Feeling Bad

Some people need to feel bad to feel good. If that's you, this mini podcast was recorded for you.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's website: https://grasshoppernotes.com​​ 

"The Grasshopper" the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

FEELING BAD

Did you ever notice that it is easier to feel bad than to feel good? It’s conditioning.

Yes, it seems like a contradiction but for many people to feel bad feels good. It’s conditioning. Perhaps some explanation will be helpful.

A number of people are divorced from their feelings. They can be stoic when others are coming unglued. That may be looked on in some circles as being in charge of their emotions. It has nothing to do with conscious control. These people have a hard time getting into their feelings. It’s conditioning. It seems they have a difficult time rejoicing or celebrating or – to use a fluffy set of words – “being happy.” The only way this person can sense their feelings is through misery or feeling bad about something.

This feeling “bad” is the only way they can turn their feeling circuit on. The result is that feeling bad lets them know they are alive.

Misery makes them feel alive. Pain makes them feel alive. Complaining makes them feel alive. Depressing themselves makes them feel alive. I also have this theory about people who crave hot, spicy foods. (not those from cultures weaned on them). My sense is these foods turn on their feeling circuit. When their nose runs, they're alive, when their mouth burns a bit, they feel alive.

Some folks, whose “feel good” circuit is not functioning, find their way to drugs and alcohol to make them feel “good.” For some, sexual pleasure is the only way they can feel alive. They can’t seem to generate feeling without some external agent. It’s conditioning!

There are many of us who fall into the category of “baby boomers” – people who were brought up by parents that lived through some tough times – depression, world wars, rationing. The parents had inured themselves to pain. It was the only way to get through the time. They passed that on. Any baby boomer can recite the stories of their parents walking long distances to school through feet of snow, or not having enough to eat, or ample clothing to wear. I’m sure you’ve heard your version of these stories. The “stiff upper lip pattern” they learned got passed on to their children.

Notice that, in most cases, the children had it much better than the parents and their children have it much better than them, as do their grandchildren. It should be cause for celebration. For many, the conditioning prevents them from noticing how much better they have it and their deadened feelings rule the day.

What I’ve come to recognize is that feeling “bad” for some people is better than no feeling at all. You can’t logically convince them by comparison. You may even give them your version of the time tested quote, “There was a man who complained because he had no shoes until he met a man who had no feet.” They may take pause about that comparison but will again continue to lament moments later about having no shoes.

It’s less about the shoes and more about being able to feel alive.

Artificial generation of aliveness (alcohol, drugs, sex, etc.) is short term and has very little residual effect. For these people their natural state of aliveness has been blocked by conditioning and can't flow unless they create a temporary shunt to allow some of it in. This is hard work and the results don’t last.

Aliveness does exist for everyone. It’s ready to flow the minute you recognize it exists for you. This recognition of aliveness will take some practice for many and the results are worth the effort.

Eckhart Tolle has a brilliant exercise that he does where he has you focus your attention on your hands. You can do it right now. Notice the sensations going on in your hands right now. That sensation you are feeling is aliveness and it is always there. It just needs you to practice recognizing it.

I created a recording many years ago that assists you with this practice. It’s called RELAX IN 2 MINUTES. It's available free on my YouTube or Podcasting channel. The recording has you focus on what’s going on in each body part so you can notice the aliveness that's always there. The progression through the body with this exercise has a wonderful side effect – your body unwinds and relaxes.

You can quickly learn this technique and begin doing it on your own anytime, anywhere. The gentle noticing of aliveness helps you relax into your feelings as you get in touch with your body. You'll prove to yourself that you no longer have to feel bad to feel good.  

All the best,

John