|
The need to talk straight
to oneself has been overlooked as a path to honesty with others.
Here the reader will see how Paula, through being honest with
herself, makes all relationships easier.
This 100 page plus 100 exercises non-fiction was written for
readers of fifth grade and up, picking up where traditional
texts on I Messages leave off. It focuses on interpersonal
communication skills with the intent of preparing future parents
for their roles as models.
Any single chapter of Paula's Truth can be beneficial to anyone
wishing to improve any relationship. It could appropriately
accompany middle school and high school English classes, be
part of social studies as preparatory to marriage, or be a
center text for church school or scouting groups.
· Chapter I distinguishes noun and verb forms of "feeling",
catalogs emotion words, scans ways of expressing emotions
other than verbal and suggests advantages of speaking from
feelings rather than opinions.
· Chapter II itemizes advantages of expressing vs. "stuffing"
feelings.
· Chapter III suggests reasons we avoid expressing feelings
and suggests ways to feel better about oneself, as well as
ways to best use the book.
· Chapter IV emphasizes and explains "good timing"
in feeling expression. This is perhaps one of the most important
chapters.
· Chapter V continues with Chapter IV's focus on timing, and
stresses immediacy in attending to reactions and handling
emotions until they can be appropriately expressed to others;
it then explores the danger of "You messages" and
the role of forgiveness.
· Chapter VI focuses on recognition of feelings, duration
of feelings, putting feelings into words.
· Chapter VII introduces I Statements, advantages of their
use, and the concept of "owning the problem".
· Chapter VIII explains the initial part of I Statements:
the description of the situation in which the feelings occurred,
A nonviolent way of Managing value differences is offered.
· Chapter IX addresses emotions in depth, including the role
of fantasies and memories and the use of awareness of how
human beings are affected by events, to feel better.
· Chapter X deals with direct expression of what is wanted
as part of feeling expression.
· Chapter XII explains the advance use of "I Statements"
to prevent uncomfortable situations.
· Chapter XIII describes the use of "shifting gears"
to handle not being heard.
· Chapter XIV offers suggestions for responding to invitations.
· Chapter XV relates use of "I Statements" to power
plays in relationships.
· Chapter XVI offers an additional use of I Statements to
establish rapport on new acquaintance.
|
