Petra.
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SWAMPS WANT WHAT ROCKS GET, BUT CANNOT RECEIVE
When situations in a relationship polarise, rocks tend to give to everybody else what a swamp needs the most. Swamps have natural compassion because of their sensitivity. Rocks receive a certain acclaim or acknowledgement from the world around them because of their natural generosity. This acclaim, however, rolls off their back, because rocks do not want to put their faith in something that might change. As children, rocks were happy, then all of a sudden something happened, and their whole world came crashing down; they do not tend to trust all the nice things that are said to them, all the compliments they are given. Swamps, of course, would love to receive this kind of acknowledgement and recognition, but they are afraid of moving out to others because they fear being overwhelmed with everyone else's feelings. Swamps do not seem to have natural boundaries; they not only feel their own feelings, which are almost too much, but they can also feel and resonate with what everybody else is feeling. While swamps are supersensitive, rocks have become impervious because at some early date they felt intruded upon, and emotionally raped. Rocks tend to be as impervious as possible to both the joy of giving and to someone trying to take, to whether they are receiving compliments or criticism. Swamps on the other hand are supersensitive. They revel in a good complement, and love to be appreciated. A little appreciation goes a long way with a swamp, whereas criticism hits them hard. They have no ability to distance themselves from criticism; they do not know what belongs to the criticiser and what would be really helpful for them, as swamps, to acknowledge. There is then a tendency to attack back or abase themselves. It gets truly overwhelming, so swamps tend to limit themselves in their giving to other people.
Today, if you are a swamp, give what you want for yourself. If you want recognition, give it. This will help you feel satisfied. If you are a rock, do not distrust what is being given. Rather than believing it is merely a way of trapping you, instead, be willing to let it come deep inside you. You can be aware when others move from a mode of giving, to one of giving-to-take. Then, at that moment, you can communicate your own natural boundaries, rather than feel like the clam is being shucked out of you. Editor's Note: "Rock" and "swamp" are terms used by Dr. Spezzano to describe two completely different styles of communication in relationship. Refer to Lesson 276.
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