Friday, August 5, 2016

Today's FLOAT reflections in red

The FLOAT technique
FLOAT way of dealing with obsessive thoughts.

Find your silent place.  With me it is within the confines of my home.  It is a place where I can be alone with my thoughts and pray.  I wondered if I could respond to a negative thought in that way. I realize that prayer could also be a fight response.  However, I have learned that prayer is honest, respectful communication with the Lord.  I could go outside and get some fresh air.  Fresh air always does some good.  

Let go of judgment.  I admit that unfortunately, I can be a judgmental person who often sees things in a negative light.  I would like to see myself in a less judgmental, negative light.  I would also like to see the beauty in me like I do in others whether they are fat, skinny, slim, slender, obese, curvy, or plus sized. I would like to see the beauty in myself and in others.  That has been a struggle that I have had since I can remember.

Observe your thoughts.  I finally realize and have no longer begun to just fight the thoughts.  I have to see these thoughts for what they are.  I also have to also see myself for who I am. I realize that that is it.  Fiction does not equal fact.  I need not to place so much into fiction that I forget or mix it with the truth.

Awareness of your environment. I feel like being aware most of the time whenever I get afraid of having a thought or two.  For instance, I was obsessed with a number of people like classmates and celebrities.  I am afraid that I would go back.  On the other hand, I never did go back to these obsessions. Fear is the opposite of faith.  That is what avoidance is really about.  I have lived my life in fear to a point where I feel I have been led by it.  Fear truly does torment.

Thankful for the experience.  Being thankful and being grateful I realize can be the same thing, but they are different.  I have become a different person as a result of having these thought.  I am in tune with my spiritual self.  In other words, I have drawn closer to the Lord.  That is something I have noticed. I am a spiritual being, which means a denial of one's physical self and take up the Cross.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

"Fighting" and distraction

Right now, I feel like distraction is a good, (or safe) way of dealing with having obsessive thoughts. Yesterday, I wrote about the FLOAT method in which I could be consistent with "fighting", but fighting is not a great word as fighting has not always been helpful.  I have also learned that avoidance is not so great idea as it can limit one's "world".  I don't get to enjoy myself like I once did. I miss those days.  I would like to go back.  Over the years, I have been under a lot of stress.  I would like to do more than just deal with it.  I want to do more than overcome.  I want to thrive.  I want to win.  I will not let obsessive thoughts destroy me or create more guilt and heartache.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

The FLOAT technique

FLOAT way of dealing with obsessive thoughts.

Find your silent place.  With me it is within the confines of my home.  It is a place where I can be alone with my thoughts and pray.  I wondered if I could respond to a negative thought in that way. I realize that prayer could also be a fight response.  However, I have learned that prayer is honest, respectful communication with the Lord.

Let go of judgment.  I admit that unfortunately, I can be a judgmental person who often sees things in a negative light.  I would like to see myself in a less judgmental, negative light.  I would also like to see the beauty in me like I do in others whether they are fat, skinny, slim, slender, obese, curvy, or plus sized.

Observe your thoughts.  I finally realize and have no longer begun to just fight the thoughts.  I have to see these thoughts for what they are.  I also have to also see myself for who I am.

Awareness of your environment. I feel like being aware most of the time whenever I get afraid of having a thought or two.  For instance, I was obsessed with a number of people like classmates and celebrities.  I am afraid that I would go back.  On the other hand, I never did go back to these obsessions.

Thankful for the experience.  Being thankful and being grateful I realize can be the same thing, but they are different.  I have become a different person as a result of having these thought.  I am in tune with my spiritual self.  In other words, I have drawn closer to the Lord.  That is something I have noticed.