| How the choices we make reveal our true nature | | | | typically view strangers or other people you have |
| Those of you who grew up in the 80's might | | | | just met. Think about this for a moment, when you |
| remember a series of "Choose your own Adventure" | | | | generally meet someone for the first time, do you |
| books where at the end of every page you had to | | | | usually see them as an ally or a potential adversary? |
| make a decision and that determined what happened | | | | Did you imagine the bear to be large and intimidating |
| to you next. This article will take you on a similar | | | | (like a grizzly), about the same size as you |
| psychological journey that might just reveal some | | | | (psychologically as an equal), or perhaps something |
| surprising answers about your personality. I would | | | | much smaller that is easily controlled or manipulated |
| encourage you to try this out for yourself. I have | | | | (such as a small bear cub or a stuffed teddy bear). |
| also found this to be a lot of fun to do with a small | | | | Think about not only what kind of bear it is, but also |
| group of friends or relatives. | | | | what the bear is doing (eating, sleeping, attacking, |
| Before reading any further, however, I would ask | | | | running away, playing, etc..) What might this behavior |
| that you find a small sheet of paper and a pen to jot | | | | tell you about your current relationship with others? |
| down your answers as you go along. Try to answer | | | | The "Gun" that you find lying on the ground is said to |
| the questions using the first answer that comes to | | | | indicate how you generally interact with other people |
| your mind. Please don't go back and second-guess | | | | whom you already know. What kind of gun is it? If it |
| your answers or try to figure out what they might | | | | is a large powerful gun, such as a shotgun or an |
| mean. Just relax and have fun with it! | | | | automatic assault rifle, then you are probably not |
| The Journey: | | | | known for your subtlety when dealing with others. |
| One day you decide to go for a hike in the country. | | | | When you walk into a room you want others to |
| After walking for a while, you come to a fork in the | | | | notice, and even if you don't always express it, you |
| road, which way do you decide to go? | | | | want to be the one in charge in any given situation. |
| Do you take the path to the left that leads you up | | | | On the other hand if the gun you find is only a small |
| towards the open plains? | | | | pistol or just a toy, you are probably far more |
| Do you take the path to the right that takes you | | | | receptive to the thoughts and opinions of others. |
| down towards the wooded valley?? | | | | You are confident enough in your own abilities that |
| Please write down your choice before continuing. | | | | you don't always have to have your own way. |
| A little farther down the path, you suddenly come | | | | Generally you are willing to listen to other people's |
| across a bear. | | | | ideas before making up your mind. |
| Describe what kind of bear it is and what it is doing | | | | Whether or not you pick up the gun, is said to |
| as you approach. | | | | represent how comfortable you are with this |
| As you look around, you discover that there is also a | | | | particular aspect of your personality. In other words, |
| gun lying nearby. | | | | do you accept this part of who you are, or do you |
| What type of gun is it? | | | | often find yourself doing one thing while thinking |
| Do you decide to pick it up or leave it lying on the | | | | another? For example, those who envision a large |
| ground? | | | | shotgun but leave it lying on the ground may be |
| As you continue down the path, you arrive at a | | | | indicating a secret desire for more power in their |
| body of water. | | | | relationships but they are unwilling to assert |
| Describe this body of water in detail (size, shape, | | | | themselves. This is known as the passive aggressive |
| color, activity, etc..) | | | | personality type. |
| Finally as you stand there looking across the water, | | | | The "Body of water" that you encounter next is said |
| describe what you see on the other side. | | | | to symbolically represent how you see the immediate |
| Once again, please take a moment and write down | | | | path in front of you. In other words, how difficult is it |
| your answers to all of these questions before | | | | going to be to get across this body of water and |
| continuing on to the explanation. | | | | reach your goal on the other side? Did you imagine a |
| Ready? | | | | gently rolling stream or raging white-water rapids? |
| Your Personal Journey Explained: | | | | What might your subconscious mind be telling you |
| This type of psychological test has been used by | | | | about your level of confidence in your abilities to |
| therapists and researchers for years. The objects | | | | achieve your current goal? |
| used in the questions above have symbolic meanings | | | | Take another look. How big is this body of water? Is |
| that are easily recognized by your subconscious mind. | | | | it a small creek that you could easily jump over or is |
| Simply by completing this exercise, you will be able to | | | | this a vast ocean with no visible land on the other |
| learn more about yourself and those around you. | | | | side? The size of the water is itself a symbol that |
| The initial path that you chose to take is said to | | | | represents how long you believe it will take to get to |
| represent your state of mind and your current | | | | where you want to go. |
| willingness to take a chance on the unknown. | | | | Finally, the land that you see on the other side of this |
| If you decided to turn left and travel across the | | | | water is said to represent your current vision of your |
| open plains, your subconscious mind is telling you that | | | | goals. Look closely, does the land appear to be an |
| you may now be ready to explore that new idea or | | | | inviting place worthy of your effort to get there, or |
| opportunity that has recently presented itself in your | | | | is it a barren desert with not much to offer? |
| life. Even though you realize that there is always a | | | | If this land does not appear to be a desirable place, |
| risk of failure, this might be the right time for you to | | | | you may want to ask yourself if it is possible that |
| try something new. | | | | you are pursuing the wrong path. On the other hand, |
| If you decided to turn right and travel into the | | | | if the land across the water appears to be full of |
| wooded valley, your subconscious mind is telling you | | | | flowers and lush green fields, it may be your |
| that right now you may prefer the comfort of a | | | | subconscious mind's way of telling you that it's time |
| familiar situation rather than risk exposing yourself to | | | | to focus your energy and do whatever it takes to |
| taking any unnecessary risks. By psychologically | | | | get there. |
| retreating into the protective covering of the forest, | | | | If you have enjoyed reading this article, I would |
| you are indicating a strong desire for security and a | | | | encourage you to forward this article on to a friend |
| need to guard your innermost feelings from others, | | | | and be sure to check out my latest book "Mind |
| at least for now. | | | | Doodles" which is loaded with more entertaining and |
| The symbol of the "Bear" represents how you would | | | | enlightening mind adventures. |