Answer honestly as best as you can. It is ok if you do not understand or agree with everything.

Before you start the writing assignments, what is the definition of upset? Without looking it up, write it down.

Review your List of Upsets. Look for ones that are repeat patterns (upsets that keep showing up). “I’m always upset at this person….because.”

Highlight or circle the big repeaters that stand out to you.

Repeat Patterns occur when we have an internal upset, that has nothing to do with what is happening in the World, that we are trying to solve in the World.

We make it make sense by using our rational mind to justify the upset, however, the experience of the upset exists on its own and has nothing to do with the situation.

It is a blame game. When we become upset at something or someone for being different than we want them to be, we are attacking them with our unresolved spiritual baggage.

“I’m upset at….because…” The “because” represents the reason for the upset. Look at your list of upsets. Do all of your upsets have reasons? In other words, have you justified all your upsets?

There are a lot of people, organizations, and situations in the World. How many of them have dysfunction?

Based on your definition of upset, do other people’s dysfunction upset you?

Do situations that you cannot control upset you? Write three examples.

Have you ever been able to gain enough control over the things of the world to stop being upset?

How much energy do you spend trying to change other people, or manage their dysfunction? Is it exhausting? Is it effective? Are you accumulating resentment?

If you can’t change other people, or situations, and they are the reason you are upset, how can you stop being upset?

Can you be upset first and then after come up with reasons to support the upset? Think carefully and write an example.

Are reasons really justifications for upsets that actually have no reason? Give an example of a state of upset that really had no reason.

Are your reasons for your upsets a blame game? “If only they were different I’d be ok.”

Without looking it up, write the definition of VICTIM.

Based on your definition, are you a VICTIM?

Answering these questions is likely to stir up some irritability. That is normal. Our ego never lets us look in the mirror. You are brave and this work is serious. Continue, it will be worth it.