Change is not easy, but it’s simple: if we change our thoughts we can change our lives. Changing our thoughts is not easy, but there’s a process called Cognitive Restructuring which helps us to change our thoughts if we change some beliefs that no longer serve us.
It’s all described in the book Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky.
This is a workbook on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for people who want to change habitual thoughts and behaviours which keep them stuck in a place they don’t want to be. Aaron Beck, the founder of Cognitive Therapy, has written a forward to the book.
Spending time in places such as depression, anxiety, and anger is an unpleasant way to go through life as I recall. A diagnosis of cancer made me wake up and decide to enjoy life instead. I was told to make each day count, so I worked with a therapist and it’s been well worth the time and effort I spent to change my thoughts. I have been cancer free for over 22 years now.
The book describes how our behavior often results from automatic thoughts. Underlying many of these automatic thoughts are our assumptions which may be right or wrong. Assumptions come from core beliefs which have been stored in our bodies since childhood. These beliefs served us as children since other people such as parents, siblings, and relatives have a large influence on the way children think and behave. However, as we mature we’re required to be responsible for our own actions and well being, and the core beliefs may not apply to us as individuals.
Changing our thoughts can be easier if we look at what’s causing us to think the way we do. Many of us would do well to look at our core beliefs and let go of the ones that keep us stuck in a childhood mentality. It’s an exercise that creates awareness – we will no doubt choose to hang on to core beliefs which serve us, but there’s an opportunity to de-clutter the core beliefs which create obstacles. With those obstacles out of the way, it’s easier to move forward to a new way of thinking and a whole new life. The book, Mind Over Mood: Change How You Feel by Changing the Way You Think, is set up as a self help method, and I believe that a person would have nothing to lose by trying it out.
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Sign in nowThank you, Lynn! If you could promote our blog in future entries, that would be fantastic. We’re always looking for new followers! Also, if you could give a quick “shout-out” about our January 12 networking meeting, I think it would be useful for many women. You can find more info here: http://lbbc.org/content/event/harnessing-the-emotional-roller-coaster-of-breast-cancer.asp?c=educational&t=participate&sn=networking
Great Michelle – no problem – I’ll put it out on Twitter as well. Best wishes, Lynn
Lynn Roodbol, MRT(R), CWC Certified Wellness Coach Phone: 519-837-2570 E-mail: coachlynn@sympatico.ca Blog: lynnroodbol.wordpress.com Website: http://www.cancerrecoverycoaching.com Helping to navigate the cancer recovery journey!
You know that was a fantastic post. I think I’ll write a blog post and link to it.
Thanks very much Jerrold – please do put up a link to this article – the more people that know about it the better!
Speaking of Cancer, there is a little known protein with Govt approval for treating and preventing cancer. For a short video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApppYada_wU.
Paul
http://www.Cellimmunity.com
The video is very interesting Paul.
It’s a complex issue for sure and there are many dimensions to a cancer diagnosis, but I’m glad to hear that your wife is well.
I believe in integrated medicine, in the mind body connection, and the power of healing yourself with whatever works for you, which includes the method you mention.
I hope that one day cancer will be like smallpox, a thing of the past.
Take care, Lynn
great share, great article, very usefull for me…thank you
- avid – mesothelioma resource
Hi ASEA plus RSM
Thanks for your comment.
No actually I don’t recommend supplements.
I do believe in healthy eating and good nutrition so people make food choices within these guidelines and eat things they enjoy.
Have a great day!
Lynn
Thanks for your comments Richard; it’s great to connect with you!
I agree about the cars – I was just thinking yesterday about preventive maintenance on a car compared to prevention of health problems.
Could it have to do with the fact that we pay lots of money for cars and we take our more valuable bodies for granted?
Hi Michelle
Thanks for letting me know about your fund raising – what an amazing achievement for everyone!
I’m sure your mother will benefit from all you have done – having someone like you to support her brings so much peace, love and healing.
You’ve done a great job to raise awareness in many people which hopefully they will remember and translate that knowledge into helping prevent breast cancer.
I believe the answer to breast cancer is in prevention so people don’t have to go through the tough times that your mother and many others have gone through.
Keep up the great work Michelle!
Thanks Ashley. Congratulations on your blog – you’re doing a great job of health promotion – keep up the good work!
I don’t seem to write blog entries as often as I used to but my position does not change; I totally agree with your perspective as well that health and wellness are products of the body, mind, and soul.
This often involves people making changes which are simple, but not easy, and why I believe that everyone does better when they work with a coach. Maybe wellness coaching is something you might like to do?
I’m a wellness coach, but I specialize in working with people who want to prevent cancer or the recurrence of cancer. So if you know of anyone who is working on recovering from cancer, I can help them to shorten the learning curve.
Hope to connect with you again soon Ashley!
Best wishes, Lynn