The Option Method

Well, wow it's been a while! I just thought I'd tell everyone about this great site that has really helped me. It is http://www.optionmethodnetwork.com/ It's questions you ask yourself to really get down to what is bothering you so you can help yourself or get help. It's simple.

Here are the questions and examples from the site (visit the site for more help!):

The first question:“What am I unhappy about?”
Personalize this question. Substitute the word unhappy in this question for one that best expresses the bad feeling you have that you would like to change. For instance, you may be feeling worried about something. If so, you would ask yourself, “What am I worried about?” Clarify your answer. Narrow it down. If, for example, your initial answer to the first question is something like, “I’m worried about my health,” that is a very broad answer. You need to narrow it down and be as specific as possible. The closer you get to the core of your feelings, the closer you become to your true heart. The second Option question will help you to do that.

The second question:“What is it about that, that makes me unhappy?”
Using the previous example of “worrying about my health”, you would now ask yourself, “What is it about my health that I am worried?” Be as specific as possible. There are other ways of asking this question, such as, “What about my health worries (bothers, frightens, angers, saddens) me the most?” Your answer may be something like “I know that I don’t take care of my health enough. I eat too much of the wrong foods, and I don’t get enough exercise. I’m going to become sick if keep this up.” Another way to ask this question might be, “If that were to happen, what would I be most afraid of?” or “If that were to happen, what would be the worst thing about it?” In other words, “If I were to become sick, what would be the worst thing about it?” Remember the answers to these questions are as diverse as we are. The purpose of the questions is to help you get in touch with your reasons. This brings us to the next Option question.

The third question:“Why am I unhappy about that?”
You ask yourself this question when you are satisfied that you have clearly identified, to the best of your ability, what it is specifically that is bothering you the most at this time. It is a simple question, but let’s make sure you understand it. “Why” means “for what reason.” This is one of the most important questions you may ever ask yourself. This question prompts you to recognize that you have your own very personal reason for feeling the way you feel. Often we get so caught up in our emotions that we have completely forgotten we are not actually feeling this way against our will. This wonderful, simple question gives you a renewed opportunity to begin your own self-enlightenment.
To apply this question to our example you would ask, “Why am I worried about getting sick?” In other words, “What is my reason for worrying about becoming unhealthy?” or “What would I be afraid of or what would it mean to me if I got sick?” At some point you will find yourself feeling as if you don’t know why, that you just always have been unhappy (our model word, remember) about it, or it would seem natural to be unhappy under such circumstances. Perhaps you are not aware of any reason. You may feel somewhat dumb struck or stuck. This is a natural phenomenon that takes place as we become more aware of our true selves. At this time we are on the threshold of self re-discovery. When this happens, it is time to move on to the fourth question.

The fourth question:“What am I afraid it would mean if I were not unhappy about that?”
Another way of asking this question is, “What am I afraid would happen if I were not unhappy about that?” This is an extraordinary question, one you may very well have never heard before. Repeat it a few times. You may at first simply feel that this a ridiculous question and that’s natural, but let this question into your heart and it will awaken you. Your initial response may be something like, “Well, it wouldn’t mean anything, I’d just be happy.” If so, you’re not really asking yourself the question. Ask again. You see, since nothing has been actually forcing you to feel the way you don’t like to feel, then up until now you must have had a reason for feeling this way. Until now, you have not exposed or questioned your reasons. You have assumed someone else’s belief, affirmed it and re-created as your own. When? It does not matter. What truly matters now is that through this question you embark on your own spiritual adventure.
Once again, embrace the question,“What am I afraid it would mean if I were not unhappy about that?”
After you have written down or spoken aloud your answer you will be ready for the final Option question. Take your time. Be satisfied with your answer. If you’re feeling a bit confused or uncertain, go back to the first question. It’s impossible to get lost on your own path. Use the questions as a tool, a flashlight, to light the pathway back to the truth in your own heart. Like the taste in your own mouth, only you can experience it and really know it. Be patient with yourself. You have spent a lifetime establishing and developing beliefs that you have never questioned in this way before. The Option questions, though seemingly simple, are new and foreign to you. Don’t rush it.
You may answer this question with something like, “It would mean I didn’t care,” or “It would mean I was crazy.” Or to use our example, you may answer, “If I wasn’t worried about being sick I’m afraid that I wouldn’t do anything to improve my lifestyle and health now.” This answer shows how you are preferring and choosing to be worried because if you weren’t it would mean you wouldn’t take care of yourself. These kinds of beliefs are at the core of all unhappiness.

Ask this final question now:“Why do you believe it would mean that?”
In other words,“Why do I believe that being happy would be bad for me right now?”

Now, I strongly encourage you to visit the website!!!