George B – Ruminating Thoughts and Adaptation Practice
I first noticed my ruminating thoughts in my early twenties – a time when I had a major fit of depression. They whirred in my head constantly; and they were mostly thoughts about myself, how I felt, what others thought about me and what I thought about other people. The more I pondered on these thoughts, the more obsessed with them I became and lost focus on so many other things in life. As I became more involved in my thoughts, I began to become almost paralysed by them as they took over most of my focus in life. This led me to take anti-depressants and I had some relief for a short time. However, because I hadn’t learnt to deal with my incessant thinking and to let it pass over me, I soon became involved in my thoughts again which in turn led me back to another bout of depression. This time, however, I read an article, after I came out of hospital, about how to deal with incessant thoughts. It was written by Clive Sherlock and it was about Adaptation Practice.
Since I have started the practice, I no longer become involved or focus on my thoughts to the extent I did before. I have learnt to focus on the here and now and what I am doing at that moment instead of dwelling on what has been in the past or what will happen in the future. I let my thoughts wash over me and don’t become involved in them as I now realise it only leads to an unhappy outcome. As I have been able to let go of my thoughts, I have also learnt to let go of lots of other things in my life and come to accept the way things are. I know I am able to change things that are within my control and to let go of things that aren’t. As I no longer ruminate on my thoughts, I have learnt to appreciate so much in my life because I am no longer clouded by negativity; which almost certainly comes from dwelling and obsessing and constant ruminating.
GB – Glasgow 1985