ACoAs

Dimensions of CHARACTER (Part 1)

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , , , , ,

THE MORE I OWN MY CHARACTER STRENGTHS,
the more resilient I can be in life

PREVIOUS: Principles of C

BOOK: “Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders: how your genes affect your work life” ~ Scott Shane

NOTE: The focus of these posts are the healthy, positive, useful character traits. Naturally we all exhibit the negative version of them as well (some listed in future post), but as we heal from our damage we can express the very best of ourself, especially the more outstanding traits.

IMP: No one has all of these positive qualities in the same proportions or intensity. Our goal is to identify in ourself as many as we can, appreciate them, hone them – as well as accept & strengthen those we are weak in.
✶ DO NOT let Self-Hate be your guide in listing your innate ASSETS!

CHARACTER IS :
Many studies, including those from Positive Psychology, have defined & classified Character, naming it as the key to understanding what makes up a psychologically good life.

1. For RESILIENCE
Michael Baizerman, Professor of Youth Studies at the U of  MINN, writes that Personal Strengths or competencies are associated with healthy development & life success. He calls it “phenomenological resilience,” which can be observed & measured.
resiliance
• From a recent post on Control (Types of Self-Control, #3):  “Ego resiliency”  is the flexible & appropriate expression of self-control, in the face of uncertainty, change & environmental demands. Without it people tend to become over- or under-controlled.”
Baizerman says the following qualities do not cause resilience, but rather allow it to flourish:
• Autonomy : Adaptive Distancing, Humor, Initiating, Internal Locus of Control, Mastery, Mindfulness, Positive Identity, Resistance, Self-Awareness, Self-Efficacy
• Problem Solving : Critical Thinking, Flexibility, Insight, Planning, Resourcefulness

• Sense of Purpose : Achievement motivation, Creativity, Educational aspirations, Faith, Goal direction, Hope, Imagination, Optimism, Special interest, Spirituality, Sense of meaning
• Social  Competence : Altruism, Caring, Communication, Compassion, Empathy, Forgiveness, Responsiveness

predictors2. As PREDICTORS : This list is used by KIPP NYC, a non-profit network of free, public charter schools preparing students for success in college & life.  They’re mainly focused on 7 highly predictive CS, based on Dr. Seligman’s work:
• Curiosity  : Students are eager to explore new things.  Ask & answer questions to deepen understanding.  Actively listen to others
• Grit : Finish whatever they begin. Try very hard even after experiencing failure.  Work independently with focus
• Gratitude : Recognize & show appreciation for others AND for ones own opportunities
• Optimism: Get over frustrations & setbacks quickly. Believe that effort will improve their future

• Self-Control – School work : Students come to class prepared.  They pay attention & resist distractions. Remember & follow directions. Get to work right away, rather than procrastinate
• Self-control – Interpersonal : Remain calm even when criticized or otherwise provoked.  Allow others to speak without interruption. Are polite to adults & peers. Keep temper in check

• Social Intelligence :  Able to find solutions during conflicts with others.  Demonstrate respect for the feelings of others. Know when and how to include others
• Zest : Actively participate.  Show enthusiasm.  Inspire others

3. At WORK :  Another grouping is the DISC Assessment System

D = Dominant personality, also known as type “A”. Outgoing with a strong desire to get things done. Need constant stimulation & activity, becoming easily bored. Natural strengths:
Ds are: • able to juggle priorities  • born leaders  • high achieversDISC
• clear communicators  • don’t accept rejection  •  great multi-taskers • self-motivated  • Get more accomplished than any other type

I  = Inspiring personality, also outgoing 
like the D, but more interested in fun!
Is are:  • creative thinkers   • energetic •  extroverted   • imaginative   •  optimistic  • great at persuading & motivating others  • people oriented  • relationship builders

S = Sweet personality, which says it all. These people love to help others.  Even though they are more reserved than the first two types, they still like to build relationships just like the “I” personalities.
Ss are:  • caring  •  great finishers  •  quality producers  • peace-makers  • sentimental   •  relationship builders   • team builders  •  mediators

C = Cautious personality, always thinking. They’re reserved, task oriented & perfectionists. They may not talk much, but when they do it’s important
Cs are:   • cost-conscious   •  deep thinkers  •  great researchers   •  planners   • quality-driven  •  resourceful    • systematic  •  task-oriented

NEXT: Dimension of C, Part 2

PRINCIPLES of CHARACTER

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , , , ,

IT’S GOOD TO KNOW
what to look for

PREVIOUS: What is Character, Part 2

SITE: 7 Common Character types in Fiction

See ACRONYM Page for abbrev.

 

PRINCIPLES of Character (C) 

1. Character Strengths (CS) are BASIC
Neal Mayerson (founder of the VIA Institute on Character) says CS are the basic building blocks of the True Self, our essence – the core part that account for being at our best.
• The word “character” comes from a Greek noun for the stamp impressed on a coin.  From that we use the term to mean that individuals have been “stamped” by nature into a complex of mental & ethical traits.

Unfortunately, people often jump to incorrect conclusions about what C traits mean, such as – if someone is sensitive they are therefore weak; if a person is vain they must be shallow …. Groups are also rigidly stamped in a particular way, such as – because of the very real differences between men and women – one group is considered better than the other.  (‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’).

2. C Strengths (CS) are stable, but can & do change
While they are fundamental parts of our personality, these strengths can change in intensity or in focus, depending on predictable life events such as starting a family, unpredictable life events such as a trauma, and deliberate changes in lifestyle.  
• ALSO, some traits may be prominent at one stage in life (being Adventurous but not Compassionate, Socially active but not Discrete…) while other traits may take prominence at other stages, as with experience & maturity (Decisiveness, Cautiousness, Self-control….)

3. CS are inter-dependent
In most situations people will express a combination of CS rather than one at a time. Interactions among strengths may enhance the expression of some but hinder the expression of others.
EXP : it’s hard to be Creativity without some level of Curiosity, or to be Kind without some amount of Bravery…..while being Discrete can limit the ability to be Persuasive, and being Truthful will modify one’s Meekness ….

4. CS can be developed
While we’re born with fundamental & personal CS, we can have them in different proportions (one person will be naturally higher on Courage, another on Cautiousness, one is higher on Ambition, another on Deference….).
Yet the strength of our characteristics can be modified or enhanced with attention, experience & training. People can learn to be more Confident, more Grateful, more Fair, more Open-minded, more Patient….
Specific interventions can have an impact on many CS, such as journaling, emulating others & goal-oriented planning. Persistent practice can break or modify old habits and form new ones

5.  CS can be overused, misused, or under-usedpower abuse
Since we are all molded by our childhood experiences, our fundamental strengths can be repressed & then quickly forgotten, or expressed in unbalanced & harmful ways.
EXP : Creativity can be misused in email spamming, overuse of Curiosity can lead to gossiping, or someone into dangerous locations, under-use of Fairness can lead to conflicted relationships.
Balance and skill are important aspects of mental health

6. CS have important consequences
The result of expressing one’s CS – at their best & from the right motives – is connected to many benefits, such as increased internal happiness & external success.  This may be especially true of our signature strengths – the more intense ones that are energizing & authentic. They’re the True Self strengths we use across many settings & are readily noticed by others.  Over time, research may also reveal that each C. has its own unique effect.
EXP : Perseverance seems to be linked with high achievement (nACH) more than most other character strengths.

7. CS are universaluniversal
Personal Character Strengths (CS) can be found in the most remote cultures & lands, shared by people with differing beliefs, religious affiliations, & political preferences. This makes applying CS more a matter of identifying & then actively using the best parts of us, instead of picking ourself apart.  (from Ryan Niemiec, Psy.D)

NEXT: Dimensions of C.

What is CHARACTER ? (Part 2)

dmtorbi ACoAs

PREVIOUS: What is CHARACTER ? (#1)

SITE: Personality Types (scroll down)

 

 

CHARACTER (cont)
a. Personality  – can be defined as a dynamic & organized set of characteristics that —> motivate us, & uniquely influence the way we think, feel & act in various circumstances.
The word “personality” originates from the Latin ‘persona’, which means mask.  Allport believed that personality develops as a function of learning to adapt to social situations, using our fundamental qualities, while trying to achieve our needs.  Interesting list:
“16 Personality Factors” ∼ psychologist Raymond Cattell.

b. Traits – In Science: Physical characteristics as an expression of a gene or many genes, such as height, eye color, the ability to roll your tongue….
In Psychology: a consistent, long-lasting tendency in behavior, as the distinguishing qualities of your personal nature, such as hostility, boldness, faith….
They are aspects of personality, background, or physique that make us better at some activities & worse at others.

TRAIT THEORY: In 1936, psychologist Gordon Allport (one of the first to focus on the study of  Personality) identified almost 18,000 words in various dictionaries that described differing personality traits, 4,000 of them in just one.

Common Traits – abstract ones used to measure one’s personality or some portion of it
Individual Traits – later renamed “dispositions”- unique characteristics which give us insight into how a person is organized – the “morphogenic study of the individual”.    (MORE…)

Allport noted that what people do is a great clue to their personality traits. If people like to run, hike, & ride bikes we can infer they are ‘Athletic’.  He grouped traits into three levels:

✤ CARDINAL :  A single characteristic that has one general focus motivating a person & guiding most of their activities. It dominates their life as their ruling passions/obsessions, such as a need for money, fame, security…. Someone can be so power-hungry that they are solely driven by that need for control.

• Some people are known specifically for such traits, so that their names become synonymous with the quality. Consider some that made these ‘names’ become household words, by their descriptive term: Christ-like, Freudian, Machiavellian, narcissistic, Don Juan(ish)…. Cardinal traits are rare (not present in all of us) & tend to show up later in life

✤ CENTRAL: these are the 5 to 10 pervasive traits found to some degree in everyone – which govern traitspeople’s day to day interactions. They’re the basic building blocks of personality that shape most of our behavior, but not as strongly as the Cardinals. They are the obvious characteristics most often used to describe someone, such as: “Sammy is intelligent, honest, shy & anxious….” (LIST of Traits)
    
✤ SECONDARY: the traits that reflect more “situational or opportunistic expressions”. They aren’t as incorporated into one’s personality as the others, the particular likes or dislikes that only a very close friend would know about. They’re attitudes or preferences that only tend to show up under specific circumstances, & must be included to provide a complete picture of human complexity. EXP:
• getting anxious when in a group, being impatient while waiting in line
• a preference for ice cream or chocolate, dislike of modern art or jazz

Traits (CT) are expressed in degrees
People express their strengths in different ways & in different amounts, depending on the event or setting. 
Social Psychology tells us that the details of the specific situation influences actual behavior. We may normally be very Responsible, but not always, like being late for an unpleasant meeting, or being flaky because of who we’re with, how much money we have at the moment, how upset or ill we are….

The degree to which a trait is expressed can also depend on the people we interact with. We may BE :
• Restrained when being with a shy person or unsafe authority figure
• Expressive with good friends or children
• Diligent at work, but Carefree on vacation
DRAW on our
• Love & Kindness when with family
• Self-regulation & Prudence when eating
• Social intelligence & Curiosity with casual friends or acquaintances
• Teamwork & Perseverance at work….

NEXT: PRINCIPLES of CHARACTER

What is CHARACTER ? (Part 1)

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , , , , , , , , ,

WHO AM I? my flaws or….

PREVIOUS:  Emotional Maturity

SITE: Personality Types (scroll down)

 

PMES = Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual

ACoAs suffer unnecessarily for many reasons –
– one of which is NOT believing we have any positive qualities. All we can see are the problems created by our False Self, which was developed in reaction to our upbringing, but which we assume is the real us.
Because originally we had such distorted mirroring (seeing ourself only thru the eyes of our dysfunctional caretakers) we deny our natural gifts.

• Yes, we have ‘character defects’, but these are extensions of our S-H & are how the WIC learned to function, rather than what our Healthy Child or ‘Unit’ are capable of. Even so, these gifts do show up in many of our accomplishments throughout adulthood.
The next several posts provide some positive qualities essential for PMES maturity – to ponder, identify & then own!

EXP: Julie chased boys since she was 9 or 10, but she never caught any. By her 30s she was defeated & full of S-H. She told a therapist: “I’m such a pathetic jerk – all this time I’ve been doing the same stupid thing, with the same awful results!”
The therapist replied: “You’re not stupid, pathetic or a jerk – you’re persistent. Now you can focus that quality in a new direction – toward the goal of emotional & mental growth, as well as fulfilling your dreams!”, which Julie eventually did – successfully!
😘
CHARACTER (C):
• DEF: C. is “the stable & distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response, regardless of circumstances.”
• C. refers to the specific combination of aspects which make a person unique, expressed in their habits, likes, values, dislikes, behaviors….

• Psychologist Lawrence Pervin says that moral character is “a disposition (strong tendency) to express behavior in consistent patterns of functions, across a range of situations.”
• Similarly, academic Arthur S. Adams said: “Good character is the quality which makes one dependable, whether being watched or not.”

• C. is multi-dimensional & must be measured in ways that do justice to its breadth & complexity. It’s made up of specific psychological mechanisms that express the presence or lack of virtues such as wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence.

Positive Qualities expressed in T.E.As.
CURIOSITY
❖ Curiosity Thoughts: “That doctor sounds like she knows what she’s talking about. I wonder if she could help me with my specific problem & if she’s taking on new patients?”
❖ Curiosity Emotions:
• I wanted to ask her a question about ____, but I’m angry that she’s ignoring me
• I want to take this risk, but I’m afraid to try
• I see new possibilities, & it excites me
❖ Curiosity Actions: I went to see the boss. I stood quietly, waiting in line. I asked the teacher questions. I expressed my interest by a smile & leaning forward…..

FLEXIBILITY – The ability to respond easily & appropriately to new or changing Emotional moods or physical conditions in our environment – by changing or modifying actions & beliefs as needed, without great agitation or drama.flexible
Willing to shift our Actions to comply with the plans or ideas given by authority figures who we need to deal with.
Flexible Thinking : Consider a new or different way of ‘seeing’ a person, event or chain of events (reframing).  EXP:
• DO NOT = be stubborn, compromise what’s right, get upset when plans change
• DO = respect the decisions of others, look for the good in changes.

HUMOR  – Laughter is an essential part of a healthy, happy life.   It helps people smile & feel relaxed by seeing the lighter side of things. It can help to manage physical &/or emotional pain, enhancing our immune system & reducing stress.  VALUE – TO:
• take a break every day to laugh, be playful   • not stay discouraged but find what’s already positive in one’s life   • see the foolishness of human self-importance  • treat every job as important • be an energy-giver to others    (POST : “Resilience & HUMOR “)

NEXT: What is Character, Part 2

Emotional MATURITY – Relational, Spiritual

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , ,

I CAN SEE THINGS CLEARLY
making all my relationships easier

Previous: Emotional Maturity – Emotional

REMINDER: See ACRONYM Page for abbrev.

 

RELATIONSHIPS
a. Re. YOU

• are playful, creative & express your silly, zany side
• can accept your current limitations, & get help as needed
• evaluate legitimate criticism, accepting it gratefully, glad for an opportunity to learn & improve
• can take in genuine love & respect, in big or small ways, without ‘paying’ for it
YOU
world friends• accept responsibility for who you pick to be with & how you act with them, adding to your self-respect
• have sufficient & the right kind of boundaries, by knowing your values, needs & tastes
• can regularly say ‘“No” to harmful requests, or what will over-extend you
• don’t get easily offended, don’t bite when baited, but also let others know what’s acceptable or not
YOU
• form deep relationships with people from other backgrounds, races, cultures, & classes
• genuinely care about others & express that in all you do
• are comfortable being intimate with appropriate people, being approachable & easy to be with
• can relate well with others, connecting in a cooperative & positive way, while knowing you don’t fit with everyone
avoid insulters• know when to be a realistic help to someone vs. when to let go, so they can handle their own life
• thoughtfully evaluate friends & social contacts, avoiding people & situations that push your buttons, but rather pick those who bring the best out in you
• know when to be a realistic help to someone vs. when to let go, so they can handle their own life
• don’t expect special consideration from anyone, but are comfortable being appreciated, thanked & valued

 

b. Re. OTHERS – YOU:
• are friendly & share resources, cooperative with peers & teams, where appropriate
• are are a good listener, without judging, trying to fix or push your own way of doing things
• can ‘confront’ someone when they’ve disappointed or hurt you, using the “I’ form, without attack or blame
YOUgetting along
• can nurture others without rescuing or controlling
• can work inter-dependently with others when required, without having to be the center of attention or dominating others
• cooperate in order to find win-win solutions to disputes. If an answer isn’t good for each party involved, it won’t be good for the relationship
YOU
• aren’t easily fooled by or idealize people or situations that are unhealthy, abusive or just not right for you
• don’t judge others you don’t understand or are very different. Try to learn, connect & be a peacemaker when possible
• empathize with others’ experience & Es, imagining what it’s like to be in their shoes
• forgive others for hurting you, & yourself for any wrongs you’ve done, making amends when possible without shame or self-hate
YOUconflict resolution
• look for the good in others rather than use a critical eye, with compassion
• offer information & make decisions clearly, with respect
• resolve conflict in a clear, direct & respectful way (NO avoidance or put downs, escalating tensions, or going to a third-party rather than to the person directly)
• understand & accept others as they really are, not what you want them to be

5. SPIRITUAL
GENERAL – YOU:
• are are filled with joy & a sense of humor, rather than being wounded because of what others say or do
• an are organic part of a larger whole, contributing your part to each group you’re a member of
• found a meaning in life that gives a connection to all humanity, not just self-interest
spiritual connections• have humility (“I have value but not better than”), rather than humiliated
YOU
• know life is full of uncertainties, but aren’t brought down
• have inner abundance so can be generous & unselfish, which is satisfying
• live by the motto “Don’t quit before the miracle”, so don’t use endless escapes (chemicals, sex, money, food, suicide….)
YOU
• have outgrown the “all or nothing” stage, appreciating the Golden Mean (desirable middle between two extremes, from Aristotle, Confucius…).  Recognize that most people or situations are a combination of good & bad
• some insight & wisdom to see the beauty & value in all of life, in spite of the negatives 
• take care of yourself because you’re precious & God doesn’t make junk

SPECIFIC  – YOU:
• believe in a caring God who is always available, knowing that the Supreme Being is not an alcoholic parent!
• acknowledge & appreciate all the opportunities & help that God has already provided, which support you in surviving or outgrowing your difficulties
• enjoy being alone in quiet reflection with God & yourself (the personal version of daily prayer & meditation)spirit-human connect
YOU
• have a definite set of personal & spiritual principles to live by
• have faith in a Power greater than yourself, & keep that connection current
• obey the spiritual essence of the Golden Rule:  “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”, while making sure you don’t harm yourself
• pray for guidance & healing, to be given grace & peace, instead of trying to ‘go it alone’
• thank God for all past life experiences, understanding how He has used them to uniquely shape you

NEXT: What is Character #1

Emotional MATURITY – Emotional

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , , , , ,

maturity 3I’M WILLING TO GROW –
beyond my early training!

PREVIOUS: Cognitive & Practical (#1)

SITE: Self-Soothing Hand positions Exercises (helps with PTSD)

See ACRONYM Page for abbrev.

QUOTE: “We grow sometimes in one dimension & not in another, unevenly….. mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present & future mingle, pulling us backward, forward, or fixing us in the present. We’re made up of layers, cells, constellations.” Anais Nin


Def: Emotional Maturity (EM) is expressed in ways that appropriately fit our chronological age – with increased adjustment, stability & self-regulation.  Psychological Wiki
PURPOSE – is TO:
1. acknowledge healthy qualities we’re already developing, based on personal growth – to appreciate our Recovery progress
2. know what personal goals to work toward
3. know what to look for in others* – lovers, mates, friends, family (adults), bosses…..

✶ ACoAs will say they wouldn’t know a healthy person if they fell over them.
WELL – here are some guidelines – for YOURself & about others! Keep a copy on your phone, desktop & bathroom mirror
PS: As emotional wounds heal & distorted beliefs are corrected, we can claim these EM characteristics, & see many areas of our life gradually improve

soothing handsEMOTIONAL GOALS & ACHIEVEMENTS – YOU:
• accept yourself unconditionally, even for the things that are incomplete, unattractive or need improving
• accept & tolerate anxiety & other uncomfortable Es
• accept & face guilt when breaking family rules
• accept that some stress is part of life, rather than trying to hide, without creating drama.  Can meet emergencies with poise
YOU:
• admit & are able to work through Es (fear, anger, pain…) from traumatic events in your life (divorce, major illness, death, disasters….) rather than pretending nothing’s wrong
• are comfortable expressing Es in a healthy way, from the Adult ego state
• are in touch with a full range of Es. Not afraid to find out what they are at any given moment, but not overwhelmed or driven by them
• aren’t afraid to feel sadness & cry, as well as explore the reasons for it
self-pity• can handle disappointment, so are a good loser, deal with defeat without whining or blame
YOU
• have a reasonable amount of patience at reasonable delays, & have self-control in adversity. Accept you sometimes have to adjust to other people’s convenience, needs or limitations
• have Es in perspective, from a balanced internal place rather than B & W extremes. Accept that “If it’s hysterical it’s historical”
• have mostly outgrown envy & jealousy, being honestly glad when others have success or good fortune
• know how to manage & cope with old or new pain
• let yourself be vulnerable without shame or terror, & can let others see your unsuccessful / soft side, but only when appropriate & with safe people
• recognize anger or rage & express them appropriately, in a way that leads to your growth
YOU
forgive• aren’t overly ‘sensitive’ or touchy, can feel your Es but not so easily hurt
• don’t have to “show off” in socially unacceptable ways to feel important
• don’t require approval from others to feel good about yourself
• don’t need to constantly find fault, but also aren’t idealistic & unrealistic (in denial) about things that are genuinely harmful
• don’t worry about or try to fix things that are beyond your control
• don’t indulge in self-pity (“woe is me”), understanding the law of compensation* operates in all of life.
IMP: Having compassion for ourself & our misfortunes, which are not of our making, is not the same as self-pity, which only blames others for our pain without taking any responsibility for having to heal our wounds

*Compensation: All life is about trade-offs – good for bad, & bad for good. It’s an amend or reward for loss or deprivation. Anything that makes up for the lack or limitation of something else
“As there is no worldly gain without some loss, so there is no worldly loss without some gain:
• If thou hast lost thy wealth, thou hast lost some trouble with it
• If thou art degraded from thy honor, thou art likewise freed from the stroke of envy
• If sickness hast blurred thy beauty, it hath delivered thee from pride
• Set the allowance against the loss and thou shalt find no loss great.”
English Metaphysical poet Francis Quarles (1592 ~ 1644)

NEXT: Emotional Maturity – Relational, Spiritual

Emotional MATURITY – Cognitive, Practical

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , , , , ,

maturity 1

‘I KNOW WHAT I KNOW’
and I’m also willing to learn

PREVIOUS: Emotional Maturity – General

NOTE: As recovering ACoAs, many of us start the maturing process much later in life than we would have if we’d come from a healthy, loving family. This is perfectly understandable.

Therefore, we need to :
• mourn the loss of time & possibilities our damage has stolen from us
• safely express our rage at the unfairness of having to clean up the mess our parents & environment bequeathed us
• consistently work at Recovery, & persevere no matter how hard & long it takes
• keep looking for, finding & accepting appropriate people & support systems that will nurture our growth
• know in our bones that Recovery & therefore EM is a realistic goal for ourself NEVER ‘compare & despair’, since you are NOT someone else!

COGNITIVE – ABLE TO:
• be self-appraising, & comfortable with who you are & what you want in life
• take responsibility for your decisions. Admit when you’re wrong, without being overly guilt- or shame-ridden
• consciously look for the motives behind your own actions, with wisdom & compassion
• face reality, in yourself & in others, the way things are right now (acceptance)
TO:
• decide what you believe, based on experiences & feelings, not on what others say or do – or want of you. Believe “I know what I know”
bla, bla, bla• realize there are many different opinions in the world, & you can’t use others to form your identity
• change your opinions about people or situations when receiving new info
TO:
• accurately chose info from available data, then apply it to make positive decisions for yourself
• mainly use reason to decide how to act. You need Es to say what’s suitable or not – for yourself, but they are not always or automatically to be acted on
• think before acting to be in control of your behavior
TO:
• eliminate magical thinking (grandiosity), unrealistic expectations, projections….
• live with being imperfect & sometimes failing. It does not reflect on your personal value, no matter what you were told as a kid
• thoughtfully listen to others’ opinions. You can understand & tolerate differing views, without diminishing yourself in any way
gaather knowledgeTO:
• accept not everyone will feel the same way about a situation, stimulus or idea as you do
• understand the relationship between core values & Es
• always want to learn new things to improve yourself, making you more effective & useful in the world

PRACTICAL – ABLE TO:
• admit & deal with the consequences of your actions or inactions
• accept when you don’t succeed at something. Figure out what went wrong, learn from any mistakes, & make the necessary corrections – when possible, & without shame
• asses the risks of a potential or planned situation (date, interview…) that you’re already familiar with, OR that you know enough about to evaluate – without projecting negatively.
When assessing possible pitfalls / risks of an upcoming event, do research & then use that info wisely (not impulsive, compulsive)
TO:
• balance family, rest, work & play – without trying to do it perfectly, or do it well all the time
shoot for dreams• be mainly self-reliant in all areas of life, but not isolated or afraid to ask for help when needed
• follow through with things you’ve started, even when it’s hard, but also know when to let go of a hopeless situation
TO:
• know what you want to do with your life & then pursue it with enthusiasm & patience, persevering even when there are obstacles
• plan ahead, being realistic & practical, rather than letting things go ’till the last minute. Use inspiration & intuition when faced with an unexpected problem, but not as a substitute for being prepared
• tackle difficult & demanding situations – even when scared – trusting you can use knowledge & experience, not forgetting past successes
TO:
balancing• take overall responsibility for your own life (& small children), without endless excuses, but not be responsible for the lives or needs of (most) other adults
• use moderation & balance in all things, but allow for extremes once in a while when appropriate
• work hard toward your goals, not compulsively or to the point of exhaustion, but with a reasonable plan that can be modified or enhanced according to circumstances

ARTICLE: “Knowing your Strengths gives you Clearer Direction”

NEXT: Emotional Maturity – Emotional

Emotional MATURITY – General

dmtorbi 12-step, ACoAs, al-anon, Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, coaching, mental health, Problem-Solving, Psychotherapy, recovery, self growth, self-help , , , , ,

I INTEGRATE ALL PARTS OF ME
while still working on the ‘old stuff’

PREVIOUS: Emotional Immaturity (Part 3)

SITE : True Happiness (Emotional Maturity Questionnaire)

QUOTES: 🔅 “Maturity consists of no longer being taken in by oneself” Anon.

🔅 “Maturity is the ability to think, speak & act your feelings within the bounds of dignity. The measure of your maturity is how spiritual you become during the midst of your frustrations.”  Samuel Ullman (American businessman, poet & humanitarian)

EMOTIONAL MATURITY (EM) means having a healthy self-concept: not thinking too highly or too lowly of ourself, being part the world but realize we’re not the center of it

Characteristics can be identified in relation to AGE :
a. Social  – can relate well socially for our physical age
b. Emotional  – can handle emotions appropriate for our age
c. Spiritual  – can behave in a spiritually mature way

In ACoA language, EM develops slowly by minimizing the damage in our WIC & quieting / limiting the PP voice, as much as possible. Ultimately it’s about no longer having S-H & living from our True Self.
Maturity comes from growing the ‘Unit’ (Healthy Adult & Loving Parent), who are regularly (but not always) in charge of the WIC, encourage the Natural Child to blossom, & keep in touch with our Higher Power.

• Maturity does NOT mean having eliminated all our damage, but rather to lessen the grip of the Introject, diminish accumulated old pain & be able to deal with our core wounds when they do surface, so they don’t take over & we can bounce back faster.imperfect

ACoAs are quite capable of developing mental, emotional & spiritual maturity – as long as we don’t strive for perfection*.  Actively using the “Principles of the Program” helps to outgrow the worst of our damage so we can live more comfortably in the present, instead of in our tortured past.  When psychological health takes root, we carry it with us even under stress, & express it in ‘all our affairs’

✶ Perfectionism is a sign of immaturity, based in FoA & S-H,- a belief (CD) rather than an event or action.
To be human is to be IMperfect, & to be mature is to be OK with that!
Fortunately there are times when everything works out well = we’re successful at a task, reach a goal, or feel empowered. These do NOT come from perfection.
Basically, they’re just events without mistakes. Those moments are the result of our knowledge, effort, practice & persistence, help from H.P, our faith, & perhaps some ‘luck’.

KEY QUALITIES of MATURITY
confidence1. Emotional
• Emotional Responsibility : identifying them, AND know they come from inside, rather than caused by other people, places or things
• Self-control: accept & control our passions, impulses & desires. Can handle stress well, ‘let go’ & detach, know when we’re powerless over a situation
• Self-esteem: have inner fulfillment, enjoy life, experience ourself as one source of love.  Have understanding of & insight into current reality.

2. Psychological / Mental
responsible• Cognitive Responsibility: be accountable for our thoughts – beliefs, opinions & prejudices. Handle finances, have good work habits & are reliable
• Mental Clarity: able to think clearly & rationally. Process information based on general reality, know how to gather & communicate information
• Independence: make appropriate decisions & observe consequences in order to make better choices. Learn & grow from experience.

mental clarity3. Practical
• Action Responsibility: know what we want & can make it happen
• Function: make the effort to learn what we need to know in order to accomplish our goals
• Participation: join group & community activities that encourage creativity, collaboration & empowerment, perhaps volunteer for a relevant cause

4. Relational / Social
• Inter-personal Responsibility: treat people as separate entities with the right to their own needs, wishes & dreams (not use people)
relational• Respect: understand & tolerate different views, cooperate with peers or teams, care about others & support their concern
• Connections: make connections easily, sustain intimate relationship, take in friendship & love, share decisions & resources

spiritual5. Spiritual
• Moral Responsibility: have a healthy value system / code of ethics. Choose what’s right for ourself first & then in relation to others
• Congruence: Act honestly, live by our principles & listen to our intuition
• Altruism: have concern for all humanity, do what we can to help others – realistically!

NEXT: Emotional Maturity (Part 2)

ACoAs & Emotional Immaturity (Part 3)

dmtorbi ACoAs

putting things offAS MUCH AS I HATE IT
I can’t seem to let them go!

PREVIOUS: Emotional Immaturity (# 2)

QUOTE:  “Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy. In fact, they are incompatible. One emotion hardly leaves room for the other.” Robert Heinlein

IMMATURITY (cont)
10. SELF-CENTERED
The most basic trait of an emotional immature person. Never equate arrogance with self-esteem! All expressions of S-H are self-centeredness.
• actions indicate little regard for the needs & point of view of others, yet actually have very little regard for ourself (hidden S-H)
• overly sensitive, but mainly for things done to us – real or projected, rather than caring about the effect we have on others because of what we do.
IRONY – co-deps are overly focused on how others see us, BUT it’s still self-centered narcissism
WE
me. me. me• are preoccupied with our own ideas & fears, even when hidden by rescuing, hi-achieving, people-pleasing….. can result in social anxiety, from assuming everyone will judge, criticize & dislike us
• take everything personally, trouble separating issues & situations from our ego or personal reactions to a topic, ‘hear’ discussions about issues through a filter that makes everything about us
• talk more than listen, steering all conversations back to us. Don’t take the time to be thoughtful, understanding, compassionate or empathetic —
— alternated with being lost in thought (dissociated) or consumed with our own views, worries, & outcome of our troubles (obsessions)

11. STIMULUS HUNGRY
stimulus hunger• addicted to adrenalin, drama & various forms of danger
• demand instant results from ourself & others, so have poor follow-thru. Our promising beginnings end in failure for lack of persistence, so our gifts & skills are often wasted
• have poor impulse control, & trouble with delayed gratification (“I want it now, now, now”- including Recovery!)
• have superficial values, & too concerned with trivia (appearance, social position, money & possessions, sexual desirability…)

12. STUCK in DAMAGE
• acting out our anxiety on family or relationship = self-blame, guilt & physical symptoms (body pain, auto-immune illnesses…)
BTW: This does includes the years in Recovery – but as long as we’re progressing, it’s OK no matter how slowly
• our sense of identity coming from the False Self
• staying loyal to our family by feeding our S-H, obeying Toxic Rules, acting from the Toxic Roles, using people / places / things as addictions
• trapped in our ‘story’ – using unproductive patterns of thinking & acting from childhood (repetition compulsion)stuck in mud

AGE is not the main basis for maturity. Many people live their whole lives as emotional babies, not always obvious on the surface.
Actual children ARE naturally immature.
But when ACoAs were young, we had to be little grownups so the ‘adults’ wouldn’t have to be loving & responsible parents. Most of our role models were wounded kids themselves, so we never had a chance to learn genuine maturity from them

13. UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
• compulsively choose unhealthy, inappropriate friends & mates, as well as work, living & social environments
• OR accept any person or situation offered to us, without considering if we like it, if it suits us, how safe or healthy it is….
• focus most of our efforts on winning over people who are not interested in us, OR tolerate boundary invaders
• in most relationships we react in extremes (idealize or demonize)
AND
• personal loyalty lasts only as long as the relationship is somehow useful to ourself
• having trouble with people important to us is usually caused by us being critical, impatient, over-reactive, having inappropriate expectations & making demands
• use relationships to manage our anxiety. Have a great need for a large ‘support’ system so we don’t have to face & outgrow our abandonment issues

14. UNHEALTHY THINKING
• Cognitive Distortions (CDs) are the mainstay of the immature (WIC’s) way of ‘understanding’ the world. CDs CAUSE:
• being stuck in flawed beliefs about ourself (S-H) & others (judgmentalism)
• confused thinking, and inappropriate actions or non-actions
• misreading & then mis-interpretation of social cues, so we ignore them completely or react badly from projecting our assumptions on to others
• not taking seriously any point of view different from our own . EXP: B & W thinking always leads to false conclusions

NEXT : Emotional Maturity – General

ACoAs & Emotional Immaturity (Part 2)

dmtorbi ACoAs

lazy-boyI’M DOING WHATEVER I WANT- 
no matter what ! 

PREVIOUS : Emotional Immaturity (#1)

See ACRONYM Page for abbrev.

QUOTEs: ◎ “If you’re always waiting to get caught, welcome to a life of immaturity” Eymadreamer
◎ “Immaturity is the incapacity to use one’s intelligence without the guidance of another” Emmanuel Kant

IMMATURITY (cont)
6. NOT FLEXIBLE
Opposing people & ideas – being emotionally rigid, AND insist there’s only one way to think about or do things “our way or the highway”
‣ consistently experience the world as being against us, feel unseen & unheard, which can lead to constant debating, arguing, fighting
‣ OR compulsively isolate, avoiding reality, especially when frustrated
‣ see everything in B & W (too much or too little, all or nothing) oppositional

Oppositional – compulsively take the other side of an opinion or event, even if we secretly agree with the first one :
‣ as a way to keep others at arm’s length emotionally (false protection)
‣ because of a fragile ego (False Self, WIC), we’re afraid of loosing ourself if we agree with someone else, instead of having a solid identity and real boundaries
‣ have great difficulty with any form of real or perceived authority, even when it’s legitimate
‣ resist taking advice & help, even when desperately needed

7. NOT SELF-AWARE, MISSING :
• the ability to question or reflect on the consequences of our actions
• access to our Healthy Adult ‘voice’ based in the True Self
• awareness of how we communicate, that we don’t make genuine connections, or what effect we have on others by what we say
• appropriate sense of boundaries (over or under-functioning)
• awareness of our emotions or interior life (anxious, cutoff, reactive, stressed) OR why we think, feel & do what we do
• genuine empathy for or perspective about others

8. MANIPULATIVE
grudge-holding• experience the world as threatening, so hide our fear by subtly invalidating others (undermining), double talk, guilting, act weak & incompetent, play on other’s sympathy….
• highly self-absorbed, unsympathetic, passive-aggressive (covert hostility)
• hold on to unexpressed resentments, while our real intentions & behaviors are hostile : the con man, the gossip, the martyr, the two-face
• not able to face reality as an adult, we tend to often LIE, as a defense mechanism, even about small things, especially when not necessary. We gradually forfeit the trust of friends, family, and co-workers
• pretend to have emotional stability which we don’t actually have

9. OVERLY DEPENDENT
Symptoms : co-dependence & people-pleasing, dogmatism–intolerance of ambiguity, Fear of abandonment (FoA),
• act as Victim: always complaining or whining about something, or apathetic & numbed out. Focused on self-pity, waiting to be taken care of
• are indecisive – unable to make simple choices or decisions. You don’t stick to any you do make, from being easily influenced, bullied or manipulated by others
• basic emotional reactions to life = fear, distrust, anger & anxiety
WE
• get angry when a significant other (as parent-substitute) expresses their own needs & wants, when different from our own
• chronically expect some other person, place or thing to make life worth while. Needing others around all the time becomes a burden to them
• invest ourself in any belief system or person who reinforces our own opinions (actually those of the WIC & PP), OR who promises rescue, privilege, salvation or status
WE
• make snap judgments, are insecure, defensive – which is covered up either by being totally self-effacing or puffing ourself up all the time
• need to please everyone, in exchange for safety & gratification, doing ‘nice’ things for others only to have an advantage, so are rarely emotionally honest
• are prone to intense attachments or enmeshments (symbiosis), always dependent on someone else, when a reasonable amount of self-reliance should be present as an adult.
NOTE : This does not apply to temporary dependency caused by present-day trauma or major illness.

NEXT : Emotional Immaturity (Part 3)