I remember an episode of the Three Stooges television series that featured a phrase that when uttered spurred a violent attack on Curly by Moe and Larry. The phrase was Niagara Falls. Moe and Larry had been accidentally hypnotized and given the suggestion to attack someone whenever they heard that phrase. As they approached their victim they would say in unison, "Slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch..."
Silly as their comedy sketch was, the Stooges did hit on something to consider. The way the mind works, even without hypnotism, certain words or phrases and even fragrances can take us through space and time to a life-changing event. Pleasant ones can bring a sigh and a smile. The deja vu of unpleasant experiences can cause someone to exhibit symptoms of fight or flight, retreating or lashing out without any awareness of the cause. For some people the synchronicity of past and present poses a very real block to new experiences and growth. The embarrassing or awkward moments of childhood through high school haunt us by making us reticent to meet new people or speak in front of groups regardless of familiarity or size.
The ghost of humiliation is a powerful prison guard who is given full range over his charge. There are no witnesses to the beatings he metes out, but the bruises are obvious. No one can even see him but his victim. Every victim has the power to cast a spell to disarm him. Slowly I turned...Create a safe phrase. This is a code used by consenting adults when games of any kind are going too far. Slowly I turned... When a person can program such a code into the psyche, shadows will flee. Using such an incantation takes practice and determination, but the personal power will grow into a shield of confidence. Slowly I turned...
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