Dear Shirley, Earth Angel:

Most interesting post. I think Andrew has an inner bully that tells him that if he is not number 1 then he is not good enough. Dave, on the other hand, maybe does not have an inner bully, maybe he has a well functioning inner critic (a necessary part of your brain, the one to set necessary limits for yourselves). How fortunate Dave is, if indeed this is the case! This is how he can be laid back. His parents must have been gentle with him!

I agree with your statement: ” my inner bully also takes after my parent’s criticisms”- this is the source of the inner bully (the critical, abusive inner critic)- the parent/s in our lives. I like your dissociation description using Mrs. Anna Rexia. Connecting it to my thinking here, it would be giving the inner bully back to the critical/ abusive parent! This is where the Inner Bully belongs- with its originator!

What do you think about this last thought: giving the inner bully back to where it came from?

I like your noble gases/ other gases analogy as well as the PH and buffer analogy. Except does the latter mean that we can or should endure some bullying (by the inner bully or an outside bully)? I think I am aiming at a no-bully-policy!

Thanks for the jokes, water, Sulphur, sulphuric acid, sulfite, sulfate…

anita