Part 1 - Self Acceptance Skills

Chapter 13 - MAKE YOUR FEELINGS COUNT

When Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke shed tears in public, controversy raged. Some loved him for daring to be human. Others protested loudly that it was 'not manly' to show feelings of being upset; tears were feminine and weak.

Society has rules or shoulds that some emotions are acceptable and others are not. Rules about feelings have been with us for generations. Some people stick to these old rules, but more and more people are making up their own minds.

Let's look at:

1. Society's old rules about feelings:
• about tears
• that emotions are if illogical
• that feelings don't really count
• that there are 'bad' feelings.
2. Useful ways to handle feelings:
• accept your feelings
• know your feelings
• tips for finding feelings
• talk about your feelings.