Page 33 - G-Gold to Lead

The second suggestion made by the old man about ways to use the “gift” was also rejected but for the opposite reason from the first. When it was suggested he use the lead as weights for a net, which then could be used to catch fish, the Young Man replied “I’ve never made a fishing net, how do I know that this will work. Why should I go to that much trouble if I can’t be sure it will succeed?” This time it is his lack of familiarity with something that he uses as his reason for rejection. He is unwilling to put in the time and effort in something unless there is a guarantee of success.
These are common irrational themes, which are self-restricting. This type of thinking is so common, that we think little of it.
There are many people who won’t try new foods, go on certain types of vacations or associate with a new neighbor, all because of a lack of familiarity.
In this part of the story, we again hear the Young Man’s need for some guarantee of success if he is going to go to this much trouble. Real life is void of such guarantees and the demand that it should be leads to frustration and anger. This belief is a frequent component to the irrational cognitive repertoire of behavior problem child and the substance-abusing adult.
The final two parts of this story illustrate the Young Man’s rejection of suggestions because of his irrational concerns about... of what others might or might not do. First, that others will make fun of his homemade dolls. Second, that no one would be willing to help him learn to be a plumber as suggested by the Old Man. These are examples of the self-messages that cause an over sensitivity to the imagined reactions of others (Catastrophizing) and of assuming you know the thinking of others (Mind Reading).
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