A few traumatic, repetitive thoughts surface — a few times a day, as always. I handle them a little better than before. Same as any other day, some habitual, hostile thoughts came up this morning. But they passed easily. If you have thoughts that rise painfully every day, here are a few things worth jotting down.

First. Notice it. A thought has appeared — don’t identify with it. You are the observer watching the thought arise. You ≠ the thought. Getting comfortable with this first step requires continuous self-training. There’s no other way.

Second. Know that it will pass — in just a few minutes, if you don’t hold on to it. Once you know it will naturally disappear, you stop clinging. This isn’t easy either. It might be harder than quitting cigarettes or alcohol — and I say that having quit smoking after 15 years and quit drinking daily after 10. This is harder. Personally.

Third. What happened in the past — however much it still affects you now — that’s the extent of it. If you keep grabbing at it mentally, turning it over and over, it will further paralyze your body and nervous system until you can’t function normally. You already know this better than anyone. So — as unbearable as it feels, do the first, then the second. It gets easier.

These thoughts don’t disappear overnight. Your condition will naturally be rough. Factor that in. This is getting too long — I’ll write more if the opportunity comes. I’m not sure this kind of writing even belongs here. I’m supposed to be writing my own raw thoughts, and here I am pretending to give tips again. Enough.