The User's Guide to the Human Mind

The User’s Guide to the Human Mind

One Final Exercise: Increasing Psychological
Flexibility for a Lifetime

I encourage you to try one more exercise. It is probably the most difficult
exercise of the book, and it can yield the greatest benefit. It is simply this:
identify that which you fear, and move toward it.

I’m not suggesting that you should belly flop into a pool of alligators sim-
ply because it frightens you. Many things in the world should be feared, and
perhaps that’s why the mind excels at that particular emotion.

Nor am I suggesting that you should do random, frightening things like
performing a sexy striptease at the local food court. I’ve never advocated
discomfort (or getting arrested) merely for the sake of it.

I am talking about a fear-pÂ

Mind the Basics

Yet a strange thing happens when we embrace fear and pursue what mat-
ters to us: our horizons expand in all directions. The fear that keeps us from
our values is like a chain around our neck, anchored firmly to a safe spot on
the ground. When we add new behaviors to our repertoire—Âe

The User’s Guide to the Human Mind

Values-Âd

Mind the Basics
They are also our best friends and the first things keeping us safe in a danger-
ous world.

The mind can be trained, but its nature cannot be changed. Living
peaceably with this cantankerous bundle of neurons requires the skill to deci-
pher its messages, the willingness to accept all that it gives, and the fortitude
to make choices that cause it to protest. I wish you well as you enjoy the free-
dom brought by peaceful coexistence with your own human mind.

191



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The User’s Guide to the Human Mind

edited by Steven C. Hayes, Dermot Barnes-ÂH

References

Hoomissen, C. E. Wade, D. A. York, and M. J. Zigmond. 2006. “Neurobiology of
Exercise.” Obesity 14: 345–5Â

The User’s Guide to the Human Mind

Gasper, K., R. H. Lozinski, and L. S. LeBeau. 2009. “If You Plan, Then You Can: How
Reflection Helps Defensive Pessimists Pursue Their Goals.” Motivation and Emotion
33: 203–Â1

References

Jureidini, J., and A. Tonkin. 2006. “Overuse of Antidepressant Drugs for the Treatment
of Depression.” CNS Drugs 20: 623–Â3

The User’s Guide to the Human Mind

Lin, L., R. Osan, and J. Z. Tsien. 2006. “Organizing Principles of Real-ÂT

References

Nardi, A. E., F. L. Lopes, R. C. Freire, A. B. Veras, I. Nascimento, A. M. Valenca, V. L.
de-MÂ

The User’s Guide to the Human Mind

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References

Van Bockstaele, B., B. Verschuere, J. De Houwer, and G. Crombez. 2010. “On the Costs
and Benefits of Directing Attention Towards or Away from Threat-RÂ



Shawn T. Smith, PsyD, is a psychologist in private practice who has enjoyed
a lifelong fascination with the mind. He has done clinical work in diverse
locations, including a rape crisis clinic, the International Commission on
Missing Persons in Bosnia, and the Colorado prison system. Smith lives in
Denver, CO, with his wife, daughter, and their dog.