Picture your body as a large trash compactor. Ok, that doesn't sound terribly flattering, but the way Dr. Linda Moore explains it, the analogy works. Here's the gist: those feelings and emotions you don't express get pushed down into your gut, layer upon layer, until one day, lo and behold, physical symptoms start to appear, and that spicy Mexican dinner you thought was causing your acid indigestion ain't the culprit. It's really just your body's way of telling you that you still haven't forgiven your brother Willy for bopping you in the head with his cuddly bear (the one with the metal voicebox). Calm, cool, and collected (as opposed to sounding like a talk show host who's hot on the trail of a repressed memory), Dr. Moore asks the viewer to write down a series of questions about who controls your time, who you can't say "no" to, who it's hardest for you to criticize, who you feel the most stressed with, etc. If a certain name (say, Willy) keeps cropping up in your answers, then you'll know who to skip come Xmas shopping time (not really; you will have a good idea what's wrong with your emotional trash compactor, however.) After establishing the damage area, Dr. Moore explains how viewers can do a little psychological repair work by simply establishing boundaries, working to improve self-esteem, and staying healthy (through meditation, exercise, and healthy eating). None of this, of course, ranks up there with inventing the wheel, but it's hard to find a good self-help tape that doesn't either treat the viewer as if he or she was 8-years-old (you can do it Joanie!) or isn't filled with questionable gobbledygook (howling at the moon, etc.). I'm going to give this tape to my brother Willy for his birthday, because to tell the truth, it was me who hit him and I don't think he's ever truly forgiven me. [Note: the workbook, while briefly referred to on the program, is not necessary to use the video.] Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)
Taking Charge Of Your Life
(1993) 50 min. $24.95 ($39.95 w/workbook). Lifestar, Inc. (dist. by Tapeworm Video). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 4
Taking Charge Of Your Life
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