The power of how you speak to yourself
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maine
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The power of how you speak to yourself
Last night I got a little nostalgic and started looking back at my old posts. What was my mindset at that time? Where did I fail? Were there key elements in my posts that can assist me this time? So far my initial discovery still stands. I started drinking again because I removed myself from all the good support. I walked away from help and was unwilling to listen.
A few posts this morning reminded me of something I said back then and it still rings true.
The words and thoughts we have are powerful. Changing your life from something as gripping as alcohol or drugs is monumental. If your physical patterns are changing the thought patterns have to as well.
When you say "I hope this time I can do this" it's great to have hope but really think about that statement. You're already allowing (albeit probably not meaning to) the possibility that it might not work. It's a subliminal message that there's an alternative possibility.
Instead, I found it helpful to say to myself this time I WILL do this. Thoughts like "This weekend I hope I don't drink" became "This weekend I will NOT drink". It solidifies action instead of possibility.
It's hard to do at first, probably for the same reason that it's hard to say the word "never" when we consider drinking again. One day at a time is the key.
Just passing along little tidbits that did get me through when I was doing the things I should to support my sobriety.
A few posts this morning reminded me of something I said back then and it still rings true.
The words and thoughts we have are powerful. Changing your life from something as gripping as alcohol or drugs is monumental. If your physical patterns are changing the thought patterns have to as well.
When you say "I hope this time I can do this" it's great to have hope but really think about that statement. You're already allowing (albeit probably not meaning to) the possibility that it might not work. It's a subliminal message that there's an alternative possibility.
Instead, I found it helpful to say to myself this time I WILL do this. Thoughts like "This weekend I hope I don't drink" became "This weekend I will NOT drink". It solidifies action instead of possibility.
It's hard to do at first, probably for the same reason that it's hard to say the word "never" when we consider drinking again. One day at a time is the key.
Just passing along little tidbits that did get me through when I was doing the things I should to support my sobriety.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Originally Posted by LadyBlue0527 
When you say "I hope this time I can do this" it's great to have hope but really think about that statement. You're already allowing (albeit probably not meaning to) the possibility that it might not work.
My sponsor taught me that it is best
to make a firm decision not to drink again
in my mind no if ands or butts about it.
MB
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,869
This is soooooo true.
Thoughts are very powerful and they influence our entire life. I learned here to be kind to myself. I find that people can be their own worse critics.
Attitude is everything!!!
Thanks for the post.
Thoughts are very powerful and they influence our entire life. I learned here to be kind to myself. I find that people can be their own worse critics.
Attitude is everything!!!
Thanks for the post.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,177
The words "I Am" are powerful in many ways. We affirm and create what and who we'd like to be. Taking it a step further, using the present tense and positive words works easier with our subconscious. (I am alcohol free).
I am reading a book about an ultramarathoner who lost a bunch of weight by mentally defining himself as a healthy runner and acting on his thoughts.
He began to make food decisions differently by affirming that he was an ultramarathoner (when he could barely run one mile) and asking himself if such an athlete would eat what he was considering.
Thanks for reminding us about the power of our thoughts!
I am reading a book about an ultramarathoner who lost a bunch of weight by mentally defining himself as a healthy runner and acting on his thoughts.
He began to make food decisions differently by affirming that he was an ultramarathoner (when he could barely run one mile) and asking himself if such an athlete would eat what he was considering.
Thanks for reminding us about the power of our thoughts!
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,499
You said it, Ladyblue! As has been said:
Watch your thoughts, they become your words,
watch your words, they become your actions,
watch your actions, they become your habits,
watch your habits, they become your character,
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
(Sorry, I'm a bit of an inspirational quote addict - it's a good addiction, I think.)
And ultramarathoner, was that book by Rich Roll? If not, please could you let me know who the author is? I love that genre of books.
Watch your thoughts, they become your words,
watch your words, they become your actions,
watch your actions, they become your habits,
watch your habits, they become your character,
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
(Sorry, I'm a bit of an inspirational quote addict - it's a good addiction, I think.)
And ultramarathoner, was that book by Rich Roll? If not, please could you let me know who the author is? I love that genre of books.
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: St. Louis, MS
Posts: 1
Self-talk can influence your point of view. It can help you up or bring you down. Competitors use constructive self-converse with achieve their own bests. Some individuals use negative self-converse with legitimize the grooves they end up in. Thanks for sharing it here.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
The power of how you speak to yourself
I keep an eye on the one in the mirror
for he can talk himself into most anything.
True, we must only put good thoughts in.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
MB
I keep an eye on the one in the mirror
for he can talk himself into most anything.
True, we must only put good thoughts in.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
MB
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