I CAN think!!

I have been going non-stop and my mind and my body have been feeling so exhausted and overwhelmed that I have been feeling incapable of functioning at a normal, healthy level.
Due to the fact that I have been so very tired and busy, I have neglected to read again out of my favorite book, Codependent No More.
Feeling the desperate need tonight to understand my own mind, I sat down and opened up to chapter 15. The title made me laugh, considering my condition mentioned above.
The title is "Yes, you can think!"
I knew I needed this chapter!!
Melody described my self taught inability to trust my own decisions. She explained that many codependents have "lost faith in their ability to think and reason things out." She says "believing lies, lying to ourselves, chaos, stress, low self-esteem, and a stomach full of repressed emotions may cloud our ability to think. We become confused. That doesn't mean we can't think."
I cannot believe how much I could relate to this!
I have also been so overwhelmed with thinking that I would make a "wrong" choice and not ever have another chance to make a good choice again.
It sounds silly to write that down, when I think about it, but it really is how I have been thinking.
I have been second guessing most of my decisions or just avoiding decisions all together.
I thought that Melody's suggestions for gaining confidence in our mental abilities was so great, that I wanted to share them here. I hope you don't mind...
It's a bit of reading, and typing for me, but well worth it! Here it is:
1-Treat our minds to some peace: "If we're facing a decision, big or small, get peaceful first, then decide. Wait until our minds are consistent.  If we absolutely can't make a decision on a particular day, then it's obviously not time to make that decision. When it is time, we'll be able to do it. And do it well."
(This is a big eye-opener for me. I have made snap decisions thinking that I needed to do something fast. But, in the end, most of those snap decisions were not wise. I like this idea a LOT!)
2-Ask God to help us think-"Every morning, I ask Him to give me the right thought, word, or action.  I ask Him so send His inspiration and guidance.  I ask Him to help me solve my problems. I believe He does help. I know He does. But He expects me to do my part and think. Some days go better than others."
( I too have pleaded with the Lord for help to know how to productively respond to the day and situations that will arise. I would also add that reading scriptures or the 12 step manual also helps to put my mind into the correct frame of reference to handle what normally would be a reactive, codependent situation, as a calm, strong, independent, caring person. I know that the only way I have made it through my toughest days has been through the help of my Heavenly Father and my Savior.)
3-Quit abusing our minds-"Worry and obsession constitute mental abuse. Stop doing those things."
(I love how short and to-the-point this one is. Just don't do it. Hmmm....alrighty then. I'll stop.)
4-Feed our minds-"Give our minds information we need about problems and decisions, whether that problem is overeating, alcoholism, relationships, or how to buy a computer. Give our minds a reasonable amount of data, then let them sort through things. We will come up with good answers and solutions."
(In other words...read this book. Melody's book has helped me immensely!)
5-Feed our minds healthy thoughts-"Indulge in activities that uplift our thoughts and give us a postitive charge. Read a meditation book every morning. Find something that leaves us saying 'I can,' instead of 'I can't.'
(I need to work on this one. But I believe positive self-talk is very powerful. I want to do better at this one!)
6-Stretch our minds-"Many of us become so concerned about our problems and other people's problems that we stop reading newspapers, watching documentaries, reading books, and learning new things. Get interested in the world around us. Learn something new. Take a class."
(Done.)
7-Quit saying bad things about our minds-Stop telling ourselves things like, 'I'm stupid,' 'I can't make good decisions,' 'I'm really not very smart,' 'I've never been good at figuring things out,' or 'I'm not very good at decisions.' It's just as easy to say good things about ourselves as it is to say negative things. And, we'll probably start believing the positivie things and find out the're true. Isn't that exciting?"
(Yes...yes it is!)
8-Use our minds-"Make decisions. Formulate opinions. Express them. Create! Think things through, but don't worry and obsess. We don't have to let anyone make our decisions for us, unless we're wards of the state. And even if we are, we can still think and make some of our choices. Letting people make our decisions for us means we're getting rescued, which means we're feeling like victims.  We're not victims. Furthermore, it is not our business to make decisions for other adults. We can take possession of our power to think. And we can let others be responsible for their thinking. We will gain more confidence in ourselves, as we start feeling better and begin to make decisions, small and large. The people around us will grow, as they are allowed to make choices and mistakes."
(Whoo...that was long, but awesome. I feel more empowered just reading that!)

So, I have decided that THIS will be my goal for this week: I am going to apply as many of these suggestions into my daily life as possible. I will pray for help. I will not push myself to make hasty, snap decisions. I will read and educate myself on codependency and also on addiction. I will also be structured with my scripture study.
I will stop abusing my own mind with negative thoughts and self-talk. I will open my mind to new things and continue to learn.
I will USE MY MIND, because I have been blessed with one and the ability to use to it!
I know I will continue to make mistakes and poor decisions. I know that, because it's how I learn best. There's always tomorrow to make better decisions than ones we made today.