Chapter 35. Knowing When To Stop

 

When driving a car, you know when to stop! There are certain signs provided to let you know like stop signs, signal lights, gas gauges, oil and temperature warning lights and even your own hunger and thirst. When expressing or accepting feelings, you'll want to know when to stop too. Remember, you can overdo the "fun" and "rewarding" stress symptoms! Anything you overdo is probably a way to express your anger! There are certain guidelines or emotional thermostats to let you know when to Exit!

Remember, an Exit is a kind way of escaping when Stress Options A and B are no longer possible. There's nothing wrong with taking a time out. It's not a sign of weakness or inability but rather a sign of strength and competence. Knowing your own personal limitations and the limitations of your Receptor are marks of maturity.

 

Doubling Your Pleasure

 

It's a wonderful thing to experience the happiness of handling your feelings appropriately and when you add to that the happiness of having your feelings accepted, you're beginning to experience living on cloud Nine! When you've doubled your happiness, what comes next? That's right! You want to be close. You're ready to move to Step 5, Affection! Some people have absolutely no difficulty with this step. They respond to their happiness without hesitation and they rush to exchange affection. It's as if the Affection/Acceptance Barrier didn't exist! Others run headlong into this barrier and find themselves right back at the Starting Point. The Affection/Acceptance Barrier can be the most difficult of the three barriers to break through but to enjoy life to its fullest, it must be conquered!