CHAPTER 1

A DIALOGUE

Below is an example of a conversation between the self and the subconscious, if the subconscious could speak its hidden thoughts, beliefs, and feelings to the self while in emergency mode.

SELF,

standing naked in front of a mirror

Yes, I can!
Yes, I can!
Yes, I can!

SUBCONSCIOUS

Oh yeah, those were the days, admiring yourself in front of the mirror. We are not as confident since the emergency.

SELF

Yes, I can! I love and approve of myself. All is well in my world. I am in a loving space.

SUBCONSCIOUS

I do not love and approve of myself — screw the world!

SELF

I am now a size four and looking good.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Who are you trying to kid? You are a large size four teen.

SELF

I am now accepting a wonderful new high-paying job and ... and ...

SUBCONSCIOUS

How much?

SELF

Right ... okay, I am a money magnet.

I now accept a wonderful new job worth millions.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Hmmm, really?

How much are you really worth?

Millions feels a little high; come down a bit.

And say it with more feeling.

SELF

I am a thousandaire!

SUBCONSCIOUS

How are you going to create that kind of wealth?

SELF

I'm not supposed to worry about the

how, just the what. Duh.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Okay, smarty pants, what do you want?

SELF

I don't know.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Therein lies the problem. If you don't know, I will be happy to continue our negative habits. A whole cake sounds good about now — we are in an emergency!

SELF

I stare down the tunnel of my eyes into my soul. I believe!

SUBCONSCIOUS

Nice try! I didn't feel that at all! You're not even looking into your eyes.

SELF

Yes, I can? Yes, I can. Yes, I can!

SUBCONSCIOUS

Guess what? No, you can't! Just look at you! The nerve of you to say that, standing there naked. Put your clothes back on. What were you thinking? Eating your feelings has made you obese, and your job sucks! You're resentful because you lost your spirit. Yes, I can? Self, please!

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

No, I can't.

SUBCONSCIOUS

No, you cannot settle for mediocrity. Mediocrity is easier — a box of donuts for breakfast. Sound familiar?

SELF

I can start over on Monday. Give your Self a break.

SUBCONSCIOUS

That's right. We've been thinking this way for years. Put off changing till tomorrow.

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

Thank God we settled that! That was exhausting.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Putting things off feels good, Self ... as comforting as a gigantic, crunchy carbo-cookie or an octuple bacon cheeseburger.

SELF

I have nothing to wear. Nothing fits. I'm so fat. How can anybody love this? I hate my life. I shoulda, coulda, woulda ...

SUBCONSCIOUS

Oh, please don't run to the bathroom mirror again!

SELF

I love myself! I mean it! I love and approve of myself! Yes, I can. God is my Source. What do I want?

SUBCONSCIOUS

Yeah! Don't forget to say ...

SELF

Live in the now! I live in the now, loving and approving of myself in a kick-ass loving relationship. My partner loves what I love — no couch-potato living for us — and oh yeah, is also great in bed and someone I can trust. I am a size-two muscular millionaire with an adorable dog.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Don't forget anything, because it won't come true if you miss one itty-bitty thing.

SELF

I love myself? Then why do I feel so miserable?

SUBCONSCIOUS

Go ahead; it's okay. Pick up the phone.

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

Hi, it's Self. I'm not coming in to work today. I'm sick.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Now, Self, go ahead and cry. You deserve it.

SELF

Oh, it feels so good.

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

I will now tightly hug the pillow and snuggle up to my dog, who is very concerned.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Look how worried my dog is. I love you, my sweet pet. I will be okay. Self is just loathing herself.

SELF

Changing into my pa-jay-jays. I am sick today!

SUBCONSCIOUS

Check.

SELF

Closing the blinds.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Check.

SELF

Concerned pet to snuggle with, bonbons, chips, ringer is off, remote control, tissues ...

SUBCONSCIOUS

Check, check, check, check, check, check. (Several hours go by — or perhaps days, months, years.)

SELF

I am so happy, I am so thankful, I am so grateful — now that I am in my bed. No worries, responsibilities, or inner-healing workshops. Tomorrow is another day.

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

I'm not good enough. I'm a loser. I'm never going to fulfill my dreams. Other people get all the breaks. I look at food and gain weight. I just don't have the energy to make it happen. What if I'm not saying the right things to God? What if I forget something? I'm not worthy of having a healthy relationship, financial freedom, and perfect health. I don't know what I want. I can't do this. I can't, I can't, I can't, I won't, I won't, I won't, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Well, give yourself a break and don't worry about it. You can start all over again tomorrow or Monday.

SELF

Ahh, so miserable. Sweet dreams!

GOD

Get your butt up!

SELF

What?

SUBCONSCIOUS

Uh-oh! Self, wake up!

SELF

What time is it? Can't seem to get back to sleep.

SUBCONSCIOUS

We're in trouble now.

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

I should have gone to work today.

SELF

I don't want to think about that.

SUBCONSCIOUS/SELF

Look at this great opportunity to just say screw it. This is my time to sulk.

SELF/SUBCONSCIOUS

Maybe I can go in to work in the afternoon.

SELF

What am I doing?

GOD

Get up!

HIGHER POWER

You can do it!

SELF

God, is that you?

SUBCONSCIOUS

Yup, that's God, your Higher Power, or whatever label you're comfortable with.

SELF

God, help me, please.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Louder!

SELF

Help me!

HIGHER POWER

Get up!

SELF

It hurts, it's hard, I can't, and I don't want to get up.

GOD

This old, negative condition will not get better unless you change your actions.

SELF

Okay. It is time to do the work.

HIGHER POWER

Let's start with the basics.

SELF

Okay.

SUBCONSCIOUS

Okay.

HIGHER POWER

Do you...