| This happened yesterday when I returned home from
the store. I noticed one of the items I bought had something on
it that I hadn't seen. That’s when I began to work myself
up.
I immediately had a rise in feeling, and my thoughts raced, "Had
I touched this?" I wanted to wash my hands and thought about
how I could avoid touching the object. I started to feel a little
panicky. Then I remembered what a veteran Recovery member had told
me when something like this happened to him.
I spotted there was no danger and that I could have the will to
bear discomfort by commanding my muscles to pick up the object.
I also controlled the impulse to wash my hands. I felt a little
more tense for a while, but I kept repeating that I was in no danger—and
I continued to endorse myself.
Before Recovery, I probably wouldn't have gone shopping. If I did,
I would have spent much of the day washing my hands, and they probably
would have bled.
Further Spotting!
Ruth— Ed mentioned that he felt more tense for a while.
When we control an impulse, it sometimes makes us more tense, especially
if we're new to Recovery. But if we stick with it, we do get relief.
It takes practice, but it's worth the effort.
Dale— I like how Ed kept endorsing himself. When we
go through something hard to deal with, it's important to keep endorsing
ourselves—to give ourselves credit for the effort we are making
to get well.
What does that mean?
spotted— Ed recognized (spotted)
that he was not in danger.
endorsing— Ed gave himself
credit for all the effort he put forth.
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