Blue Ridge Parkway in Autumn

This one of my image and self-reflection experiments.  For those who simply enjoy my photography, don't worry - the images themselves will still keep coming.  My goal is to reach a little further to combine two personal interests of mine and make a little more difference (see: fav.me/d6ueow0 ). As always, feedback (positive or negative) is always appreciated.

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This is the third in a mini-series of self-reflection pieces - please see the first piece here (Intro to A-B-C)

and the second piece here (defining "A","B", and "C")

This one will focus on the importance of the "B-C" connection:

A lot of research has gone into the "B-C" connection over the years and has determined that in the vast majority of cases, certain emotional responses are predicated by specific types of thought/belief patterns. 

Belief    -->>  Emotion

Loss        -->>  Sadness
Danger     -->>  Anxiety
Trespass     -->>  Anger
Inflicting Harm    -->>  Guilt
Negative Comparison   -->>  Embarassment
Positive Contribution   -->>  Pride
Appreciation   -->>  Gratitude
Positive Future  -->>  Hope

An example of how to use this - if you find yourself feeling anxious (the emotional consequence - "C") and can't figure out why, take some time aside to think about it.  What triggered the anxiety?  What activating event ("A") led to the feeling of anxiety?  Then you can begin to explore that event and your belief ("B") about it.  What about that event led to the anxious feeling?  In the vast majority of cases, for the vast majority of people - the chart above will be accurate in terms of belief that leads to an emotion.  So using that chart with the feeling of anxiety, you probably perceived an event or situation to be dangerous. 

The hidden power of this tool isn't the fact that it's necessarily groundbreaking - most people I've introduced to this line of thinking say that it makes sense, though they've never looked at it that was before.  The real power of the tool is in the actual use of it.  Using the tool forces you to think logically and purposefully about an event, instead of purely emotionally.  It helps you make sense of the emotions that your feeling so that productive action can result.  And in the meantime - while you're thinking, you're buying time and reducing the odds of an impulsive reation. 

Stay tuned for a comprehensive example of a real use of ABC here:

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Feel free to message or comment on both, or either, of the photograph and/or the reflection.  Add me to your watch list to see more of both and please share with your friends.

Please do not use or reproduce my images without my permission.

Thanks
~Mike