually DO it, which i did not have before. I also pray...began to develop a relationship with a Higher Power in 1982....it means everything to me....from this 'place', i receive guidance. You can do this. If "I" am feeling better and this is working for me to ANY degree, after SO many years of being immobilized....then ANYONE CAN!!!! I wish you all the best. Linda

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Linda

Hi Linda-and everyone! WOW I just signed up yesterday and cannot believe how helpful it is to hear other people talk about things that I've been dealing with for years. Feeling I was the only "crazy" person inthe world-which of course we are not. Anyway, I know exactly what a mind that is "too busy" all the time can do. I have such trouble sleeping because of this. I stay up most of the night walking around. I think if I go outside I'll feel better, no, I should be inside-and on and on it goes. Ing

Hi Ing, Welcome to this Forum!! I agree, this is such a fabulous gift....having this forum where we can share what we are going through, ask for guidance and give it to others. Nothing like self-help groups!!! Have a look around and i'm sure you'll begin to post things yourself pretty soon. Do you have the Midwest Program in your possession? Take care and see you on this forum. Linda

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Linda

Lindi!
I'm so sorry I misspelled your name! I have really felt alot of peace putting my feelings out there, and knowing that all of you are out there. I can't tell you all how comforting it is. I feel that we are all in this together-so nice to have friends again!
I'm sure we'll talk again soon. Thanks Ing

Hi Ing! That's okay, you didn't spell my name wrong....it's Linda, but when i registered on the Forum, that name was already taken, so i registered as "Lindi", which i kinda like better!! So glad you are getting alot out of this....so am i! Talk with you again. Regards, Linda (Lindi)

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Linda