Haley's Example
|
|
|
Last Tuesday morning the moment I opened my eyes at 5:00 a.m., I had a feeling of dread and panic in the pit of my stomach and I began to work myself up. I thought, "why do I feel so fearful?" I didn't even have time to think about it. My legs felt weak and trembly. How could I possibly go to work? My thoughts started to race and my heart pounded as I started to visualize the drive to work and all I had to do that day. Then I began to spot. At first I couldn't believe it, but I thought, "this is distressing, but not dangerous". I decided to command my muscles to get out of bed, to get dressed and to eat some breakfast, even though I didn't feel like eating. I spotted that my arms and legs were feeling the fear because of the idea of danger in my brain, so, I kept rejecting the belief in danger--over and over. I got to work and stayed all day. While I was driving home, I endorsed myself for my courage, and all of the effort and control I had used in many part acts during my work. I felt pretty good about myself. Before Recovery, I would have called in sick and not gone in to work at all. Earlier during my training in Recovery, I might have gone in for part of the day, but wouldn't be able to handle the discomfort for more than a few hours. Further Spotting! John--This is a good example about an "event" taking place in the inner environment which initiated the working up process. Haley's spotting that it was distressing but not dangerous was right on target to get at that idea of danger that the symptoms "speak" to us. Dr. Low called it the "symptomatic idiom". Marilyn--I like the follow-through in this example by spotting that there was no danger, Haley then used her muscles to go ahead and move against the resistance that she was feeling. She was teaching her brain through the use of her muscles that there really was no danger. Kay-- She mentioned how she kept rejecting the belief in danger. That is part of the training that we do in Recovery. That relentless practice of the Recovery method until it becomes part of us and the tools are right there at our fingertips. Mel--Haley's feeling of dread and panic were trivial, that is, they can be spotted as not being important. She mentioned that her legs felt weak and trembly and her heart pounded, but there were no consequences because she rejected the idea of danger. What does that mean? spot--Haley "recognized" her thinking and "recognized" (spotted) that she needed to substitute the Recovery techniques in place of her fearful thoughts. command my muscles--Haley's will can say yes or no to impulses. She decided to get dressed and eat breakfast and her body did just that. Her muscles obeyed her command.
|
|
