A NEW ATTITUDE – ‘…Change the way you think…’

‘…Change the way you think…’

Romans 12:2

Today’s reading from Bob Gass’ Word for Today is spot on. It endorses many DBT principles:

“For things to change for the better, you must ‘change the way you think.’ For example: a) View setbacks as detours, not dead ends. Winners don’t just face adversity; they embrace it, knowing it leads to future success. b) Tune out the critics and focus on doing your best. Anybody who accomplishes anything worthwhile has to overcome naysayers. c) When you’re afraid, praise God until your faith rebuilds. It may take a while, but praise and thanksgiving never fail, and they strengthen you to go on. d) When you fail, look for the lesson and remember all the times you’ve succeeded. Weed out self-doubt and replace it with scriptural self-talk. e) When you’re heading into battle, visualise yourself winning in God’s strength—with Him ‘…all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26 NIV). f) Instead of focusing on the past and worrying about the future, focus on the now—that’s where your influence is greatest. Remember, God said, ‘…As your days, so shall your strength be’ (Deuteronomy 33:25 NKJV). g) Instead of complaining, work on identifying solutions, and more will come to you. h) When you’re distracted, focus on your breathing, take a walk and clear your mind, think on what you can control, and surrender the rest to God. i) When you’re lonely, remember the people who’ve helped you this far and who love and support you. j) When you’re fatigued, take time to rest—but never ever give up! Finish strong in everything you do. k) When you’re under pressure and under scrutiny, smile and have fun. You only live once. Life is short… so seize the moment!’
The UCB Word for Today – 11 Sep 2013

‘Change the way you think’ – this is the principle behind CBT, from which DBT was developed.

‘Instead of focusing on the past and worrying about the future, focus on the now’ – this is what mindfulness is about. As we exercise being mindful, we train our minds to focus on the present – the only time when we can do anything.

‘When you’re distracted, focus on your breathing, take a walk and clear your mind, think on what you can control, and surrender the rest to God’ – mindfulness of our breath is one of the simplest mindfulness exercises. We can do it anywhere. It’s one of the key mindfulness exercises that we taught patients. Many a time I would talk a patient through breathing mindfully rather than dishing out the ‘little blue pills’. [Sometimes they were too distressed, and I did give some medication, but sometimes they were able to calm themselves without.]

‘When you’re under pressure and under scrutiny, smile and have fun’ – there was one session of our emotional coping skills course which I called the ‘fun session’, where we discussed what we might put into our ‘self-soothe kit’ – a box prepared in advance for when things got tough. It included objects that could help us relax: soothing music; soft, velvety fabric; perfumed hand cream or bath oil etc. – and maybe a joke book or funny video. [I’m showing my age here: as a child I could never listen to ‘the Laughing Policeman’ without smiling.] We can’t do our problems 24/7. Take time out and smile!

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Bob Gass’ Word for Today is often relevant to our mental health. It is available online here. Free print copies are available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland from:

United Christian Broadcasters (Hanchurch Office)

Broadcast Centre, Hanchurch Lane, Stoke on Trent, ST4 8RY.