I read this at the top of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course I’m reviewing:
“It’s Not About You
Your emotions are not yours to own forever. Your feelings are not unique and you are not alone.”
I laugh out loud. Really. I try to imagine myself passing this information on to people in pain. Hard to imagine a scenario where someone doesn’t hang up or storm off. People want compassion, kindness, empathy as a response. And I think this is needed and right. Still, the other message is important also. Where does this sense of uniqueness come from? How does it trample the more likely reality that all people hurt?
We are filled with the opposite. My pain is the worst. No one gets it. I’m surrounded by people who have an easier time than me.
Well, I’m not sure how many people think this way. But I do think that the saddest among us are pretty deep into this way of thinking.
It takes work not to fall into it. The path of least resistance is to believe that pain is unique.
Anyway. Something funny. We figured out who has been pushing ABC magnets off of the fridge. Cat!!!! Here we thought our youngest was putting them on the floor while spelling things out.
The sun is out again. Try to get out there at least a little each day 🙂
Hugs,
Terra Rose
Life Without Montages 