The Tulip – Illusion – That’s How They Get You

Warrior Only Have Two Eyes, One Brain, One Memory – Accept that we can be wrong. Accept that we can be fooled. Be slow to conclusions and slower to anger.

DREAMS – Do you dream about some magic dissolution of “the rules”? A wonderful secret that will make you “the special winner”, admired and envied by everybody?

Avoid Fantasy Thinking – The problem with mirages – especially those we long to believe in – is that they evolve into illusions which create delusions. We find ourselves clinging to an obvious fantasy so hard we surrendered our ability to discern fact from fiction.

Illusions are Powerful – The seventeenth century Dutch needed a desirable luxury exchange item the privileged could trade back and forth for status reasons. Yes, that was the tulip bulb. It was a bubble – the bottom fell out and left a whole lot of previously comfortable people bankrupt. We don’t have anything like that, these days, do we? Or do we?

Challenge – Are you trapped by an illusion that you used to need but now is killing you? You can identify this by your increasing suffering over an your problematic life and your diminishing pleasure over things that once were reliable joys. Is it as relationship? An activity? A belief? Look at the problem honestly. Find others going through the same experience and have a frank discussion about hazards and possibilities. If any group member rushes in defensively to shame and discourage you, to convince you you’re not feeling what you KNOW you ARE and to rewrite history, realize you’re being gaslighted. What you’re trying to do is exit is a cult. Stop communicating with those flying monkeys and find somebody who supports the truth of your actual suffering AND your desire and commitment to feeling better.

Danger – The path to re-making yourself is fraught with danger and you will require all sorts of help. Don’t be discouraged if your feelings are volatile and transitory and you are confused about their reality. Move slowly, consulting kind others who respect your autonomy, individuality and who aren’t milking you financially and with whom you feel safe.

Opportunity – You are embarked on an exciting growth challenge where you leave a constricting carapace behind. Sometimes the “shell” was protective and served for a time to keep you safe while you matured. You don’t need to disparage the old you, or the old relationship; it served its purpose. Often people who have been through a trauma say afterwards they wouldn’t change the past, because they treasure and embrace their new vision and the strong warrior they’ve become.

#Haiku: Flying Monkeys

Don’t trade
Your future for
Their lonely hatred
Addiction to
Rage fuel