My story: I'm so excited! My brother, his wife and my nephew are coming to visit! Haven't seen them in 5 years! While preparing dinner last night, we ran out of propane! YIKES! Thank goodness it's summer time and we don't need it to heat the house... yet. The propane company that fills our tank can't come until after the labor day long weekend. How ever will I cook and prepare meals for the 5 days that they're here? What was I thinking?... or not thinking! Why didn't I check to see it's level while there was still time to do something about it before they arrive? Why, why, why? = story, story, story = STRESS!

Worksheet: I need propane!

1. Is it true that I need propane?
Sure feels true! What will they think?! (next worksheet: it matters what people think :o)) How will I prepare meals? This shouldn't be happening!

2. Is it absolutely true that I need propane?
Hmmmm, no... it's true that I WANT propane, but the world won't come to an end because I don't have it. No one will die, no harm will come. The quality of my life won't be any less for my lack of propane. What's the worst that can happen? We'll have to use the barbecue and camp stove. It will be like camping and my young nephew might enjoy the camping out atmosphere. I need propane?... apparently not because I don't have it. It's clear I'm arguing with reality... with what is.

3. How do I react when I believe the thought that I need propane?
- panic
- my stomach begins to churn, my mind races for a solution that doesn't exist
- I picture us all starving because we don't have propane to cook with
- I worry that they may judge me and think I'm a ditz
- I wonder if I should cancel
- I begin to judge myself and attack myself with 'shoulds'
- I begin to judge my husband and attack him with 'shoulds'
- the thought brings me only stress and robs me of the joy of the upcoming reunion
- the thought creates separation from my husband. It's his fault. He should have thought of it. Oh really? ;o) I didn't think of it... but he should?! Now I'm really confused!
- I can't find a peaceful reason to keep the thought that I need propane

4. Who would I be without the thought?
- well... I'd be someone who could look forward to their visit with or without propane
- I'd be someone who might even look forward to the adventure of not having propane
- I'd be someone who would experience peace, even in the absence of propane
- I'd be someone who could find the humor in the situation
- without the thought, all is well and as it should be... peace. With the thought I experience stress.

Turn the thought around:
I need propane turns around too:

I DON'T NEED PROPANE: this feels truer to me now that I've explored and questioned my stressful thought. This feels like the literal truth. How do I know I don't need it? Simple... I don't have it.
MY BROTHER NEEDS ME TO HAVE PROPANE: this doesn't feel true at all: I can't know what my brother needs from me. Who's business am I in? And, when I think I should have what I don't, I'm confused and separate from myself... I find fault and blame to attack myself with.
MY THINKING NEEDS PROPANE. Yes... apparently! This feels true too. It's just a thought that I gave life and power too that argues with reality.

I am willing and I look forward to not having propane. Good! Because it seems to be the way of it.

EXHALE ;o)

Comments, questions and discussion welcome!

Post edited by: saharris, at: 2007/08/29 21:26