July 2016 Magazine | Page 95

PERSONAL FREEDOM BEYOND DYSFUNCTION “It’s no picnic? Free yourself from the tyranny of dysfunction!” by Gary Stuart S ummer is here; it’s time to enjoy the season by going outside, having picnics, and enjoying concerts, plus vacation time at lakes and beaches enjoying all the good things life has to offer. Is it easier to hold on while and harder to let go, or harder to let go and easier to hold on? There are also other things to investigate as well. Our nation found its liberty and freedom over tyranny and we can do the same in every aspect of our lives. How about expanding your liberty and freedom over self-imposed emotional tyranny of patterns that don’t serve or empower you? How about discovering that you have to power to make yourself happy and fulfilled? Life is too short not to do those things, and there’s no more time to waste. Suffering will always be there if you find it’s your comfort zone. As a communication expert in hidden dynamics, I often see age-old family dramas and traumas reenacted daily in most of our lives. They’ve become such a habit we don’t even recognize we’re repeating the “same old same old” that doesn’t serve us in a deep and positive way. It’s all about choice; at the very least feeling you have to have one and be fully present when it’s needed. Everyone knows there will be a blowout at someone’s barbeque or someone’s feelings will be hurt; they either won’t speak or storm out in a dramatic rage. It happens all the time, whether it’s 4th of July, Thanksgiving, or an innocent picnic. Someone is bound to disapprove or state something embarrassing or shameful that betrays a confidence, making a summer fest turn into “Nightmare on Elm Street.” It’s all par for the course in family dynamics. Sometimes a significant other isn’t liked and that’s all it takes for the emotional fireworks to start! Forget nightfall, the dinner table is as good as any location for a dysfunctional drama to ensue. So much for fun and frolic; now it’s wet blanket time. eydismedia.com 95