Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 12: I am not green

Each week we give away the next chapter of our book for free. We hope you enjoy it! Here’s this week’s chapter:

Chapter 12: I am not green

We often find it difficult to believe compliments. Someone offers one and we make excuses or noises of embarrassed gratitude. A compliment to our clothing results in “This old thing?” A compliment to our hair produces a startled, “I didn’t do anything to it!” We brush it off. We don’t believe it. We don’t take it to heart.

On the other hand, someone throws a critical comment at us and it sticks like glue in our minds, often long after our critic has forgotten the off-handed remark. A casual “What happened to your hair today?” can make us want a haircut immediately. “Have you gained a little weight?” sends us spiraling into doubt and fear, and can even spark self-abusive weight loss cycles.

It’s not just our appearance that’s subject to such frightful scrutiny; our personalities are just as vulnerable. We get into an argument with a partner, and they spout a particularly hurtful comment. Suddenly, we’re hurt or angry; whatever we were feeling has been amplified. Doubt creeps in, and we think, “Am I really like that?”

The answer is simple: no, you’re not.

…and here’s the rest:

• Read The Usual Error ebook, Chapter 12: I am not green (web page)

Related posts:
• Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 15: What did you intend?
• Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 13: “I” statements
• Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 24: The William James zone
• Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 33: Teasing
• Book Bonanza Wednesday! Chapter 21: Trust your future self

Have you read our book, The Usual Error? It teaches you how to solve communication issues with compassion and understanding, how to get rid of needless conflict from your life, how to make your relationships smoother, and how to generally be happier. Also, the illustrations are super cool. (: You can buy it on Amazon or read it for free online.