Dave Noonan

Com. 265
Position Paper 2
Sept. 25, 1996



I was fascinated with Julia Blackwood' s article on self talk. Having worked in the

health care field as a Registered nurse, I have seen the effects of positive and 

negative thinking. Some call it positive thinking, mind over matter, and holistic

medicine. No matter what you call it, the person has to " self-talk" their state 

of mind. It works.



Let me address the positive first. I have witnessed a serious car accident 

victim proclaim that thy will survive when their chances were almost nil. I have 

worked with cancer patients who refused to give up only to have their cancer

disappear.  These clients didn't stop thinking about  their cancer;  they kept

a constant mental ongoing conversation  that they would conquer it. There

have been many times where some clients on their death bed have held on 

for days waiting for a loved one. People who "beat the odds" and keep

on going often state that it's all in your state of mind. They often use 

visual imagery and powerful language as they battle their "enemy."


Successful people refer to a positive state of mind when dealing 

with obstacles. "I can," "I will," "I am"  are phrases often used. 

There are those who have a negative "self-talk."  The "I can't,"I'm inadequate"

are their phrases. 


Sadly, I've seen this also. Negative thinking could be the person who refuses to admit that

the chest pain he is experiencing could be his heart. Or the person who refuses to believe that

rectal bleeding could be a sign of cancer. Some call this kind of thinking denial. Maybe it is.  And

then there is the person who says "I'll never get better" and doesn't. A death wish?


The healing powers of self-talk must blend with common sense. You can't go through

life thinking only positive thoughts and avoid the obvious. Example: I'm going to get an A+ in

this course and then not do the work.   I can however, say to myself,  I'm going to get an A+ in

this course as I work on each paper, joumal writing, class participation, etc.


No matter what kind of thinking your doing, you are with yourself .  This is IaC.