HELPLESSNESS: THE EXCITING JOURNEY TO COME



Have you ever thought about these below of yourself or someone else?



"Why didn't they just tell someone?"
"Why didn't they just try to get help?"
"Why didn't they just leave?"
"Why are they still keeping up with that harmful behaviour/friends?"
"Why is it difficult for them to make attempt to stop looking foolish?"



What were your reactions then & perhaps now?



Hold that as we proceed to understand more.



There were some dogs staring at two gentlemen in a room.



At the corner, close to the wall with a socket, was a box with two chambers that were divided by a low barrier.



Chamber A had an electrified floor ( Imagine a "naked" wire. Then, visualize the whole floor filled with such wires). Open your eyes. Just wait!



Chamber B was not electrified.



Now, some of these dogs were placed in chamber A,



And these two gentlemen turned on the electrified floor. They observed a strange response.



The dogs in the first chamber did not make any attempt to jump over the barrier to the other side. After experiencing those shocks.



Even when there was a barrier (means of escape).



Before that, those dogs (chamber A) were placed in a chamber with no means of escape.



However, the dogs in chamber B received no such treatment. Their floors were not electrified.



Pause here.



This experiment was actually carried out by Martin Seligman & his friend Steven Maier in late 1960s and early 1970s.



It was used to explain the theory of "Learned Helplessness."



Hear this,



What everyone else sees is LACK OF EFFORT.



Not making the required effort to be free. Not putting enough effort in taking the needed steps.



Thus compounding the beliefs these set of individuals have already that THEY ARE DEFICIENT.



Yet what people neglect & fail to realize was the period where those dogs were placed in an electrified room with NO MEANS OF ESCAPE.



This means that as the electrified floor was turned on & those dogs in chamber A tried to escape, they couldn't.



There was no low barrier to jump across. Nothing to reduce or eliminate the shock.



The shock kept coming again & again, still no way to be free.



In essence, Ikenna was always doing his best but it counted for nothing. No praise or acknowledgement for it.



Bode kept trying to do what other kids were doing to be loved, but it seems his own case was different. He was not qualified for it.



That Sandra was once the lady whose charming smile melted hearts until couple of experiences taught her to lock it up. Be stiff, it says.



No one recognises THEIR STORY, which has formed their identity thus far.



Which is far more important than any effort they might be manipulated to make them change.



If you are Bode, Ikenna, Sandra or someone in that situation, know this,



YOU ARE ENOUGH.



Yes! Even with that pathetic story.



As it does not make you ABNORMAL.



You are on an exciting journey.



YOU ARE ENOUGH.



People hire me to help their child or youth between the age of 18-29 who feels meaningless find life exciting and fun again (having experienced same).


Share your experience below.



Be shameless in order to be free.
S.F