Article: Take note of when you can't get your mind off of the person. You might want to check their social media profiles, or get the urge to call or text them. Call yourself out, and tell yourself that you have the power to redirect your thoughts. Tell yourself, "These are obsessive thoughts," or "I'm acting obsessively." Say, "These thoughts don't control me; I control them." Sometimes, obsessive thoughts and actions can go unnoticed, or they might even feel good. Trying to pretend they don't exist won't do you any good. Instead, recognize them, acknowledge that you have better things to do, and remind yourself that you can manage them. Obsession, like addiction, can sometimes be a symptom of a larger need or problem in your life. Consider if there is something missing in your life that you thought this person could provide. See if there is another way you can find what you need. Write down what this person makes you feel when you are with them. Think about how you feel when they are gone. Consider what might be causing these feelings in your life. For example, you might discover that you are afraid of being lonely. If this is the case, consider joining a class or club to meet new people. Notice when and where you start to think or act obsessively. It might be difficult, especially at first, but do your best to resist obsessive urges when you face a trigger. If you can't remove yourself from the trigger, focus on controlling your response to it. For instance, if you constantly check the person's social media profiles or get the urge to text them, getting rid of your phone or computer isn't practical. Instead, you could use features that remove their posts from your newsfeed or unfollow them. If you're obsessing over your ex, give them their stuff back and try to keep things that remind you of them out of sight and out of mind. If you can't avoid being around the person, try to keep your distance. If they sit next to you at school, try to avoid eye contact and imagine they're someone else. Try to focus on your task at hand, like taking class notes. When you feel yourself getting fixated, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Listen carefully to the sounds around you and think about all of the other sensations you're experiencing at that moment. Ask yourself, "What's the temperature right now? Am I hot, cold, or comfortable? What sounds and smells am I sensing right now? What is the weather like right now? What does the sky look like?" Obsession often involves thoughts like, "What if I did this?" or "What are they doing right now?" These thoughts focus on other locations or dwell on the past or future. Concentrating on your surroundings can help you keep your thoughts in the here and now. Try imaging your mind as a floor, and your obsessive thoughts are dirt and dust covering the floor. Whenever you start to dwell, visualize yourself sweeping away all the dust and dirt with a broom. You could also imagine that the intrusive thoughts are a barking dog. Visualize yourself walking by a barking dog behind a fence. Say to yourself, "It's just noise, and the dog can't hurt me. In a few minutes, I'll cross to the next block and the dog will be far behind me." Try shaking off obsessive thoughts. When you experience them, shake your head, arms, legs, and body. Imagine that you're shaking out the thoughts and resetting your mind. When you think about the person or get the urge to contact them, imagine a big stop sign. You could also wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap it whenever you think or act obsessively. Rituals, such as visualizing a stop sign or snapping a rubber band, are good ways to remind yourself that you need to redirect your thoughts. Do your ritual, then tell yourself, "Stop! I need to stop this thought pattern and do something to distract myself."
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Identify your obsessive thoughts and behaviors. Determine if there are any underlying factors causing your obsession. Try to avoid things that trigger your obsession. Focus on the details of your present surroundings. Visualize intrusive thoughts leaving your mind. Develop a ritual that reminds you to stop obsessing.
Article: Before you can accept Jesus, you must first believe. Christians believe God created the heavens and the earth. When Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, mankind became cursed with original sin. However, God sent down his son Jesus Christ to die for everyone's sins, granting forgiveness. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." By believing in Jesus, you can gain eternal life by going to Heaven. As a born again Christian, you will also accept Jesus into your heart as your personal savior. You are acknowledging that Jesus died for your sins and, through him, you are made righteous before God. It's very easy to accept Jesus! You just need to believe and pray to him, asking him into your heart. Here's an example prayer: "Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner, but you died for those sins. I welcome you into my heart as my personal savior. Thank you for dying for my sins so that I can be forgiven. In your name I pray, Amen." You can find many example prayers online. Repenting means to feel regret and remorse for your sins. Essentially, you're acknowledging that you did wrong and are sorry for it. You can repent by telling God in prayer that you know you sinned and are very sorry for it. In the future, do your best to avoid sinning, as part of regret is trying to do better. Say, "God, I know I have sinned. I am very sorry for the things I've done wrong and want to do better through you. Thank you for forgiving all of my mistakes. In the name of Christ I pray, Amen." Some Christians believe you don't need to join a church to be a born again Christian, while others believe you must. Joining a church can help you learn more about the Bible, connect with other believers, and grow in your faith. It's a good idea to visit a few churches before you pick one to join. As an alternative, you can watch religious services on TV or online. You can find a minister at a local church. Baptism is very important for being born again. The minister will dunk you underwater, then bring you back up. It symbolizes passing away and re-emerging from the water a new person. Through it, you are born again. Mark 16:16 reads, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he that disbelieves shall be condemned." How and where you are baptized will depend on your church. You may be baptized in a tub inside the church, or you might be baptized in a lake or other waterway. Some churches will only baptize you if you are a member. You could join the church, or you could look for a church that does not require membership. The Holy Spirit is a comforter sent by God after Jesus left the earth. You will also receive the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, which help you be a stronger Christian. All you need to do to receive the Holy Spirit is to welcome Him into your life, such as through prayer. Say, "I welcome the Holy Spirit into my life, Amen." The 9 fruits of the spirit include love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. The 9 gifts of the spirit include knowledge, wisdom, prophecy, faith, healing, working miracles, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues (holy languages), and interpretation of tongues (holy languages).
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Believe in God and his son Jesus Christ. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Repent for your sins. Join a church if you want a religious community. Get baptized by an ordained minister. Receive the Holy Spirit by welcoming Him into your heart.