Published by Bob on 21 Nov 2010
3 Days Of Joy Experiment: Day Three
(Beginning November 18, I decided to go on a three day “joy fast”… An experiment where maintaining a consistent joyful attitude would be the goal – being consciously aware of any potential “tests” that may try to slip me a downer)
Obviously this experiment isn’t going to end with “Day Three”
I had no idea: Consciously focusing on what seemed to be such a simple thing – shifting my attention toward “joy” – would cause such a surprising number “tests” by day three.
I understand why you hear things like: “If you can get through day three”… On a diet or quitting smoking or any other addiction – you can probably succeed.
There’s a reason that has nothing to do with a physical reaction to addiction.
I’ve believe that allowing yourself to go to “fear, uncertainty and doubt” is a psychological addiction as powerful as any physical addiction to “drugs”.
When dealing with an emotional addiction – there is a part of you that screams for validation.
Consider this:
There is a seperate personality – with all of the same layers of rationale – as what you consider to be your normal healthy personality – which is based upon experience and “programming” that will interfere with a conscious decision on your part to “shift to joy”…
It’s like some strange “failsafe” mechanism. “If you really want to change you’re gonna have to deal with me first!”
This part of your personality must be recognized, acknowledged and incrementally adjusted to not shift into a panic mode because of your conscious desire to experience joy.
Unless you are capable of fractionalizing your F.U.D.
(fear, uncertainty and doubt) putting those feelings into a box and moving it over – just out of sight of your attention… (which gives you temporary relief but sets you up for a catastrophic break-down later)
You have to make a conscious choice to simply shift your attention…
You can go from full-on emotional intensity to pure joy as quickly as “flipping and inner switch”…
Now, here’s the catch:
You have to recognize – in the moment you are experiencing F.U.D.- that you can drop all emotional overtones and shift your attention – as if you were changing the channel on your television..
How is this different than “fractionalizing”?
Fractionalizing how you feel is actually a fear response to dealing with the emotional intensity of a situation. Nothing changes – you just move things out of your “field of vision”.
Consciously shifting your attention is essentially making the decision that you now choose to “let go” of the F.U.D. rather than just move it over.
This is a big difference.
Shifting your attention is like instantaneously declaring an end to those emotional feelings which will never be resolved – only re-played.
It’s an immediate acceptance that you’re finished – and your full attention can now be placed wherever else you choose. Without fear of being “haunted” later by unresolved emotion laden memories.
I hope you see the difference between fractionalizing and resolution…
If you fractionalize a part of your reality – it never goes away and you will continue to be haunted by the ghosts of unresolved emotional memories. I think this kind of “denial” mechanism can lead to severe personality disorder in an individual who has used this mechanism as a way of coping with situations during his or her life.
If you’ve fractionalized rather than worked through – and consciously shifted – you’re probably still working through your “issues” with a “therapist”…
Attempting to rationalize your choices with more rationalizations...
The problem is you can’t bury the truth of a situation no matter how hard you try… And any “professional” who can’t tell the difference between the fractionalization of denial – and working through a process that brings resolution – should be avoided like the plague!
Conscious resolution
This is where you really begin to create the foundation of a new life. The recognition that you can shift your attention – because you have examined through introspection – taking personal responsibility and using the power of self-forgiveness – positions you to neutralize the emotional charge of the memory – and transform it into an experience… One that has taught you something about yourself…
I had this experience the evening of “Day Three”...
It was an unforgettable conscious shift. As if something said to me: “Okay, you’re done with this – let’s focus on this now”… And I consciously shifted my attention. Wow!
As I’m writing this it’s early evening on “Day Four” of what is going to continue to be a conscious attitude and lifestyle choice on my part.
Here’s to “Three Days of Joy” turning into a lifetime of fulfillment.
On a lighter note: Here’s a video of “When Love Comes Again” from my new web site Our Special Secret.com hope you enjoy! click here