“If this describes you during the holidays, it may help to know that you can call the HELPLINE service, offered at no charge by skilled facilitators who have completed the nine-day School for The Work. These facilitators are available 24 hours a day to assist you with their love, dedication, and clarity.
http://www.instituteforthework.com/itw/content/helpline
This is a list of the stressful holiday thoughts by vets:
I have to go home. I have to do all the work.
I don’t have a family. I might not behave.
I have to buy gifts. (I have to have money for gifts.) The white Christmas doesn’t come. (It’s supposed to snow.)
They might ask me to do something. I don’t have enough money.
I won’t feel anything (joy). I’m not being helpful.
I’ll be depressed. I’ll be alone.
Shopping is a pain. Cooking is a chore.
All the drunks will be on the road. I’ll miss my family.
My mom died on Christmas. I won’t be straight on Christmas.
I have to see family I don’t like. I have to lie (about Christmas).
I can’t give them what they want. I have to be around people.
I can’t go home (and see certain family members). They can’t be here. (We won’t be together.)
I have no input. I will be judged.
Taking time off from work will put me behind. I can’t participate.
I should have prepared for the holiday. I have no girlfriend to share the holiday with.
They’ll be upset with me. I wish the whole family could be together.
It takes too long to get there. I might run out of booze.
I have to listen to my mom complain. I have to stay longer than I want to.
The weather will be lousy. I might steal the presents.
I have nothing to wear. I’ll miss my kids.
I haven’t talked to my family in a while. The hospital is the loneliest place on a holiday.
They’re not around. (I wish my family was around.) Talking on the phone makes me upset (miss them more).
My friend was murdered on Thanksgiving. (I was not there.) I have to go into detox. (I have to wait to get into Cat-5.)
I might use. I’m not wanted.
I’ll be depressed if I can’t go home. I’ll spend more money dining out and eating.
I have to like my gifts. I have to go into my savings to purchase gifts.
Everyone should get together. My family will think I’m relapsing.
I can’t spend time with my kids. (They’re locked up.) I have to get the right thing for everyone or they won’t love me.
I can’t give my son what I would like. I’m always the one giving. (I’d like to receive.)
Nobody thinks about me. I can’t celebrate. (She died on Christmas.)
I have to shop. Holidays are another reason to get high.
It’s too much. It has to be perfect.
Everyone has to get along. I’ve never had a sober Christmas.
I have to remember. (It’s disrespectful. It means I don’t care.) I’m supposed to like my gifts. (People should know.)"
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