Helplessness: Not Yours Alone ~
Preface ~ What is Learned Helplessness?
It might surprise you to discover that sentient beings actually learn to feel helpless. The Learned Helplessness definition--complex and cerebral--that arose from Dr. Martin Seligman's psychology experiments at the University of Pennsylvania (mid 1960's) can be effectively reworded for non-academics and regular folks like you and me to be understood this way:
When we repeatedly experience painful or otherwise distressing, unpleasant situations/circumstances that we believe are out of our control, we become unable to avoid future pain and distress, even if there do exist ways to avoid the unpleasantness. We have "learned" from our past ineffectiveness that we are powerless over these types of situations, and so we subconsciously "give up" without even trying.
One of the Top Ten Tools we can keep within easy reach in our Life Toolkit is the tool called "How to Unlearn Helplessness." I hope this article gives you an idea of the power of this tool!
How to Unlearn Helplessness ~
Recent Comments
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Excellent piece....distressingly, this 'learned helplessness' is exactly one of the major issues in dealing with 'abuse' cases......your site is superb....thank you.....
You speak with authority, Rosie, but I hope that means you're in a position to help others unlearn this locked up feeling. I appreciate your visit and message very much. Sending good cheer your way! Gg
The authority I have was a life of learning much first-hand...being a survivor of various forms of abuse, I only try to help people I meet to the point they seek proper guidance....physical/emotional/etc. abuse leaves so many psychological scars and wounds that many don't even realize they are still affected even when the situation no longer exists...and later wonder why it keeps repeating, eventually many come to feel it is something 'in' them that is wrong....so many don't even realize they have 'learned' helplessness....I was thrilled by your site and have recommended to a lot of people .... it would be wonderful if there was 'one' solution, but each person requires individualized assistance .... your wonderful site will open many's eyes to perhaps see within themselves...or at least that is what I would like to see happen...keep those articles coming...you help a lot more than you realize.....thank you....
Thanks for the comment, Judy =] I hope you got my reply. How can I help you out on your pathway... any of your pathways? Sending warmth of spirit, Gg
I did read your comment back to me. Thank you. I will be sure and visit your site often and pass it on to anyone that could use your help. Happy Holidays to you and yours. :)
Hi Gg, It's always good to see you, and early too,(-; So very true our minds have untapped abilities. I believe it's it's our will to do any task that we set our minds to, that drives us onward to our goals. Actual new pathways are formed in our brains from learning, whether it's success /failure/or 'other' behaviors. Fascinating subject M'dear. TTYL TC (-: Jon
Hello, Jono ~ I'm a little tardy in catching up on comments, but it's always so good to find your voice anywhere =] Your support and encouragement are a blessing! Thank you for the visit and comment. How goes life in your world? Gg
Thank you, Larry ~ I goofed this afternoon when I was catching up on my thank you messages and didn't get to your profile as intended. Off to do that now, but first a big thanks to you for your support =]
More soon! Gwynn
Thanks, Loes. Your message really got into me deeply; I left you a long reply! Imagine that... :-) Gg
I agree with Christa on this one. The mind is just so much more powerful than most of us imagine.
Hi Debbi ~ Thanks for reading and commenting =] The whole body/mind connection has been fascinating to me for thirty years or more, but these last ten have brought it home in a whole new light. I know I'm not the only person still wrestling with how to best use our minds to serve our bodies, so I hope to pass on some useful insights. Really good to hear from you, as always! Gg
Focus, meditation and self healing through energy. It will be interesting to see your progression.
I learned long ago the battleground is the mind! This is an important thing to help others realize this as you are doing!
Thanks, Christa ~ I thought I had learned this lesson of the power of the mind long ago also, until many years of intense pain robbed me of my ability to experience this truth. It's one thing to know something in our brains, but quite another thing to be able to implement the knowledge during times of great struggle. I think I'm building my website as much to keep myself in touch with the lessons I've "learned" as to bring hope and resources to others =]
Thank you, MisterWailor =] Your encouragement is appreciated! I have more shopping to do! :-) Gg
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I got your comment and I thank you for your visit, Freddie =] What can I do to support you these days? Just say the word :) Gg
GwynnGriffin: Please visit my site give me feedback and thank you for your time. www.symbolsofchristiainity.com