Posted by Larry Hoover on March 4, 2007, at 10:58:15
In reply to I feel my brain turning into mush *trigger*, posted by Deneb on March 4, 2007, at 0:12:30
I truly hope that what I'm about to post is helpful. I'd like to dissect this post because I think it's an excellent example of how thinking pulls feeling behind it.
> I'm going to study tomorrow.
That's a nice starting point. A little vague, but positive. I suspect, though, that the vagueness is a big part of what follows.
> I feel like I'm getting stupider.
That's not a feeling. That's a thinking. You may feel tired? Frustrated? Disappointed? <shrug> The fact is, feeling tired or frustrated or disappointed is not evidence of the conclusion reached here. The thinking of the conclusion creates its own secondary emotional response. That then continues on.....
> I'm going to read and study and learn.
...positive statement, then qualified by catastrophism....
> If I don't continue learning life is not worth living....again, a thinking masquerading as a feeling, but which creates an inevitable emotional reaction, leading to a new thinking.....
> and I may as well kill myself.
....with a new set of feelings.
What has happened is a thinking tangent has arisen from a very basic feeling. A vicious circle has formed, not unlike a tornado arising from much lesser swirling winds. It becomes self-perpetuating. And, it's a learned behaviour. That's not to say it's the least bit conscious, or chosen. But, it can be unlearned. It can be brought into the realm of choice.
It is okay to be tired, or frustrated, or disappointed in oneself. It is okay to be as we are. Don't ever forget the transiency of the feelings, though. Particularly so, if you allow yourself the liberty to have them.
> :-(No doubt. That feeling is reasonable, considering the thinking that preceded it.
> I'm going to get up early tomorrow, go to the library and study. I need to learn again. I need to stop doing nothing.
Contrast this with your earlier declaration, "I'm going to study tomorrow." Although it contains two elements, it's still much simpler than this new hurdle you've thought into existence.
Why not get up later, after getting the sleep you need, and consider then if it is your choice to go to the library? You've linked a series of decisions, such that a failure in one is a failure of them all. If getting up early makes it more likely that you will then choose to go to the library, then isolate the act of getting up early from the latter decision point. They are independent.....unless you choose to make it otherwise.
> Deneb*Lar*
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:738106
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070223/msgs/738176.html