Are You Living In Denial Too?

I’m sure you have heard the saying: Denial* is not only a river in Egypt. Well according to a New York Times article, not only is denial a river in Egypt, but it’s universal. Apparently Denial Makes the World Go Round and people everywhere are in denial about something, except for my friend, Erica. I just can’t believe this!

It noted that there are 4 varieties of denial and sadly, I fall into the Passive Acknowledgment area. Sometimes, I acknowledge my behavior, I give it a name and then that’s it. I am not in denial though, I’m “in lazy”, or am I?

  1. Inattention. An often benign form of denial; the activity passes under the radar.
  2. Passive Acknowledgment. The behavior is noticed, but little or no action is taken.
  3. Reframing. Exploitation or betrayal of trust is recast as a kind of mistake or foul up.
  4. Willful blindness. The person keeps the topic off limits, perhaps even to himself.

According to various studies, denial can be a defense mechanism against “external realities that threaten the ego.” I’m not so sure how much of a protection it is for me. I doubt I can be in denial because in the back of my mind or somewhere in there, I know better? I might be in stupid, but not in denial. Can we really fool ourselves?

The article did conclude with a slither of hope. It stated that “good people can be dishonest up to the level where the conscience kicks in” and I think that is a key point. I think our conscience has the ability to accuse us or excuse us depending on our moral standards. I need some help on this one, I’m confused.

So what are you in denial about, anything? I’m in denial about my internet usage. :)

__________________
*The Nile River

Posted on November 21, 2007 at 7:00 am by Natural · Permalink
In: Just Thinking

2 Responses

Subscribe to comments via RSS

  1. Written by Olga, the Traveling Bra
    on November 21, 2007 at 3:28 pm
    Permalink

    Since I am doing THIS instead of getting ready for Thanksgiving which is TOMORROW…I guess I am in denial about my OTHER issue…procrastination!

  2. Written by nosey_in_nyc
    on November 26, 2007 at 5:07 pm
    Permalink

    I am in denial about my debt. I have $50,000 in school loans (damn that ivy league education), I’m using my credit too often and my job greatly underpays me–but I keep telling myself that it’ll be okay. I guess I’m in the Passive Acknowledgment area and what I really need to do is rob a bank!

Subscribe to comments via RSS