7 Comments
Dec 1, 2021Liked by Athena Walker

Yep. I look at it in terms of what I learned.

There's a technique called The Work by Byron Katie, where you keep questioning your perceptions. It leads people to the insight of the silver lining.

When neurotypicals start questioning our emotions & the way we think, it opens us up to equanimity. When I saw my worry had disappeared, for a second, I thought: how will I know what to be concerned about if I don't worry? I had to laugh. We learn to rely on our emotions as if they provide valuable information. Seems like gut feelings has gotten confused with emotional reactions.

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Nov 30, 2021Liked by Athena Walker

Great article; this is something I've been reflecting on a lot lately, and I reached the conclusion that it's just as important to find the Dark Lining of positive situations. When we feel elated about something, it's wise to look for potential downsides - it gives us a broader and sturdier view, makes us more impervious to being played.

I'd love to see a follow-up article detailing your views, since I can imagine you also do that.

Every blessing hides a curse, every curse hides a blessing, and the world keeps on spinning regardless. Such is life, might as well remain in balance in order to do the best of whatever comes.

Or like they say in the Tao Te Ching (verse 13):

"Success is as dangerous as failure.

Hope is as hollow as fear.

What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure?

Whether you go up the ladder or down it,

you position is shaky.

When you stand with your two feet on the ground,

you will always keep your balance.

What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?

Hope and fear are both phantoms

that arise from thinking of the self.

When we don’t see the self as self,

what do we have to fear?

See the world as your self.

Have faith in the way things are.

Love the world as your self;

then you can care for all things."

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Nov 30, 2021Liked by Athena Walker

Nice ideas, and good timing. The holidays can be really stressful for people. Maybe this will help. I'm still pondering.

Makes me wonder. .. What will people do when they are allowed to alter their brains, either by genetics or, some kind of surgery? When they can change it to be any kind of personality you choose. Psychologists would be out of a job. I doubt anyone would choose to be depressed, or have any number of issues.

We could all be a balance of Nuro typical and psychopathic. Lol. Or whatever. I'd love to see what happens. I do often find a silver lining in certain situations, that is something I can work on more.

However I have no ego, so it would be nice to have at least some. The whole being selfish thing is hard for me in most instances. I think having an ego would help that, as I know a little selfishness is healthy.

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