Hexaflexercise: Two Worlds

This brief guided experiential reflection, derived from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and adapted from Kelly Wilson, is part of a series called Hexaflexercises. This particular reflection is designed to engage the viewer in a perspective-taking exercise that may evoke acceptance of painful thoughts and feelings.

Transcript

I invite you to imagine two worlds. In one world, You experience painful thoughts and feelings. Not constantly, But your fair share. And that includes worries and doubts and fears and anxiety and insecurity. And anger and. . . Guilt and shame. And you have a child in this world. And this child comes to you sharing that they too experience. Painful thoughts and feelings such as fear and anxiety and guilt and shame. And you know what they're talking about. You can relate. You can understand and empathize with them. And perhaps they feel. Heard and understood in your presence. And then there's this other world. A world where you never experience any painful thoughts and feelings. No fear, No insecurity, No anger, No guilt, No shame. And you have a child in that world too. And in that world, That child comes to you sharing that they experience painful thoughts and feelings. They have fears and insecurities and fears. Guilt and shame and sometimes feel not good enough. They express this to you, Looking into your eyes. You have no idea what they're talking about. You've never experienced that. You can't relate. You're not able to understand or empathize with them. Which world would you choose to live in?