The American psychologist Martin Seligman’s foundational experiments and theory of learned helplessness began at University of Pennsylvania in 1967, as an extension of his interest in depression.
A person should be able to walk away from an abusive relationship, for example, or voluntarily quit a stressful job.
A psychological condition known as learned helplessness, however, can cause a person to feel completely powerless to change his or her circumstances for the better.
The result of learned helplessness is often severe depression and extremely low self-esteem.
Learned helplessness can be seen as a mechanism some people employ in order to survive difficult or abusive circumstances.
An abused child or spouse may eventually learn to remain passive and compliant at the hands of his or her abuser, since efforts to fight back or escape appear futile.
Learned helplessness results from being trained to be locked into a system. The system may be a family, a community, a culture, a tradition, a profession or an institution.
Initially, a system develops for a specific purpose. But as a system evolves, it increasingly tends to organize around beliefs, perspectives, activities and taboos that serve the continuation of the system. Awareness of the original purpose fades and the system starts to function automatically. It calcifies.
Some experts suggest learned helplessness can be passed on through observation, as in the case of a daughter watching her abused mother passively obey her husband’s commands.
The daughter may begin to associate passivity and low self-esteem with the “normal” demands of married life, leading to a perpetuation of the learned helplessness cycle.
Child abuse by neglect can be a manifestation of learned helplessness: when parents believe they are incapable of stopping an infant’s crying, they may simply give up trying to do anything for the child.
Another example of learned helplessness in social settings involves loneliness and shyness. Those who are extremely shy, passive, anxious and depressed may learn helplessness to offer stable explanations for unpleasant social experiences.
A third example is aging, with the elderly learning to be helpless and concluding that they have no control over losing their friends and family members, losing their jobs and incomes, getting old, weak and so on.
(to read more about this subject: Leaned helplessness in Wikipedia
An interesting article by Ken McLeod on how to fight the symptoms)
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This is way amazing. Thanks for your comments..
I think this is really true! most of us learn to cope with uncomfortable forced situations practicing this. I think it builds unconsciously in us and makes us believe this is what we need to deal with the situations. It is the escape we seek when we know its difficult to stand up and fight… Very aptly stated…
During your dark days, don’t forget that God is always there for us, if we need help just call him and he will help you. Those obstacle that you are suffering are just challenges from God, It wont be given to you if you don’t know how to solve it.
that’s true. and thank you for that.
what if I don’t believe in God?
Is there any way out? HELP me.
There is…just in front of you. Don t be afraid of darkness, as paradoxically it will protect you in your journey towards light. You are already a step forward if you re smiling now. xxx Much LOVE to you.
La teoría de indefensión aprendida y sus experiencias fundadoras fueron desarrolladas en la Universidad de Pensilvania en 1967 por el psicólogo norteamericano Martin Seligman, como una extensión de su interés para la depresión.
En principio un las personas deberían tener la capacidad de marcharse cuando una relación es abusiva, por ejemplo, o de dimitir voluntariamente de un empleo demasiado estresante.
Sin embargo, existe una condición psicológica conocida bajo el nombre de “indefensión aprendida”, o “adquirida”, que hace que una persona se sienta completamente impotente para cambiar la circunstancia en la que se encuentra y mejorarla. El resultado de la indefensión aprendida es a menudo una grave depresión y una autoestima extremadamente baja.
A la indefensión aprendida se le puede ver como un mecanismo al cual ciertas personas recurren para sobrevivir a circunstancias demasiado difíciles o abusivas. Un niño o un cónyuge maltratados pueden aprender, con el paso del tiempo, a permanecer pasivos y obedientes frente a la persona culpable de abusos, ya que sus esfuerzos para resistir o escaparse parecen vanos.
La indefensión aprendida es el estado en el que se desemboca cuando uno se ha visto acostumbrado a un papel de rehén dentro de un sistema cerrado. Este sistema puede ser una familia, una comunidad, una cultura, una tradición, una profesión o una institución.
Inicialmente, un sistema se desarrolla para un propósito específico. Pero a medida que un sistema evoluciona, tiende cada vez más a organizarse alrededor de creencias, reacciones, actividades y tabúes ; este conjunto de enfoques literalmente propician una extensión del sistema. La conciencia clara del objetivo de origen se desdibuja a medida que el sistema mismo empieza a funcionar bajo un patrón automático. Asimismo, se calcifica.
Algunos expertos sugieren que pudiera ser que el aprendizaje de la resignación se transmita por medio de la observación, como en el caso de una hija que miraría a su madre maltratada obedecer pasivamente a las órdenes de su marido. Es factible que esa hija comience a asociar la pasividad y la baja autoestima con las exigencias “normales” del matrimonio, lo que desembocaría en una perpetuación del ciclo de la indefensión aprendida.
El maltrato de un niño bajo la forma de un descuido bien podría ser la manifestación de una indefensión aprendida: cuando los padres creen que son incapaces de parar el llanto de un niño pequeño, sencillamente pueden llegar a renunciar de tratar de hacer cualquier cosa para el niño.
Otro ejemplo de indefensión aprendida, en el contexto de la sociabilidad y sus aptitudes, implica la soledad y la timidez. Quienes son extremadamente tímidos, pasivos, ansiosos y deprimidos bien pueden aprender a considerarse desesperanzados, ofreciendo así una explicación estable cuando sus experiencias sociales resultan desagradables.
Un tercer ejemplo es el envejecimiento, con personas mayores que aprenden a sentirse impotentes y que concluyen que ya no tienen control alguno sobre la pérdida de sus amigos y de los miembros de su familia, sobre la pérdida de sus empleos e ingresos, o sobre el hecho de envejecer, de debilitarse etcétera.
;o)
C’est à l’Université de Pennsylvanie, en 1967, que la théorie de résignation acquise et ses expériences fondatrices ont été développées par le psychologue américain Martin Seligman comme une extension de son intérêt pour la dépression.
En principe chacun devrait être en mesure de fuir une relation destructrice, par exemple, ou de démissionner volontairement d’un emploi trop stressant.
Cependant, il existe un trouble psychologique connu sous le nom de « résignation acquise » qui peut amener une personne à se sentir complètement impuissante à agir sur ses conditions de vie pour aller vers un mieux-être. Le résultat de la résignation acquise est souvent une grave dépression et un extrême manque de confiance en soi.
La résignation acquise peut être vue comme un mécanisme auquel certaines personnes ont recours pour surmonter des circonstances trop difficiles ou destructrices. Un enfant ou une épouse maltraitée peuvent apprendre, sur le long terme, à rester passifs et conciliants face à la personne qui leur fait du mal, à partir du moment où leurs efforts pour résister ou s’échapper leurs semblent vains.
La résignation acquise est ce qui résulte lorsqu’on a pris l’habitude de se retrouver coincé dans un système verrouillé. Ce système peut être une famille, une communauté, une culture, une tradition, une profession ou une institution.
A l’origine, un système se développe dans un but spécifique. Mais au fur et à mesure qu’un système évolue, il a de plus en plus tendance à s’organiser autour de croyances, de réactions, d’activités et de tabous ; cet ensemble de perspectives se retrouve littéralement au service d’une extension du système. La conscience claire de l’objectif d’origine s’estompe au fur et à mesure que le système commence à fonctionner de lui-même, sur un mode automatique, en roue libre. Il se cristallise.
Certains experts ont suggéré que l’apprentissage de la résignation peut se transmettre par l’observation, comme dans le cas d’une fille qui regarderait sa mère maltraitée obéir passivement aux ordres de son mari. Il se pourrait que sa fille commence à associer la passivité et un manque de confiance en soi avec les exigences « normales » du mariage, ce qui aboutirait à une perpétuation du cycle de la résignation acquise.
Parfois la maltraitance d’un enfant par voie de négligence est la manifestation d’une résignation acquise : quand les parents en arrivent à croire qu’ils sont incapables d’arrêter les pleurs d’un enfant en bas âge, ils peuvent très bien tout simplement renoncer à essayer de faire quoi que ce soit pour l’enfant.
Un autre exemple de résignation acquise, dans le contexte de la sociabilité et de ses aptitudes, met en jeu la solitude et la timidité. Ceux qui sont extrêmement timides, passifs, anxieux et déprimés peuvent apprendre à se résigner pour s’offrir une explication stable lorsque leurs expériences sociales se révèlent être désagréables.
Un troisième exemple est le vieillissement, avec des personnes âgées qui apprennent à être impuissantes et qui en viennent à la conclusion qu’elles n’ont plus aucun contrôle, ni sur la perte de leurs amis et des membres de leur famille, ni sur la perte de leurs emplois et leurs revenus, ni sur le fait de vieillir, de faiblir et ainsi de suite.
(Traduction envoyée au staff de Coelho mais malheureusement elle a été sans effet; je la reposte ici. En effet la version automatique est quasiment illisible)
OMG, I feel like you just took an X-ray of me. Symptoms and the origin of learned helplessness fit perfectly in me. And I see so many people around like this…. I think this is the true contemporary tendency: conforming to being frustrated in a world that doesn’t permit us to dream. And that’s the reason for so much unhappiness, revolt (violence) and suicide.
I’m fascinated by this post not because of the post itself but because of the deluge of responses. (No offense intended Sr. Coelho.)
A few things strike me as worthy of comment. Courage appears to be greater than helplessness or at least it has shown itself a worthy adversary in the stories presented here. The flame of courage in each person’s soul doesn’t cease to burn until death.
The outpouring of love and compassion from stranger to stranger is all at once remarkable and leaves me wondering what I often do not understand.
I believe love to be our greatest power and asset as humans, yet we so often stay silent as if we have learned that our love itself is of no use, helpless in its own right. I do not believe this. I believe the grace and love shown here prove the truth, that being loving and being powerful are not mutually exclusive. When we teach this as power we will eradicate the blights of unhappiness and ills the world over.
I beseech you all to take what you’ve written here, shown here to one another and put it in the world in action. Then posts such as this will become our history, not a fact still breathing amongst the answers.
Great post. It was so inspiring knowing about helplessness in life. I know life is full of challenges but still we need to keep hoping for the best and make life easy.
esta bueno el reportaje!! muchas veces me e sentido asi, ya que estudio solo con hombres y tengo que ponerme en estado de indefencion para no entrar o obtener mas problemas!me agradaria saber exactamente como debo comportarme cuando se me presentan dichas advercidades!!
A prayer for all the people who are feeling lost and vulnerable
http://beingsavage.blog.com/2011/04/18/a-prayer/
Thank you for your prayers…and sharing this link..God Bless
After finished this reading, I incidentally listened to Alanis’ song which is called “There are the thoughts” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kBt3SM3h1c&playnext=1&list=PL75F4F358C2EEDF13 – and from the lyrics, I’m questioning does this song represent the form of Leaned Helplessness?
Thank you <3
That’s a b beautiful song indeed.
She is supposed to be an schyzofrenic, and her composing and singing was originally a part of the therapy, so i would say she has a lot of experience in this area…
I believe that this theory can also be applied in African politics where one finds that citizens are reluctant to fight against poor governance and ineffective leadership. Some go as far as believing that voting for a particular political party is the norm, even though nothing improves. Capable citizens are rendering themselves helpless.
Sooooo true!
Here in the Philippines Learned Helplesness is a common norm in our society. It is very much present in our culture, in our families and even in our government. Its frustrating to know that Filipinos don’t realize that they have a choice, that they could make a difference in their own little way. But no, they choose the make things stay that way since it is what they have been used to and they think that it is the safest thing to do. As a result too many Filipinos suffer because of this.
Thanks Paulo for another wonderful article.
Hermes
ESTE ARTÍCULO ES MUY BUENO, PERO QUE LAMENTABLE QUE MUCHAS PERSONAS SON PRISIONEROS DE ELLOS MISMOS POR TEMOR TERMINAN DAÑANDOSE Y DAÑANDO A SERES INOCENTES
En mi busqueda por repuestas al pasado tratando de entender porque yo tenia muchos miedos, tenia mucho odio y rencor en mi corazon. Lo primero que aprendi es que tenia que perdonar y volver a perdonar para poder yo perdonarme y no castigarme emosionalmente como lo hacia. Cuando perdone y reconosi que un Dios de amor siempre estuvo a mi lado, finalmente pude darme cuenta que tenia mucho que ofrecer a mis seres queridos, que tenia mucho talento por ofrecer a mi comunidad, y hoy por medio de este medio de comunicacion quisas al munco. Uno de los libros que ha tenido mucho sentido es el libro de Don MIguel Ruiz ” los cuatro Acuerdos” . El consepto basico creo que se aplica en reglas que en muchas de las religiones se trata de vivir, almenos yo como cristiano y un catolico creo que he podido hacer referencia de los escritos de este libro con pasages de la biblia o del mensaje que Jesus trato de dejarnos. Lo primero creo que cuando tenemos una problema o creeemos que hay algo que nos esta afectando tenemos que ir a la raiz y trabajar, tenemos que hacer algo por nosotros mismos, como lo dije anteriorment podemos empesar por el perdon, buscar un balance en la vida no es facil pero si cada dia ponemos un granito de arena algo pasara. Aqui estan los cuatro acuerdos en un resumen que lo tome del libro.
primero ” Se impecable con tu palabra. Habla con integridad , di solamente lo que quieres decir. Evita hablar contra ti mismo y chismorrear sobre los demas. Utiliza el poder de tus palabras para avanzar en la dirreccion de la verdad y el amor.”
segundo.”No te tomes nada personalmente. Lo que los demas dicen y hacen es una proyeccion de su propia realidad, de su propio sueno. Nada de lo que hacen es por ti. Cuando seas inmune a las opiniones y los actos de los demas, dejaras de ser la victima de un sufrimiento innecesario.”
tercero. ” No hagas suposiciones. Encuentra la valentia necesaria para preguntar y expresar lo que realmente quieres. Comunicate con los demas tan claramente como puedas a fin de evitar malentendidos, tristezas y dramas. Solo con este acuerdo tranasformaras tu vida por completo.”
cuarto. “Haz siempre lo maximo que puedas. Lo maximo que puedas hacer cambiara de un momento a otro, sera distinto cuando estes sano que cuando estes enfermo. Bajo cualquier circunstancia, has sencillamente lo maximo que puedas, y de este modo evitras juzgarte, maltratarte y lamentarte.”
Aprender a amarce uno mismo es primordial antes de salir por el mundo a brinfar amor.
Los 4 acuerdos…conceptos faciles de entender…pero tan dificiles de aplicar en nuestra vida diaria…pero vale la pena seguirlo intentando!
The story about learned helpless The Lion, the king of all animals, lived in a wood, and every evening he called a name of an animal which he would eat tomorrow. One evening it was the turn of the hare .. Leo said: “Hare, tomorrow you will come! ”
and the hare replied: “Can i not to come?”
Leo said: “OKay, hedgehog, you will come tomorrow”
as i have read this post, it teaches me where and when being helplessness comes, the meaning, nature, and its background and to realize within yourself how to really look forward in moving on and changing your miserable life that we might have been experiencing now and transform us into something that we know can really make us better and grow to become a well rounded person that is strong and confident in facing the reality and breaking all the walls that surrounds us and had become our defense against the pain and heartbreaking moment in life that make us become untrue with ourselves, with others, and our relationship with God…
I am not the only one trapped in relationship, it’s hard to get out, you have no idea; being rejected is just like inside me, it’s like you don’t feel anything anymore exept something…hoping for a better life or in another life. I’m just a simple and trying to understand all my fast, what does mean to my present life..and it is…what I had is just like repeating what happen before; my dream telling everything for me…it’s also like puzzle…litterally, I like puzzle because that’s the way I learned to wake me up too…In someway your books also helping me to understand in some extent….
What you posting, I was already reading befoere not yet member in this site, not even know what is computer is, until this year I’m become more active, searching about PTSD, as a young child, I realize now I’ve been through a lot; that’s makes different now, allthough my present life is a trapped but that’s the way I could also find my self back, and now I can see life is a circle….
very usefull reading, remind about possible cases not detected yet, i will share with my friends.
thanks amigo
nice to see there are many of us. I’m feeling better now…
What we must remember is, this tells you about one extreme, avoiding this extreme could also lead you to another extreme.
As a child, i got used to seeing an abused mother, growing up, i saw her stay with the same man, claiming it is for the children. She was a walking victim of learned helplessness, now i am a victim of the opposite.
Running from all signs of learned helplessness before they materialise. Though i’m not a victim of another’s abuse or external torture, i’ve become a victim of my fears, which is not healthy either.
When you read this article, think of it in 2 ways, do not be a victim of anybody or anything’s abuse but do not be a victim of your fears either and be objective not subjective
you have summed me up.
Wow! Never thought of it that way!! How True!
Amina, I can relate to your post so much. My father was abusive also and my mother helpless but for her children. Me, i used my wretched homelife to spur me to be a great achiever at school. As time went on I realised that my parents were only doing the best, no matter how insufficient it was in nurturing their children. At the same time, slowly but surely I let my fear of being judged in social situations and an eating disorder develop into what is now a wholly avoidant personality that sees me being home ridden. From someone that has hit rock bottom I hope that you all find courage in the face of your fears and work THROUGH them, not round. If you don’t, it just gets harder and harder to get back to where you were.
Thanks people. Its good to know we’re not alone in this and there is a way out.
Thank you Paulo Coelho, for the gift of your words, for the gift of togetherness you bring with your pieces. Thank you for the alchemist,the pilgrimage, learned helplessness and all your other pieces that put our inner most feelings into words and help us understand our feelings and share. Even if you wrote a million books i couldnt get enough with the way they speak to me all the time.
I had a dream, a dream about travelling around the world!
As a kid I thought: no problem, I’ll save enough money and just do it. But when I finally had everything I needed to make this dream come true, I got scared! The child in my grew up and the adult was talking now: don’t do it, it’s irresponsible, unrealistic and immature; what were you thinking anyway?
I felt the sudden need to try and make my life work in the conventional way, as I was expected to do by family and friends. And believe me, I tried! Unfortunately, it didn’t work out at all. It just wasn’t the life I was meant to live and I was to scared to do anything about it. In the end it all resulted in a burnout and depression.
Looking back at this, it probably was the best thing that ever happened to me: life forced me to make some big changes, because living like this definitely wasn’t an option any more. And then I remembered my dream… Not only that, I decided to finally take some action and make it come true!
4 months later I was on a plane to paradise and for a whole year I travelled around Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. It was great, fantastic, amazing, the best decision ever! It didn’t only restore my faith and joy in life, but also completely changed my view on how I wanted to spent the rest of my life.
So once back home, I decided to become a freelancer and coach – two other dreams I always thought were impossible to reach. So now I’m working on several blogs, websites, e-books etc and at the same time do some volunteer work in Canada in exchange for a nice place to stay. That way I have it all!
My conclusion: anything is possible so dream big and go for it! The only thing that’s holding you back is yourself so believe, thrust and be your own best friend!
What we must remember is, this tells you about one extreme, avoiding this extreme could also lead you to another extreme.
As a child, i got used to seeing an abused mother, growing up, i saw her stay with the same man, claiming it is for the children. She was a walking victim of learned helplessness, now i am a victim of the opposite.
Running from all signs of learned helplessness before they materialise. Though i’m not a victim of another’s abuse or external torture, i’ve become a victim of my fears, which is not healthy either.
When you read this article, think of it in 2 ways, do not be a victim of anybody or anything’s abuse but do not be a victim of your fears either and be objective not subjective
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your post. I am faced with a similar situation currently, although I am fighting the fear to the best of my ability. It is so true that the unstable becomes the stable and provides a comfort. Yet the comfort is shallow and I believe we all have the deep inner yearning and desire burning within…showing us our path. Fear and anxiety can be a traitor to our better judgement and it becomes near devastating to realize we have wasted so much time in contemplation. Trying to break the cycle and truly grasping life’s experiences as lessons should provide the drive we all need. Unfortunately, we become stuck in false beliefs. Overcoming and banishing the fear is the ultimate goal, my dreams are big and I will achieve them ! (as soon as my best friend and I can come to an agreement) lol Be Well, T
I have the same dream, and everything you said is really inspiring, some days our dreams seem too big and we forget to dream, but just as soon as we remember the pleasure of just dreaming, our dreams seem even closer than reality itself !
Thank you
Good for you! I ended up in a high stress, high pay burn out job and had a break down (leading to depression and PTSD)….money isn’t worth it!
thank for sharing this.. :)
dear paulo pls go through this video.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFmFOmprTt0 i think all of us are in some ways practicing learned helplessness.. your article was really an eye opener. thank u so much for helpin me realise my problem.
lots of love,
ranjani
This spoke to my heart!!! Yes, I recognize this, unfortunately, but WOW I didn’t realize that this was a “thing”. It has made my head spin around and around and my thoughts can’t rest. The entire world looks different to me now. OH MY! Thank you! Muito obrigado, voce tem um blog linderrimo e adoro ler e passar para os outros tambem. Com letras voce da magica para os nossos pensamentos e orgasmos para a minha imaginacao! Obrigado!
Paulo y amigos: estoy traduciendo este articulo genial para que sea provechoso para el mayor numero de gente. Soy traductor Franco-Méxicano y ya le mandé la version francesa a Paulo.
Paulo, veo que este tema de veras te impacta, y hoy en “Danse” dices no tener solución:
Investigando en wikipedia en español para conocer la traducción académica del síndrome, veo que a diferencia de la versión inglesa y francesa HAY INDICACIONES DE UNA SOLUCION PARA SUPERAR EL SINDROME:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefensión_aprendida
La teoría de la indefensión aprendida ha sido utilizada para explicar el mecanismo de la depresión. Cuando estamos deprimidos -dirían los defensores de esta relación-, percibimos que nuestra situación vital es dolorosa, y no distinguimos ninguna solución ni ninguna posible vía de escape a nuestro alcance; nos sentimos mal y no podemos hacer nada para cambiarlo.
Como comenta el Dr. Renny Yagosesky, para superar la indefensión aprendida es necesario seguir una serie de pasos:
1. Comprender que se trata de una percepción y no de una realidad inamovible.
2. Asumir que todo pasa y que cada día es nuevo y está lleno de posibilidades.
3. Buscar formas creativas de abordar la situación valorada como amenaza.
4. Apoyarse en personas que tengan otros recursos que uno no posea.
5. Reevaluar o reconceptualizar la situación en busca de ángulos positivos.
6. Aceptar, adaptarse y esperar un mejor momento para actuar, si se considera que realmente nada puede cambiarse aquí y ahora.
7. Centrarse en los recursos, dones y talentos, en vez de enfocarse en el problema o en sus posibles consecuencias negativas.
Leer más en Suite101: Síndrome de indefensión adquirida: Desmotivación, desesperanza e imposibilidad de obtener logros http://mentesana.suite101.net/article.cfm/sindrome_de_indefension_adquirida#ixzz1CqRBrYJQ
Esto se los traduzco mañana (es tardísimo aquí y me falta acabar la versión en español del artículo de Paulo)
Saludos desde París
;o)
Tanto esfuerzo sin darme cuenta que la traducción automática al español es casi tan buena como una traducción humana, y en algunos detalles hasta mejor…
En cambio la francesa está medio ilegible.
Creo que mi trabajo va a desaparecer pronto… :o/
This was a very interesting post.I feel sympathy for people in these oppressive situations.They are often alone and disconnected.They cannot be expected to change their circumstances unless they are supported. Not everyone has that fight back gene which is more the pity.It’s up to the strong to defend and protect the weaker members through legislation, social support mechanisms to foster caring for each other at the grass roots level.There is no point in saying we should be nicer to each other because with the increase of secularism and emphasis on “me ” in our decadent western society,this will never happen
Kat,
The Lord loves you just as you are and desires to have a personal relationship with you. It sounds like you need a community that accepts you for who you are, both the good and the bad (we all have both). Consider going to a local church service or meeting 1 on 1 with a pastor, he or she may have some insight they can share with you. Again, know that you are loved.
Footprints in the Sand*
God’s peace be with you.
After much of learned helplessness in my life it is becoming truly liberating and freeing to have the confidence to say no, to walk away from traps and other people’s baggage thrown at oneself, to see things for what they are merely ‘traps’ to keep you helpless’. When I realized it at a very late age it was shocking to think that I had been at the other end, and my excuse was I was doing it because I did not want to ‘rock the boat’, I didn’t want to cause ‘waves’, I didn’t want to hurt the other person, and in the process I hurt myself badly, and I gave up the opportunity to give the other a chance for change!!
I am still trapped in a relationship that is sucking my life out – not just mine, but my child’s as well. But, Paulo Coelho’s words have been of immense strength throughout this journey of exploring myself. His every column, every book has made me realize that, if only I am willing to, then I can break my chains and move forward. This whole experience of living in a marriage that is sapping, has taught me to respect myself, over and above everyone and everything else. I’ve learnt that I need to give MYSELF another chance to explore this world in all its splendor.
when reading the post, it reminded me of “His Dark Materials”. where each person has an animal being part of their individuality. & the researchers doing experiments with children by separating their animals from them …. & then study the consequences.
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