Focusing Energy on Positive Thinking and Hope

        I continue to witness progress in my healing process.  One thing I have learned is that recovery or healing is not necessarily linear.  There has been peaks and valleys and there have been plateaus as well.  However, the general trend since I began a concerted and directed effort toward recovery has been growth and progress.  In many ways I am as confused about the experience as I was the first day I noticed the symptoms, but my odd feelings fail to control my life and ruin my days.  As a result, I am convinced that we must maintain a commitment to positive thinking and to continue holding ourselves accountable for our actions and healing.  One thing that I have learned is that negative thinking begets more negative thinking and that obsession with my thoughts and symptoms only exacerbate the problems.  On the other hand, positive thinking and a commitment to hope has greatly aided my feeling better.  I implore you to remain hopeful.  Hope can be a crutch, a band aid, and a cure.  Hope can carry you.  Hope does not have to be based on just knowledge either.  We do not always need immediate proof that all will be fine.  Sure, reflecting on our progress and the steps we take to get where we are can validate feelings of hope, but even saying to yourself every single day that "I will be happy and ok" makes a difference.  Positive and hopeful affirmations make a huge difference.  Many successful people do them and if you have no reason to be hopeful than affirmations may be a place to start.  Keep the faith and good things will come.