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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
It seems that when I am at a low point either from depression or extreem emotional stress I tend to cling to the familiar. This site. Memories. Food. Alcohol. Addictions. Many addictions.
Must mean I am not willing to grow and learn from the experiences since I tend to keep reliving them.
Nice to be back BTW.
Joan
Posted by ClearSkies on January 11, 2006, at 8:15:50
In reply to Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
This is something I am just starting to explore. How we tell the same "story" over and over - whether it makes us feel good or bad, because it is the story we know.
In recognising that we are repeating this story, though, we have the power to change it. So knowing that you are returning to the same comforts or addictions is a sign of growth, OK? It's self-realization. It doesn't mean than we change our choices or that we don't do those patterns again, but the awareness itself is enough for now.We can start to ask ourselves questions about why we do the things we do. We can start to ask ourselves if we can do somethings differently, or what would happen IF we did some things differently. It's very mind opening.
I think you have made a quantum leap in realizing that there is a pattern.
p.s. I missed you so much my toes hurt! Welcome back
love
ClearSkies
Posted by sleepygirl on January 11, 2006, at 9:40:50
In reply to Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
Well I certainly heard that. I keep wondering how my life might be different if I changed my habits (easier said then done)
........and by the way,that Nike "just do it" ad slogan haunts me mercilessly
Posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 9:43:54
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar » Joan797, posted by ClearSkies on January 11, 2006, at 8:15:50
You sound unsettling close to describing the first step of twelve.
Which actually brings to mind the movie "What About Bob", staring Richard Dryfuss and That guy from SNL whom I adore, but can't name.
"Baby Steps"
Posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 9:49:45
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar » Joan797, posted by sleepygirl on January 11, 2006, at 9:40:50
Actually the words vibrating in my brain is the line heard in every Adam Sandler movie "You Can Dooooooo Eeeetttt"
See, my life is a reflection of my obsessions, and right now my obsession seems to be imitating art instead of art immitating it.
Posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 9:59:38
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 9:49:45
Posted by sabrina0805 on January 11, 2006, at 11:29:50
In reply to Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
My friend!! How nice to see you again. My toes 'hurted' along with ClearSkies!
Sabrina
Posted by Damos on January 11, 2006, at 14:55:43
In reply to Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
And here I was thinking my shoes musta shrunked overnight!
I agree with ClearSkies that this realisation is a really important one. How many steps come after it doesn't really matter.
Missed you somewhat more than lots.
Posted by AuntieMel on January 11, 2006, at 15:01:52
In reply to Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
Human nature. A known evil is *always* better than an unknown.
Posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2006, at 20:59:45
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar » ClearSkies, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 9:43:54
Hi Joan, every since I saw that movie I think baby steps. I just started doing a little jogging again. Baby steps is what I tell myself. What a great moveie that was. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on January 12, 2006, at 2:54:57
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar » ClearSkies, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 9:43:54
I was thinking more along the lines of what our stories are: like mine includes (sorry for overshare possible here) emotionally neglected childhood, bad and long first marriage, 20 years of pizza face <acne>, progressive weight gain with antidepressants and sobriety....
the stories that are making up what my life are. Some of these are falling into patterns I can recognize. Some of them of just my stories, what I have experienced so far in my life.(I guess I don't see the similarity to the 12 step thingy you're referring to?)
ClearSkies
Posted by Joan797 on January 12, 2006, at 8:25:50
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar » Joan797, posted by ClearSkies on January 12, 2006, at 2:54:57
I'm an alcoholic.
or so I've heard the line a million times in movies and on tv. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make light of your response. It was just that old familiar idea of "recognizing you have a problem is the first step to solving it".
I smarted off again without thinking of the consequences.
The trouble is, I know and recognize my problems. Have all along. I just seem to stop there and use them as a crutch to get through the day.
Posted by Joan797 on January 12, 2006, at 8:26:37
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar, posted by AuntieMel on January 11, 2006, at 15:01:52
Yes, I would have to agree with that analogy.
Posted by Joan797 on January 12, 2006, at 8:27:56
In reply to Re: Clinging to the Familiar » Joan797, posted by Phillipa on January 11, 2006, at 20:59:45
Funny thing about that movie,
It would seem that Bob, in all his insanity, was more normal than his "shrink".
Posted by Joan797 on January 12, 2006, at 8:30:18
In reply to Clinging to the Familiar, posted by Joan797 on January 11, 2006, at 7:51:57
Thanks for the welcome, I appreciate it greatly, I've missed this place.
I do ask that the same ol same ol be allowed to be buried in the past though.
It was a beautiful name, one that I cherish, but cannot be revived.
Thank you.
Posted by verne on January 12, 2006, at 16:28:29
In reply to Re: For Those Who Need New Shoes, posted by Joan797 on January 12, 2006, at 8:30:18
My take on that movie was that Bob was never crazy, just neurotic. And the doctor was a closet neurotic waiting to go crazy.
When two strong-willed, and very needy, neurotics collide, one of them must step off the curb (make way, go crazy, or cope in a different way) out of self preservation.
Verne
Posted by Joan797 on January 13, 2006, at 9:47:45
In reply to What About Bob, posted by verne on January 12, 2006, at 16:28:29
That's kinda what I meant.
Sometimes I sit and think that I am the only sane one around me and the rest of the world is "crazy". And that story would fly except for my episodes of unreasonable crying jags, severe addictions, and moments of head spinning/projectile vomitting.
This is the end of the thread.
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