I do have to see W tonight at D14's cheer banquet and I know she is going to try and sit with me. And of course I will reach for the drug. I can't move because sitting with her feels so good and then I think things can work out again.
Flip this situation around completely.
Tonight you are get the opportunity to kick the tires on your new mental lifestyle! EXPECT that it will be challenging, and RELISH the challenge! Tell yourself that you WILL get through this evening, and you CAN do it without breaking form. Keep that ever present at the forefront of your mind and there won't much space for the pull of your drug to entice.
I think most people are familiar with the psychological trick that someone at a conference will play, something along the lines of, "DON'T think about kissing your grandmother!" And of course everyone is grossed out because they couldn't NOT think of it when he said that. It's the 'power of suggestion' and, all tricks aside, it is a very powerful mental tool we have. In this instance, you must understand that to keep bad thoughts out we simply can't hope they go away or try to NOT think about them (we know that doesn't work). The key is to REPLACE those thoughts with other thoughts. Good thoughts, positive thoughts. Then there isn't room for the garbage thoughts. And with time and practice, the garbage thoughts come around less and less.
-PM
M:12y - BD:12/11 - D:6/13 - 4Ds
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -MLK Jr.
