Starting the School Year
I just finished reading an article on emotions that Bill Powers wrote. It is available in the book PCT A Book of Readings a free downloadable book available at www.livingcontrolsystems.com . A few of the articles in the book will be of special interest to IAACT folks. Some are more technical, others are very user friendly. (Jim Soldani’s article for example). As I read the article on emotions, I was struck by the wonderful simplicity of PCT. As an instructor, we are often asked, “Why did/does 'so and so' do 'such and such'?” the short answer is because they were experiencing error. However, what I think most folks really want to know is how to change the ‘such and such’.

In his article, Bill explains that “Under normal circumstances, behavior comes about for one of two reasons: either there is a disturbance which changes some perception and thus generates an error signal, or there is a change in the reference signal demanded by some higher control system, which change also generates an error signal.” This answer perhaps better addresses the answer to how do we change ‘such and such’. If we want a person to change the disturbance (environment) needs to change or they need to want (reference) something different.
As most of you begin the school year, this idea becomes very important. Spending time at the beginning of the year to clarify references addresses both reasons for behavior changing. It changes the environment and it provides different references. Remember that disturbance is anything in the environment over which I have no control that is having an effect on what I want (what I am control for). Disturbance is either helpful or hindering. When I think of disturbance, I often think about young children around the age of two, the classic age of ‘me-do’. When we perceive our actions as helping and they perceive them as hindering. Children of this age are often seeking independence and they view our helping as hindering their desire for independence. The same also can be said of middle school students, and seniors who are often control for independence and our actions are perceived as hindering them.
When we are building connections at the beginning of the year, we are laying the groundwork for less error throughout the rest of the year. I think we are also doing something else, we are trying to shift the reasons for why we do what we do - ‘Bump it up!”. As Jim Miller, founder of Warrior Concept International wrote; “We have a choice. We can be ‘nice’ to others because it’s proper manners to do so because we expect to get something from them, or because we have to live with them. Or, we can treat others with respect and honor because we recognize that we are already connected to them in some way.” (http://ezinearticles.com/?Martial-Arts-CHARACTER-And-the-Universal-Law-of-Interdependence---The-Keys-to-Life-Mastery,-Key-2&id=13554 ) Doing what I do because it is who I want to be and because I understand that, I am connected to everyone on this planet is very different from doing it because my elders told me to. One last for the moment the other lasts for a lifetime. Start the year thinking about the lifetime of you and your students, because in the end it will change many moments along the road.

Dealing with "It Is..."

Life deals us many "opportunities" daily. How we deal with those opportunities determines our health - both mental and physical. The phrase "It is what it is" and how I deal with "it is..." rings in my ears as I write this entry. How I understand and employ the steps of "the loop" in being the person I want to be when encountering these opportunities speaks volumes about my health.

Rising health-care costs, physical therapy, major work projects, continued employment, unexpected family budget items, auto maintenance and inter-personal relations all factor in to creating "loops" that need to be managed in our lives. When they occur simultaneously, management is a bigger, more critical issue. Do I wonder "Is the world caving in on me?" No; not when I understand "it is what it is" and deal with each situation using Control Theory training.

When I look at these events as "it is what it is" through the loop, my action options become more clear and my health is better as a result. Rational responses verses emotional reactions provide a formula for healthy living. A genuine smile that radiates from inside provides an opportunity to share your ACT knowledge with others. Share your strength and strengthen your health.

The Jigsaw Puzzle & ACT Training

I have a fascination with jigsaw puzzles and am currently engrossed in reconstructing a 1000+ piece puzzle - a very neat but busy montage of the 1960s. It occurred to me as I search for matching pieces that there is a direct connection to this task and Control Theory training & seminars.

Working off a card table, I have limited space for the puzzle and it's component scattered pieces. I am using the bottom of the box and box top to hold the unconnected pieces. Initially, I chose to put the puzzle together by taking a mental picture of the finished product and working from there. Currently there are probably 20 small pictures from the "big picture" that are being assembled inside the frame of the puzzle. Progress is slow - has anyone seen the two border pieces I am missing?

Herein lies the connection - I'm using the boxtop to hold unconnected pieces. I have been working on the puzzle off-and-on for three weeks and my mental picture is now somewhat fuzzy. I can't see the finished product unless I hold the boxtop over my head & stare. My personal challenge initially was to do the puzzle from memory - a conscious choice. It is now time to regroup and "refresh my memory"; I need to have a clear vision of my goal.

So it is with Control Theory learning & training sessions. There are several opportunities this summer and fall to participate in 'Intensive Seminars'. What a wonderful chance to reconnect and get a look at the overall picture of PCT and its applications in our life. Only when we revisit and see how seperate components (Overall Direction, Levels of Perception, the Loop, the Circle of Strength and MOL) fit into the 'big picture', can we again be refocused inspired to continue 'piecing it all together. By participating in these training sessions both we and those we work with benefit. We can refresh our memory of how everything fits together and those we live and work with are able to see and learn from our improved understanding. Sessions are being held across North Carolina in the next few months (and possibly in other areas working with IAACT or Life Connections). Plan to be a part of one of these events if you are new to 'Control Theory' or already familiar with the ACT experience. Contact New View or Life Connections for more information.