Don't Bring Me Down - Bruce!

Externalising the Negative Inner Voice

Self doubt - we've all had a portion of it from time to time.  It's that negative inner voice that periodically rears its head and could shatter our confidence if we let it.  It is probably more of an enemy than illness or injury.  Sometimes it can help to externalise the inner voice - it makes it easier to argue with!  It can also help to give it a name!

Do you know the ELO song, "Don't bring me down"?   The lyrics are actually, "Don't bring me down ..... grooss" - whatever the heck 'grooss' is (click here to find out what grooss is!).  I prefer the misheard Lyric, "Don't bring me down - Bruce!" especially since hearing the song one day on a run with Cheryl and Jo Mo - we decided that the negative inner voice is someone called Bruce!

And then, of course, the song lends itself to a bit of modification .........

When I’m out runnin' you keep filling my mind
Some of the things you say are not very kind,
(Don't bring me down, no no no no no)
I'll tell you once more as I run out of the door
(Don't bring me down)

You said I’d never even run a mile
I’ve run much further and it makes me smile
(Don't bring me down, no no no no no)
I'll tell you once more as I run out of the door
(Don't bring me down)

Don't bring me down, Bruce!!
Don't bring me down, Bruce!!
Don't bring me down, Bruce!!
Don't bring me down

You said that running wouldn’t be my thing,
The last laugh’s on you ‘cause I’m running The Sting
(Don't bring me down, no no no no no)
I'll tell you once more as I run out of the door
(Don't bring me down)

I’ve now done 10ks and half marathons too
It’s just as well I didn’t listen to you
(Don't bring me down, no no no no no no no)
I'll tell you once more as I run out of the door
(Don't bring me down)

Don't bring me down, Bruce!!
Don't bring me down, Bruce!!
Don't bring me down, Bruce!!
Don't bring me down

It’s not about the speed - I’m running for fun
As well as flapjack and a cake and a bun,
(Don't bring me down, no no no no no no no)
I'll tell you once more as I run out of the door
(Don't bring me down)

You say my parkrun is a tortoise pace,
I’m telling you that it’s a run, not a race
(Don't bring me down, no no no no no)I'll tell you once more as I run out of the door,

Don't bring me down, down, down