Page 35 - ALIVE CODE

DARE TO BE A.L.I.V.E. - DON’T BE A D.A.S.H.

LESSON 3

USING THE PRINCIPLES OF ALIVE Identifying the Activating Event

In the rst three lessons you learned the basics of Rational Emotive
Behavioral Therapy. Now, you will work on dealing with one of your own
unfortunate Activating Events or adversities. Think of an Adversity (A) that
has recently occurred in your life and that has led to an undesirable
Consequence (C), such as anxiety, depression, self-downing, or rage.

You may feel uncomfortable about working on your Activating Experience
(A), Illogical Beliefs (B), and its emotional Consequence (C). Many people feel
uptight and embarrassed about having dif culties, but these same people
are able to nd solutions to their dif culties.

Begin to solve your dif culty by working your problem into an ABC format.
Remember that the Activating Event (A) is an experience or situation and is
only one part of your emotional or behavioral trauma (C). Often people
erroneously believe (B), that A is the cause of the trauma (C).

The Activating Event may be a one time or primary Adversity or it may be
something that happens repeatedly a repeated Adversity.

Focus on the facts of your Activating Event or Adversity rather than on your
feelings or beliefs about it. Include these four pieces of information:

1. What happens, What is said or done?

2. Where you are when it happens?

3. Whom you are with?

4. How often this Adversity happens?

ALIVE CODE
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