Dialogue Between RB & EB

Rational Brain (RB) and Emotional Brain (EB) are finding themselves in conversation once more. RB & EB rarely agree on anything except for one thing: RB is good; EB is bad.

EB: (speaking meekly) RB, I’m feeling a little nervous.
RB: Hey, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to stay out of sight.

EB: I know, I’m sorry but I just can’t help myself.
RB: See, that’s your problem. (imitating EB in a whiny voice)”I just can’t help myself”. Don’t you remember why you’re supposed to stay hidden and out of sight?

EB: I’m trying to remember. Something about how I embarrass us and how I don’t make sense?
RB: You got it! So, what’s the problem now?

EB: Well, when I think of T leaving for a whole month, I start feeling scared.
RB: That is so totally stupid. I could understand if you were scared of hurricanes or tornadoes or execution or destruction but just because you won’t see your T for a month? That is pathetic.

EB: I know it’s ridiculous. That’s why I agree to stay hidden as much as possible.
RB: I’ve got to figure out a way to help you stay out of sight through November. If you can just hang low for those weeks, then in December you can display yourself as much as you’d like.

EB: (trying to hold back the tears) I wish I knew how to do that RB. But what I mostly want to do right now is to tell T that I’m scared.
RB: No, no, no – don’t you dare! Hey, we already told her that we had things under control. Just 2 weeks ago we told her that we might be ready to move on. So, how completely humiliating will it be to let you show her your fear?

EB: But what can I do? These feelings sometimes come on so strong that I’m not able to withstand them. And remember how we can lose control if we try to contain them too much?
RB: Oh, yes, do I remember. People think that I’m the strongest because I’m in control but the truth is is that you’re in control and you’re the strongest. I have to work very hard to restrict you as much as possible.

EB: But, RB, don’t you see that that doesn’t really work? Remember how much destruction was caused by my explosive release in the past? Remember how T has told us that if I’m not allowed to express myself in a natural way, I will find a much less healthy way to be seen?
RB: I hear what you’re saying but my motive has always been to protect you and to spare you pain.

EB: Yes, I understand that you care for me. But didn’t T tell us that the best way to avoid pain is to bring me out into the open?
RB: I know, I know and I do believe that helps in some circumstances but don’t you remember how letting you out backfired the last time? Don’t you remember how much more pain you were in? Don’t you realize that if you hadn’t exposed yourself so much, you wouldn’t have hurt so much?

EB: (sniffling) I see your point RB, but what are we going to do to prepare for T’s leaving?
RB: Well, first of all I need to give you a reality check. You are making something over nothing. This departure of T is REALLY not a big deal. I mean, you didn’t even know T this time last year. So, please please, you need to put this in perspective. It’s an illusory pain you’re experiencing now – it’s not real.

EB: (sobbing softly) Well, it feels real to me. Help me make the pain go away. Don’t you understand that it feels like I might die when I don’t have access to her Of course, you being so rational could never understand this kind of fear. I’m scared that I’ll have to face something really tough while she’s gone and I know I won’t be able to do it by myself.
RB: Well, Listen, then. I’m sure I’ll be able to come up with a good plan. I don’t want you to suffer. The best thing for now is for you to go into hiding. Whatever you do, do not let T know that you’ve shown yourself. We need to be a team. We need to work together. Follow my instructions and I’m sure you’ll avoid the worst of the pain.

Body appears and wants to be heard: RB, I know you have our best interest at heart but I must inform you that no matter how hidden you make EB, I feel her nonetheless. She may be out of your sight but she is all too apparent to me. When you keep her so hidden, I suffer even more.
RB: OMG, you mean I have to try to protect EB and you too? You know, I don’t think I can do this. This is much too difficult.

EB: RB, you’re making me feel even more scared. Please tell me that you can find a solution to this problem.
RB: I’m sorry EB & Body. Sometimes I’m not in the best form and I make decisions for you that may not be in your best interest. I think now that I have come up with a plan that might work.

EB: I hope that you’ll let me come out of hiding because I really don’t think I can stay there.
RB: I’m just now remembering the lessons T has given us these past few months. She has wanted us to practice mindfulness. With mindfulness, EB & Body, you are given the freedom to show yourselves AND express yourselves.

EB: Oh, that’s wonderful but… isn’t that going to make us feel worse?
RB: It will feel uncomfortable at first but as we practice being mindful, we will notice that we have the strength to receive and process and handle all your emotions.

EB: So, what should I do now?
RB: Be natural. I will come up with a more precise plan in a few days. I’m realizing that T’s leaving for a month is actually a really good thing. It gives us a chance to take off the training wheels of what we’ve been working on. We could say that the dress rehearsal is over and that the play is on. And surviving T’s absence or better yet, thriving in her absence will prepare us for difficult RL stuff that we’re bound to encounter.

EB: This is exciting but I’m also nervous about this new approach.
RB: Yes, you can feel nervous and excited because we are going to practice living our life differently. I will try very hard in the future not to ignore you or Body like I have for so long.

Then RB and EB and Body embrace each other and promise to try better to attend to each other’s needs. And they agree that neither RB nor EB is ‘bad’

very cool conversation

Ha. I too have 'rational brain' and 'emotional brain'

I love it - I'm seeing Laurel & Hardy here, where Stan Laurel is the skinny sniveling Emotional Brain, and Oliver is the Blow-Hardy Rational Brain making the big plans! If only Stan could keep up with the act! Interesting...