Chapter 30. The Risk and Reward of Expressing Feelings

The risk in expressing feelings is the possibility of rejection; the reward is the possibility of acceptance!

After the Expressor shares feelings, there are only two responses the Receptor can give:

Rejection of the feelings expressed, or

Acceptance of the feelings expressed.

Whatever the Receptor thinks, says or does will fit into one of these two responses. There are no other alternatives!

The Expressor's challenge is to handle the rejection or the acceptance response appropriately:

If rejection, the Expressor:

Accepts their own feelings and returns to Step 1 (Recognition of Feelings over the rejection) and retrys (expresses the new anger over being rejected [remember, go with the flow!]), or

Rejects their own feelings and defaults to the Starting Point.

If continued rejection, the Expressor:

Accepts their own feelings and returns to Step 3 (Expression of Feelings or Expression of Acceptance of Feelings) and Exits, or

Rejects their own feelings and defaults to the Starting Point.

If acceptance, the Expressor:

Accepts their own feelings of happiness and continues on to Step 5, Affection, or

Rejects their own happiness and begins their default to the starting Point.

 

Next: Can I Feel Good About What I've said?