Overcoming False Associations

I enjoy watching movies especially in the theatre. I love the sound and size of the big-screen, it has always been a wonderful way for me to relax. Obviously, I do not go to thrillers or Sci-Fi. However, I do enjoy the action packed movies as well. I like the way a movie can take you through several emotions and leave you with an all is well outcome!

In fact one of the tools we discuss in early recovery is “I” over “E”, intellect over emotion. In any situation that feels overwhelming we must “Think” it out. Utilizing the “I” over “E” formula takes the emotion out of the situation so that we can get through the challenge without succumbing to relapse. Once again it takes practice and a sincere desire to change.

Often when we begin to teach this approach folks balk. We have been conditioned to believe that we are not in control of our emotions. We have this terrible belief that we are slaves to our emotions. I have heard people say, “I drink or drug to numb these emotions”. “I cannot control these feelings!”

That is the furthest thing form the truth, in fact, here is how I prove to them why that is a false belief. Lets go back to the movie, have you ever gone to a “Drama” movie? Did it begin giving you a background of the characters and then take you to an emotional roller coaster? If you are like me you cry at the show, but ultimately by the end of the movie the director has taken you full circle and leaves you with a happy ending. So in two hours or less you have felt joy, apprehension, fear, anger, sadness and then happiness! You can do that in your life as well.

Yes I understand it is a movie but you can take control by conditioning yourself starting with the small stuff. Practice by questioning your false associations. What are false associations? Simply the negative messages we say to ourselves. Things like, I “never” get it right! I will “never” get this! Simply the messages that we have that lead us to the “F_ck” its! If you continue to question them the “Truth” will emerge! Life is good and so are you, seize the day…