The late Frederick S. Perls, Ralph E. Hefferline, and
Paul Goodman, in a book titled., Gestalt Therapy
[1],, has suggested that a
future orientation keeps us living for a future which never occurs and keeps us out of
step with the actuality-actual living for the moment. Is there really a past and a future?
. [ See hyperlink
www.thinking-allowed.com/wolf.html
What you are thinking now may be about the past, or an anticipation of a
future, but really is it not happening in the thought process now?
When we share it is preferable to tie what appears to have been past into the present moment. Take some time and interview some of your ancestors. See if you can than share, i.e., self-disclose with us how this information is related to our understanding your present behavior, thoughts, feelings and reactions.
My Ancestral Tree
When one uses self-disclosure it is important to remember some of the cautions. You must want to build a relationship with the person and make sure that your self-disclosure is reciprocated.
You should take into account whether the person can cope with the information you self-disclose and use it as part of an ongoing relationship.[2]
Remember the most self revealing information is information
which tells us about you in the present time.
If you can not interview your grandparents, etc., then
look up the genealogy of your family. What cultural, social, and personal
characteristics might you share from your which can help us better understand
you today? What have learned most about yourself from this
assignment?
[1] Frederick Perls, Ralph Hefferline and Paul F. Goodman,
Paul, Gestalt Therapy, New York: Dell Publishing Co., Inc.,1951,
p.32
[2] David W. Johnson
Reaching
Out: Interpersonal Effectiveness and Self-Actualization,
9th ed., Boston: Allyn
and Bacon 2006, p.69
[3] Ibid.,p.68
Email:
rbrehm@msn.com
Telephone: Cell
206-930-4197.
Copyright © 1998 [Robert Brehm]. All rights reserved.