Comments on: Ann-Marie on Conversations, the precursor for change

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:10:11 +0000

Hi Wilma & Anne-Marie .. the part that really rang true was your last para:
It is a mammoth task to really think, talk and do things differently; to have our actions be conducive with our conversations. It has been a real eye opener to me to become aware of what I create with my conversations; it’s a relief in one way and a great responsibility in another.

& Tess’ comment that nothing changes til it changes ..
2010 will definitely be different for me than the last 3 difficult years .. and there’s so much hope – I love this blogosphere .. and the support and knowledge that’s available.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..Mum and Hardwick – decking out the tinsel ..

By: Lizzy

Lizzy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:47:24 +0000

Anne-Marie,

Yes, that little voice can be quite difficult to deal with. I think for too long I have let myself believe that this voice was my ONLY voice. It isn’t. I can’t be. I just need to not let it scream over all the love and joy I am also trying to express. When I let that voice speak without a counter, without an interjection of reason, without a “So what? I am really content and happy with so much. Just look at how the sun sets behind the mountains! And, by the way, did you see how great that last landing was? I DID THAT! Is that the coolest thing you have ever seen, or what?”

What I love. What makes me smile. What brings me peace. What moves my soul. I was taught as a child to talk of such things was bragging and boring. But I love nothing more than listening to someone talk about what they love, what brings them joy. So I must relearn reflex from childhood. I will.

By: Lizzy

Lizzy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:38:05 +0000

Wilma,

Making the good conversations a daily habit is where I am aiming. I find it so easy to slip into negative self-conversation and not so easy YET to talk about the joyful things in my life.

I started once again on a new track yesterday and today I feel remarkably stronger. All because of the way I talk to myself and others. My husband said to me this afternoon, “It is lifting, isn’t it? I can see it.” And he is right. Today for the first time in quite some time I have energy and interest–in myself, in others.

I have found that talking to people who don’t know I am depressed, strangers basically, actually makes me feel better because I have to keep up the act that I am happy. In doing this I actually feel better. Much better. I believe the effect will be even more powerful if I converse with myself, and those who love me, in the same manner. And so I will.

I have a scientific mind so I think I will use it with a little empirical study. Let us see how far some joyful conversation will take me. The great experiment begins!

By: Ann-Marie

Ann-Marie — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:18:19 +0000

Hi Lizzy
I too agree that Peggy is a great friend to have.
I appreciate you sharing this story. We sure can resonate with it. Our Little Voice inside our head can give us such a hard time. These conversations do take effort and time to change however you are aware of them Lizzy and that is a great step forward.
Having conversations that are focused on possibility and joy show up continuously in your day will have you ‘come back’ and say once again say “OK, Lizzy. This is what you have been waiting for. Go do it.” And you will.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
Hugs to you

By: Wilma

Wilma — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:46:10 +0000

Hi Lizzy.
You have a great friend in Peggy and she must have a great one in you.
Oh Lizzy, you wrote a story we all can tell, can’t we? The details will differ but the gist will be the same.
One day we all can have a conversation about our greatness and we will act great from that place and than wham, the next day it is all over and we fall back into an old conversation about we can’t and from that place we stop do-ing great.
You are aware though when you say this; I have allowed myself to become stuck thinking I am sad, I am anxious, I am useless.
And of course you continue to have conversations about yourself in a negative way.
Lizzy, we all go back to an old conversation, we are used to it and our ego loves it. Our ego loves drama and will not belief it is as simple as changing the conversation you are having.
However in the end I personally do not care what stops me as long as I have a way to return to a good place and I have now with seeking people who can hold that positive conversation for me.
If we could do it on our own, the world and we would all be in such a different, joyous and flying place, wouldn’t we?
That is why there is the AA, fitness programs and WomenLikeMe; we cannot keep these positive conversations alive in our every day distracted lives on our own.
What is wonderful though Lizzy, that you have great experiences to fall back onto with your conversations, flying solo in -35 degrees is a delightful conversation to have.
It gets me excited, to imagine how you must have felt in that moment.
For me it is a matter of using these new conversations about what is possible daily, I need to be reminded of them daily, they need to become like the air I breath, and that requires quite a lot as you can see from Ann-Marie’s and my experiences we share here on this blog.
Lizzy, you can access your greatness, you have done so and you can do it again.
It is all part of you and you allow it with your conversations.
Great to have you being part of this, it is so worthwhile to get back into having yourself fly, literally and figuratively speaking, because you make others around you fly as well. We need to do it for each other as well.
And your are so right, it can only done one step at the time, one moment by one moment and that is okay.
Who says it needs to go any faster???
Lots of love to you, Wilma