Sometimes inside we have multiple internal personas and I am not talking about having a disability either. Sometimes they help us but often they hurt us. You have heard the saying “we can be our own worst enemy” and this is what I am talking about today.

The oppressor can fall into three archtypes I think. Madman – like  Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Misguided – like Castro in Cuba. Mistaken – like Chavez in Venezuela.  Each type requires a different strategy for defeat (just ask any previous US President…grin). But unlike US foreign policy I am going to suggest a successful strategy (ooops…did I write that out loud and I apologize to Hilary who is doing a great job I think. But I digress).

First, let’s discover which oppressor we have chosen to be our internal companion. These are brief examples not diagnoses. Allow your intuition to be your guide. Are you just plain crazy in your attempts to undermine yourself? Do you insist on getting high, drunk, over eating, having casual sex or other destructive behaviours even though you have had several negative consequences from this behaviour in your life? Then you are a Madman (not the good kind from TV either…smile). Do you attempt to fix or talk about others problems when in fact (as the Christians would say) thy own cup runneth over? Then you are Misguided. Are you trying the same approach to resolving your issues that have worked unsuccessfully in your past? Then you are Mistaken.

If you are in fact “mad” then we must (borrowing a current page from the Roman Catholics) exorcise your demon(s) or you will never heal. It is imperative you get rid of your “demon”. The demon must be terminated at all costs. You will not thrive until the demon is gone and surviving is simply not an acceptable standard of living. Most likely you need professional help so run (not walk) to the nearest __________ (insert organization or professional of your choice). Stop playing charades. You need help so get it. The rest of us have seen it for years.

If you find yourself fascinated by the problems of others. If you enjoy discussing ways to help other people solve their problems then in fact these are the problems you yourself need to fix. You see when you are emotionally healthy then other peoples problems are just that (theirs not ours so they do not intrigue us). However, this is not the same as being “mad” so you can choose the speed at which you change. Therapy will help you faster but self-help can be more fun and interesting and easier to share with friends and family.

Have you tried the same old methods time and again and received the same results? Do you feel like your life is on hold while others move forward? Is nothing wrong but nothing is really right either? Then you need to change course. This is the easiest one to change. Stop following others. Look within. Try new approaches. Meditate, gravitate to different people, attenuate the boredom and stimulate the solution in your life.

So which one was I? How do I know it so well? I had a touch of Madness in the beginning, moved into Misguided and landed in Mistaken. Lucky for me I chose to have a chauffeur, by way of a therapist, and so the drive was relatively quick and ended up in a beautiful and serene location where I am lucky enough to reside still today. I maintain my freedom by constantly examining (and now through this medium expressing) and releasing choices that do not work and choosing a life that I love to live. Thanks for reading.