Just like “You Never See the Same River Twice,” there are other metaphors that help deal with negative thoughts.  For example: picture a thought as someone who is coming to visit you.  You look out the window and see a figure in the distance and all that is visible is a pair of bright red shoes.  

You pull the curtain back further to get a better look.  At first she is indistinguishable, but as she comes closer the image sharpens.  You feel this pit in your stomach and your breathing quickens.  The figure looks toward the window but you quickly drop the drape and step back.    

“Its not her.  It can’t be her.  I thought I’d gotten rid of her.”  You peer out the window again and with a sinking feeling in your gut, groan out loud, “Oh no, it is her!”    

You hope against hope she will pass by, but the footsteps are getting louder. Those clacking red shoes turn onto your sidewalk and head toward the front door.  Now you are practically hyperventilating as you remember the last time she visited.  She stayed for-e-verrrr.  

The click-clack, click-clack is now up to your doorstep and you know you have to make a decision.  “Do I let her in or not?”  The battle in your mind ensues, “Am I strong enough to say ‘No.’ this time?”  You tried so hard last time but she was so persistent, you finally gave in.  

In a full panic you say to yourself, “I can’t go through that again!  But what do I do, she’s about to knock on the door?”  Knock, knock, knock.  You stand silent, holding your breath.  KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!!  Again, you do not respond.  You swear you can hear her breathing on the other side of the door; but incredibly you realize it’s your own.  

“Get a hold of yourself,” you say.  “You can stand up to this red high heeled devil.”  All of a sudden an inexplicable strength surges through your body!  You stand tall and walk toward the kitchen, away from the front door.  There is screaming, pounding and red shoes kicking against the door now.  You hesitate, take a quick look back and a slight smile comes across your face.  

On the kitchen counter is your coffee cup, right where you left it, and there is e-mail to check.  Suddenly the banging stops.  You grab your coffee and laptop and almost skip out onto the back deck.  You sink down into your soft deck chair and finally breathe.  It is quiet now, and all you can hear is the ever distant sound of red click-clacking high heels.