I am in the middle of lesson 4 and I love this lesson! I decided to change Action Assignment #12 a bit becuase I felt that reminding yourself to be twice as positive as last week was a bit too general and most of the time it's just too much effort to think about what went on last week.
So, what I did was I bought some yellow sticky dots and I drew small happy faces on them and stuck them on my ipod, the front of my spiral notebook, and on the plastic cover of my flashcards so that everytime I see the yellow happy face(which is everytime I listen to my lesson tapes, write down a negative thought, and review my flashcards), I say at least 3 positive statements to myself, i.e. "I believe in myself", "I love myself unconditionally", "I have no reason to worry or fear".
I try to say different things every time I see the happy faces and it has worked well for me as far as keeping a positive attitude throughout the day. It has also helped with my 3-year old son, because I say them out loud and he repeats them after me. So it also reinforces to him to think positively as well and that makes me feel good to know that I'm passing these skills on to my son.
Just thought I'd share that with everyone and hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.
Posts: 11 | Location: Central Valley, CA | Registered: February 06, 2006
Thanx so much for posting an inspiring message today. I'm also on half way thru this week and was having trouble with the same thing. I have remained positive, but I step it up more it gets to be BS on the believing part. Sometimes it sounds like too much.
I began exercising more this week and cutting back on the caffine and smoking(ya I smoke BLAH). I have felt great all week without over dueing the positive things. I did slow up on the vitamin/minerals I had started tho becuz for some reason they gave me diarrea which I had not had prior to starting them. I went from everyday to only twice a week. I exercise 6 days a week now and more reps.
This week had seemed so quiet for postings. Thanx again for the letter.
Good for you, Mopar! You have done so much to be proud of this week! Being an ex-smoker and caffeine addict myself (smoke-free for 6 months and counting ), I know how hard it is just to even cut back on these things. They provide us so much comfort during the difficult times, but also sucks that they contribute to alot of our anxiety and bad health. Just cutting back on these vices are a HUGE step and you should really pat yourself on the back...this is a POSITIVE thing! Exercising for me is one of the hardest, so to hear that you are doing it 6 days a week is another inspiring POSITIVE.
As far as believing our positive thoughts/statements to ourselves, yes it is hard for me to believe what I tell myself sometimes but I still say them because I know that in time I WILL believe them. Remember, we are still early on in the program that it will take more time to practice these new skills and get used to them...so do your best to be patient and positive..."Motivation comes in the DOING"...and you have already proved that to yourself and to all of us with the things you have already accomplished this week. Keep up the good work!
God bless, Grace - geeron22
Posts: 11 | Location: Central Valley, CA | Registered: February 06, 2006
Thanx for the incouragement. Maybe you are right about saying positive things all the time, but really I have felt so good this week I really haven't needed too! I love the fact you quit smoking! What a great accomplishment!!!!! Gold stars should be placed everywhere you go. I've done it twice before in my life( only becuz I was pregnant twice) for a total of 3 years without. I always go back becuz I gain too much weight. In my minds eye, that is just as unhealthy to me than my 2 to 10 cigs a day. I guess I'm not ready. God bless that you are smoke free tho. Keep up with the exercise and increase when you are ready to. You'll like it someday.
That's so cute - that part about your son really made me smile. I should try that one as well. But I won't say it out loud or people at work might look at me kind of funny. LOL
Posts: 215 | Location: Canada | Registered: November 10, 2002
cool! I love the sticker idea. Im a teacher and i have tons of stickers. I am sharing some of the ideas with my kids too. I mean my 60 6th -8th graders. i have been trying to help with test anxiety for years. Now I'm learning so much. But I am trying to take it slow with the students until I get a handle on my own anxiety.
Posts: 15 | Location: Chicago | Registered: March 04, 2006
Stress Center Community 
), I know how hard it is just to even cut back on these things. They provide us so much comfort during the difficult times, but also sucks that they contribute to alot of our anxiety and bad health. Just cutting back on these vices are a HUGE step and you should really pat yourself on the back...this is a POSITIVE thing! Exercising for me is one of the hardest, so to hear that you are doing it 6 days a week is another inspiring POSITIVE. 
