Getting Better

Nita B · Post by **Nita B** » Sun May 04, 2008 3:36 am

The program is working! It seems so slow to me because I just want to be completely well right now. I haven't been able to go into the store for over 5 months now. Yesterday I went into the Dollar General Store alone. I had the feeling of not being there but I just kept repeating to myself what I have learned on the tapes so far. I am on disk 3 and just started repeating what would Lucinda say to me if she were here with me. It's step one but I'm happy

Catherine Anderson · Post by **Catherine Anderson** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:21 am

Good for you! Beginning is half over! Until I started the course eight weeks ago. I was a wreck and missed a lot of opportunities to go places because of my anxiety and panic. In fact it was just a few weeks ago that I was able to go into Home Depot (haven't been able to for two years) without having an anxiety or panic attack and forget the market; shopping in a market mall or whatever was torture until I started this course. But like Lucinda says "you can't wait for the anxiety/panic to go away" before you face your fears, you must do what you fear to see that it isn't going to harm or kill you. Uncomfortable yes, deadly NO! Well, I was so excited when I finally was able to walk around Home Depotin a calm state of mind and without the need to rush through and get out as fast as I can, that I stopped, threw my arms up in the air and shouted "I'm in Home Depot." To onlookers I might have looked crazy, but you know what it was so freeing. Just remember we didn't get here in a day, anxiety/panic etc has for some of us been a life long condition and the habit of negative, fearful and anxious thoughts is engrained in us,but with awareness, such as this magnificent course and the support it offers, brings healing. You will make it! You went into the store, though not feeling fully present and stayed, you didn't panic and run out and that's huge! Congradulate yourself on the small steps and know that for every fear you you walk through, you come closer to that calmness and peace that you crave. As Lucinda says "You become less affected and more effective." Hurrah for you and keep going. Choose you, choose you, choose you!
Best,
Catherine A
Florida