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Topic : Defining Your Authentic Self

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Created on : Thursday, July 07, 2005, 11:20:02 am
Author : dataimport
Have you read "Self Matters" or become familiar with the process of uncovering your authentic self from watching the show? Share your story here.

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October 31, 2006, 9:14 am PST

Perfect candidate for SELF MATTERS

Quote From: yolandal2706

I am only 27 years old but feel like I am 50. I have been told ny numerous people that I do not act like myself I act the way people want me too. In other words I am FAKE!!!. I really have no idea what to do. I have always let people control me and find it hard to manage things myself. I really didn't have a good life in my teenage years and was forced to live on my own at the age 16. Is this the reason I am like this. I always allow my mom and dad to tell me what to do or even what I shouldn't do. I always ask for peoples approval for things. I honestly am a very smart bright happy girl but it seems that I have shut that person out and I live like a robot waiting for someone to tell me to do something. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can try and do to be myself than act like everyone wants me to.
 First of all, look at your last sentence.  "Does anyone have any ideas on what I can try and do to be myself and act like everyone wants me to."
Do you see the desire to please others coming through, even though this is a plea for help to come to know who you are and what you want? What others want is for you to be yourself, and you don't know how to do that.
This is exactly what Dr Phil's SELF MATTERS is all about. This board is like a support for those on the path to self-descovery, and you are in good company. It can help, but cannot take the place of actually reading the book or finding therapy with a cognitive behavior specialist. I urge you to read the book and do the exercises. You will never regret it.
Welcome to the rest of your life.
 
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October 31, 2006, 9:55 am PST

Brenda ... W...... seems interesting .....

Quote From: blgspc

Oh, about W*****, I think that we could only be friends. Though, I DO NOT wonder why he has so many woman in his life. He IS a bona fide Chick Magnet! He behaves in a way that Ive seen very few men behave around women. When he speaks he always makes solid eye contact. He always seems focused on everything you have to say, as he actually seems to listen to everything and seems genuinely interested. When my dad and I rode with him, I thought that he would be bringing his friend girl. Nope. He had another guy from along the strand that he and my dad were friends with. He jumped out of his SUV to open and hold the door for me, when he picked my dad and I up. W***** would periodically remind my dad and the other man that, We have a lady with us tonight, guys, and she may not be interested in all of this guy talk. When we arrived at the funeral home he quickly got out of the vehicle and again opened my door. He walked along beside and just talked until we were approaching the front door to the place where he, not only opened and held the door but made sure that I entered before the men. Some of his behaviors around women you would just have to SEE to appreciate. Im really interested in his behavior around women! I mean he really has a flair for how he handles himself around women. Working in behavioral health my lady friends would consider him like a case study, of sorts. Especially, after working all night, the women that I worked with would gather together for breakfast and someone like W***** would serve as a wonderful conversation piece! We would examine the pay-offs in the behavior -which in his case I think are obvious.

I once offered a theory about men who develop this style. Once my friend Gwen asked, Where do you suppose these guys come from? Another asked. Oh, do you suppose that theres like a little known central repository? I was quick to jump in with my hypothesis, Not exactlyHowever, men have to be trained in this fine, rare, style of artful sophistication and to a degree, seduction. Thus, my theory is that when the aliens arrived, in Egypt, tens of thousands of years ago with their advanced technology, to help build the pyramids and create those elaborate drawing that you can only see from a plane, I believe that the female aliens noticed that there was something amiss among the male earthlings! I will call what they saw missing the W***** Element, for lack of a better name. I believe that they then introduced, established and organized a society of women skilled in educating young men, in cultivating, if you will, a more enlightened and refined approach to women.

My friend I***** said, Geez, those darn aliens did so much for us and I bet nobody even bothered to send them a Thank You card! Yeah, I was thinking along those same lines, Brenda because those men really are so rare they DO almost seem otherworldly, dont they?

Yes. Oh, about the Thank You card. You do realize that there was no oversight? They did make an attempt to send a card about a week after the official Alien Going Away Party.

Oh, waitI think I heard about that.was his name Clyde? My friend I***** inquired.

No, Clyde just helped. It was Akhom, you remember the one who wanted to fly to the surface of the sun?

Oh, Yes! My friend I*****, intoned. So sad..Though, if it hadnt been for Akhom that strange drawing of that bird in the dessert still wouldnt have an eye. Well, at least his life wasnt a total waste!

We were laughing so hard I thought that the Breakfast House folks were going to ask us to leave!!!!

Sometimes ya just have to laugh! (Especially, if you have MY mother, who has been competing for attention with these now deceased PEOPLE!)

Glad that youre Back, Linda! I hope that folks dont get too annoyed with my posts!!

 

Brenda

I never liked a man who treated me like I walked on egg shells. I just knew he wasn't really connecting to me ... I don't think it's an act, I just think that he's just being who he is and being too nice is just well ... unnerving ....  I guess I'm not much of a little lady am I ...

 

I love the conversation ....  just LOLed  .. it was just soo cool!!!

 
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October 31, 2006, 9:59 am PST

Thanks LInda ....

your recent posts between us has helped me to finally acknowledged a couple of adult truths that I've been experiencing at the gym again!  When I 1st started to go, I had this awful tape going and me watching that lousy clock and praying I could make it.

 

I just realized at last night's gym class that I'm doing it again.   And this time, I think it's more of a seasonal habit ...  I started going to the gym and taking pilates the 1st week in October 2003.  I wrote all sorts of awful tapes and since I started taking my yoga/pilates class, those same words are popping up all over the place.  They're untruths now ... cause I'm able to stay with the class and I've actually already seen major changes in my body's reaction to what is being asked of it.

 

Thank you for reminding me that not all my tapes were written in Childhood but has an adult.  Thanks!!!

 

M

 
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October 31, 2006, 5:59 pm PST

Actually......

Quote From: ritehere

 The one thing missing from your conversation with your friends was not  the fact that women find this behavior in men novel and refreshing, but that most women don't EXPECT this behavior. My husband is this sort of attentive male, and he once told me that too many women expect too little from men. Men get away with too much crude and rude behavior partly because they don't know any better, but mostly because most women don't expect any better.

A sad but true fact.

 So... if you have any more encounters with this delightful male revel in his attentions as your rightful due and DON'T take it personally. He may or may not behave this way because he likes women. Until you know if it's just a game with him, and the behavior deteriorates once he has reached his objective, just be friends. But don't go forth with any pre-conceived notions that he is a wolf, you could be very wrong to your own loss. Be wary, not gullible, but enjoy the experience above all.

It has been my experience that W***** behaves the same way with women without exception! I believe that: A.) It’s a part of who he is. B.) He has noticed that his behavior makes him a ‘Chick Magnet’ and C.) He really is a nice guy, who is a confirmed bachelor. I don’t believe that he’s a wolf.

It is good to know that you have a husband who is this attentive. I believe that your husband is right. I really don’t expect that behavior.

I have a cousin, J***** who married someone like your husband and W*****. After they were married they both talked of laying awake and just talking until like 2am. They share a very special closeness. I really like the fact that even though they are now grandparents, they still walk hand in hand, talking. They value each other. I find that so sweet!

Brenda

 
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October 31, 2006, 6:55 pm PST

Different Strokes for Different Folks.....

Quote From: marcia52

I never liked a man who treated me like I walked on egg shells. I just knew he wasn't really connecting to me ... I don't think it's an act, I just think that he's just being who he is and being too nice is just well ... unnerving ....  I guess I'm not much of a little lady am I ...

 

I love the conversation ....  just LOLed  .. it was just soo cool!!!

Oh, I think I can relate. I really would be unnerved if I felt that a man actually thought of me as frail or something. I do LOVE someone who is sensitive, though. I definitely think that you’re a lady! Just because I like doors opened and you may not doesn’t make you any less a lady. You just prefer a different kind of person. There’s nothing wrong with that.

 

About the conversation....I DO so miss having those wild and crazy friends and co-workers nearby. I loved laughing til my sides hurt in those conversations- not just from left field, but DEEP ROVING LEFT! I miss the laughter and the straight talk. We spent a good bit of time learning about each other and finding humor in the oddest ways. Those folks were so secure with who they were we could have a conversation about just about ANYTHING. We even laughed at ourselves. We had fun and shared quite a bit!

 

Brenda

 
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October 31, 2006, 7:05 pm PST

Hi

Hi, I am new to the site and hoping to meet new people with advice. To get right to one very important point....I am wondering if anyone while reading the book realized they had to write a book in order to finish it. I am quickly learning how bad my life really has been. I am hoping I'm not alone here. I'm a little stuck because I just couldn't seem to get the book fast enough and now it seems that it will take me forever to write all this stuff down. Any advise? I am 100% determined to be rid of my old self and discover my authentic self!
Help!
Therese

 
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October 31, 2006, 7:49 pm PST

Did you ever get into the volunteer work?

Quote From: blgspc

Oh, I think I can relate. I really would be unnerved if I felt that a man actually thought of me as frail or something. I do LOVE someone who is sensitive, though. I definitely think that youre a lady! Just because I like doors opened and you may not doesnt make you any less a lady. You just prefer a different kind of person. Theres nothing wrong with that.

 

About the conversation....I DO so miss having those wild and crazy friends and co-workers nearby. I loved laughing til my sides hurt in those conversations- not just from left field, but DEEP ROVING LEFT! I miss the laughter and the straight talk. We spent a good bit of time learning about each other and finding humor in the oddest ways. Those folks were so secure with who they were we could have a conversation about just about ANYTHING. We even laughed at ourselves. We had fun and shared quite a bit!

 

Brenda

I thought I remembered you posting when you first came here that you were thinking about doing volunteer work ... maybe that would help you to re-develop friendships with people of liked mind.  Maybe you could help out at the nearest elementary school as as teacher's aid or something like that.  I know that I miss having people around me and I have my dance that keeps me pretty active right now.

 

I don't really care if I or the guy opens the door .. it's just old memories of some men that were in my life and they were always nice when they wanted something ... I used to get so angry ... I mean, if you want to have a poker game at the house, then have it .. I'll go out with the girls. 

 
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October 31, 2006, 7:54 pm PST

Hi Therese ...

Quote From: snyder_t

Hi, I am new to the site and hoping to meet new people with advice. To get right to one very important point....I am wondering if anyone while reading the book realized they had to write a book in order to finish it. I am quickly learning how bad my life really has been. I am hoping I'm not alone here. I'm a little stuck because I just couldn't seem to get the book fast enough and now it seems that it will take me forever to write all this stuff down. Any advise? I am 100% determined to be rid of my old self and discover my authentic self!
Help!
Therese

I know what you mean ... I too felt like I was writing a book about my life as well ...  

 

Don't worry about writing everything down.  It's just the lead in ...  have you read the entire book? 

 

Linda & I recommend reading the book from front to cover.  

 

I recommend that you choose a subject matter while you read the book the 2nd time ... for example, I only did a couple of the exercises and continued to read the book.  THEN, I choose to focus on my inability to learn to sew.  It was an easy goal that I could easy sit down and figure out what I had to do to do.  THEN I signed up for a class and used the book to listen to what I was saying and doing MER.  It was pretty interesting actually and gave me the much needed practice on learning CBT.

 
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November 1, 2006, 9:39 am PST

I can relate...

Quote From: marcia52

I never liked a man who treated me like I walked on egg shells. I just knew he wasn't really connecting to me ... I don't think it's an act, I just think that he's just being who he is and being too nice is just well ... unnerving ....  I guess I'm not much of a little lady am I ...

 

I love the conversation ....  just LOLed  .. it was just soo cool!!!

 I never required a man to jump out of the car and race around to my side to open the door, or open all doors in buildings for me.
What I always valued was the eye contact and listening skills that Brenda mentioned. Also the respect to me that the man does not stare or make comments about other women while with me. To me this is basic consideration, they wouldn't want you staring and commenting about other men so why would they think it's OK for them? This kind of behavior was ALWAYS a deal breaker from day one for me. Along with this comes the respect for me not to have pornography in the house, or viewing it in other ways. I will respect my man in the ways he needs if he respects me in the ways I need.
 
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November 1, 2006, 9:45 am PST

About exercise...

Quote From: marcia52

your recent posts between us has helped me to finally acknowledged a couple of adult truths that I've been experiencing at the gym again!  When I 1st started to go, I had this awful tape going and me watching that lousy clock and praying I could make it.

 

I just realized at last night's gym class that I'm doing it again.   And this time, I think it's more of a seasonal habit ...  I started going to the gym and taking pilates the 1st week in October 2003.  I wrote all sorts of awful tapes and since I started taking my yoga/pilates class, those same words are popping up all over the place.  They're untruths now ... cause I'm able to stay with the class and I've actually already seen major changes in my body's reaction to what is being asked of it.

 

Thank you for reminding me that not all my tapes were written in Childhood but has an adult.  Thanks!!!

 

M

 You have to fall in love with movement for the sake of it. The best way I know of to do this is to connect with the attitude you had as a child toward exercise. Then, it was "play".  Play used to be so important, engrossing, and fun that you didn't want to be interrupted. Even being called to dinner when you were actually hungry was a nuisance when you were busy playing.
A very quick and easy way to accomplish this connection is through hypnotherapy.  Sometimes I can end up walking for miles more than I intended just because I get so involved and it's fun.
 
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