Possible availability of power and resources

Source: Smail D (1996) How to survive without Psychotherapy; Constable ISBN 0 09 478480 9

In thinking about the forces that we may be able to muster in our struggle with life's difficulties it sometimes helps to be systematic in listing the kinds of powers and resources which may be available or which could be developed.

In each case an item may be, or could be, acting in a positive way or in a negative way eg although everything else is going wrong, you at least have supportive parents V your social and professional life is going really well but the nagging and disapproving attitude of your parents makes you doubt your abilities.

R
E
S
O
U
R
C
E
S

Material

Education

Employment

Money

Physical environment

Parents

Relations

Spouse/partner

Children

Lovelife

Home and
family

L
I
F
E

S
I
T
U
A
T
I
O
N

Personal

Independence

Confidence

Understanding of past

Embodiment

Intelligence

Friends

Leisure

Associations

Social

Most of the items are self evident but some need a few words of explanation.

Leisure activities are done for the self indulgent pleasure and relief that they bring eg slowly and deliberately eating a bar of chocolate, going for a walk along the beach on a sunny day, putting your feet up by the fire when the kids are at school and watching a recording of your favourite soap. Understanding of the past refers to your own childhood and the experiences you have had in life. If these were particularly good or bad they will affect how and why you now respond to situations in the way that you do. Being clear about these early influences can help you to better understand them and thus 'explain' why you behave and feel as you do.

Associations involve interacting with other people for some kind of purpose eg Neighbourhood Watch, Young Mother's Group, Church Choir. Confidence depends on many of the other factors. Some people do not have enough while others have developed too much. By understanding your past, taking into account your embodiment and looking clearly at your present life situation and material resources you will get a better understanding of your level of confidence and thus, possibly, be empowered to do something about it if you feel the need to do so.

Embodiment refers to your physical body - are your fat/thin, tall/short, red-haired, short-sighted or whatever. There is not much that can be done about most of these factors but they are facts of life which you can consciously come to terms with rather than have them lurking in the background.

What are your relative strengths and weaknesses?

Are there any areas that you would like to change?

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