If I were to change anything … Sect. 4.1 Spirituality, & Influence of Positivity Tools/Skills Process vs. Our Spirituality/Our Faith dealing with Anxiety/Depression or related (1/31/19)

The most difficult paragraph in this Book to write was the opening paragraph in section 4.1 (Spirituality). :

“I firmly believe there is a need to believe in a Higher Power in our lives. Need to identify up front that I am Christian, so I refer to the Higher Power as God and our Savior as Jesus Christ.  Other Religions may have a different name for their Higher Power and may not have a Religious Being that parallels Jesus Christ; that I do not know. So please, if you practice your faith through a different Religion, while reading through this material, then please, make the associated switch to the name of your Higher Power and it should be all real and fitting for you as well.”

WELL, THIS PARAGRAPH TURNED OUT TO BE THE INITIAL IMPETUS TO DO THE 4TH/FINAL EDITION — “THE FINAL CUT”  OF THIS BOOK… SEE THE 3/19 BLOG POST AND THE UPDATED WORDS PER THIS SECTION 4.1 FIRST PARAGRAPH….

I wrote this Book for the general public and it was intended not to discriminate against any Faith or Belief System. But being Christian, made this a Very Difficult task to initially write and keep these words as is.  For a minimum reword consideration, per a middle of the road approach, I would remove the words “all real and” in the last line/sentence , and leave it written as:   “… So please, if you practice your faith through a different Religion, while reading through this material, then please, make the associated switch to the name of your Higher Power and it should be fitting for you as well.” Just a better feel here … Tough subject!…

I was considering applying additional words to the end of that paragraph, which were in mind when writing and when justifying this paragraph along the way; something to the effect:

I do know what the Bible says, but I thought I am not the JUDGE nor MASTER, so how could I say otherwise not knowing what the final Verdict will be when All is Said and Done. And I know there are Lots of Good/Solid People out there who are not Christian, so … although, All that will be Done is already written in the Bible… Yeah, thought I would have to leave this hanging some if attempted rewording(?)

FYI: I never wanted to be Too One sided here, based on my Christian ties. This would tend to Turn Away, probably, the majority of the General Public … Always wanted to Lure and not Drive People away from these said Matters/Considerations.

So, Yes, the 1^st paragraph words written in section 4.1 are in a nebulous state.  Just did not want to offend…  But what I had in mind to justify matters: For those questioning or uncertain about their Faith, aside from addressing my Christian Faith/Roots, I have Jesus or God/Jesus written in the text in 35 locations within the Book following the noted 1^st paragraph, making it Very Clear where my Faith resides and What Works. I felt this would tend to draw those unsure about their Faith, in the direction of Christianity… Again, didn’t want to turn off the General Public/People to these matters up front, but wanted them to not be offended and be willing to re

In a other section 4.1 paragraph, I do happen to have a very near-sighted/boneheaded personal insight/sentence which I just did not see when publishing the 3rd/Final Edition changes for the Book.  That sentence is underlined:

“Per the Core material I learned from, and as I recently felt first hand, having experienced a recent depressive hurdle, Forgiveness towards Ourselves, is a Huge Factor when dealing with and overcoming our negativity and resulting A & D.  What is stated/”NOTED” in the Program I learned from, is “Refusing to forgive oneself is quite an arrogant stance.  This position places you above all others.  Refusal to forgive promotes self-centered pity.”  Although this may pertain to some people as far as their feelings are concerned (?), I never felt this way from the perspective that I would or could never put myself above anybody else for and about anything (period), unless I were to pay attention to occasional but unreal negative thoughts which I certainly know are not real and, most importantly, are thoughts I never would or could act upon. ……” —- Yes, a very near sighted/boneheaded sentence! Obviously, refusing to Forgive oneself does make it look like one would be placing themselves at a level above the human standards. But I Forgive myself for this :).

& YES THIS WAS ALSO UPDATED PER THE 4TH/FINAL EDITION — “THE FINAL CUT” OF THIS BOOK … SEE BLOG POST DATED 3/19…

Aside from these section 4.1 issues, I do include various Book statements saying e.g.  “…. if you are a significant A & D sufferer, being able to heal yourself on faith alone without the proper Skills/Tools addressed in this Book, just does not seem possible….”  Or earlier in the Book’s Introduction I indicate:  “Very Religious people usually believe that Spirituality/God alone is all that is necessary to shed one from significant levels of Anxiety and Depression.  I believe for some that could be true.”

I do understand it is an Individual matter when considering the Influence and Needs for Our Spirituality/Our Faith/Our Foundation vs. the Positivity Tools/Skills Process in dealing with issues of Anxiety & Depression or related. The more the negativity and the Deeper the Anxiety/Depression Hole we are in, the more one would feel as those existing words indicate.  With a more Positive mindset and lower levels of Anxiety/Depression going on, relying on Faith alone seemingly would be more than feasible, as I have understood from others.  As far as Positivity is concerned, Our Faith/Our Foundation is the basis of Our Positivity…  When we do the Right things in Life, we typically feel Good and Positive, and when we don’t, we don’t…  But don’t get me wrong. In my case I always did or always tried to do the Right thing, but I had all that irrationality in thought and  negativity that dragged me down… Additionally … As Our Faith Grows, Our Fears diminish…

In the Book I already address the general influence of the Positivity Tools/Skills vs. Our Foundation/Our Faith in dealing with Anxiety/Depression, indicating Our Foundation/Our Faith/Spirituality is “at least half the game” in dealing with and Solidifying A/D matters, and Peace of Mind. I did mean to change all those areas in the Book where I originally had “is half the game”, but missed a couple spots.

As I age, having some setbacks along the way, and as I allowed my Faith to Grow, I realize the Significant Influence of Our Faith/Our Foundation in dealing with Anxiety/Depression.  And when merging the Positivity Tools/Skills Process with Our Faith/Our Foundation there is really nothing more than we can do for Ourselves in Life. Book Blog posts dated 9/19/8, 9/27/28, & 10/11/18, address and expand on these matters, as they contain extensions and extrapolations of the Book’s material which could be included in the Book for added definition.

I have been thinking about doing an update to this Book associated with what is stated within this Book Blog post, including contents from those Book Blog posts mentioned. Although, the main update I would want to make would be to that 1st paragraph in section 4.1, which I would have to leave hanging some as indicated.

Take Xtra Care to All of Ya !,

Ron