Thought Intruders: Invasive Green Bunnies, Purple Polar Bears, Polka Dot Snakes, Yellow Horses, and Orange Elephants

By MR Michael Shawn Alexander

A few years back I read a book by Daniel M. Wegner entitled, "White Bears and Other Unwanted Thoughts: Suppression, Obsession, and the Psychology of Mental Control." It was one of those books that I read at a time when I felt like I needed to, and one that has had a lasting impact on me. For those of you who have an interest in psychology, or struggle with invasive and unwanted thoughts, I do recommend that you check out this book. Hopefully needless to say, that if it is a severe problem that requires professional assistance, please do seek help. After having read the book, I began to utilize the ideas in work. Instead of a white bear, I used a green rabbit. Kids were handed a green marker, a green piece of construction paper, and an image of a green rabbit was placed in the middle of the table. They were all then instructed to think of anything they wanted, but to avoid the thought of a green rabbit. Each time the image of a green rabbit entered their minds, they were to make a check mark on the paper. Some kids covered the paper in check marks. Others were a bit more successful, having much less checks than some of their peers. It was expressed that the rabbit was a representation of intrusive thoughts that can sometimes occupy our time and zap us of energy. These thoughts can be that of a loss, a poor grade, concern about the future, or something that has occurred in the past. When we tell ourselves that we will not think of 'X', the first thought that pops into our minds is that of 'X', the very thought we were seeking to avoid. Now sometimes such thoughts should be processed, and we must allow ourselves to respond to them accordingly. But when such thoughts consume us, depleting us of our energy and happiness, and causing us to react to them in such ways that are harmful, then we must get these thoughts in check. It is admittedly an easier thing to say than to do; but the best way is to keep a busy mind and body, doing things that completely take your mind off of unwanted thought 'X'. For the first 100 books sold, one dollar ($1) from the sale of each book will be donated to The Center for Autism. I will also match that dollar donation. That is $200 to The Center For Autism. www.thecenterforautism.org

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1540814408
• ISBN13: 9781540814401
• Release Date: January 2017
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"