CHANGING FEAR AND IGNORANCE
The following excerpt is from the self help
psychology book, Be Your Own Therapist.
To change fears may take therapy, either with or without a paid
therapist. Four typical fears are: (1)I can't trust my
spontaneity because I might do myself harm, (2)I won't be
accepted if I laugh hard or play joyfully, (3)Creativity is
often the work of the devil and (4)I fear I won't be accepted if
I enjoy myself because there are starving people in Africa. Most
of us learned such fears as children. Therefore, these fears may
take some therapeutic work. Chapters 8-11 will provide some
means of eliminating such fears. Seeing them as unwanted and
invalid, however, can be an important therapeutic step toward
their elimination. (I have not included "love" on the previous
list of sparkling qualities, because fear and trauma are usually
present in those lacking love. For more on manifesting love, see
Chapter 9.)
| Men's happiness in life is the result of man's own efforts... Ch'en Tu-Hsiu 1918
|
This chapter will try to change ignorance, which may be all
that is required to allow the flowering of more spontaneity,
creativity and fun. Three common ignorant unhappy beliefs are:
(1)If I face my traumas, pleasure will automatically follow,
(2)I can't be happy until all my traumas have been resolved and
(3)It is wrong to experience fun or to be playful since there is
so much pain and suffering in the world. If you have any of
these unhappy beliefs, changing them is essential. Perhaps all
that will be required is to consciously recognize them as wrong
for you.
Growth Exercise. Try right now to jot down why you may have lost
the attributes of spontaneity, humor, laughter, creativity and
play. Parents, churches, schools, work environments and societal
pressures are typical "causes" of such losses. You may discover
a few beliefs that (1)were incorporated in childhood without
conscious thought and (2)conflict with the expression of these
positive qualities today. Ask yourself if you still believe that
way today. If there is significant trauma instead of just
ignorance associated with creativity, spontaneity, fun and
laughter, these qualities will be more difficult for you to
manifest.
Frequently, the first growth step is to acknowledge the conflict
within, between the old unhappy (often unconscious) childhood
belief and the conscious adult belief of today.
Growth Tip. Create your own list of positive sayings and repeat
them aloud often. "I deserve play," "Creativity is one of life's
exquisite spices" and "Laughter is OK" are examples of happier
adult beliefs that counter old childhood training. Even the old
"every day I am getting better and better" can be valuable if
oft repeated. Whenever the old unhappy way arises, it is useful
and frequently therapeutic to reaffirm consciously such happier
adult beliefs.
Next Excerpt 
|
Don't wait for some day in the future to start on your road to creativity and spontaneity. Now is the best time to start, while it is on your mind. |
More Excerpts This Chapter
SPONTANEITY, CREATIVITY, PLAYFULNESS, FUN & LAUGHTER
CHANGING FEAR AND IGNORANCE
IMAGERY
I-WANT-LISTS
This Chapter's Quiz
Book Table of Contents
Psychology of Sex Education - Psychological Sexual Health Care
CHANGING FEAR AND IGNORANCE © 1995-2004