Step 7 Stress Symptoms Under Control or Alleviated

You began at the Starting Point, all stressed out with many symptoms, some which "seemed like fun" but created more stress and some which we call "neither fun nor rewarding nor seem like fun and maybe even painful".

You made it through the Recognition/Acceptance Barrier and you went on to Step 1, Recognition of Feelings. You accepted the feelings you recognized.

Next, you make it through the Expression/Acceptance Barrier to Step 3, Expression of Feelings or Expression of Acceptance of Feelings. You chose Stress Option A or B and felt good about it.

You continued on to Step 4, Rejection/Acceptance of Expression or Acceptance of Feelings from Within or Without, and you accepted the feelings you expressed.

You made it through the Affection/Acceptance Barrier to Step 5, Affection. You made the move and totally enjoyed the warmth and closeness.

You immediately went to Step 7, The Goal. You found your stress symptoms under control or alleviated. Whether this was your first time or hundredth time, Congratulations! You have done something that many have never done. I'd like you to know how happy I am for you!

What Does It Mean To Have Stress Symptoms Under Control or Alleviated?

Remember, there are four classes of stress symptoms:

Class 1 are "fun".

Class 2 are "rewarding".

Class 3 "seem like fun" but in reality increase stress levels.

Class 4 are "neither fun nor rewarding nor seem like fun" but "painful".

We're usually not too concerned about Class 1 or Class 2 Stress Symptoms. It's Class 3 and Class 4 Stress Symptoms that become a difficulty for us. When we reach Step 7, we find:

We enjoy our Class 1 and 2 Stress Symptoms more than ever before.

Some of our Class 3 and 4 Stress Symptoms have been exchanged for some Class 1 and 2 Stress Symptoms.

Some of our Class 3 and 4 Stress Symptoms are under control and some totally alleviated.

By "under control" we mean we're in control of them rather than they being in control of us.

By "alleviated" we mean they've lessened or disappeared for the time being.

It's fantasy to think that once we've arrived at Step 7 we can stay there for life! As long as we're living in this world in these human bodies, we enjoy our stay while we can with the full awareness that when stress symptoms reoccur, we must return to Step 1 and Retry or default to the Starting Point. We have a choice!

"I Get So Tired of Going Through These Steps All the Time!"

I can understand that! I think it would bug anyone that they just can't stay on Step 7 all the time. However, as time goes on, it should be easier to go through the steps but still, it can it bug you that every time has to be a new challenge. Sometimes you may wonder if it'll ever be really easy and that could bug you too.

"But I Really Do Enjoy the Challenge and the Reward!"

I can understand that also! It's really hard to find any greater happiness than the happiness of acceptance. When you're able to meet your challenges of honesty, accept and enjoy your feelings, affection and sexuality, and be truly accepting of others, life does seem like a Cloud Nine experience! One thing is for sure. When you're dishonest with yourself and others, and choose not to accept and enjoy these human attributes, and are rejecting of others, it's really no fun at all!

If you have successfully completed the Steps to Stress Reduction Through Honesty in Communication, again, congratulations!

If you are ready to give Stress Reduction Through Honesty in communication a try, go for it! You should know enough from reading this book to go ahead and do it! Please don't wait until you "feel like it". That time may never come! Just do it and let your feelings follow. They will. They don't really have any choice!