Combating negative thoughts/self-talk. Being a more balanced and healthy approach to such matters than indulging in needless self-delusion

(As you can see, I am currently fond of verbose titles, a la those of 19th century books)

1. All or none thinking

This refers to when we think that everything must be perfect or else it is a complete failure.

We need to realise that nothing can always be perfect. Also, when the situation is negative, it is never a complete failure.

2. Overgeneralisation

This refers to when we draw conclusions from our experiences of one situation and apply them to all our experiences.

We need to realise that one negative experience does not make the entire experience or situation a complete failure.

3. Focusing on the negative/ignoring the positive

This refers to when we think only of the negative in the situation and ignore the past or present evidence if the positive.

We need to ask ourselves if there are positive aspects to the situation.

4. Unnecessary self-blame

This refers to when we take inappropriate responsibility for situations that are beyond our control.

We need to acknowledge our responsibility for a situation but firmly reject unnecessary self-blame. When we make a mistake, we need to check whether our self-blame is consistent with the severity of our mistake.

5. Fortune telling

This refers to when we think that all sorts of disasters will occur without evidence.

We forget that we do not have supernatural powers and cannot predict disasters. When we make decisions, they are based on the facts that are available at that time. There is no way to know whether bad events are going to happen.

6. Mind reading

This refers to when we jump to conclusions without evidence.

We need to think of alternative explanations before we jump to conclusions without evidence.

7. Emotional reasoning

This refers to when we base our conclusions on our feelings instead of on the facts.

We need to remember that feelings are subjective and that facts are objective. We can never trust our feelings to tell us the facts.

8. Unrealistic attitudes/expectations

This refers to when we make impossible standards for ourselves or others to keep.

We need to ask ourselves the advantages or disadvantages of holding such beliefs. If the disadvantages outweight the advantages, and rigid adherence to these beliefs bring us pain and suffering, then it is time we discard our beliefs.

9. Labelling

This refers to when we use very harsh and extreme adjectives to label others or ourselves.

We should be aware that labelling others and ourselves based on behaviour is irrational, as we cannot understand our worth as persons by our actions.

--- Mostly transcribed from an unnamed source (because I found it too awkward to properly adapt)

Of course, putting this into practice is naturally easier said than done, but awareness is a good first step to solving the problem

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After Abu Ghraib, we now know why bringing cameras and/or video cameras into SAF camps is considered a "security breach".

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10 most flatulent beans

1. Soybeans
2. Pink beans
3. Black beans
4. Pinto beans
5. California small white beans
6. Great northern beans
7. Lima beans (baby)
8. Garbanzos
9. Lima beans (large)
10. Blackeyes

Source: Random True Facts

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Cicadaville.com - Premier Cicada information source - "Cicadas are vicious killers. Cicadas prey on innocent children and pets. Cicadas are seething with deadly venom and flesh-eating bacteria. This year Cicadas will kill more people than snakes, spiders, scorpions, and sharks combined!"

The horrors exposed at Nuremberg: "on December 13, 1945, U. S. prosecutor Thomas Todd introduced USA Exhibit #253: tanned human tattooed skin from concentration camp victims, preserved for Isle Koch, the wife of the Commandant of Buchenwald, who liked to have the flesh fashioned into lampshades and other household objects for her home. Then Todd introduced USA Exhibit #254: the fist-shaped shrunken head of an executed Pole, used by Koch as a paperweight."

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"I occasionally play works by contemporary composers for two reasons. First, to discourage the composer from writing any more and secondly to remind myself how much I appreciate Beethoven.

--- Jascha Heifetz"