Blog
Reflections on Observing Systems
n an era of societal polarization, how can I understand the power of the emotional system to manipulate me? One way is to take time to think and write about an emotional event. This is my purpose here. A good example occurred when my granddaughters wanted to go to the Woman’s March in Washington, D.C., and have their voices heard. It took time to understand that their request activated a fear response in me based in old memories of the impact of the Vietnam War, WWI and WWII on my family life. What were the emotional triggers preventing me from acting with greater emotional maturity and living more optimally? When am I vulnerable to losing self in relationships?
Can Changing the Past Change the Present?
Over the years, Bowen theory has enabled me to see the relationship between one's emotional experience and connection to generational family network. My personal experience suggests that nurturing these relationships (within my extended family) decreases a sense of overwhelm and supplies energy I hadn't realized was available.
The Costs of Automatic Upset
Even with awareness, manage the automatic upset that sometimes surfaces within one’s self can be challenging.