Category: Choices Made to Improve

I was having a very long conversation today, which covered a variety of topics, and though it was not discussed, I realized something interesting. There are a lot of techniques and proven strategies to improve oneself that relies entirely on the participant's desire to participate, and to get the desired benefit out of it. It's almost like a conscious placebo effect, in that if you want it, and believe you'll get it, you will. Although studies prove these aren't placebo effects, like them, if you don't believe, they will be as useful as sugarcubes.

The first example I came across was psychology. Now, call me biased for dating a student in the field of psychology, and a dreamer at that, but this is a study with unbelievable potential that depends on how well people will receive it. Many decades ago, psychiatrists discovered a miracle cure all for mental disorders. Suddenly any serious problem could be changed with an ice pick, and someone willing to care for a vegetable/person. Decades later, they were all like, "Oh no, that's terrible, what have we done? It's much better to drug someone into a numb state with a variety of effects." And so medicating began.

So now, as people try to be healthy, and want to move away from the practice of throwing pills at every little complaint and dissatisfied comment, we start to truly perfect and study the effects of psychology. Not Freud really, and none of this, "How do you feel? And how does that make you feel? And why do you think that?" and endless questions, but really psychology. How well does it work to attempt cognitive behavioural psychology? What about talking, connecting, and then using developed methods of a sort of "training" to help give people the tools and skill to cope with their issues? I'll tell you what, it actually works pretty darn well.

Studies are showing such incredible improvements in the use of these techniques which are constantly being tested and perfected. It is healthy, safe, and puts the healing in the hands of the patient. However, the danger? It only works if the patient wants to be helped. No amount of proven methods can help if you are closed to it. Amazing medical bounds, dependant on those it serves. Not to worry, right? Obviously we all want to be improved...

It's crazy but true, this progress is a struggle. So many people distrust new methods, and even fewer trust other people to open up themselves to new ideas. I am now trained in administering a professional psychological assesment that categorizes your personal preference for functioning, and yet, it will only yield true results if you really try, and it will only provide you a benefit afterwards if you are open to the consideration and discussion process that follows. This is a tried and tested program, that many people scoff at because it just doesn't sound like something that would work. People want to trust themselves, to keep from being fooled, tricked, and generally had. It's a shame, because this is sometimes the attitude people need, and being critical can help you a lot. The problem is, sometimes people genuinely want to help you better yourself, and that's something to consider.

It's time for people to learn when it is appropriate to trust others, and to realize the benefit in participating in developmental activities. I understand some people want change and improvement forced upon them, with results making themselves apparent like some kind of powerful medicine, but the fact is we are realizing it is more effective, and much more healthy, to improve ourselves through hard work, determination, and the help of others. So should you willingly try to make yourself better, and work towards your own betterment at every opportunity in your life? Let me put it this way.


A zombie wouldn't.