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A Diary of Thoughts
Ongoing streams of thoughts continue to reveal themselves. So that these ideas do not go to the wayside, I will be documenting them in this diary format. They will be in their raw state, unedited and may often not follow apparent, logical reasoning. I may also come back, from time to time, and add to, subtract from or clarify a particular topic. Also, at your request, I may develop a given thought into a finished, more comprehensive article.
I encourage you to join The Dialogs and participate in the conversation. Express your own thoughts and opinions and comment on the following subjects.
- Anxiety & Stress – We Should Not Feel Sad? – March 17, 2023
- My Partner Gets Angry at Me – March 1, 2023
- Criticizing Others – Self-Preservation (February 28, 2023)
- Reality – April 18, 2022
- Consciousness – April 18, 2022
- Continuity, Preservation & Replenishment – April 22, 2022
- Evidence of Continuity / Preservation – April 23, 2022
- Continuity Goes Beyond Biology – April 24, 2022
- The Problem with Death – May 24, 2022
- Look At Me – May 25, 2022
- Chasing Happiness: A Ludicrous Pursuit – May 27, 2022
- What Are Emotions? – June 16, 2022
- Continuity (Preservation & Replenishment) Is All Around Us – June 19, 2022
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Anxiety & Stress–We Should Not Feel Sad?
I continue to be surprised and bewildered at the sheer number of unsophisticated professionals of human behavior. Under the umbrella and disguise of "research," human behaviors and emotions are still portrayed as states which are, in large, under our control.
Individuals and research teams still claim we only need to make a list – describe our anxieties, causes of sadness or stress – and, once done, we have the power and innate control to greatly ease or even erase our unwanted emotional feelings.
My response is: The universe also revolves around the earth, and the moon is made of a delectable triple cream Brie cheese.
In psychology, there are instances of stress defined as “dependent stressful life events.” Basically, these are stressful experiences driven by our "choices" – like instigating an argument with our partner or putting off a task until the deadline arrives. "Independent" events, for example, would be unrelated to an individual's behavior – a hurricane, or loss of a friend, for example.
I posit, we do not instigate or put off. These are unconsciously driven reactions to current external circumstances or internal brainbody states of mind. We need to believe we have control because it gives us assurances of physical and emotional security – a sense of our survival or continuity.
We do not "select" to be happy or sad, or in a state of wellbeing or distress. We simply sense ourselves in those states of mind. When we lose a good friend or partner, for example, we cannot make a list of the reasons we are depressed by the loss and then "snap" out of it or consciously diminish our sadness.
Sadness and depression are natural, mild or severe, physiological body expressions of change or loss.
Unfortunately, we are often taught to suppress or hide negative emotions. We are taught that expressing distress makes us appear out of control, emotionally weak or even defective.
We must accept states of sadness as normal, a physiological reaction to stress and necessary process which eventually leads to our sense of wellbeing.
My Partner Gets Angry at Me – March 1, 2023
The Principle of Continuity proposes that our perceptions of our partner remain the same – whether good or bad. Our views of them resist change. Change disrupts our emotional stability.
If a partner is sad or upset, for example, we react to "fix" their conflict, to relieve their stress, or bring them back into a positive, "normal" frame of mind. This constructive and empathetic response is usually expressed by offering reassurances, show of affection or simply listening to their expressions of emotional conflict.
Too often, however, reactions are negative. Our partner reacts "inappropriately." He or she becomes impatient, frustrated or angry, and may lash out by saying, "Snap out of it," or, "Be positive."
However, the reason for negative reactions by a partner does not lie with the emotional stress of the person who is sad or feels hopeless. Unsupportive reactions are due to his or her becoming disoriented themselves. Seeing a partner distraught upsets our own emotional paradigm – our need to have a stable, strong partner from whom we get support.
Seeing our partner in distress, puts us into distress. It undermines our own security base. Our self-defense behaviors are triggered, by reacting negatively: dismissing our partner's conflict as unimportant, silly or stupid, treating it lightly or demanding they think positively, etc.
Don't blame, find fault with or make your partner's feelings seem insignificant. When your partner or friend again has a sense of wellbeing, you, too, will become unstressed. Back to Contents
Criticizing Others – Self-Preservation (February 28, 2023)
We see physical abuse and violence around us on a constant basis. If we don't experience it personally, news headlines and articles are constant floodgates of exposure to this behavior. Our media pandemically produces expressions of violence, and exploits them for profit, to "harmlessly" entertain us with movies such as James Bond and Mission Impossible fictions. Books of winning the war, crime mystery novels and endless other seemingly innocent productions portraying good against evil are available by the million.
What is not questioned or clearly defined in literature is, "What does violence represent?" The Principle of Continuity clarifies it. It is a basic definition and simple observation: Aggression, in any form, is an individual's reaction to actual or perceived threat.
We can attack or retreat from the threat. Either behavior is to achieve self-preservation. What is self-preservation? It is the expression of the process or principle of Continuity. If my body or emotional paradigm is safe or secure, unchallenged, my continuity is achieved. Continuity is synonymous with feelings and associations of empowerment or control – no harm will come to me. I am safe; I feel protected.
Criticism equates to aggression or attack. It is a verbal expression, instead of physical. We counter it the same way as we would a physical attack. The person being criticized is thrown off balance, feeling emotionally threatened themselves, and thinking that the criticism is generated by what they may have said or done. But in fact, often, the person being criticized does not understand or realize that the criticism is merely an expression of attack – triggered by the critic's own feelings of insecurity – and is not related to what they have done or said.
When someone (knowingly or unknowingly) begins to criticize another person, without provocation, it reveals the critic is under stress. It is that basic. He or she is under stress and feels threatened.
The critic's perceived, unconscious threat, results in the expression of criticism, and is triggered by the critic's feeling of insecurity – a lack of feeling empowered. An unconscious lashing out, subtle or gross, reveals the critic is being driven by and fulfilling the Principle of Replenishment. By criticizing, the critic unconsciously "replenishes" his or her feelings of power/security. He or she "feels" better, in control, empowered – safe and secure.
A verbal critic is a mere bully. At the expense of those who are criticized, critics replenish and re-establish their state or sense of wellbeing. Back to Contents
Reality – April 18, 2022
As we proclaim to know the world through science, we are not describing or defining "outside or inside" reality. What we are defining/describing is how our biology/physiology functions or what we are observing. For example, our concept of "long" does not exist in reality. What is long – 6 inches, 6 yards, 6 miles or 6 light years? These dimensions are simply descriptions of what our biology observes. Indeed, all that we know, is a description of the functionality of our biology. A bird will conceive nature or reality differently than a whale or octopus. So who's biology can claim knowledge of reality – observations of the "real" world or universe?
What this basic statement implies is that in nature, indeed the cosmos, or perceptions and laws of physics which we create, are descriptions or observations of how our biology functions, not the structure of nature itself. Therefore, concepts such as round, square, space, time, mathematics, long, short, temperature, fast, slow, chemistry, physics, etc., are artificial constructs born of our biological structure.
We conceptualize and create the existence, structure and behavior of an atom, but we do not know what it is. We make predictions with science and in large part those predictions work for us. But those predictions are describers of how our biology reacts to nature, not what nature or reality is. Reality is a constructed image of our biology.
So, when human relations are under stress (arguments, differences of opinions), we should realize that the other person is not "out to get you," but simply defending his or her own brainbody paradigm. Back to Contents
Consciousness – April 18, 2022
Without perception or impression upon the senses, there is no consciousness.
I woke up this morning with my hand on my forehead. My hand was trembling; immediately I was recalling or envisioning Susan's trembling hand…immediately, memories of all things Susan came to consciousness.
What triggers consciousness (thinking, awareness) is an impression. Any impression (visual, for example) must go through a brainbody filtering system or gate, which then further activates stored impressions. These activations then circulate and come to our "awareness."
For example, if we see a tree, related impressions (networks of neurons) are activated. I suspect the primary gates through which impressions pass are our senses. But, since a visual impression, for example, is not an island (it is networked with all other senses), interrelated impressions (auditory, tactile, etc.) are also activated simultaneously. So, if we "see" or mentally envision a pine tree, oak, birch trees or shrubs may "come to mind." Since their leaves are green, all "green" impressions and networks are now activated. Therefore, our thoughts may "wander" from green trees to automobiles, national parks, rugs (green and then perhaps red), algae, benches, my emerald green Staub Dutch oven, etc. Back to Contents
Continuity, Preservation & Replenishment – 4/22/2022
Unlike other disciplines, such as physics, where scientists hope and constantly anticipate to turn over current principles and discover answers to admitted and known mysteries of the Standard Model, for example, current "truths" of human behavior are considered sacrosanct within the behavioral disciplines, not to be overturned and replaced, or where new propositions are eagerly embraced to be evaluated and tested.
At present, behavioral sciences have no goal or interest to consider (or even reflect the possibility) the construction of a "theory of everything." They continue to support – even demand – the "reality" that human behavior is extremely complex. There is no intellectual examination or consideration, let alone a proposition, that human behavior has a simple driver.
"The Principle of Continuity is the singular cause and driver
behind all human expressions or behavior."
However, the Principle of Continuity is such a proposition. It posits that all and any human behavior is an expression to achieve and maintain its current Brainbody Paradigm – to achieve, preserve and replenish or increase its state of wellbeing – continuity/preservation.
What drives "good" or "evil" behavior? The same biological/ physiological processes drive both. The only multiplicity of human behavior are our expressions. We perceive and therefore create word-strings and expression singularities (love, hate, philanthropy, anger, empathy, etc.), and define these singularities as different causes and drivers of behavior. Therefore, we wrongfully deduce and conclude that our multitude of expressions are driven by an equal multitude of drivers.
In fact, the Principle of Continuity can show that it is biology/physiology which is the cause/driver of Continuity, and it is the singular driver behind all human expressions or behavior. The primary mission of everyone's behavior to maintain their current status quo. What our beliefs are is irrelavent. Maintaining those beliefs or "truths" is the goal and purpose of every human activity. Back to Contents
Evidence of Continuity/Preservation – 4/23/2022
Reveals that all human expressions/behaviors/activities are driven by the Principle of Continuity are all around us. Here is another open and common example of the ongoing process of Continuity/Preservation. The announcement below is excerpted from a newsletter I received on April 24, 2022, from Nautilus, a science magazine. The bolded text is mine.
"Renowned film director and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders has turned his lens on a new series for Nautilus Ocean. The Ocean Portrait Series will capture some of the remarkable men and women working to create a healthy and sustainable ocean. The first in the series is Pete Malinowski, who founded the Billion Oyster Project to restore the keystone species to New York Harbor."
Why restore them, and what is the "process" or "activity" of restoration? We all, on a minute to minute, ongoing basis, engage in the activity of preservation. Preserving our beliefs or conditions we think make us feel secure. Why? The concept of stability is associated with, or simply equates to, basic physical survival – continuity.
Concepts and word strings like restoration, "prevent extinction", "fix," "back to the way it was," re-establish and retrieve, etc., are just synonyms for continuity/preservation. Hindering, preventing change and reconditioning to a current or previous "condition" is the normal energy and aim in all of nature. Back to Contents
Continuity Goes Beyond Biology – 4/24/2022
As I reflect on human behavior and that of other animal, plant, bacterial or virus species, the Principle of Continuity becomes more and more apparent. But, what is exciting is the recognition or intellectual proposition that the processes of continuity/preservation are inherent in all things of the cosmos.
A single atom, even its subatomic particles and encapsulated energy, will stay in its current condition, unless acted upon by a force. This does not preclude change, however, since all things in the universe are in constant flux – albeit, some unperceived changes occur over a period of millions or billions of years.
"Concepts and word strings like restoration, 'prevent extinction,' 'fix,'
'back to the way it was,' 're-establish' and 'retrieve,' etc., are just synonyms
for continuity/preservation."
For example, alone, atoms of hydrogen and oxygen will stay in their natural form. If in proximity, they will combine to become a molecule of water. Although water is highly unstable, it will remain a water molecule unless a force is exerted upon it. Heat from the sun will break the bond and water will evaporate into its previous, individual atoms.
However, it takes energy, or an effort, to cause evaporation. This resistance to change, at this very basic level, is the same principle of continuity/preservation process as in more complex "life" structures – single cell organisms, viruses or human beings. Just as I resist to change my opinion, the water molecule resists to evaporate.
Continuity/preservation has nothing to do with "living" vs. "inanimate" chemistry or structures, feelings, emotions, choice, awareness or consciousness. Resistance to change is only about a universal, inherent energy in all things which drives to maintain an entity's current paradigm – an energy and process which effects and results in continuity/preservation. Back to Contents
The Problem with Death – 5/24/2022
Nothing in the universe is "alive" or "dead," animate or inanimate.
Our current conception of life and death is still based on past, illiterate observation. Illiteracy is not equivalent to being stupid. By it, I simply mean "lack of unbiased or wrongful knowledge."
We conceive death as an end of life. However, death is only a change of state. When any organism comes to its "end-of-life," it should be restated as changing from one state to another. Science, today, still does not know when death occurs. Is it when the heart stops or when brain waves cease?
Muscle cells live on for several hours. Bone and skin cells can stay alive for several days. It takes around 12 hours for a human body to be cool to the touch and 24 hours to cool to the core. Rigor mortis commences after three hours and lasts until 36 hours after death.1
"Death is an arbitrary definition and misguided conception."
Death, as we observe and define it, is a change from a vibrant, active organism, to one which no longer expresses and functions as a living, self-sustaining body. However, life elements, compounds and chemistry, are only changing in function and activity.
In a sense, life is eternal. The atoms, molecules and compounds which construct us are everywhere in the universe. They come together; they compose themselves to construct different forms. These compositions survive a certain amount of time and then decompose back into foundation elements.
This does not mean that "we," the structure of "Me" survives. What it does mean is that entities are formed and then change again. Elements which resides within me now, came from exploding stars within or outside of our galaxy.
Everything is a dynamic, "living" organism. Even the least complex atom, hydrogen, and its subatomic particles, is constantly teeming with energy. It is full of motion, movement and life. Hydrogen is a basic, simple form. A butterfly is more complex. As I speculate what an atom is, I reluctantly propose we will never know. But all things in the universe are alive. Back to Contents
1 Decomposition - Body Changes from <https://australian.museum/about/history/exhibitions/death-the-last-taboo/decomposition-body-changes/
Look At Me – 5/25/2022
We usually think of others – rarely ourselves – when we comment or discuss selfishness or self-centeredness. The reason we are averse to egocentricity in others is because it threatens us.
Attention seekers focus on themselves. This takes away focus from me and therefore leaves me in an imagined vacuum; therefore, the interaction or relationship leaves me vulnerable.
When we are engaged with a friend or partner, and there is reciprocity and a balanced exchange of self-centeredness, we feel a sense of wellbeing. There is a give and take, a sharing of emotions with equal intensity and time.
"Self-Centeredness is not a threat."
People who ask for or demand constant attention, are only different from us in the degree of egocentricity required. They are the most emotionally insecure. Hopes to be a movie star, a world-renowned musician, the corporate CEO, or leader of a country are blatant indications of extreme need for attention. “Look at Me.” They need for the world to focus on them.
Egocentrism is in the nature of all living things. We need to learn that it is not a threat. It is embedded in our DNA. It is a natural biological function, result and expression of the Principle of Continuity – physical / emotional self-preservation. Back to Contents
Chasing Happiness: A Ludicrous Pursuit – May 27, 2022
We see other people within or outside of our circle of relationship expressing happiness. They seem content, while we may feel an emotional sense of uneasiness, a mild or intense dissatisfaction with our position and place in life.
Others seem to have a course of direction, a sense of purpose, while we feel unsettled.
“Keep negative thoughts under control.”
One of the most useless and fraudulent constructs of advice given by life coaches and self-professed counseling experts goes something like this: “You must learn how to keep these [negative] thoughts and emotions under control if you want to preserve the happiness that you create.”1
First, if we could learn to or control our thoughts and emotions, everyone in the world would be in a state of bliss. Secondly, it should also be obvious by now that we cannot create happiness, otherwise everyone would generate and forge it, and that would end their pursuit.
Being in a positive state of mind is a construct of millions of life experience associations and neurological impressions we are exposed to – from the day we are born, and throughout life’s journey. For example, we do not choose to do activities or think in ways which make us happy or emotionally fulfilled. We do not choose to be painters, architects, doctors, thieves, or doctors.
“After you discover what gives you happiness, pursue it.”
As we explore the world and move through adulthood, our pursuits are biologically and physiologically driven by what gives us and what we perceive as a sense of wellbeing. Wellbeing, content, satisfaction, complacency, happiness, etc., are all synonyms for biological / emotional homeostasis – an unconscious, self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability (their current body paradigm) while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival.
Basic and clear evidence that we have no control over our happiness are early expressions of advice we give to our youth and ourselves such as, “Explore the world and give it time. You will come upon something that will interest you. Then pursue it but be prepared to embrace other interests as they come to the forefront.”
Happiness is a discovered and expressed activity: a family gather, friendships, a hobby or pastime, gardening, creating art, dedication to a career or multiple activities of interest, etc. Back to Contents
1 Quote from A Conscious Rethink
What Are Emotions? – June 16, 2022
As I continue to reflect on human behavior, it becomes increasingly evident that current behavioral sciences continue to be entrenched in and promote the belief that human beings have a complex emotional system. However, as can be observed by anyone, what we see as a myriad of emotions, variable, and unpredictable responses to our relationships with others, I propose that our state of mind knows only two emotions.
What is an Emotion? It is a brainbody sate of being – Wellbeing or Distress. Our physiology and emotional state can only be in two frames of mind or dispositions:
- Wellbeing
- Distress
What we have been accustomed to describing as an emotion, is in actually an expression of the two states. Behavioral sciences have offered a hodge-podge of interpretations and descriptions. The number of basic emotions defined run from 4, 7, 12, 27 and beyond.
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In 1980 Robert Plutchik constructed a wheel-like diagram of emotions visualizing eight basic emotions, plus eight derivative emotions each composed of two basic ones. Source: Wikicommons |
The basic emotions often described are happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise, and contempt. Carroll Izard at the University of Delaware and others have added surprise, interest, joy, self-hostility, shame, shyness, and guilt to the initial core.
This tells me there is still no understanding of basic human behavior. Our emotional states are simple, not complex. When you’re sad, you might describe yourself as having the following feelings. These words are really synonyms, disguised as different states of mind. They are expressions of actual emotion I ascribe next to each.
- Lonely – Distress
- Heartbroken – Distress
- Gloomy – Distress
- Disappointed – Distress
- Hopeless – Distress
- Grieved – Distress
- Unhappy – Distress
- Lost – Distress
- Troubled – Distress
- Resigned – Distress
- Miserable – Distress
Examples of some of these negative emotions may include:
- Anger – Distress
- Emptiness – Distress
- Frustration – Distress
- Inadequacy – Distress
- Helplessness – Distress
- Fear – Distress
- Guilt – Distress
- Loneliness – Distress
- Depression – Distress
- Overwhelmed – Distress
- Resentment – Distress
- Failure – Distress
- Sadness – Distress
- Jealousy – Distress
The opposing emotion, Wellbeing, may include the following synonyms:
- Glad – Wellbeing
- Happiness – Wellbeing
- Content – Wellbeing
- Positive – Wellbeing
- Success – Wellbeing
- Good – Wellbeing
When we look at the wheel diagram, you can take any one of the word strings and they will fall into one of the categories of emotions: Wellbeing or Distress.
In conclusion, the human brainbody has only two emotions or states of mind – Wellbeing and Distress. What the above word strings reflect are not emotions but, rather, expressions of these two states.
How does this hypothesis and conclusion help us in the real world? If our partner begins to attack us physically or verbally, he or she is criticizing or blaming to preserve their emotional paradigm – their sense of Wellbeing. They are attacking or demeaning you to preserve themselves.
The Principle of Continuity predicts and explains such behaviors as domestic violence, mass shootings, anger, fear, hostility, kindness, and philanthropy, etc. Back to Contents
Continuity (Preservation & Replenishment) Is All Around Us – June 19, 2022
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| Image Credit: C. Jere, Artisan House, signed 'Continuity' Wall Art Sculpture' - by C. Jere Artisan House |
The Principle of Continuity is all around us. It is hidden in every action and reaction of human activity. I was not a proponent of self-service at the pump when it first emerged. I am still not a fan today. There is no reason for it.
An article of the history of self-service caught my eye and I found it very interesting. Again, it became immediately obvious that human activity to preserve the present status was alive, strong, and hard at work. Here is an excerpt of some of the text.1
- "The earliest self-service gas pumps in the United States appeared around 1915. They were designed primarily for emergencies or for after dark when gas stations were closed. People would pre-pay with coins to operate them."
- "Full-service gas stations adamantly opposed self-service. They saw cheaper, self-service gas as a competitive threat to their business and wanted to limit its spread."
- "Full-service gas stations played up safety hazards around self-service, arguing that untrained drivers would overfill their tanks and start a fire. With support from local fire marshals, gas stations lobbied state legislators to pass bans on self-service. By 1968, self-service was banned in 23 states."
- "At the same time, vehicle warranties began to stipulate that cars must be serviced at dealerships, a shift that eroded gas stations' service and repair business.
- "Traditional full-service gas stations lost their profit center in automotive repairs and were forced to change their method of operation," said Wayne Henderson, the author of the book "One Hundred Years of Gas Stations."
- "Self-service ended up being more popular because it could create large volumes and opportunities for other profit," said Gary Scales, a doctoral candidate at Temple University writing a dissertation on the history of gas stations."
The article is rife with reasons to resist change: less profit, safety, job loss, etc. In all the above scripts, there are the common threads of the principle of continuity –through preservation and replenishment/replacement.
- The earliest stations were created to offer security (continuity & preservation) in case of emergency needs – lack of gas (distress/threat).
- Full-service stations we adamantly opposed (expressing resistance to change = preservation): cheaper gas (threat/distress).
- Full-service stations played up safely hazards, overfilling of tanks and fire – expressions and words of resistance to change in order to achieve preservation.
- Self-service could create volume and profit: replacement/replenishment of loss (continuity / preservation).
Innumerable combinations of word strings are created to describe and explain human behavior and reactions. But when we look closer at what they mean or what actions represent, the common denominator of human activity always points and reverts to achieving Continuity through the principles of preservation (resistance to change, thus preserving the present conditions or paradigm) and replenishment.
1 Reference CNN business article, "Why New Jersey and Oregon still don't let you pump your own gas."
Image Credit: Images may be subject to copyright. C. Jere, Artisan House, signed 'Continuity' Wall Art Sculpture' - by C. Jere Artisan HouseOriginal source may be unknown. Please advise if ownership is recognized.
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