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    <title>topic ---&amp;gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &amp;lt;&amp;lt;&amp;lt;--- in Staying well</title>
    <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272193#M25927</link>
    <description>&lt;P&gt;Greetings!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This post is about LIMITING-BELIEFS, or as me and my brother Matt now call them, Old Thought Thoughts - OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This post will most likely not appeal to many people, because I am writing about our beliefs that we have about life and ourselves, that we all have had for much of our life.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Our beliefs are personal, and yet oddly the 'same' as well.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;There is a school of thought that teaches us that when we identify the OTT i.e. I am unlovable. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Relate to the OTT, rather than from it. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We can then release the attachment to the OTT, as well as the aversion to the OTT. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;For example - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;A child is &lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;told that they are no good, &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;useless and worthless, every other day. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;-sadly, this is a story often told, by many. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;As this child grows a set of OTT have been programmed into the mind-body of the now grown adult-child. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am no good.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am useless.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am worthless.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;etc etc etc&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The adult-child now has an attachment to the OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But also you would see an aversion to those OTT as well.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am no good &amp;lt;- the attachment.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, I hate that I am no good &amp;lt;- the aversion. The judgement for having the OTT in the first place, keeps us attached to the OTT. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Not all beliefs are limiting.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;All beliefs are fluid.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;They are mutable - liable to change, as all things in existence are!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But...&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;How do we release the OTT?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thats what we're most interested in!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am going to share a few things of how I am learning to release all of the OTT that once ruled my life, and would love to read yours as well!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;1) Refer to the OTT being in the past. If we keep on affirming the OTT in the present moment, it stays in the present moment. By writing and talking about the OTT being in the past, youre correcting the memory. REWIRE!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;2) I AUGMENT positive memories. Whatever they are, whenever they happened. This is why I actively look for things to be thankful and grateful for. Appreciation,  heals! And thats now science...if youre interested in the research about this, let me know!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;3) I have learned to ask for help, and to RECEIVE it graciously, whenever it comes to me. And, it always does.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;4) I SMILE and LAUGH more. Theres research for this too!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;5) I have changed my eating habits. I EAT WELL now. I am now on the Guts and Psychology Syndrome foodplan GAPS. I used to be obese. No more.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;6) I EXPRESS in healthy ways - dance, music, write..&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;7) I take time out to LOVE - my family, friends, my dog bundy, nature..&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;REMEMBERING to LOVE is a biggie!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, whatta 'bout you?...&lt;/P&gt;</description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 03:27:32 GMT</pubDate>
    <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
    <dc:date>2016-11-27T03:27:32Z</dc:date>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272193#M25927</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Greetings!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This post is about LIMITING-BELIEFS, or as me and my brother Matt now call them, Old Thought Thoughts - OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This post will most likely not appeal to many people, because I am writing about our beliefs that we have about life and ourselves, that we all have had for much of our life.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Our beliefs are personal, and yet oddly the 'same' as well.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;There is a school of thought that teaches us that when we identify the OTT i.e. I am unlovable. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Relate to the OTT, rather than from it. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We can then release the attachment to the OTT, as well as the aversion to the OTT. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;For example - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;A child is &lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;told that they are no good, &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;useless and worthless, every other day. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;-sadly, this is a story often told, by many. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;As this child grows a set of OTT have been programmed into the mind-body of the now grown adult-child. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am no good.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am useless.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am worthless.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;etc etc etc&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The adult-child now has an attachment to the OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But also you would see an aversion to those OTT as well.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am no good &amp;lt;- the attachment.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, I hate that I am no good &amp;lt;- the aversion. The judgement for having the OTT in the first place, keeps us attached to the OTT. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Not all beliefs are limiting.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;All beliefs are fluid.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;They are mutable - liable to change, as all things in existence are!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But...&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;How do we release the OTT?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thats what we're most interested in!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am going to share a few things of how I am learning to release all of the OTT that once ruled my life, and would love to read yours as well!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;1) Refer to the OTT being in the past. If we keep on affirming the OTT in the present moment, it stays in the present moment. By writing and talking about the OTT being in the past, youre correcting the memory. REWIRE!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;2) I AUGMENT positive memories. Whatever they are, whenever they happened. This is why I actively look for things to be thankful and grateful for. Appreciation,  heals! And thats now science...if youre interested in the research about this, let me know!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;3) I have learned to ask for help, and to RECEIVE it graciously, whenever it comes to me. And, it always does.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;4) I SMILE and LAUGH more. Theres research for this too!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;5) I have changed my eating habits. I EAT WELL now. I am now on the Guts and Psychology Syndrome foodplan GAPS. I used to be obese. No more.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;6) I EXPRESS in healthy ways - dance, music, write..&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;7) I take time out to LOVE - my family, friends, my dog bundy, nature..&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;REMEMBERING to LOVE is a biggie!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, whatta 'bout you?...&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 03:27:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272193#M25927</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T03:27:32Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272194#M25928</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Great thread bro,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I can see this evolving with gusto.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Remember to love again...yes....yes ......&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;yes. a biggie alright.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;My apathy is now empathy.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;The double arrow, attachment and aversion. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I'm only just starting to understand all of this thanks to you. Bro.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I am forgetting to unload new postive thoughts to replace tne old. This I am working on.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I have learnt so much. But i need to be constantly reminded so I don't slip again.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Unconditional friendship &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Matt.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 03:58:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272194#M25928</guid>
      <dc:creator>1113</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T03:58:42Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272195#M25929</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Thank you, brother.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Unconditional friendship I return to you, in abundance!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Remembering, is a biggie.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When we're having a 'moment', remembering to 'be' mindful is a joke, for most of us!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Until our 'practise' of returning to calmness, or whatever that is for you, really 'settles' into the body-mind and becomes an active new thought-process, its really difficult to go all 'buddha', when we're having a 'moment'.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But, thankfully those moments dont stay with us.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;All things change. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When life is okay, actively remembering to see, smell, taste, touch, hear life as it is around us, is really vital. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Because as we tune into our 'senses', we do become more mindful and present, and then we are better able to navigate our way through the moments, and eventually the really tough moments too!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Our senses, are marvelous things. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The 'trick' is to not become addicted to the 'sensory' experience of life.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thats the challenge, because its the pleasant and good feelings that most of us are hooked on.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;But as you now know, that which we call feelings on the outside, are chemical reactions going off all over the body-mind. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;The brain.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Nervous system.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Enteric Nervous system.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Endocrine&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt; system.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;All systems are go!.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We can affect the way that these systems process the chemicals that are produced in the body-mind, by the way that we live our day to day life.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;i.e.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Remembering to smile daily. If you smile often, you end up rewiring your brain to make more positive patterns more often than it does negative &amp;lt;- SNORT!. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Happiness is a work ethic, like being a Chef, it’s something that requires our brains to train just like an athlete has to train.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So, as we actively and consciously practise the happiness work-ethic, we reprogram.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Dig it?.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This of course must be 'practised' often when we arent stressed or anxious, and then hopefully, all going well...the practise has sunk in, so that when we need it, when things are stressful, the practise has been programmed in and is no longer 'practise' but an assimilated part of our everyday life.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Remember that relapse is real as well. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Remember to take time out to recharge the 'batteries', however that looks like for you.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We are perfectly imperfect beings on an energetic journey through space-time reality. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You're doing really well, Matt.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I already 'see' a change - No longer, just a number. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I know youre releasing the agoraphobic OTT, keep going bro!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You are much appreciated and loved, my brother. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;PeaceOutSprout!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 04:44:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272195#M25929</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T04:44:28Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272196#M25930</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Thankyou my friend &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You have found your essences and helping me find mine.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Much brotherly love&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Matt&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 05:25:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272196#M25930</guid>
      <dc:creator>1113</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T05:25:22Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272197#M25931</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;OTT,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am not good enough to reach out and help others!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;How could I be, I have a mental illness. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Double arrow.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;New postive thoughts &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I can help others&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Because I have experience, heart and I'm a good and loving person.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Bro,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Whenever I have a replacement thought .....I will just post it here!!!!!!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Nice one boy&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Chef out&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 19:00:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272197#M25931</guid>
      <dc:creator>1113</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T19:00:57Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272198#M25932</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Oooooohhhh! You've cooked up another excellent thread my cheffy friends!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am trying to work on my brain - in a neuroplasticity kinda way. Trying to override annoyingly persistant thoughts about the past, shameful memories, weird beliefs etc. So I will sit over here and watch and learn.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;One thing though - well two actually. Firstly, now that I don't just accept that beliefs of old (eg I'm not worthy of love) are true, I find that when they pop up I can't always just override them because I get stuck trying to analyse and work out where they came from in the first place. Why do I think the things I think?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Secondly, Kaitoa you mention 'it's the pleasant and good feelings that most of us are hooked on'. I'm not certain about that ... I think sometimes depression can be seductive, I guess because it's a familiar place for many of us. &lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"&gt;Do you know that song 'Somebody that I used to know'? There's a line in it 'You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness ...' I reckon so, which is also why I'm keen to learn more about influencing the brain itself.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Anyways, love your work you two ... I'm taking notes. &lt;span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":smiling_face_with_smiling_eyes:"&gt;😊&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Kaz&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;xx&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 21:12:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272198#M25932</guid>
      <dc:creator>Kazzl</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T21:12:49Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272199#M25933</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hi All,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;There some excellent suggestions here about thoughts. It is amazing how powerful thoughts can be, for the negative or the positive.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Like Kazzl wrote, I'm learning from you guys as well. Thanks for sharing!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;My brain feels a bit too whacked at the moment to add my own ideas on thoughts.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 21:24:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272199#M25933</guid>
      <dc:creator>Doolhof</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T21:24:36Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272200#M25934</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hello Kaitoa&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Great job you're doing here. I have been interested in neuroplasticity for quite some time. It is amazing how our brains operate. Let me give you an example. I have always wanted to play the piano. I mentioned this to someone one day and he said I was too old, that we stopped learning new things by the time we are 30 (I think 30). I was so surprised this attitude still existed. No point in arguing, just get on with it. I suspect that one reason for the belief that learning is age limited is that as we get older we do many more things than we did as children and far more responsibilities. Our attention is pulled in so many directions that spending the requisite time practising a new skill is a difficult business and we are usually short on time management skills.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We are taught that caring for ourselves in ways such as carrying out pleasurable activities is wrong unless we have finished our quota of helping others. And that can go on for ever. So sitting down to piano practice comes at the expense of housework, gardening (although this is also pleasurable), shopping, being on committees, even talking with our families, you know the general busyness that often swamps our lives. Mindfulness and meditation are two activities that go hand in hand. They also help to slow us down and find our inner being, which all leads to choosing a balanced life including those activities that grow the soul. You know, the old Mary and Martha conundrum. And yes, I am learning to play the piano.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Of course this applies to anything we do. Enjoying the pleasantness of life does not preclude some painful and difficult times. I find that working through hard times highlights the good stuff. We are never going to be completely free from disasters of any colour or size. That's life. Many of humanities greatest events have come because of suffering in some way. Think of poets, writers, composers and artists. And also of great scientists  and knowledge in all the fields.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So lets grab the opportunity of learning as well as the less tangible (at least to start with) skills of mindfulness and meditation. Learning to centre oneself in a crisis comes with practice as does learning to love ourselves despite all our faults. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This has the potential to be a very interesting thread. I hope more folk join in the discussion.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Mary&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 21:54:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272200#M25934</guid>
      <dc:creator>White_Rose</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T21:54:30Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272201#M25935</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Excellent post Mary! &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I really have to give this mindfullness and meditation thing another go. My brain is often so busy I can't slow it down to focus on meditating and I just get frustrated and cranky when I try.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Any suggestions on good books, websites etc?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Kaz&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 22:04:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272201#M25935</guid>
      <dc:creator>Kazzl</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T22:04:06Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272202#M25936</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hello all,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Right now I should be "living in the real world". Doing my HWJT. But instead I'm drawn to this forum. Oh well, I have plenty of time.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Kazz,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Your first post is all your OTT. You are not "just sitting and watching" You are challenging a thought.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am trying to understand this myself, I am afraid that what I say is wrong - OTT&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;It doesn't matter what I say because I am valid and my beliefs are real and I am happy to be learning too. Now I am smiling, breathing and calming myself.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I do want to discuss agrophobia:&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Kaitoa said in a post that he knows I am changing my OTT about that...and I purposely side stepped that question. Why?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Its extremely hard for me to accept.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But I have been doing all the things that kaitoa the warrior has been teaching me and now I can cope a bit better. Every day it gets better.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So its all related to some extent and we have to try and understand it how we, as " an individual can".&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;that all looks different to everybody&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;How I see OTT is different from others&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I'm not afraid to be wrong. Thats a huge one for me too.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I don't like to be wrong.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Oh...... I side stepped agrophobia again.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Anyway i must get back to my daily duties.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Happiness to all&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Chef Matt.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2016 23:08:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272202#M25936</guid>
      <dc:creator>1113</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-27T23:08:30Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272203#M25937</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Good Morning!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, may I just 'say' to you all, You're All Amazing.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We all are. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I mean that!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;BrotherMatt ---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You wrote - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"New positive thoughts&lt;BR /&gt;
&lt;BR /&gt;
I can help others&lt;BR /&gt;
&lt;BR /&gt;
Because I have experience, heart and I'm a good and loving person".&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Awesome - What I have learnt is that once we 'upload' a new positive thought (NPT), we must then do something in  'active' affirmation of the NPT  - in that we must now do something that supports the NPT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;i.e.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"I can help others" &amp;lt;- NPT&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Reaching out on BB, or volunteering at a shelter etc, or simply asking a friend - R U OK? &amp;lt;- activates the NPT.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I see that you are already doing this, Matt!&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Keep going brother!&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;These 'activities' are ways that we actively move towards the NPT.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;They dont have to be overtly physical things, thats not whats meant, but an active thought processing.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;That is repeated in our day to day life.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;This creates positive and active neural-pathways, and thats when its 'sunk in'. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;And, thats what we want.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Because, when the proverbial hits the fan, we can then 'call upon' these positive patterns to help us navigate through the muck and muddy moments.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Does this make sense to you brother?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;---&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Kazza McSnazza! &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I love seeing you in the forums, your energy and even your pic reminds me of an aunt, that I love!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I hope that doesnt offend you, I mean that as a compliment. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;She is a beautiful soul, as you are.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You wrote - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"Firstly, now that I don't just accept that beliefs of old (eg I'm not worthy of love) are true, I find that when they pop up I can't always just override them because I get stuck trying to analyse and work out where they came from in the first place. Why do I think the things I think?"&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Rumination is a big hurdle to get over - I feel that, Rumination, is an important topic for all of us to discuss. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So, I will write another full post about this, is that okay? &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You also wrote - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"Secondly, Kaitoa you mention 'it's the pleasant and good feelings that most of us are hooked on'. I'm not certain about that .. I think sometimes depression can be seductive, I guess because it's a familiar place for many of us. Do you know that song 'Somebody that I used to know'? There's a line in it 'You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness ...".&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Love that song. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Totally dig what you are saying here.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thank you so much for raising these topics here on this thread!. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This also deserves more respect in reply, as well.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Is that also cool ?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;--- &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I will wait for your replies. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Peace&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 00:41:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272203#M25937</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T00:41:55Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272204#M25938</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Morning Dools!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thank you for popping in!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You take good care of yourself. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We'll be here anytime you wanna join in on the discussion.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;MuchLove&amp;amp;Wellness for you!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Mary!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thank you as well, for joining us!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I'm so glad that you decided to forge on and play the piano, in spite of what you were told. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;That actually made me LOL, when you wrote that, you were told that we stop learning at 30yrs!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thats still making me laugh. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Ignorance is bliss, for some, it seems. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But thankfully youre too 'clever' for that kinda nonsense!. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;...still laughing...&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;What an idiotic thing to say!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Bless them. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Okay, Ive calmed down now. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;If I can make an observation...&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Mary, you seem very well 'versed' in Mindfulness -  I would really appreciate as many tips, and, 'hacks' as the 'kids' call it these days, about Mindfulness, that you can share with us!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I was introduced to Mindfulness Integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ( MiCBT)&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;About 6 years ago, by an fantastic psych in Cairns. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;At first I totally rejected it.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Seemed ridiculous, and foreign as well, all at the same time. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Body Scanning mumbo jumbo!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Compassion and Loving-Kindness...like blah blah blah!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But, she is a very patient psych, and eventually I got the 'hang' of it, as best I could. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;My issues with meditation, turn out to be a very common issues that many of us experience with it.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Here are a couple of my 'flimsy' excuses to not meditate -&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Can anyone else relate?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"Not having enough time" &amp;lt;- EXCUSE. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;If something is that important we always find time for it, right?.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thats a global human behaviour trait - if its important, we can always 'create' the time.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So, if learning to meditate, in order to be healthier and happier, or whatever it is that's important to others here, is important, we can always 'find' the time to meditate. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"I cant stop my thoughts from going around and around' &amp;lt;- EXCUSE.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We arent here to STOP thoughts.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Technically impossible, unless ya dead. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Its all about thought-acceptance, rather than thought-judgement and/or thought-rejection.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I follow a teaching by, TARA BRACH - amazing Mindfulness teacher!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The teaching is called, R.A.I.N - for those keen to learn more about Mindfulness, look her up!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Free Podcasts. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Youtube channel.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Books.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I would love to read and learn about how others have experienced mediation etc.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;What has worked for you?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I do hope that you're all having a wonder filled day, but if not know that we are here for each other. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;MuchLove.&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 01:07:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272204#M25938</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T01:07:40Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272205#M25939</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Good afternoon,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I'm understanding more about myself every day.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Rumination is a huge problem for me. After I do something I think about it over and over. Is it right? Or am I wrong? It's doubt, deep deep down.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I would really appreciate more info on how to deal with this.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Matt&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 02:37:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272205#M25939</guid>
      <dc:creator>1113</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T02:37:43Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272206#M25940</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Cool indeed indeed. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am happy to remind you of your aunt; at least you didn't say grandmother! LOL. (No offence to yours or anyone else's grandmothers of course, just an age thingy.)&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Yes, rumination is certainly something that needs considerable thought ... over and over and over and ... &lt;span class="lia-unicode-emoji" title=":smiling_face_with_smiling_eyes:"&gt;😊&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And thank you for the ideas on reinforcing NPTs with actions. That makes a lot of sense, I will give it a try.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Hope you (and Bundy) are having a good day. It's a good one in my buzzy head today (that's buzzy as in still a bit hypo, not buzzy as in what Kiwis say when they mean busy. Same same though I guess.)&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Cheers&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Kaz&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 02:57:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272206#M25940</guid>
      <dc:creator>Kazzl</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T02:57:30Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272207#M25941</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hello everyone &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt; I have been reading &amp;amp; following for a couple of days now. It has been very instructive.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;My OTT, which for the life of me I can't conquer &amp;amp; change, is - "I am a bad person". And everything that goes wrong happens because of that.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Case in point, early last week our new 5 month old dog got parvo &amp;amp; the vet said he only had a 50/50 chance of survival.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;My husband's reaction was to hope &amp;amp; pray like mad Ted (the dog) would survive.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;My reaction -Ted was going to die because I love him &amp;amp; because I'm bad I deserve to have something/one taken off me as punishment for being so bad.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I can't tell you how long I've been trying to change, but I'm not making any progress. And I'm 60 now &amp;amp; I wonder if it's worth the effort?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Lyn.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;PS Ted is 100% better now.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt; &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 03:59:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272207#M25941</guid>
      <dc:creator>topsy_</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T03:59:23Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272208#M25942</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hey Folks! &lt;BR /&gt;
I mentioned in a previous post that I would share about rumination. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This also works for worry-thoughts, and negative automatic thoughts. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;1) Just Breathe!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But learn how to breathe properly.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Most of us dont.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Theres a reason that its the 'top' need of the body. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But, how many times have we all heard this?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;89 trillion times, if youre anything like me - I used to hold my breath alot.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;All the OTT are now perceived threats. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And this still causes tension in the body. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When I was stressed I would hold my breath and clench my fists, my legs would become tense as well. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;But then I began to recognise that if I exhaled as slowly as I could, as soon as I felt the tension in my body - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;the clenched fists, my tense legs -  And then inhaled. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I would return to calmness swifter and I would then be &lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;better able to navigate myself through the 'moment', however, big or small, or tough or easy, that moment is.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;i.e.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;You feel tension in your body - from rumination.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Exhale - Slowly. Go right to the end of that breath.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Swallow any leftover air - you'll feel your core-muscles activate. YES - we all have them, not just the athletes.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Inhale - Deeply. Repeat - for the rest of your life!. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This technique will feel odd and funny to start off with because you're not used to deep cyclic breathing. Which &lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;is what this is!. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Many indigenous cultures teach this breathing technique, from Japan - in Martial Arts Training, to India with Meditation, to here in OZ in Indigenous Aboriginal cultures.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;---&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;2) Dont stress!&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;How many times have we all been told this&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Easier said than done. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Technically impossible!&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;The Human Body is designed to handle all types of stress, and now the mind is leading the way in helping us to deal with emotional stress - n&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;ot something that our ancestors from back in the caves were overly 'au fait' with!.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;But our emotions pretty much play a role in everything we do. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;So its more-so about how we manage worry-thoughts, because its gonna happen.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;And, about how we navigate our way through the emotional weather systems, that we all live with, within.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;These are a few things I do -&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;1) I do the Birds-Eye Technique - Do you know this one? &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;2) Self-Soothing Techniques.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;3) I give into the moment - Sometimes the proverbial, just hits the fan.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I accept. Do what I can for damage control!.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;How do you folks manage stress in your life?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;What hacks have you learned to 'weather' some of your emotionally stormy moments?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;ThanksFolks!.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Peace.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 08:24:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272208#M25942</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T08:24:10Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272209#M25943</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hi Lyn and everybody,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Nice to meet you lyn,&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Ted......nice that he recovered. Pets are like family.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Im just going to share 1 OTT ( my tablet wants to auto correct that).&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Perfectionism:&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;everything has to be perfect for me, but in my eyes only. This isn't all bad. In cooking and restoration it has its advantages. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;this is a hard one for me. I can't let it go and replace that thought. I think I will have to sand it back a bit, kneed it into a bun or infuse it with some other flavour.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Any thoughts on that one?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Oh and Lyn....you are worth it, age is just a number.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Food talk makes me hungry &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Have a delicious night&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Matt.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:13:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272209#M25943</guid>
      <dc:creator>1113</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T09:13:04Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272210#M25944</link>
      <description>Hello all you lovely folk
&lt;P&gt;Meditation is more my thing but mindfulness is a close second. I would like to take you up on your comments,  Kaitoa about excuses for not meditating. In general we find time to do what we want and that includes all our activities whether we like them or not. E.g. I must cook tea tonight or the family will go hungry and so you cook even though you are like me and dislike cooking. This is part of our responsibilities and desire to do good for the people we love. These are general statements, not absolutes.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So why do we miss out on learning something new or making time for something we enjoy? I think it is fear. What if I cannot master the task/activity/job and people laugh at me. What if it makes me a loony? I knew someone who believed meditation would cause her to have a fit. Amazing! What if it made a difference in my life and I changed the way I operate. Wow!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Meditation does change your life if you let it. I have met those who proclaim they cannot meditate because they go to sleep, start thinking of other things, get bored etc. etc. Yes, all these things happen. Meditation is not like a new language and when you know it there is no more to learn. It needs to be practised every day, preferably twice a day. It's not learning to sit still and say your mantra that is the hard work, it's the faithful practice every day of meditating. Once you commitment yourself to daily meditation you are on the path. Returning every day, regardless of how yesterday's meditation went.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This is the real secret of meditation. Find a place in your home that is reserved for meditation, somewhere you feel comfortable. Have a seat that keeps your spine as upright as possible and where your feet sit firmly on the floor. Rest your hands in your lap or on your knees, whichever feels comfortable and relax.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When I am facilitating a group, especially the first few times, I go through a simple muscle tensioning and release process that takes a couple of minutes. Close your eyes lightly and repeat your mantra silently in your mind. I have a CD that plays a minute or two of music then has 20, 25, or 30 minutes of silence. Start with 20 minutes and let your mind repeat the mantra. At the end of the time the music starts up quietly and you can open your eyes. Sit for a few moments and experience the feelings in your body, then get up. Sometimes it is amazing, other times not much. Others will notice the change before you do.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Will write more if you wish.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Mary&lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272210#M25944</guid>
      <dc:creator>White_Rose</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T09:54:00Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272211#M25945</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Hi Lyn, &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thanks for joining us with this chat about OTT!&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Im glad to read that Ted is well. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You wrote -&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"My OTT, which for the life of me I can't conquer &amp;amp; change, is - "I am a bad person". And everything that goes wrong happens because of that".&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;What a horrible OTT to live your life by, Lyn.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I can feel just how much pain having an OTT like that causes.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, you even have the 'proof'. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;DR Phil calls that the 'pay off', right?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I am a bad person &amp;lt;-the attachment to the OTT&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And everything that goes wrong is all your fault because you are being punished. &amp;lt;-the aversion to that OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The punishment is the pay off, because its supports the OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Our beliefs will always come true for us.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Whatever we believe about ourselves, will always find a way of manifesting in our life, because we have trained the brain, and the whole body-mind to seek out experiences that support the OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This is also true for NPT, as well.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;As Kaz has rightfully mentioned, we are addicted to not just the good times, but certain kinds of sadness, grief, fear, pride, lust, envy, anger. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We are addicted to all of our 'feelings'. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;For good or for bad, we are hooked on the feelings...theres a song in there somewhere...&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Remember that which we call feelings on the outside, are merely chemical reactions going off on the inside of the body.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Lyn, it really is a horrible negative feedback-loop.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I feel for you, and I would like to offer as much assistance as I can to support you, as we do our best to release this OTT, because I too can relate, and perhaps others too, so we can do this together, is that okay?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Our feelings are valid, and we will get through this!&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When things go well - We wait to be punished.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When things go badly - We remind ourselves that this is what we deserve for being such a bad person.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I know this OTT all too well. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;---&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Heres what I have learnt - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Technically, we're very 'normal', for having this belief. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;We are not all good, nor all bad, all of the time. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;We are a complex bio-organic mechanism, living life in a very complicated world.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;It is possible to detach ourselves from OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;It takes sincere practise.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Some of these OTT have been floating about inside of us for well over two to three, to four and beyond, decades worth of time, and energy, has been 'invested' into creating and forming and sustaining these OTT, so it takes sincere practise to reverse the effects.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Are you willing to do that practise?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;I will wait for your response.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;MuchLove&amp;amp;Joy.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt; &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:21:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272211#M25945</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T11:21:06Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>---&gt;&gt;&gt; OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! &lt;&lt;&lt;---</title>
      <link>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272212#M25946</link>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;Matt, &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I have observed that you're really into food imagery.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;As a Chef - that makes perfect sense!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;You're also into restoration, as a hobby.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Due to that, perhaps we could use imagery from both of these arts - The Art of Cooking, and The Art of Restoration, as a means to reverse-engineer the attachment to the OTT of Perfectionism.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;BTW - You are definitely not alone with that one!. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The way that I was taught to see cooking, when I trained as a Chef, was that being a Chef is like being an Artist, and a Scientist, all at the same time.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We mix different herbs, spices, flavours, just like an artist uses colour or a scientist uses chemicals etc, and we end up with a curry, or a birthday cake.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The perfection is found in the prep and planning, but not always in the outcome.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;In that, we can only ever be doing our best, and sometimes in life, things dont always go according to plan, right?.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The oven was opened, or the temp wasnt right, or the curry is left on for too long.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;For a cook that means starting all over again, usually.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;So, we do that.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;With perfectionism usually there is a focus on the outcome, being the perfect thing that we are wishing to achieve, rather than the process, the journey is where true perfection is found. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Im saying that having this OTT is futile,  as youve recognised, because some things will never ever be in our complete control. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Just not possible to have 100% control.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;And, so it is to be merely human - the desire to control, because we fear change.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The most primal fear of them all.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Thats what this is deep down - a need to feel like we are in control of our life, or at least one part of it.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;Because we know we have very little of it.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;This is a natural human OTT.&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;So, now to restoration...&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Just as one might have to strip away layers, or coats of paint, so too is this like releasing OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Dont expect things to look pretty, when you first recognise the OTT.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Be gentle with yourself, just as you would with what youre restoring.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Practise OTT releasing techniques, daily. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Just like we find times for our hobbies, letting go of OTT must also be an important part of our overall health plan.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Recognise when youve done really well - reward and praise yourself, often!. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Find like-minded people for community support.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;These are just a few things that I do...what about everyone else?&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;What has worked for you?&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;SPAN style="font-size: inherit;"&gt;---NPT--- &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"I am enough just as I am.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I love life, and life loves me".&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;...now we must move towards these NPT!.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;MuchLove. &lt;/P&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:57:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/gt-gt-gt-ott-old-thought-thoughts-lt-lt-lt/m-p/272212#M25946</guid>
      <dc:creator>SourceShield</dc:creator>
      <dc:date>2016-11-28T11:57:30Z</dc:date>
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