Thanks Jesika. You're so right. Avoidance over the long term makes problems compound on themselves.

But it's really tough to think or do anything positive in the midst of crushing pain.

Although they seem shallow and cheesy at first, positive affirmations are the real deal. And here's why: the mind and body associate certain sights and sounds and motions with either positive or negative stimulus. Notice that certain music will uplift us and make us forget the pain, or reduce it dramatically - for a short time. A smile - even a fake smile - still activates many muscles that stimulate an internal positive conditioned response.

So with affirmations, you don't even have to believe in what you're saying at first. The physical body is one living structure comprised of billions of cells. The vibrational sound that you are creating influences every one of them. And they are more effective done in the mirror, looking yourself in the eye, in order to include the visual aspect.

Affirmations are like training wheels - constant reminders of who we are choosing to be. I've "outgrown" them now, but they were a big key in my early recovery.