WARNING: This post has warnings in it.
Yesterday, my EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist, George, talked to me about my over-developed mental warning system.
WARNING: I keep forgetting what “EMDR” stands for and I have to look it up every time I write about it (like here and here).
George gave me an important warning, yesterday, in our therapy session. He warned that I give myself this warning way too much:
I have to hyper-vigilantly protect myself against the world’s incompetence, ignorance, hostility, lack of understanding, ambivalence, negligence, etc., in order to get my needs met and to survive.
WARNING: I write important warnings down so I can remember them.
George warned me that these constant warnings are probably bad for my health. He suggested I tell myself this instead:
I am safe. I have everything I need.
Do you see any warnings in my photos from yesterday?
WARNING: If children scare you, be warned that The Warning is a hard-rock band of three young sisters from Monterey, Mexico. Here‘s The Warning’s TED talk (and play):
WARNING: This writer loves comments on her posts, which you can leave below.
WARNING: I have everything I need, here and now, thanks to all who helped me create this post with warnings and — of course! — to YOU.
There is no need for warnings when it comes to fellow bloggers- you are always safe amongst us Ann ❤
I feel safe now, Lisa! ❤
Aww those ginger cats are so chubby, I just want to give them a hug. But with all these warning signs, I may lose an eye, if I tryed that hehe.
Awww, hugs to you for this comment!
Warning: An Ann Koplow blog a day keeps the doldrums away.
Thanks for keeping my doldrums away, Mark!
I now know about EMDR – but I must warn you, I will likely forget the acronym the second I surf away from this post!
Love George’s advice: I am safe. I have everything I need. Thanks, Ann.
Love your comment, Maggie! Thanks to you. ❤
Tell George thank you, please. I am safe. I have everything I need.
Thank YOU, Colleen. ❤
Yup — definitely safe and have everything I need when I come here.
No warning needed. 🙂
I definitely feel safe around you, Louise. ❤
Perhaps one of the most valuable warnings we get is that the world will try to make us something we are not. I’m very impressed that the three young women of The Warning are not only forewarned but have met the challenge, as have you.
Thanks for meeting the challenge of always being valuable you, Chris.
(Me wearing psychologist’s hat here 😉 ) I’ll bet George has shared this with you, but the heightened alertness trait is usually a genetic predisposition, a physical trait. Then the early environment contributes, especially traumas and the phobic fears of parents that scare us, too. Add to that adult traumas, and the alarm bells go off faster, like happens with Vietnam vets who have flashbacks. So EMDR helps you turn down the physical responses and the thoughts that accompany them attributing the responses to current worries and concerns. ‘Nuff said ❤
A lot said, Sunny, and thanks for your wisdom, as always.
Sorry if it was too much!
It’s never too much from you, Sunny!
Gotta admit, just seeing the word WARNING multiple times triggers a response for me.
Hope the EMDR therapy helps!
Your comment helped, Gabe! Many thanks.
Too funny! ♡〜ლ(๑癶ᴗ癶๑)ლ〜♡
Too cool!
Warning: Here comes the Health and Safety monitor
Warning: Here comes Derrick with a warning.
Warning: I’m coming to Boston next week with Don for the Manny Ramirez bobble head Red Sox game on Tuesday night!!
Warning: I’d love to see you, if that’s possible!
We are staying not far from Fenway/Hynes Convention Center – it could happen! If you’d like to meet, email me at valboyko@comcast.net and we’ll see if we can make it work 💛
I am also safe and got everything I need, right now, because of your wonderful, informative post. I´m happy!