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...
