Fight or Flight

We have emotional responses to the event in life. Once we become aroused, one of three states may take over. They are

FEAR. . . . . . . . . flight
ANGER. . . . . . . . . fight
HELPLESSNESS . . . . . . . puddle

These responses are built right into our nervous system. They change the way our bodies feel . . . and how we see the world . . . but people do not have gauges so we have not realize we are coping instead of thinking.

LEVELING is one of the best ways to acknowledge feelings to our selves and then share them with others. We level when we let someone know we are hurt -- or afraid -- of that we are angry . . . were angry.

Anger, bottled up, or fear that is kept hidden seems to lead to more reoccurrences. Anger is an important feeling. Leveling about anger is difficult.

Leveling means naming the feeling and telling how we really feel. It is exploring it for ourselves and sharing our bewilderment or discovery with others.

When we are unwilling or unable to level about feelings, defenses take the place of honesty.

LEVELING

• Gain cognitive control - be thinking
• Review cognitive and visceral messages
• Honor what you discover
• Name the feeling
• Share the naming with those who need to know and those who will honor it
• Think of it new ways to respond

Go back to Lesson 2

E-mail J'Anne Ellsworth at Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu

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