I love “Real but not true” as a tool to affirm one’s feelings AND open to looking at whether the thoughts are factually accurate, balanced, and complete. Thank you.
Who would I be if I did not believe something is wrong with me? I would be the best version of myself. The person I know I am capable of being but every so often fail to be.
People addicted to alcohol have been described as “abnormally fearful people.” That condition/disease runs through my family history BIGTIME! But I’m not really sure that, given a clean slate I would axe the disease, not because I “relish pain” but because of the many connections and supports it has given me over Time. At my current age [yep! octagenarian means I’m “in the set called “eighty or more years”].
According to expectations of my culture, I should be dying ALONE and PURPOSELESS and FRIGHTENED in a nursing facility. Instead, I’ve tried to take on some dishonest dudes and not allow them to steal from me. I couldn’t stop their theft, but walked away from someone who wanted me to “shake hands” to signify I “accepted” the loss of what had been stolen. I’ll NEVER shake hands and pretend to be a good sport when I TRIED to make clear that the word “rape” doesn’t always mean a penis entered a vagina it shouldn’t have. Body parts aside, the word “rape” means “take without permission” and I’ll be damned to Dante’s lowest circle of the Inferno before I’ll shake hands and agree that “all’s fair in rape and greed.” I lost the battle to retain my property for SURE but I retained my right to say NO, goddamnit! once it was OVER. The mob ruled! The cheese stood alone. And the circle of rats clapped each other on the back and said stuff like: “Good game! Let’s do this again some time!” RATS and RAPE are both 4-letter words. Brings to mind a George Carlin record on 4-letter words.
Should a sadist ask to shake hands to feel absolved of his guilt in the future, I will walk away chanting George Carlin!!!
That’s a pretty cool question – brought immediate tears to my eyes.
I’d be interested, though, in *your* take on the ‘real’ bit in ‘real but not true’.
What do *YOU* mean by real in this case?
“Who would I be, If I didnt believe something is wrong with me?”
I would be who I totally am and what I came for
Full of trust, self confidence
Feels like freedom, taking back my whole energy.
Being present, relaxed, joyful, clear,
No diminishing, life would be full of making wonderful experiences, judgeless
Opening to love and being loved in all that I am
Allowing, expecting my dreams to come true, allowing success and financiell freedom
To literally be without fear would mean I’d most likely be dead. However, to be free of the fear of being wrong, shamed, rejected would, I imagine, bring untold joys. One day ……
I would be a less stressed, balanced authentic self who is unafraid to express my needs in a graceful way. I would stop judging others and myself and I would be curious about my feelings that come up when I’m triggered, rather than immediately reacting with judgement of my imperfections.
I would be a happy, joy-filled person who could relax enough to enjoy life. Relaxed body and breath. Open and curious to what life had to offer, instead of being hyper-vigilant. Able to be empathetic to others and self compassionate.
Who would I be? I’d be living out my passion of reaching out to those who want encouragement, instead of trying to conform to the expectations of those around me and being concerned about whether I make their grade.
the physical body would be relaxed, allowing me to live more from my heart and feelings. I would be more present in the here and now and live from flow
Thank you for the videos. I‘ve been following Tara‘s teachings for many years. „Who would you be without your fear“ loosens thegrip on the habitual patterns. Pausing and imagining the situation if there was no fear helps me tear the anxiety wall down and see challenging situations as lesson to look towards the fear, not freeze about it, look towards, take my inner self by the hand and walk through one little step after the other. It is not easy. But with the help of the teachings it is manageable.
Iris, 68 from Germany
I would be optimistic, traveling around the world, driving up and down the East Coast to visit my friends, post my profile on bumble again, volunteer at the immigration rescue society as soon as the election over.
George Jacobs, Counseling, Kerhonkson, NY, USAsays
Tara, you are zeroing in closer and closer to the core patterns of fear based beliefs. I’m reminded of our beloved Cheri Huber’s first book, There’s Nothing Wrong with You”. Who would you be if you weren’t afraid of losing the love? who would you be if you knew you WERE the love that you are afraid to lose!
Thank you so much for your wise gifts of healing presented with such gentleness and warmth!
Thanks for sharing simple accessible ways to create space for recognizing in the moment when fear response begins to set in motion. Finding a place within the strong bond of identification with this fear thinking response and allowing it to relax is so powerful for introducing change.
IF I WERE ABLE TO BE THE PERSON I WANTED TO BE, I would be someone who laughed at the things that hurt me now instead of being the cowardly lion [Bert Lahr in The Wizard of Oz] or the Scarecrow [who feared his thinking was ALWAYS “cornfuzzled”] or the Tin Man whose joints rusted so he was unable to MOVE or ACT at all. I would be a FREE person, able to jump as gracefully in an arc as an ordinary FROG! I’d be a winged horse, a Pegasus, able to rise ABOVE all the grievous logjams that present needless OBSTACLES. I’d take children on Sky Rides so they could SEE things that would help them make SENSE of what they were actually having to live through. I would look for another flying horse and ask where the greenest pastures and the “stillest waters” might be. I would probably still have to TAKE OFF in grey fog, but maybe wouldn’t have to do SO MUCH FLYING BLIND!
I would be more empathetic, more loving, and confident in my self and my abilities. I’ll be more willing to take risks and challenge myself to live on the edge of my abilities. I’d smile 😊 more
Through therapy and my reading and mindfullness practice I am only just, at the age of 60! Beginning to appreciate the huge impact having been adopted at 12 days old has had on my life and my absolute radar for, and fear of, rejection. I often feel disconnected from my own beautiful family of five adult children and grandchildren, and am hoping to be able to learn to manage this all pervading fear and anxiety to enable me to truly live in the moment, find gratitude for my many blessings, and embrace a life of authenticity. Thankyou for this programme🙏
As obtuse as this may seem a recent talk by Swami Yogatamamda about the insights of the sufi philosopher ibn Arabi covered the very same issues ie the existent-non-existent of loving-kindness; for sure the imprints and implementations of hurt (and horror) impact us all in varying ways yet I have found and witnessed, with a the quality of ‘for sure’ there’s access to an original blueprint too. Tara offers here the guidance needed to find your own blueprints to access the joy held within.
Thank you so much Tara for this eyeopening series. I see a lot of anxiety in my age group 70+ and your series gave me a lot of insight on how I might be able to support them.
This is such a difficult area to understand. We need to have more help for adult children, help that will take into account the growing phenomenon of male abuse and border line personality disorders. Wish you well in what you do.
Carol Phillips, Teacher, CA says
Without fear, I would live closer to my true self. Being more open, loving, appreciative and staying more in the present moment
Margreet Bakker, Counseling, NL says
Lot’s of fun and lightness
Lynn Bieber, Nursing, CA says
Hopefully, I would be able to spend more time living in the present moment.
Nancy Miller, Another Field, Baltimore, MD, USA says
An enlightened being living fully in the present moment!
Patricia Ikeda-Nash, Clergy, Oakland, CA, USA says
I love “Real but not true” as a tool to affirm one’s feelings AND open to looking at whether the thoughts are factually accurate, balanced, and complete. Thank you.
Andrea Ford, Another Field, Port Aransas , TX, USA says
I would be unstoppable
Brendan Carmichael, Psychotherapy, CA says
Join or start a private practice. Continue or enter new leadership. Be more connected with my family and friends.
Manuel Gutierrez, Medicine, ES says
Who would I be if I did not believe something is wrong with me? I would be the best version of myself. The person I know I am capable of being but every so often fail to be.
Peg McCormick, Counseling, Minneapolis , MN, USA says
Love this!!!
Carla Uriarte, Psychology, ES says
Without fear I am free , more compassionate and open to what is present and not to what is in my mind.
Bec Gilbert, Teacher, Langhorne, PA, USA says
People addicted to alcohol have been described as “abnormally fearful people.” That condition/disease runs through my family history BIGTIME! But I’m not really sure that, given a clean slate I would axe the disease, not because I “relish pain” but because of the many connections and supports it has given me over Time. At my current age [yep! octagenarian means I’m “in the set called “eighty or more years”].
According to expectations of my culture, I should be dying ALONE and PURPOSELESS and FRIGHTENED in a nursing facility. Instead, I’ve tried to take on some dishonest dudes and not allow them to steal from me. I couldn’t stop their theft, but walked away from someone who wanted me to “shake hands” to signify I “accepted” the loss of what had been stolen. I’ll NEVER shake hands and pretend to be a good sport when I TRIED to make clear that the word “rape” doesn’t always mean a penis entered a vagina it shouldn’t have. Body parts aside, the word “rape” means “take without permission” and I’ll be damned to Dante’s lowest circle of the Inferno before I’ll shake hands and agree that “all’s fair in rape and greed.” I lost the battle to retain my property for SURE but I retained my right to say NO, goddamnit! once it was OVER. The mob ruled! The cheese stood alone. And the circle of rats clapped each other on the back and said stuff like: “Good game! Let’s do this again some time!” RATS and RAPE are both 4-letter words. Brings to mind a George Carlin record on 4-letter words.
Should a sadist ask to shake hands to feel absolved of his guilt in the future, I will walk away chanting George Carlin!!!
Celia Weston, Coach, IE says
I would rediscover fearless joy
Don Staheli, Social Work, Bountiful, UT, USA says
I will help my clients realize the freedom of a felt sense of safety and compassion for self and others.
mike d, Another Field, FR says
That’s a pretty cool question – brought immediate tears to my eyes.
I’d be interested, though, in *your* take on the ‘real’ bit in ‘real but not true’.
What do *YOU* mean by real in this case?
Dee Bates, Coach, Worcester, MA, USA says
I would be my authentic self – unapologetically but with diplomacy.
renee H, Another Field, NL says
Another person standing strong and self loving
Mary McMunn, Other, IE says
thank you I will try and use that line, real but not true,thank you
Mira Nenonen, Other, Groveport, OH, USA says
This really speaks to the biggest challenge that continuously arises in my marriage of 29 years. Thank you for this video!
Kim Seeburger, Psychotherapy, Mount Gilead, NC, USA says
Happier. I would again trust myself to show up authentically and not fear being knocked down again.
Saulo Gome, Psychotherapy, MX says
Thank you, this are useful resources for some consultants
Ev Power, Counseling, GB says
I’d be more loving kinder and accepting of others
Tanu B, Coach, Austin, TX, USA says
I would simply do what needs to be done to take care of myself.
Anna Hubrich, Coach, DE says
“Who would I be, If I didnt believe something is wrong with me?”
I would be who I totally am and what I came for
Full of trust, self confidence
Feels like freedom, taking back my whole energy.
Being present, relaxed, joyful, clear,
No diminishing, life would be full of making wonderful experiences, judgeless
Opening to love and being loved in all that I am
Allowing, expecting my dreams to come true, allowing success and financiell freedom
Great question, thank you Tara
Sandra Pedegana, Coach, ZA says
I would have a sense of freedom & confidence to take steps in new directions. To allow myself to be braver.
Lois Peachey, Psychotherapy, GB says
To literally be without fear would mean I’d most likely be dead. However, to be free of the fear of being wrong, shamed, rejected would, I imagine, bring untold joys. One day ……
Ona Markovich, Another Field, GB says
I would be a less stressed, balanced authentic self who is unafraid to express my needs in a graceful way. I would stop judging others and myself and I would be curious about my feelings that come up when I’m triggered, rather than immediately reacting with judgement of my imperfections.
Johanna Lundström, Other, ES says
I would be free. My arms reach out, my heart opens and I want to embrace the world
Esther Ebbing, Psychotherapy, GB says
I would be more of a leader and more self confident.
Debbie Gould, Psychotherapy, Boulder, CO, USA says
Thank you for this thoughtful wisdom.
Bev MacKenzie, Coach, Sammamish , WA, USA says
I would be a happy, joy-filled person who could relax enough to enjoy life. Relaxed body and breath. Open and curious to what life had to offer, instead of being hyper-vigilant. Able to be empathetic to others and self compassionate.
Nivo Batt, Another Field, IT says
A man who can take good care of himself and others
Evelyn Samuel, Coach, MY says
Who would I be? I’d be living out my passion of reaching out to those who want encouragement, instead of trying to conform to the expectations of those around me and being concerned about whether I make their grade.
Dana Parrot, Social Work, Hadley, MA, USA says
I would be a person who was more curious and confident. Thank you for this tool!
Noel Morton, Another Field, Bradenton, FL, USA says
I’d be unburdened of heaps of suffering. I hope I would open to liberation and joy.
Greet Claeys, Occupational Therapy, BE says
the physical body would be relaxed, allowing me to live more from my heart and feelings. I would be more present in the here and now and live from flow
Iris Krause, Teacher, DE says
Thank you for the videos. I‘ve been following Tara‘s teachings for many years. „Who would you be without your fear“ loosens thegrip on the habitual patterns. Pausing and imagining the situation if there was no fear helps me tear the anxiety wall down and see challenging situations as lesson to look towards the fear, not freeze about it, look towards, take my inner self by the hand and walk through one little step after the other. It is not easy. But with the help of the teachings it is manageable.
Iris, 68 from Germany
Val B., Another Field, Greeley , CO, USA says
It’s hard to imagine that version of myself but I hope more confident in myself and optimistic.
Alie Weisko, Other, Towson, MD, USA says
I would be optimistic, traveling around the world, driving up and down the East Coast to visit my friends, post my profile on bumble again, volunteer at the immigration rescue society as soon as the election over.
George Jacobs, Counseling, Kerhonkson, NY, USA says
Tara, you are zeroing in closer and closer to the core patterns of fear based beliefs. I’m reminded of our beloved Cheri Huber’s first book, There’s Nothing Wrong with You”. Who would you be if you weren’t afraid of losing the love? who would you be if you knew you WERE the love that you are afraid to lose!
Thank you so much for your wise gifts of healing presented with such gentleness and warmth!
With much love and appreciation,
George Jacobs
jacobsgh@gmail.com
Jaap S, Coach, BE says
Without fear I would be more energetic and optimistic, feeling safer and more secure, allowing me to have better connections with other people
metta flows, Teacher, cleveland, OH, USA says
Thanks for sharing simple accessible ways to create space for recognizing in the moment when fear response begins to set in motion. Finding a place within the strong bond of identification with this fear thinking response and allowing it to relax is so powerful for introducing change.
Maureen OConnor, Other, Whitefield, ME, USA says
Hmm, I’d like to meet that version of myself.
Aileen Murphy, Coach, IE says
Who would I be ..happier, more spontaneous, more in the moment and willing to take risks ❤️
Bec Gilbert, Teacher, langhorne, PA, USA says
IF I WERE ABLE TO BE THE PERSON I WANTED TO BE, I would be someone who laughed at the things that hurt me now instead of being the cowardly lion [Bert Lahr in The Wizard of Oz] or the Scarecrow [who feared his thinking was ALWAYS “cornfuzzled”] or the Tin Man whose joints rusted so he was unable to MOVE or ACT at all. I would be a FREE person, able to jump as gracefully in an arc as an ordinary FROG! I’d be a winged horse, a Pegasus, able to rise ABOVE all the grievous logjams that present needless OBSTACLES. I’d take children on Sky Rides so they could SEE things that would help them make SENSE of what they were actually having to live through. I would look for another flying horse and ask where the greenest pastures and the “stillest waters” might be. I would probably still have to TAKE OFF in grey fog, but maybe wouldn’t have to do SO MUCH FLYING BLIND!
Chinelo N, Student, Hershey, PA, USA says
I would be more empathetic, more loving, and confident in my self and my abilities. I’ll be more willing to take risks and challenge myself to live on the edge of my abilities. I’d smile 😊 more
Jane Cadman, Social Work, GB says
Through therapy and my reading and mindfullness practice I am only just, at the age of 60! Beginning to appreciate the huge impact having been adopted at 12 days old has had on my life and my absolute radar for, and fear of, rejection. I often feel disconnected from my own beautiful family of five adult children and grandchildren, and am hoping to be able to learn to manage this all pervading fear and anxiety to enable me to truly live in the moment, find gratitude for my many blessings, and embrace a life of authenticity. Thankyou for this programme🙏
Alec Fraher, Social Work, GB says
As obtuse as this may seem a recent talk by Swami Yogatamamda about the insights of the sufi philosopher ibn Arabi covered the very same issues ie the existent-non-existent of loving-kindness; for sure the imprints and implementations of hurt (and horror) impact us all in varying ways yet I have found and witnessed, with a the quality of ‘for sure’ there’s access to an original blueprint too. Tara offers here the guidance needed to find your own blueprints to access the joy held within.
Lyn de Silva, Counseling, AU says
Useful fear or fear generated by thoughts. This sounds like an interesting series Tara. A fearless heart.
Mary Mac Gillavry, Another Field, GB says
Thank you so much Tara for this eyeopening series. I see a lot of anxiety in my age group 70+ and your series gave me a lot of insight on how I might be able to support them.
Meeta Hans, Another Field, GB says
This is such a difficult area to understand. We need to have more help for adult children, help that will take into account the growing phenomenon of male abuse and border line personality disorders. Wish you well in what you do.
Roslyn Webb, Teacher, AU says
I would be complete