Posted by Glenn Fagelson on July 14, 2001, at 15:07:22
In reply to Re: Need some support » susan C, posted by Jane D on July 14, 2001, at 13:14:43
> > > > Good dog...pat, pat, good dog, good dog.
> >
> > my apologies, Glen, it was a chain of thought, black dog, dog, good dog, pat pat...I hadn't heard the term before, and it got me going, I didnt mean it in any mean way, just comfort. Sorry.
>
> Susan - I got it and thought it was hilarious.
>
> Glenn - Try to picture yourself facing a large vicious (black) dog saying "Nice doggy, nice doggy" as your voice shakes and you try to back slowly away.
>
> Seriously, one of the few things I've learned over the years is not to take my initial reactions seriously. My judgement stinks. Especially when I'm having one of those rotten days that you described so eloquently. My natural inclination is to assume everything is a put down. I've had plenty of days when I would have assumed that the dog comment was an attack on me even if I couldn't quite figure out how. Most of the time I can tell myself that it isn't - that my perceptions are totally off today. And even if I don't really believe that I try to act as though I did. The value of this is that it helps me to avoid alienating people who really did mean no harm and who I really want to keep around. Assuming the worst of people is one of the problems with this illness. It's also one that others can't understand. Letting them know that you have assumed the worst about them is something most people find unforgivable.
>
> Lecture complete. I hope you're feeling better.
>
> JaneYou are right, Jane. In my state
yesterday, I thought I was the
"black dog". Thanks for your
feedback!
Glenn
poster:Glenn Fagelson
thread:7388
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010706/msgs/7435.html