**eMoTioNaL GarBage**

When we are hurt or oppressed, we may internalize the emotional injury. Then,

when placed in a similar situation in the future, we act in

a rigid, mechanical, “patterned” way. This mindless,

compulsive behavior is seldom useful, and it can be quite

destructive. Sometimes we re-enact the role we played as

victim of the hurt, sometimes we switch into the role of

the perpetrator. Either way, we are usually thinking

poorly — unable to evaluate what is really happening and

unable to come up with rational and appropriate responses

to the current situation.

All of us suffer from these internalized emotional injuries.

The more traumatic the original injury and the less

opportunity for healing ourselves at the time or afterwards,

the more rigid are our patterns. Usually we are

unaware (or just barely aware) of our conditioned behavior

or the events that trigger it. Even if we are aware, it

may be difficult for us to break free. Often we act badly

when we are interacting with someone else who is also

acting out some patterned behavior that meshes with ours.

Once patterned behaviors get locked together, the interaction

may get more intense, more rigid, and more

destructive.

** have to admit that it's hard to get rid of the emotional garbage but trust me, someday u'll have to get rid of it anyway..make way for others to open up ur heart..hurt once doesn't mean that u'll get hurt forever..life is about taking chances..it makes us more matured =)