Do you have an excessive emotional response to common stressors such as traffic, disagreements and deadlines? As humans we have evolved elaborate ways of responding to threats to their safety. Originally, these responses evolved as ways of addressing real physical dangers such as attackers. In modern times, most of us fortunately do not experience physical threats to our safety every day. However, we may respond to symbolic threats as though they were real. For example, we may respond to being cut off in traffic with a “fight or flight” response that prepares us for physical battle.
Flyfishing Based on a metaphor submitted to ACBS by Richard Whitney A good fly fisher knows exactly what the trout are feeding on and can tie up flies that imitate those insects. They are so good at this that the trout cannot tell the difference. They cast the fly into the stream right in front…
The Auction Based on a metaphor submitted to ACBS by joshua.ruberg Imagine you’re at an auction where your thoughts and feelings are being sold off. You’re allowed to inspect the lots before the auction begins. You can spend some time looking at each item and thinking about how you might use it. When the auction…
Becoming a Lawyer for your Family Traditions Based on a metaphor submitted to ACBS by Richard Whitney Has your mind tricked you into taking on the role as a defense lawyer for your family traditions?
Many of us struggle with thoughts that are difficult, painful, unhelpful or just annoying. Part of the problem is that these thoughts tend to follow us around: Even if we go to Mexico, our painful thoughts will probably come along for the ride. Of course there are many distractions that we can use to…