CRAFTY ladies ...

9.2.13 SFS CRAFT TIME saw us making greeting cards that were tea cup shaped.  They folded flat to fit into their envelopes but were so pretty with lace-like saucers which some decorated with 'bling', bows, butterflies and/or flowers.  The cups became ornate too.  Lots of 'oooohs', 'ahhh's' and "aren't they lovely" comments at the end of the session.

Two cards in one morning was quite an achievement.  The lilac, lacey, lovelies sported die-cut patterns which were also decorated with bling, flowers and butterflies.  One crafty lady is mad about butterflies, another is famous for her love of 'peel offs' and 'bling'; one was very happy with 'no cutting out'. 

The chocolate cake went down well too.  Yum.

Pesky gNATs...

Being human we tend to swat Gnats when they appear - those biting nuisance little flies that swarm around  us in summer.  We are quick with our hand, a rolled up newspaper or cloth, the plastic swatter or whatever is to hand.  We get rid of them with sprays, discourage them with special smelling candles, we wear ointments and lotions to protect ourselves.  They are not welcome, nor wanted.  We deal with them readily, naturally, instinctively or suffer the consequences of itchy skin where they have bitten us.  We dab ourselves with antiseptic lotion or cream until the bites heal, hopefully without scars.

But NATs reek havoc in our brains - buzzing about unwanted, multiplying out of control and leaving us to climb a very steep ladder to get out of a pit of despair.

These NATs are invisible - no-one else knows they are there - but you do.  These NATs are Negative Automatic Thoughts.  You may recognise some of these :

• I got that wrong
• I'm no good
• I'm a failure
• Nothing goes right for me
• I'm stupid
• I'm useless
• etc etc etc

If only we had natural instincts to swat these at their first appearance, we would save ourselves a lot of unhappiness.

Try these :
Swat 1 - engage an opposite thought as an attack ie. I'm no good (NAT) swap for I'm good at ......  I've got certificates/life experience to prove I'm not a failure.

Swat 2 - write down a list of your triumphs - things you have overcome, achieved or are proud of.  Pin it up where you can see it or put it in a place where you can easily access it when needed.  Read the list regularly.  Affirm yourself.

Swat 3 - Say out loud - STOP or GO AWAY - when NATs get to you.  Take control of your mind.  Your thoughts are your own - train them to behave!  Refuse NATs any head space.

Practise, Practise and Practise some more.  Exercise is not just physical, engage in mental exercise too. 

If the above does not work for you perhaps a distraction will.  When NATs start droning on in your head GET UP and do something different - go for a walk, tend the garden, do a hobby, read a book, watch a film.

Of course, these dratting nuisances know when to attack to get the most of NAT time - at night when all is quiet and dark.  You toss and turn but they will not go away.

Try this :

• sing a little ditty or favourite soft song over and over in your head only you will hear it but it drowns out those NATs.
• pop to the bathroom or make a warm drink.
• keep a notebook by the bed and write your NATs down - this way they are out of your head and on the paper.

Practise PATs - Positive Automatic Thinking.  PATting is so much more comforting and kinder to yourself.

If you have learnt ways to deal with NATs share them below in the comment box.