You gravitate most to the limiting self talk character called the Hijacker. When healed, your new name is the Chain Breaker.
Hijacking thoughts are intrusive thoughts that take over other thought patterns. They bound and gag the parts of you that need healing. As long as they are in control, no restoration is taking place. Hijacking thoughts are addictions to things such as television, social media, food, substances, and sex.
Examples of Negative Self Talk the Hijacker Narrates:
- Maybe the reason I'm struggling with that is… (interrupts) I wonder what I should watch on Netflix?
- If I am not comfortable I'm not happy.
- I sometimes feel more attached to my friends online than I do the people that are in person.
- Silence, contemplation, or sitting still makes me uncomfortable.
- I "need" certain things outside of myself to feel content.
- There are things in my life that are out of my control, and that scares me. My addictions or "comforts" give me an illusion of control, so I run to them.
Besides the self talk, there is a constant compulsion to look for the next thing to make you "feel good." If you were to dig deep, you would find that underneath your compulsions is lingering emotional pain that has never been dealt with.
Foundational Fear: The anguish that comes with self examination.
Redeemed Gift: Our greatest weakness can become our greatest strength when it is healed. When you overcome your hijacking thoughts, you will have the gift of foundational peace and deep healing.
The Path Toward Hope: We can become a compassionate observer of our inner landscape and notice when these thoughts arise. The other self talk characters are a part of you that need healing, so they are dealt with firmly but kindly. But hijackers are intrusive thoughts that are doing nothing but thwarting your healing. You can be more firm with them, saying that they are not needed here. It is still good to get to the bottom of what root story they are trying to cover up.
To ask these intrusive thoughts why they are there, we can tap into the deepest part of who we are, the Compassionate Friend, who dwells closest to the heart of God. Ask God to help you and the Compassionate Friend to be strong as you walk on your journey towards healing.
To get over your addiction to LST (Limiting Self Talk), make your thoughts NEW.
Notice and Name when you have compulsive thoughts and "irresistible" urges.
Envision what you would feel like and how your life would change if you replaced those thoughts. What would it feel like if the Compassionate Friend had control rather than your impulses, compulsions, and addictions? How would your life change if you could be truly present in the moment, not needing anything else but the love that already surrounds you to have joy?
Whirl that negative thought around 180°, generating a positive thought to replace the limiting thought.
180° Thought:
- It's only an impulse (breathe in, breathe out)
- This is not who I am (breathe in, breathe out)
- I am choosing my healing (breathe in, breathe out)
- I am letting love in. (breathe in, breathe out)
Inner Healing Assignment: When a compulsive thought comes, memorize and recite the 180° thought above. Instead of indulging your addiction, grab a pen and paper instead. Write out when this addiction might have started and what pain the addiction might be trying to cover up. Sometimes the remedy to the pain is in the pain itself, so don't be afraid to let yourself go through that pain for a while in order to heal. Love your future self more than your impulses. Remember that there is great wisdom in thinking about the fruit of something while it is still a seed.