30 Comments

This is great, Jan! You would enjoy Dr. Alison Cook. She has a couple of podcast episodes that have to do with just the subject. When we focus on the fox beliefs and the negative inner critic. The Best of You Podcast. 🤗

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Thanks, Tricia ~ I will check Dr. Cook out. I have to battle All-or-Nothing so much of the time. Getting better... xoxo

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Jan, David Burns book and workbook are, in my opinion, some of the best resources for those who are needing to get clear on their distortions, and how to address them. His discussion of distortions was incredibly helpful for me, and still is.

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Oh, yes, Pam -- my copy of David Burn's The Feeling Good Handbook is smudged and dogeared from years of use. It's a big book packed with practical advice. xoxo

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Jan, what an important reminder. Guilty, guilty so many times.

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Hi Janice ~ Wanted to share it with others, but I need it as much as anyone. Thanks! xoxo

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Wow! I thought I was a very positive person but I can say I identify with some of the items on the list.

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That's how I am too, Elizabeth -- pretty positive most of the time. Those sneaky inaccurate patterns of thinking just creep up on me sometimes -- especially on the golf course. They say to visual your shot; I just keep wondering what mess I'm going to get into next. ha ha! Have a positive day! Hugs & High 5's

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Spot on Jan, even though I try to be positive and optimistic most of the time, I have to admit that I'm guilty of doing some of the things on your list. We are only human after all, we deal with so much every day, but this was a great reminder!! Thank you!!

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For sure, Irene! You're welcome ~ this growing up stuff is tough. ha ha! {{Hugs}}

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In Florida those tees would apply to super seniors regardless of gender! Maybe Dave should follow suit! 😂

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That's the big fight here in Scrambles. Mindy is playing from the same tees as her dad & half the other men at LH. She's outdriving them a lot of the times though. ha ha!

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I am most often a very optimistic person, but I admit to at least one element of distorted thinking. When I really, really want a particular outcome, I will assume the exact opposite so as not to be disappointed when it doesn’t happen! Now that’s pretty distorted.

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Hooker ~ I know a few other people like that. Ha! Of course, there is some truth to lowering your expectations to reduce stress, but assuming the worst probably IS considered "distorted." (Like assuming the worst about the creek on #1, the woods on #3, the out-of-bounds on #5, the pot bunker on #8) ha ha ha!

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Let’s not forget the impossibly small green on #2!

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Ha! They moved the women's tees up -- well, down on the bottom. Not too bad now -- for us. You guys still have a heck of a shot.

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Thank you for sharing. Great piece. And yes I found myself on the list but not as much today as I was at one time. We’re all a project in progress, two steps forward one step back. That’s growth, right? I never want to stop growing. 😊❤️

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I'm with you, Cathy! This growing up stuff is not for the weak at heart. Let's keep going... xoxo

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Just for you -I have a grandson that slept through his high school math classes. It was his way of surviving the battle neither he or the instructor could win. The instructor demanded he show all is work on paper and if not the paper was graded F even if the answers were correct. Dustin’s side his brain is wired differently and he sees the answer in his mind before most are finished reading the problem. The teacher said he was cheating so Dustin slept and hates math. Today he is 25, dose some programming and writes children’s books. Just sharing. ❤️

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That is so awesome about your grandson! I'm glad he survived. Even though I taught high school over 30+ years, I recognize how damaging it can be for kids. I found out my snoozing guy had been kicked out of the house & was living in his car. That's what was so bad about my distorted thinking on that -- it wasn't about me. Thanks for sharing. I love good news!

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Absolutely ! I am right in there with you ladies! I am my own worst enemy along those lines. I, too, pride myself in being a positive person- except- with myself! It is frustrating to believe that but I realize it is true! This was a huge eye-opening piece , Jan. Thank you for sharing!!

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Oh, you're welcome, Karen! I definitely need to "look at myself in the mirror" once in awhile. Those pesky distorted thoughts can creep up on you before you know it. I carry a little picture of myself when I was four in my billfold -- to remind me to treat myself with love like I would that little girl. xoxo

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Priceless! What a great idea! Thanks!

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I loved Dave Barry's TV show. It's where I first heard the comment: Been there; done that. I use that a lot. One of the first points I would bring to my speech class was "never" use the words never or always. I do try to follow that advice myself. My biggest question about your sleeping student is "Where did you get a glass of water?" lol I'll be reading that list from your professional again and again. Guilty as charged on maybe one or two. Thanks, Jan. It was so sad to see the picture of you beside the trees on the burning island.

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Patty ~ you know teachers are resourceful people. ha ha! My classroom was right next to the water fountain. Talking about not using "never" or "always" -- I was stunned when I started teaching at a community college here. I was to use their prepared tests because they wanted everyone doing the same things, but their tests had questions that included never & always questions. I had to balk. They agreed to change the wording. Have a good day, Patty! xoxo

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Community College - good for you!

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OFF THE CHARTS 🏅 EXCELLENT, Jan!

Keep on going with your 🥰 POSITIVITY,

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Thanks, Vicki ~ I keep trying, but sometimes those pesky thoughts pop up & get me. Ha! xoxo

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Ouch. I found myself in that list in places. Mindset makes such a difference in how we navigate life. This was great - thanks for sharing!

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I know what you mean, Cathey ~ I find myself in many of those places. Even though I think I'm a pretty positive person, I have to battle those negative thoughts a lot. Sometimes I lose. Ha! xoxo

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