Anyone ever heard of it? I've had my nose in the books here lately and have been particularly interested in visualization. It is such an interesting technique that truly seems to work in many cases.<P>The statement, YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK, sums up the idea behind visualization. In other words, you create thoughts of positive outcomes that you would like to occur in your life, as if they have already happened. For example, a goal of mine is to complete college, then graduate school and go on to a succesful career. So, I imagine myself as if all of that has already happened. I imagine it as if it is now. Instead of focusing so much negative energy towards it, i.e., "that's so long from now" or "i don't know if I can make it", etc., you visualize yourself as if the goal is already obtained. This technique can also be used for everyday goals, such as making it through particularly difficult days.<P>Right now I am also building a collage of positive reinforcement. I'm going through magazines, newspaper, etc. in search of words or pictures that contain positive ideas of what I am and what I want to achieve. <P>It's really been helpful for me to do this, because for so long now (especially now!) it seems that everyday I end up focusing on the negative. My whole life seems to have become tainted by these negative thoughts, even things that used to become a positive.<P>You can go to the site below and read a free on-line book in regards to positive thinking. <A HREF="http://www.lindaland.com/positivebook/bookindex.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.lindaland.com/positivebook/bookindex.htm</A> <P>This site also has a book in regards to stress management the you can view on-line. That link is, <A HREF="http://www.lindaland.com/stressbook/bookindex.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.lindaland.com/stressbook/bookindex.htm</A>

trying,<BR> I started reading about this point of view several years ago but only recently made some progress on it. Includes the idea "you get more of what you think about" and boy have I had a hard time letting go of the XOW/"friend"! My latest find is the book "Negaholics" which includes a quiz to see how negative your thinking is and ideas for overcoming it. I like it.<P>Thanks for starting the interesting thread! I come here often but after nearly 2 years in (affair)recovery find it kind of a downer, reminder of the negatives.<P>I have found it helpful to write down the positives of what H and I DO HAVE together and our common goals.<P> <p>[This message has been edited by Jenny (edited July 01, 2000).]

I visualized for twenty years that my husband and I would have a completely faithful and committed marriage and that we would be financially set by 50. It didn't happen the way I visualized it, however, I find that acting "as if" serves a parallel purpose in the sense that if I act 'as if' I am confident and happy, eventually I will be confident and happy. If I act 'as if' I love and trust my husband, eventually I will love and trust my husband. And so on.<P>Visualization is an interesting theory that we all can and should employ into our lives for our own benefit. It will change our attitudes and eventually change our lives, hopefully for the better.<P>Thanks for the challenge and suggestion. I'll 'edit' my previous visualization and give it another go. It's another way to employ positive thinking.<P>Catnip =^^=