Photo by Braydon Anderson on Unsplash
How many people do you know who are living their lives as a facade? So many are unable to face the truth or choose not to confront the reality of their problems. The recent death of Michael Jackson as well as other celebrities in the past is a reminder of hidden pain that even family members may never fully realize. For some the pain is insurmountable, but for others their unresolved pain is displaced on to others. Why can’t people take responsibility for their own pain and stop blaming others? This has to be one of the most frustrating parts of therapy, especially when I work with couples. Often, a person would rather defend/justify themselves and blame someone else, rather than stepping up to the plate and making a change. Change is painful too, but the pain is time limited and can produce tremendous growth. The first step is acknowledging and accepting that a problem exists and the problem is “you.” The next phase of change is seeking solutions and strategies to modify your approach, attitude, and actions. The final step is implementing change which requires courage, determination, and perseverance. So if you’re one of those people that has your head in the sand and have chosen a facade type life, now is the time to change. As the Nike slogan goes, “just do it.”