just minishorts.

Observation: LGATs work. They do. They're an opportunity to look into yourself, the techniques they use, controversial, but work, and they allow you to see who you are. The progressive syllabus they employ works on a 'know-your-self', 'test-your-limits' and -'form-positive-habits' basis, and looking at it that way, you'll see why I actually turned the cynic in me for a rest… while knowing very well that the strong me would stay intact throughout the entire course.

See, the problem is people don't change. Okay this is a line that's so cliche I cringe at saying it. But here's a thought to ponder.

How many of you have started thinking along the lines of, 'You know… I would have a better relationship with so-and-so if ONLY she took up the course that I took.'

Or… 'I think this person would become a better person IF ONLY he tried out the course.'

This is what I believe, when you actually start to behave like this, when your thought patterns move in that direction, you're no longer 'enrolling'. Rather than being a convincing spokesperson for the LGAT you were a part of, people might just start to avoid you. Rather than being an advocate, a proof that LGATs are positive experiences, you turn it around and become the reason why people like Sharon are so cynical and suspicious of the whole experience.

Rather than accepting honest and open feedback about how you've actually turned out negative and listen to the pleas of honest, caring friends that they're terrified by the 'new' you… you spin around and accuse people of being judgemental, not understanding, and then you start to ram this whole new mantra of 'You must so try this out, then you'll see what I mean.'

Why force people to understand you? Why not understand people, and accepting them for just that? Embrace them for the diversity? Sit back and think about the things you've said to the people who've always cared for you, cared for you enough to support you in your declaration that you're going to try out a LGAT (despite the suspicions that these things are dangerous). Why not be patient? Why not hold back? Why not put what you've learnt at that LGAT into your life and actually behave like a normal person.

So I cringe you know, when I hear lines like this, 'You know the people on the outside just don't understand you…'

Or, 'I'm very glad to be seeing you here, because there's a lot of work to be done on you.'

It's well meaning, appreciated, but these lines just don't function in any normal being. We're not being churned-out as fix-its. Not save the world, save the universe, let's create peace THROUGH a LGAT. Rather, I'm looking at it in this way. I've joined a LGAT in order to help me put into perspective just what I could do to better MYSELF. The people I interact with in a LGAT help me put things in focus, so that I can be a better person to the people I love. Understand that not all people like LGATs, and not everyone needs to be in a LGAT to be a better person. Understand that, then possibly, embrace the opportunity for everyone to really experience how LGAT can be a positive life changing experience. Embrace it… not force-feed it, and definitely not force-feed this mantra into your own head.

I see it this way, Brainwashing doesn't always have to be conducted by a third party. I actually believe that brainwashing, most of the time, is conducted upon yourself. So why negate a positive thing?

There's also something else that's apparent… and that cliche of 'people don't change' keeps repeating itself in my mind. It's not the LGAT that turned your best friends into strange human beings. Could it be that they've always been like that all along? THat the LGAT worked to bring out their true colours, all that pretence is now stripped off and 'THIS IS IT', the true them.

Horrifying eh?

…

LGAT: Large Group Awareness Trainings.