352distress tolerance Handout 15a   (p. 2 of 2)
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10. A conveyor belt, and that thoughts and feelings are coming down the belt. Put each thought 
or feeling in a box labeled with the type of thought that it is (e.g., worry thoughts, thoughts 
about my past, thoughts about my mother, planning what to do thoughts). Just keep 
observing and sorting thoughts into the labeled boxes.
11. A river, and that thoughts and feelings are boats going down the river. Imagine sitting on the grass, watching the boats go by. Try not to jump on the boat.
12. A railroad track, and that thoughts and feelings are train cars going by. Try not to jump on 
the train.
13. A leaf that has dropped off a tree into a beautiful creek flowing by you as you sit on the grass. Each time a thought or image comes into your mind, imagine that it is written or 
pictured on the leaf floating by. Let each leaf go by, watching as it goes out of sight.
14. The sky, and thoughts have wings and can fly through the sky. Watch as each flies out of 
sight.
15. The sky, and thoughts are clouds. Notice each thought-cloud as it drifts by, letting it drift out of your mind.
16. A white room with two doors. Through one door, thoughts come in; through the other, 
thoughts go out. Watch each thought with attention and curiosity until it leaves. Let go of