--->>> OTT --- Old Thought Thoughts! <<<---

[SourceShield]

Greetings!

This post is about LIMITING-BELIEFS, or as me and my brother Matt now call them, Old Thought Thoughts - OTT.

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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.

Our beliefs are personal, and yet oddly the 'same' as well.

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There is a school of thought that teaches us that when we identify the OTT i.e. I am unlovable.

Relate to the OTT, rather than from it.

We can then release the attachment to the OTT, as well as the aversion to the OTT.

For example -

A child is told that they are no good, useless and worthless, every other day.

-sadly, this is a story often told, by many.

As this child grows a set of OTT have been programmed into the mind-body of the now grown adult-child.

I am no good.

I am useless.

I am worthless.

etc etc etc

The adult-child now has an attachment to the OTT.

But also you would see an aversion to those OTT as well.

I am no good <- the attachment.

And, I hate that I am no good <- the aversion. The judgement for having the OTT in the first place, keeps us attached to the OTT.

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Not all beliefs are limiting.

All beliefs are fluid.

They are mutable - liable to change, as all things in existence are!

But...

How do we release the OTT?

Thats what we're most interested in!.

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!.

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!

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!

3) I have learned to ask for help, and to RECEIVE it graciously, whenever it comes to me. And, it always does.

4) I SMILE and LAUGH more. Theres research for this too!

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.

6) I EXPRESS in healthy ways - dance, music, write..

7) I take time out to LOVE - my family, friends, my dog bundy, nature..

REMEMBERING to LOVE is a biggie!.

And, whatta 'bout you?...

[SourceShield]

G'day Folks!

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I'd like to share an OTT that I had been living with for as long as I could remember, and how I am learning to let go of the attachment to the OTT.

This is a cluster of OTT, that I had in my life.

Its one that had played out in my life, for as long as I could remember.

I wonder if anyone can relate...

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NOTE:

I continue to call the 'limiting beliefs' - OTT - because it takes the seriousness out of it all.

It makes me smile to think of them as Over the Top Thoughts, as well!.

Smiling is a good thing.

Especially a sincere smile, that reaches the eyes!.

Limiting beliefs, can be seen as just over the top thinking.

Fixating on a series of thoughts.

OTT = Old Thought Thoughts

OTT = Over the Top Thinking

Its all pretty much the same thing.

IMHO

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As I have mentioned, in the past, an OTT of mine, was the OTT of - I am not good enough.

But, it goes deeper than that, as well, as it always will.

In that, when things in my life were going really well, they usually go really well.

I used to get really uncomfortable with that feeling.

Uncomfortable with success.

And, the feeling of everything going really well in my life.

Because, what I was actually fearing was...the future.

Thats what the anxiety was, fear of what could happen.

Fear of the unknown.

Another primal fear.

I feared being ridiculed.

I feared embarrassment.

And, anxious thoughts just built up from there, I got addicted to a certain kind of feeling!.

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But, how do we learn to release the attachment to those OTT?

1) If I knew all the answers, Id know the answer!.

2) If OTT are that persistent, get professional help ASAP.

- Dont be like me and think you have to suffer in silence.

- I did that for the last 3 years, and I suffered.

-But, no more.

3) Ask for help.

4) Receive it.

5) Take care of the "basics" - when we're having a 'moment', we can fall back into the basics much easier, but we have to practise them.

6) Do as much research into your family history, as you can.

- It helps.

7) Read up on your 'condition', as much as you can.

😎 Learn how to relate to the condition, rather than from it.

9) Apologise, appropriately, when you screw up or flip out, at the right and best time, and place. <- Im still learning this one.

10) Be sincere.

Thats what Im learning to do and be, everyday!.

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What about you folk?

All ways in which you have learned or have learnt to detach from OTT, are most welcome!.

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MuchlyLoved!.

Kaitoa.

[1113]

Kaitoa,

Can you explain how recurring dreams can be related to your awake being?

This is a bit off track....but when everthing seems to be going well for me I dream of falling. I am awoken by a massive body jolt.

Even some times when I Meditate. My mind wonders to a big physical jolt. Its fear of the unknown but so deep I can't find it.

Can dig that?

Matt.

[CompulsiveLiar]

Hi Kaitoa, and Matt.

Matt, thank you for your description about how you work through the agoraphobia. I know that this is not a race but I will do my best to think the same way. You are a good person. Thanks

Kaitoa, my question today is about dealing with memories from the past that keep popping up. What do I do about them? Thank you for helping me with this.

ALL TRUE.

CL

[Shred1106]

Thanks 1113

I will try what you suggest with the-guess I am trying though.

Unfortunately my patience went out the window a while ago so it is difficult. Daily things keep cropping up which tend to stop me in my tracks..

Focus is difficult at the best of times

[Shred1106]

Hi SourceShield

I did respond to you but perhaps the lag affected my post. Just out of interest today my therapist and I discussed ways of approaching a major issue for me which is an OTT. We drew a circle around the issue and then looked from the outside, then talked strategies to address the OTT.

I will let you know how it goes..

Thanks

[1113]

All good shredstar,

Just keep tryin.......your not alone.

Awesome to see your post about "seeing your therapist"

Nice one.

Matt

[Shred1106]

Thanks 1113 / Matt

Your words of encouragement, (along with other peoples in the forums), keep me going just now.

I never imagined that I could get help on line as it never existed when I was first diagnosed years ago.

Then again I never thought I would be in this position again , only worse...

Thanks for being there folks..

[1113]

Anytime

[topsy_]

Hi everyone

I'm still here following you all. Reading is as much as I can manage atm.

I wish you all a peaceful & restorative sleep, Lyn.

[SourceShield]

Morning Folks!

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Shred - Im glad youre talking to your Therapist about this, let us know how that goes.

CL - The past -thats a biggie. Will get back to you on that one!

Matt - YOURE A CHAMPION.

Yellownanna - MuchLove

All Others...G'day!

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Folks,

Its important for us all to remember that getting better, the healing process, or whatever you call it for yourself - all this 'work' on mindfulness, and meditation etc- it wont work as 'soon' as we may want it to, if we turn it into a chore.

More-so, it takes such a long time for it to 'sink in' if we view this as just a task that we have to do.

Dont make the mistake that I did, by just keeping it all cerebral.

What Im saying is, life is also meant to be enjoyed.

And enjoyment, can be found in every moment.

But, what if you have an OTT that sounds and feels like this -

"life is hard and meant to be full of pain" <- OTT

That was an OTT of mine.

There were of course, 'off-shoots', other beliefs linked to this belief.

Its like a web, in there.

And, beliefs will always come true.

Always.

Without fail.

Of course it would, right?.

When your 'mind' <- We all know what the mind is right?

Okay.

When we do nothing but focus on the OTT, all our energy, 'time and space', is consumed by this fixation.

We seek out moments, and experiences that will justify, ones beliefs.

Its a "negative-bias", that Tara Brach teaches, that we are all now born with.

I tend to agree.

We have to teach children to be kind.

We have to show children how to share.

Not that they dont want to be kind, or share, they just need to be taught.

Its not our 'natural way' - we are now learning how to access empathy.

We all come from barbarians, and vikings, and warriors, and pirates!

So, loving-Kindness, which is inclusive of self and all others, including perceived enemies is a learnt behaviour pattern.

But what if you're 'disorderly' in some way, like me, and some others that I know, good friends of mine?

How do we find loving-kindness?

Where?

Could you allow yourself more loving-kindness in your life?

Is there space in your life, for more loving-kindness?.

I know there is in mine!.

Always!!.

***I'm just asking questions. I clearly dont know everything. And sometimes, I get it completely wrong. Resilience and compassion are good-healing 'balm'. But I feel that its important for me to ask these questions - firstly to myself, and to others as well***

Have a great day.

Lets discuss...

MuchEnjoyable