Just wanted to thank everyone for all the prayers and well wishes. Our 3rd daughter, Sophia Rhea was born on March 29th. She’s such a sweet baby. Her mom and the girls are doing well. I’m hangin in there too.;0
As someone who has struggled with anxiety, I’m always looking for ways to overcome it.
One tool that comes from the CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) world is called negative visualization.
You might be surprised to hear such a “positive guy” like me talking about negative visualization but let me explain. Generally, visualization involves using the “theater of your mind” to imagine things going well. Kids are all healthy. Money is plentiful. Relationships are warm. Things are going your way.
I’m all for that kind of visualization but the problem is it isn’t always based in reality.
As you know, things do go wrong. We don’t always get the promotion and people get sick. Regardless of how much I visualized my dad getting better, we still lost him at the young age of 69.
So, in short, visualization is a more realistic form of visualization. I’m not saying we shouldn’t expect good things to happen. It’s a fine line because it also doesn’t help to worry about things going wrong all the time. However, imagining the realistic negative things that can go wrong can help us cope with them when the inevitable happens. Doing so will also motivate us to appreciate things.
How many runs or workouts would you skip if you thought you would lose your legs?
How many times would you leave your house without kissing those you love if you realized you weren’t guaranteed to see them again?
Check out this quote from Seneca.
“We should love all our dear ones…but always with the thought that we have no promise that we may keep them forever – nay, no promise even that we may keep them for long.”
This approach may not be for everyone. I know for me it helps. Ten years ago I would have never used this approach. Maybe I’m getting softer in my old age.:)
Billy Hofacker – Owner & Transformation Coach at Total Body Boot Camp – BS, CSCS