…exhibits under-reactivity in a personal crisis.
I see this ghost as strongly related to the ghost of Numb and Avoidance. Actually, I see under-reactivity as a symptom of the other two. I hope this ghost is not too offended with my assessment 
When first hit with crisis information, I can immediately shut down all reaction, gather all the information, and dispassionately assess the situation. Over time, I come back and experience a reaction comparable to the crisis but this is often experienced privately.
I think most people, upon hearing crushing news, are immediately and visibly crushed. I find I am able to bind up this reaction and experience it later. Almost scheduling the reaction at a time of my choosing. Sometimes later in the day. Sometimes later in the week. And sometimes later in my life.
People unfamiliar with this derivative ghost, witness my cool reaction (or non-reaction) and wonder if I simply do not care.
I would have made a good Vulcan. But then there’s the poetic side o’ me that would not have fit well in the Vulcan camp either. I can imagine conversations with my Vulcan teacher…
Vulcan Teacher: Love? Love is not logical.
Me (a.k.a., VT Teacher): Exactly! Thank you!
VT: {raises left eyebrow} Facinating.
Me: I love it when you do that!
{repeat, ad nauseum}
Filed under: Family, Friends, Learning, Life, mountains | Tagged: abuse, Ghosts, survivors
Spock – errrr Ric!
i suppose i can see the down side to this ghost – but secretly? i think this actually gives you an advantage over many of us
i enjoy empathy ( and perhaps also sympathy?) as much as anyone – but i prefer people who can keep their heads in a crisis and not over-react emotionally.
Again, it is probably largely a matter of degree?
That balance thing is quite important – but as a mathematician i am sure you know that very few people are actually the ‘average’ – most of us lie to either side of that point, to some degree or other. The greater the degree the more likely we are to be unhappy – especially if we need to compare with, or relate to, others.
<B
I have ALWAYS been the cool head in a crisis, bLove… the one to call on for help.
sometimes, we choose not to react/respond til we decide it is safe to, under our conditions….for once.
It seems to me that being able to do this (and this is another one for whatever reason that I have seen in my own life) isolates you. Yes, it is good to be able to remain calm and cool in a heated/desperate situation but sometimes things happen and when we step back and push our reactions down it cuts us off. Sometimes a reaction is necessary to be able to connect to people so they can help us and so we can maybe help them.
In my experience my non-reaction caused more pain later because I experienced it alone (with an obvious exception, but He can be difficult to notice when you are breaking apart). Well anyway just thought I’d toss my hat in the ring, so to speak.
Vaya Con Dios and I am praying for strength to speed your way.
G
At this point in my walk, I would have to agree, G. If I did this consciously, it would be easier to stop myself. I have to consciously interrupt myself and focus on not pushing my reaction down… Then I over-think the proper reaction and trip over myself several times. Someday maybe…
Bingo.
you have my number.
I have realized that at some point in my life I taught myself that emotions weren’t valid and therefore weren’t valuable. So I therefore relegated all emotion to the scrap hep, examining it only if I believed it would serve some value in my life. IE: I was emotionally abusing myself. I have to be the first to stop this. So I am working on it.