exploring the mystery post, published on March 9, 2012, contains a phrase that still intrigues me. Extra points if you remember the phrase, or for that matter, anything from such an ancient post. How’s your long term memory?
The phrase: “reality distortion field.” I had discovered this phrase while reading Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs in 2012. At that time, I described the phrase as similar to how anxiety affects our views.
Today I might define a reality distortion field as an internal pattern with a defensive nature.
Here’s an example: If my fear is that when another person is upset with me I won’t be able to handle it, I may look out at the world from behind a reality distortion field that makes it seem as if everyone is mad at me. Isn’t it weird how we always seem to focus on the negative?
With reality distorted, when I hear an unusual tone in the other person’s voice, I will be certain I have done something to upset them. The reality distortion field has worked.
Can you think of an example of a positive reality distortion field?
I want to but have spent an inordinate amount of time on this post so I need to stop. (Pun intended – I need to stop.)
And in closing – would you believe that I put a little bit of sucanat (sugar) on my oatmeal this morning? Well, I did. I woke up missing the sweet taste so I figured I would try a little bit. Then today I received a lovely comment from Connie extolling the virtues of moderation which seemed to affirm my decision.
And just between us, thank heavens it didn’t taste as good as I thought it would though initially it was disappointing that it wasn’t wonderful but now that I write about it, I think it was a good result.
Thanks for exploring the mystery – Nicky Mendenhall