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I have decided to dedicate a post on Thursday to therapy, and offer you the many tips I have learned on the couch. They will be a good reminder for me, as well, of something small I can concentrate on. Many of them are published in my book, “The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit.“
Think long-term when you’re chatting with your financial advisor. Think short-term when you feel like hell. That’s right. Take it anywhere from 24 hours to 24 minutes to 24 seconds—depending on how bad you feel–and repeat over and over again these four words: this too shall pass.
Coupled with deep breathing, the phrase “this too shall pass” is one of the most powerful tools with which I combat anxiety. I will repeat it as many as 100 times in five minutes. Without fail, it will help me to adjust my breathing from my chest to my diaphragm. It’s a reminder, too, that no feeling or emotion is permanent, even as I try to apply super glue to some. Moreover, every thing in this world of ours is transient … which is somewhat of a bummer on the good days, but so much consolation on the bad.
posted October 20, 2011 at 9:53 am
I’m new to not being totally consumed by it. I have been trying ‘It’s ok, your ok’ unfortunately sometimes when I may need to use these words, I may not believe them but even then, the rhythm has a soothing effect. Thank you for what you share in beyond blue and your honesty it is of huge value.
posted October 21, 2011 at 3:31 am
Green, I’m still in the process too. For me, the mantra is, “I’m safe” as panic, anxiety, PTSD symptoms and depression often keep me immobilized. You’re also so right about honesty and communication.
posted October 21, 2011 at 9:45 am
This is so so true. That has always been my mantra, this too shall pass, and this is just a moment in life, just a “moment”. So much to deal with lately and I think to breathe and put one foot in front of the other and keep going, keep solving, keep dealing, and my prayers to St. Therese for her help and guidance. God Bless.
posted October 21, 2011 at 9:46 am
Ah, Therese, this is a golden nugget.
It is a lot easier for me to tell other people “This too shall pass…” (on occasion I add, “… like a kidney stone”), than it is for ME to remember this myself.
I suppose as well, it depends on the challenge. For example, with my alcoholism, ‘One Day at a Time’ (your 24 hours) sometimes has to shrink down to 5 minutes at a time. Many days I cling to my sobriety like this (and by calling my wonderful sponsor).
I never remember how temporary the challenges are, though. My therapist is always telling me to “breathe…” I forget to do that, too. Today I will focus on these things – well, the best that I can, anyway.
Many thanks for your timely help.
posted October 23, 2011 at 6:58 pm
so true. ty it reminded me of one of my sons saying he uses… this too shall pass……i try to live in each moment…. to enjoy whatever it is we are doing at any given time….stop, envelope urself in this space in time… enjoy