Great way to visualise a problem. Albeit I’d try and befriend the monster, starving it out seems so sad but perhaps that’s my active imagination and over empathic self ☺️
I had a friend who liked to use the phrase "cute like a bear cub" regarding things that seem innocent at first but will cause you damage down the road. The monster discussed in this post protected me in my childhood but became troublesome in adulthood. Like a full-grown bear, it must either be caged or set free. I am trying to cage it for now, but I hope to release it in the future.
That’s a good phrase. Cute like a bear fun but that bear cub grows up to be a full on big scary bear. I think I can visualise the idea of setting it free into the wild to forage on berries and not live on the crumbs I’m feeding it.
Is caging it for you being aware of it but but letting it affect life?
Some things cannot be set free. Alcoholism is an example of something you don't just set free; it is a burden you carry for life. You either let it run roughshod through your world or learn to cage it. I do not claim to bear that particular burden, but I think my feelings of unlovability *may* be something I can never set free. It is a 50-year-old voice in the back of my mind. The roots may be too firmly embedded to allow for simply letting it go. So, I aim to cage it through awareness of its presence, of its interference, and recognizing when it is whispering in my ear. The bars must be made of mindful inattention and supported with positive self-talk until the cage is secure. Perhaps, someday, it may pass on from lack of attention and leave me stronger for the effort.
So much food for thought for me. I think I’m going to be pondering this metaphor for a while. Thank you for sharing, I think I’ll be taking away very valuable ways of viewing problems and how to live with them. I just need to mull it over.
Thank you for your advice and for being a guiding light for those navigating similar challenges.
Great way to visualise a problem. Albeit I’d try and befriend the monster, starving it out seems so sad but perhaps that’s my active imagination and over empathic self ☺️
I had a friend who liked to use the phrase "cute like a bear cub" regarding things that seem innocent at first but will cause you damage down the road. The monster discussed in this post protected me in my childhood but became troublesome in adulthood. Like a full-grown bear, it must either be caged or set free. I am trying to cage it for now, but I hope to release it in the future.
That’s a good phrase. Cute like a bear fun but that bear cub grows up to be a full on big scary bear. I think I can visualise the idea of setting it free into the wild to forage on berries and not live on the crumbs I’m feeding it.
Is caging it for you being aware of it but but letting it affect life?
Some things cannot be set free. Alcoholism is an example of something you don't just set free; it is a burden you carry for life. You either let it run roughshod through your world or learn to cage it. I do not claim to bear that particular burden, but I think my feelings of unlovability *may* be something I can never set free. It is a 50-year-old voice in the back of my mind. The roots may be too firmly embedded to allow for simply letting it go. So, I aim to cage it through awareness of its presence, of its interference, and recognizing when it is whispering in my ear. The bars must be made of mindful inattention and supported with positive self-talk until the cage is secure. Perhaps, someday, it may pass on from lack of attention and leave me stronger for the effort.
So much food for thought for me. I think I’m going to be pondering this metaphor for a while. Thank you for sharing, I think I’ll be taking away very valuable ways of viewing problems and how to live with them. I just need to mull it over.