So, through my readings and research, I recently stumbled upon, and began learning about something called Cognitive Defusion. I haven’t studied it to the extent that I have been learning about similar topics, but I have been happy to see that this too is something that I may find some great self help with.
Now, as always, I want to share the official, or textbook definition, and then going from there. Cognitive Defusion, (or CDef) is “a process where under certain circumstances we choose a different relationship with the stream of thought that flows through our heads.”
That may be…
Heaven, Hell, Cryptids, and Paranormal Entities
The title of this may seem like a simple one. However, it is the furthest thing from simple. If anything, it’s the extreme opposite of that. It really represents one of mankind’s biggest, longest mysteries in the history of our total existence. It is something that is literally impossible to find the truth for. It’s such a difficult mystery for our brains to comprehend, that even if we did find the truth, the vast majority of people would still deny it.
What happens to us when we die? Where do we go? Do we know we go, wherever we may…
Date of birth, April 22, 1977
As I grow into middle age, I don’t always look at my birthday anymore as some kind of big, loud, hyped up day. It will be a bit on the regular side, and like most people, I will get 200+ birthday wishes on facebook by “friends” who only know it’s my birthday because facebook told them. So, it’s kind of like cheating.
My birthday is still quite relevant in my heart because of many things. A bit erratic, because it is a huge mix of darkness and brightness. Things that may not look so pretty. The day once carried a…
While I have now been sober for multiple years, that doesn’t take away the fact that some things still remained a bit foggy. Of course addiction usually is wrapped around an obsessive habit or a substance. But holy shit, does it go a million miles further than that.
There were times in my life where I would get many bouts of large gaps of sobriety time. But I kept falling back, over and over again, no matter how long my recovery was going. This stage here today, where I am at three years clean is a whole different world of…
Life’s greatest lessons shown through words
I am coming up close to my 600th publication of articles and stories. It was a little over three years ago where my life as a writer truly exploded, and in that time, I have been able to build a complex, multi layered, prolific library of work. I have kept the focus on subject matter that follows my trial, tribulations and insight. Much of which presents a giant look at my life experiences dealing with drug addiction, depression, anxiety, and all other forms of serious mental health issues. Struggles I have suffered with, for a long time.
While those diagnoses…
The title of this piece is a solid question, but it’s one that we probably never put much consideration into. If any at all. However, when I give you the answer that I think it correct, many readers might totally agree that I make sense. To me, I think it’s all about emotions. Expert state that the real question should be, “what emotions get in your way of seeing through on commitments?” When I was learning about this, I did have an “ah-ha” moment. Because it made so much sense. And it didn’t seem at all difficult to answer.
Many…
A medical success story
As I enter into two weeks post surgery for Umbilical Hernia repair, I would like to reflect on it, and share my own experience with anyone out there, looking for information, and consideration into getting the same type of surgery. It’s a journey that may sound very common, when it comes to medical procedures that we all might go through, however, we are all quite different, and one person’s reaction, may in fact differ from many others. To call what I went through as “typical” might not be the case. But to share each of our experiences is a general…
Often times we forget the most basic of factors in our day-to-day lives. We seem to switch gears to autopilot, and we just go and go and go. Experiences, of all kinds, are literally happening, and big, small, good, and bad. Every one of those experiences is seemingly brushed aside, ignored, or we are completely oblivious to them. There are other times, where the things that are missed, are the blessing and lessons ready to be learned. Ones that come in disguise.
A problem that comes with this can be described as over-analyzing anything remotely negative, and not putting any…
They can spotlight darker times
I have always found the subject of dreams quite fascinating. There have been countless times throughout my life, where I have woken from a dream, absolutely impressed, with the rather uniquely driven entertainment that comes with so many dreams.
Entertained, at the balance of familiarity, and confusion, that come from the many adventures had while sleeping. There are always things we know in our lives, represented in our dreams. We may see peoples or places that reflect our reality. But it is those same things that are often set, in a much weirder, and non realistic way.
When I use…
Destiny is often in our hands. It is an effect of the choices we make, and the solutions we find, as we move throughout our lives, day by day. It is a hard truth that can often lead to misdirected negative emotions and feelings. Once we can find our paths to an acceptance of this fact about destiny, it is then the chance for us to choose to right fork in the road.
Accepting our destiny as our own creation can take two very different paths. We may choose a negative source as the power behind our acceptance. In ways…
Michael Patanella
Nonfiction Author, Publisher, and Editor covering mindfulness, mental health, addiction, sobriety, and spirituality and much more. Medium.com/@MichaelPatanella
