July 27, 2025

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Bringing It on Yourself
Columns & Opinion
July 11, 2025
Bringing It on Yourself

The very thing that you dread and fear can keep you keep thinking about it. A lot, in fact. And that constant thinking can give way to obsessive anxiety. And then the obsessive anxiety and fear begin to take control of your days ... and causing sleepless nights. Gradually, the lack of sleep can spiral you into depression, which easily saps your energy. Next thing you know you have lost your zest for your job, your family life, your romantic life ... everyday living will seem colorless.

The very thing that you dread and fear can keep you keep thinking about it. A lot, in fact. And that constant thinking can give way to obsessive anxiety. And then the obsessive anxiety and fear begin to take control of your days ... and causing sleepless nights. Gradually, the lack of sleep can spiral you into depression, which easily saps your energy. Next thing you know you have lost your zest for your job, your family life, your romantic life ... everyday living will seem colorless.

Maybe there is a way to break this habit of destroying your own happiness and personal peace. Maybe you can learn to acknowledge and recognize a potential threat, but not let it turn into a paralyzing dread, to then become absolute soul-sucking fear. To put it in its place.

If you have recognized yourself in these opening paragraphs, you’re flailing around in dark water and trying not to go down for the third time, then take heart. There actually are a few self-help exercises that are worth the effort.

Do this for a few minutes: Review all the people, events, or circumstances that you have feared throughout your life. If I could persuade you to do this, I would like you to actually write them down. Then sit back and study them. Take the time to remember which ones became reality. You will likely find that most simply never came to pass. Yes, of course, some horrible things did occur, but many never actually came into your life.

Realize this all-important fact. “Most of those scary things that you fear? Never actually materialize. We simply let ourself live in fear of those things happening.”

The next step is recognizing your negative- but-oh-so-entertaining thoughts, before they become fear and anxiety. The following is an example of disastrous thinking that leads you into that deep dark water.

“What if all the constant fighting me and my husband are doing doesn’t get better, and we end up in a divorce? Hmmm, I guess I really ought to start preparing for being alone in life ... Oh, @$%&$!!! Is it possible that is exactly what he’s been doing? Getting his list together of things he plans to walk away with? Well, he’s got another think a-comin! I’m getting my own list of our financial assets together. I can’t let that scumbag take advantage of me! In fact, we’re having it out tonight, no way he’s taking more than his share!”

See the negative progression, the self-fulfilling prophecy of her fearful thoughts?

It is vital that you learn to recognize your negative thoughts, and then forcibly replace them with a totally different way of thinking about what you fear. Deliberately take control, before you cause an ending that didn’t have to happen.

Self-fulfilling thinking is real, folks. So it’s definitely worth the effort to keep your thought life positive and try to help create a good ending for yourself.

Or you can just let the opposite happen. --- Podcasts are available at Coffeetimecolumn.com. Send any responses to andybowman839@gmail.com.

New HPS Board Member Welcomed
A: Main, Lifestyle...
New HPS Board Member Welcomed
July 26, 2025
Willem Vandenborn is welcomed by Henryetta Public Schools Superintendent Jason Price after he was sworn in to fill the Ward 2 seat on the HPS board. The action came during a special meeting Thursday, ...
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Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
A: Main, Lifestyle...
Patrons Bank warns community of rising phone scams
July 25, 2025
Patrons Bank is urging the community to be on high alert as phone scams targeting bank customers continue to rise across the country - and right here at home.Scammers are spoofing legitimate bank phon...
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Christmas in July is today
A: Main, Main...
Christmas in July is today
July 25, 2025
Downtown Henryetta is set to come alive with holiday spirit and summer sunshine today, as the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce presents its annual “Christmas in July” celebration. The event, scheduled fr...
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A: Main
Back-to-School excitement builds
July 25, 2025
As summer winds down and the school year quickly approaches, Henryetta Public Schools and Dewar Public Schools are rolling out the red carpet for students and families with a series of exciting back-t...
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
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Main Street Crossing Temporarily Closed
July 25, 2025
The City of Henryetta has announced that the Main Street railroad crossing is currently closed to all traffic. Residents needing to cross the tracks are encouraged to use the Trudgeon Street crossing ...
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Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
A: Main
Sales Tax Holiday returns Aug. 1-3
July 25, 2025
Shoppers across Okmulgee County and throughout the state will soon get a much-needed break on back-to-school expenses, as Oklahoma’s annual Sales Tax Holiday kicks off Friday, Aug. 1, and runs through...
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Editor Picks
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Historical Museum open Saturday
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Historical Museum continues to welcome guests through its doors this summer with its special every-other-weekend schedule - and this Saturday is no exception. The museum will be open Jul...
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News
OCEM Report
July 25, 2025
This report is a summary of activities Okmulgee County Emergency Management participated in and does not reflect all activities performed by or participated in by Okmulgee County Emergency Management....
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Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
News
Plans underway for Okmulgee County Fair
July 25, 2025
Planning is in full swing for the much-anticipated 2025 Okmulgee County Fair, with the event officially set to take place Sept. 4-6 at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds.Members of the Fair Volunteer Com...
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Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
News
Lions Club celebrates new members, history and upcoming events
July 25, 2025
The Henryetta Lions Club held a lively and productive meeting on Thursday, July 17, at The Shack 2.0, welcoming new members, celebrating local heritage and preparing for several key community events o...
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News
Preston Schools announces Child Nutrition Program
July 25, 2025
Preston Public Schools announced they are participating in free lunch and/or breakfast program for the 2026 school year. All students enrolled in the district or the listed sites may participate in th...
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