I've heard it take 100 positive statements to nullify one negative statement. I believe that to be true. FIC that cool about the water thing, wish I could try it out, can't do the quick freeze though.

PLEASE FIC I simply can't sleep another night until know what peeps are. Do put this oh so negative animal out of its misery, You can't blame fibrofog, I've begged, when it was still funny. NOW its like a canker sore, ever had one? :(.Come on fess up, pretty please WITH a Hug !!!/c

I guess I'm with tsk these things all feel so contrived and even phoney when I try them that end up on a guilt trip. So at my advanced age I'll just pray my way thru these ha ha golden years 'til I reach them streets of gold, then, nuttin' ain't gonna hurt no mo'babes, HE promises!/c

Hi Carol, I think FIC is saying "people" in slang. peeps = people. You now you just gotta stay up to date with all the slang, just kidding ;)

Tsk, again you & I are on the same pg. keep on keeping on, I like your style, and I love FIC to, even when I haven't a clue what she's saying sometimes. If this is her in fibrofogland imagine following that mind at it's peak. LOL (((FIC)))

YO! CAROL, my peep! Yes, tsk is correct, it is slang for "people" also there is the term "homies" as in "home boys/gals". Both are terms of endearment for friends.

Now, get some sleep and yes, I am a wild one on bad days and a holy terror on my good ones! ROFLOL HUGS to my PEEPS (defined prior!) ROFLOL

I agree with everything the last comment said. I think we can learn to be happy DESPITE this, and that is the real challenge. Denial is part of the process, and it's a coping mechanism. Which serves its purpose. But eventually, you have to move from that, when you are ready. I think we need to remember that we are just as valuable and lovable despite of our physcial ailments. Also, we can still accomplish a lot. Like in the movie "Amazing Grace".. a man who was stricken with chronic pain but managed to abolish slavery!!! What an inpiration!! He also took pain meds to help him cope, and I think there is a lot to be said for that too. In other words, just because someone uses pain meds to cope with living, doesn't mean they can't function, rather, it's what is keeping them functioning. Certainly is the case for me. Hope this helps a little. :)

OH LINDA, HOW TRUE! When my dr. put me on "hard stuff" (ROFLOL) I was not compliant. I have some med knowledge and just kept refusing and having real problems because of trying to break the pain cycle once it escalated. He explained that I was "NOT" addicted but I was dependent....Addicted is to cop a buzz but dependent means it's needed to function. I still avoid meds until I'm dying as the other issues it causes me. Always must decide if the pain is "bad enough" or if I can "tough it out". It's always a juggling act.

HUGS!

FIC, et. al., It works!! I've been bedridden with the flu from hell the past nine days. I'm dragging myself through the grocery store and worrying that this thing will kill my autoimmune system and I'll never get out of bed again.

Then, I thought out about the positive thought stuff we're trying to do here. I thought "I am strong. I am healthy." My spine straightened up, my step quickened up and I finished shopping.
I've being doing it almost constantly when I remember and it really does help.

If I think of myself as an invalid, I am. If I think of myself as healthy, I am. Attitude truly makes a difference! Thanks for suggesting it and giving me a place to do it with others.

i believe positive thinking can alter how we choose to live our lives. i also believe there's a limit to what it can accomplish--i've been muddling through for 7 years and only now have chosen to take the next step in treatment.

while i employ all these tools to help me function, i have one serious issue with positive "self-talk". i feel as though i am betraying myself, adding myself to the list of people who don't take me seriously either. i'm working to get over that hump now.

HOPE & KIKI ---
Self-talk does help. Now, don't think I am stupid (LOL) If I have a gash requiring stitches, no amount of "positive" anything will substitute for stitches, I am just saying that there is truly a mind/body link.

My sis had cancer and one of the first things in ADDITION to med treatment was thinking positive and thinking of the cancer being destroyed by her immune system.

It all works together. Positivity in thinking does reduce pain (BIO-FEEDBACK proves that) because it aids us to breathe properly which aids in oxygen getting to the necessary body tissue which helps relax which helps stiffness & pain.

Hugs to all.....

When I started my cancer treatments I went to a class put on by the American Cancer society called "Look Good, Feel Better". We were shown how to put on makeup, head scarfs and clothing to make ourselfs look better and in return we would feel better. It dose work. I'm not saying it takes away the pain I am in, but I feel better than if I were to let the pain take total control.
I have had to deal with a bad self image also and for that I put sticky notes on my bedroom mirror that say very possitive things about me...true things that I tend to forget because I often feel like a failure in life. I try to write a new one every few days to remind myself that I am a good looking, full bodied, smart, loving, giving and talented woman that just happens to have alot of challanges in life that God gave to her because he beleaved that I am strong enough to handle it and help others because of it.
I don't always do well at this, but it dose help when I am willing to give it my best shot. It takes much more work to do these things than to let the dark stuff suck me in, giving up is easy in a way.
As for when others say negative comments, I coose to think that it must be the way they are feeling and not really about me....this helps also.

SARAH T --- You go girl! You know, just because someone else is screwed up in their perception/thinking doesn't mean we have to believe it or buy into it. Yes, I choose to believe what God says about me. I know He knows me best, what I am made of (good & bad) and the scriptures say HE DELIGHTS in me. That translates to being so happy He dances because of me. WOW!