New Program Day 21: Paving Your Own Path

Day 21: Paving Your Own Path

Two psychologists out of Columbia University conducted a unique experiment on the topic of choice. They set up a display table at a grocery store with 6 different types of jam. Over a hundred people stopped by for a sample. 31% of them decided to buy a jar.

The next day, the same display table was set up, but this time with 24 types of jam. Even more people stopped by for a sample than the day before…but guess how many of them ended up making a purchase? 4%

More isn’t always better. Sometimes when we’re offered too many choices it can increase our anxiety.

Over the past three weeks, we’ve covered a lot of different topics: pain, fear, safety, empowerment, cognitive soothing, somatic tracking, gradual exposure, conditioned responses, overcoming repression, and embracing joy.

As comprehensive as the program is, it may leave you with the following question:

“Where do I start?”

Now that you’re familiar with the layout of the program, it can be helpful to skim through it a second time.

As you review the different topics, see what speaks to you: Do you prefer communicating messages of safety, or taking a strong stance of empowerment? Are you more interested in leaning in to emotions, or tackling conditioned responses?

You don’t need to do everything. This is an overview of different paths to recovery, and you can choose the parts that resonate with you.

Above all, have patience. It can take time to develop neural pathways, but trust in your capacity for change. Like Winnie the Pooh said, “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

Best,
Alan

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Alan - You always know the exact thing to write! This post put everything into perspective for those of us who get overwhelmed with all the different techniques. Many thanks!

 

Alan,

Thanks so much for this program. Right now, I am focusing on somatic tracking, cognitive soothing and embracing JOY. I gave myself a big smile in the mirror of the elevator at the dentist. I laughed. Lovely.

 

Thank you for your work on all of this. It was really eye opening. Very well organized and clear.

 

Is this the last day of the program?

 

goodbye..?
oh no, please. Can't
we go back to page one
and do it all over
again

~ Winnie The Pooh

Heartfelt thanks to Alan and his team for putting together such an amazing program and for being here, in the emotional trenches, to help us along the way. I've really enjoyed it and feel honoured to have been a small piglet-like part of it. I look forward to the shiny new updated version...only PLEASE leave our beloved Winnie the Pooh a part of it.

Thanks too to our wonderful @Forest for everything he does behind the scenes to make things happen. You're a star.

 

Hi Alan,

I really enjoyed the program and followed it everyday.

Thank you,
AC45

 

A massive thank you to Alan, Forest, Christie and all the wonderful people who have shared their thoughts, ideas and pains.

These last three weeks have been all the easier knowing that there's always a new thought-of-the-day to look forward to. I will miss that.

Bless you all.

Namaste

 

Ha! Genius.

 

Yes, a very big Thank You to Alan Gordon and Forest for these three weeks on TMS enlightenment. We all can get overwhelmed at times from the various healing techniques offered everywhere. I find that deep breathing and living in the present to be two of the most successful for me. And laughing everything off. I'm amazed at how fast I can bring up my spirits by laughing. And like many others who post here, it is very comforting to know that we are not alone; that we are part of a large and very caring TMS healing community.

 

This calls for a song. I give you one of my all time favourites, a classic that could just be the anthem for recovering tms'ers.

I'm dedicating it to @Eugene

 

What a brilliant song!!!!!!!!!

I've heard it so many times, but not actually 'heard' it until now. Thanks @plum.

It's my new positive-music anthem

 

Alan,
Thank you so much for putting together this program. I found all of the information valuable and helpful. Every morning I looked forward to finding out what I'd learn that day. I took notes, sometimes through tears, from Day 1 through Day 11. Sometimes I would feel pain relief simply from the reading. After Day 11 I must have reached information overload, because I stopped taking notes. Regardless, I continued to read each entry, listen to the audio clips, and practice any tips. Especially in light of today's entry, it's possible some of the information was lost on me once I had sort of "maxed out." I definitely look forward to reviewing the material after your pare down and reorganization. I'm sure I'll learn something new with each review.
Thank you again,
Katia

 

Plum, this song hits me, now I am emotional, thanks.

That I am going to do for sure.
I will read it time after time, because it made me stronger, my backpain is much less,
and I don't get it all, because of the language.

Thank you, so far, I hope you still go on.

 

Good to see you here Rozie. Stay beautiful x

 

Alan,

Thanks for this program as well as your other Recovery Program. I have been working with my therapist to get in touch with my emotions and use tools from your programs every day. Thank you so much for your support and guidance - I know the best thing is to keep working at recovery so I am going to continue to review different guidance every day. I am confident that I will continue to make progress and hope that everyone else does as well. Looking forward to more input in the future.

 

Thank you very much, Alan, for your kind help.

 

Thanks Alan, I really enjoyed reading it all and have had a big reduction in symptoms recently, but many things have changed at the same time. I can see we light

I look forward to the edited program. Maybe leave out the animated GIFs as it's really hard to read when something is moving constantly close by

Thanks again

 

Alan,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!