[Peanut61]

From: www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/...out_9.html

LETTING GO OF EMOTIONAL SUFFERING: MINDFULNESS OF YOUR CURRENT EMOTION

OBSERVE YOUR EMOTION

NOTE its presence
Step BACK
Get UNSTUCK from the emotion

EXPERIENCE YOUR EMOTION As a WAVE, coming and going
Try not to BLOCK emotion
Try not to SUPPRESS emotion
Don't try to GET RID of emotion
Don't PUSH it away
Don't try to KEEP emotion around
Don't HOLD ON to it
Don't AMPLIFY it

REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT YOUR EMOTION
Do not necessarily ACT on your emotion.
Remember times when you have felt DIFFERENT

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT</font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

Good points, Jill! I'm wondering; wouldn't this qualify as CBT?

I really like "Remember you are not your emotion." That's such a good thing to keep in mind when our emotions begin to overwhelm us. It seems that we are the emotion, but it's only a very small part of us.

[mizzy]

Emotion is part of us thus we become part of it.
To say we are not our emotions
we become vegetables
Only monitoring our emotions in all situations
gives us that moment of when, why, how,and where to unleash various emotion. If not monitored by our patience (reflection, quietness of mind) which includes emotion, we will be judged ourselves by ourselves
"What comes from without
begins from within" Emotions are not to blame we are and what we allow

[FearsomeAnna]

Mizzy,

I think the idea here is not for us to become vegetables, but to keep our emotions from overwhelming us in times of stress. Sometimes it is very hard to see or do the right thing because our emotions cloud our judgement. How many of us have said stuff in the heat of the moment that we later regretted? I think we all have to work on, to one degree or another, on stepping away from those emotions and think logically. I used to have the worst time dealing with constructive critcism, even if it was true - I used to get very upset and shy around that person. Now I can distance myself from those emotions and feelings (even if I do feel it) in order to reflect on whether or not the reason for the criticism is true. If it is, I take the necessary steps to change it. I'm still not a vegetable though, but at least now I don't overreact as strongly. It's a sign of maturity to be able to control one's emotions to the point where they are not the entire basis for one's actions.

some of it's magic
some of it's tragic
but i had a good life all the way......
~jimmy buffett

[dexter]

I am finding that as my depression grows, I find it harder and harder to not hold on and amplify my emotions. Most of the day it is out of control, and i am just drowning in them. if i stay in bed i get some relief but staying in bed is not good.

i'm still having such a hard time

thank you for this post peanut it is a very good way of thinking about it and trying to deal with it.

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>