The Blank Out

This is a topic that I’ve wanted to explore for some time now but I couldn’t figure out how to put it on paper.

The Blank Out is the answer to all of those confused feelings that you feel inside every day.

It’s the reason why you feel guilty for not buying girl scout cookies when you walk by them at the store.

It’s the reason you feel guilty for wanting money.

It’s the reason you still talk to your sister/brother/mother who just makes you feel like crap.

It’s the reason we stay in jobs we don’t like.

It’s the reason for the state of muddled guilt, depression, and anxiety a lot of people live in every day.

What is the Blank Out?

If I were to ask you why you don’t make contact with the beggar in the street asking for $1, would you be able to answer me quickly and with confidence in the validity of your answer? Probably not.

That’s the Blank Out.

What if I asked you why you continue to go to a job you hate when there are so many other opportunities out there? Would you be able to give me a good reason for your suffering?

That’s the Blank Out.

How about if I asked you whether or not it was right to be full of pride? Would you give me a half yes half no answer? If so, why? Can you answer me that?

That’s the Blank Out.

The Blank Out is when you don’t fully evaluate your beliefs before adopting them.

It leads you to a state of fuzzy awareness, where you don’t know what is fully right or what is fully wrong.

You can’t possibly be happy because your life consists mainly of performing actions that you don’t understand.

How Do I Fix It?

The next time you experience an uncomfortable emotion, stop right there and evaluate the situation and the feeling.

Don’t just blank out and ignore the beggar until the light turns red. Ask yourself why you are feeling this way, and if he has a right to make you feel bad for not emptying out your pockets to him. Then tell yourself with full conviction that it is ok to not want to give in this particular situation and you have nothing to feel bad about. The money is yours, the choice is yours, and you don’t have to feel bad about choosing not to give.

Every time you start to Blank Out, stop yourself and assert your right to choose.

You have a right to choose whether or not you will continue to talk to a mother that makes you feel bad every time she gets on the phone. Mothers have to earn the love of their children as well. Don’t feel bad about that.

You have a right to choose when and who to give your money to. It’s fully yours. You’ve earned it. If you decide to keep it and build a house made out of one thousand pancakes, or if you decide to give it to the animal shelter, or if you decide to just sit on it is your decision to make. Don’t feel bad about it.

For example, I was recently writing an article for one of my dog sites, Indestructible Dog Toys. I stumbled upon a puppy mill rescue site. Although I have little money to give these days, I gave them $25. I gave because when I clicked away from the page, I found myself wanting to give. Wishing I could give more. Hoping that what I gave would be enough. I didn’t feel bad about spending $25 that I really didn’t have. I felt great! If you don’t feel this way, don’t give. Period. Never out of obligation.

You can’t think that you ‘should’ give at the same time that you are thinking ‘I don’t want to give’. Whenever you are in this kind of situation you will feel all icky. I’m not saying it never happens. But the more you realize that it’s happening, the more you’ll be able to mitigate the effects.

Don’t Blank Out every time you wonder why you are doing something that makes you suffer. When you live without contradictory beliefs, you become much happier.

Stop Blanking Out!

Come back to life! Make choices and believe in them!

Just don’t go hurting anyone on purpose. That’s the only rule. Other than that, you are free.

So go and be free.