Red rover red rover, send OCD over. Simon says red light, now green light – Aha, you’re out. Do not pass Go, and do not collect 200 marbles. “But mother may I” – Let me stop you there with a giant “No you may NOT!” This is heads-up, I was tagged, now I’m it, and we play by new rules. We’ve played telephone for too long and OCD purposely conveys a confusing message. How about you hopscotch along while I play for a bit – Let the games begin.
My OCD introduced itself during a game, a game I love by the way – Basketball. So naturally I find it weird that games seem to be a great escape from my OCD as well. When it comes to basketball, most of the OCD tendencies come from pre-game conditioning. But once I’m actually into the game, I am more respondent and reactionary. Compared to carefully plotting each thought or tactic in normal day to day situations.
I consider myself in OCD recovery, where I work on OCD not leading me, but providing a push for better. For recovery to work, less finding ways to ignore my OCD and more challenging myself. This way, I build up resiliency which in returns gives OCD little to no power. Play this game with me will ya OCD? You always accept don’t you? You never fear failure, or fear fear, an admirable trait. Well, what are we waiting for, let the games begin.
Let The Games Begin – The Rules:
I don’t wanna go all cliche here and yell out “NO RULES”. When in fact, there are rules and standards here, but knowing my OCD, it’ll play by the old rules only. Great, those same rules and regulations are tired and not getting anyone anywhere. As a matter of fact, those same old rules hold us OCDoers back. Things have changed, we have grown, and quite frankly, we look for more growth.
To evolve, the rules must be changed and must be flexible to work within our principles. So, I’m refusing to set rules because that’s what gave OCD control in the first place. It took the rules and ran with it. Combine that with a silver tongue and the imagination of a muppet, and you’re looking at a creative genius.
Who wants to challenge a creative genius to a game of chess, or checkers, or anything? Well, I do actually and so should any OCDoer. How else do we become better? I don’t mean feeling better than our latest OCD outbreak. I mean become better selfs, better us, a champion of our playground. King of the mountain, Queen of our domain, instead of pawns listening for what Simon says.
Let the games begins, with ever-developing principles, no longer the old school rules.
Let The Games Begin – The Chase:
Most games begin with a chase. A chase in pursuit for the lead. You know, get ahead of your opponent for the first score. That’s an old rule OCD is sure to follow, so what if we play into it’s hand? Hear me out – We need to learn to lead, so why not start from behind. To be honest, that’s where we are when we give in to compulsions. We try to beat OCD to that intrusive thought before it even enters. When it does enter, we welcome compulsions along with it.
Compulsions set us back each time. Instead of dodging that first ball thrown your way (intrusive) take it with no flinch (compulsion). It’ll sure to sting as dodgeball imprints welp across your face, but what do we do? In that moment, what should we do? Give in to compulsion by flinching or catching? We’re talking about OCD on the other end of that ball. By it’s rule means more attacks are coming, when we least expect it too.
Those suckers sting a bit, sure, but after a while, we adjust. Throws to the face become throws at the shin, then to the butt. OCD is racking up points, and winning at dodgeball, but only by old school rules. The goal of this game is to adapt to what OCD is throwing at us. For it to chase from behind and for us to shrug off each attempt – That’s a win for us. That’s our new game, with us leading in points.
Let the games begin, even if OCD has a head start.
Game On:
“Blah, blah, blah” – I’m sorry, dreamdestroyersaywhat? I don’t care if you get it or don’t get it. You, OCD, Dream Destroyer, Mother Of Dragging Ass, whatever other titles you might hold. This is our game now! Adapt if you must, this is how we’re playing.
You’ve been playing intrusive thought Tetris with my mind. It blocks my true potential. Done with your games! We play what I want to play – Let the games begin.
Let me know if you found this helpful. I am curious to hear your spin. Leave a comment or find me on Twitter @UghOCD or Instagram @brentleybigkid.
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