Most psychologist think that conflict, the presence of opposing elements of thought or feeling, is the cause of many types of emotional disorders. We believe that people with intelligence and concern and respect for humanity will try to prevent a society of oppression and control, so lives will not be sacrificed for the sake of the state. Each of us has a definite stake in ensuring that freedom of individual and social existence will spread and become the norm everywhere.

The machine society, especially through its exploding mass media, has confused people’s sense of reality and personal identity. Many people think all news and negative, life is a game, and that society is evil. There is a confused blur between mass media, news, drama, and live experiences. Existence has increasingly become a spectator sport.

Outside of a formal therapy situation, one way you can help yourself to fuller living is to get the strokes you need to feel human, accepted, and real. You can get significant strokes by giving them to others. If you are always doing bad things, hurting people, and lying, then yes, your reality will be evil because that is your character.

You can contribute immensely to the amount of mental health and happiness in, in the World, including yourself, by doing some fairly simple things. Notice other people. Notice how they appear to feel, what seems to turn them on, make them happy. Notice their achievements, their appearance. Show them that you notice. How? Smile. Say hello. Say, “That was a great job you did last week.” Ask, “Are you feeling tired?”

However, if you do not mean it, do not compliment people, nor do you keep asking them how they are doing, if you really do not care. Keep it short and sweet. Hi, and Good bye. Nonetheless, there is something good worth noticing about nearly everyone. And often, you can help immeasurably, to make someone feel more human, just by a simple stroke by just noticing them.

Also, notice yourself. Notice how you appear to feel, what seems to turn you on, make you happy. Try not to label your feelings good or bad, just aspects of yourself. And notice when you need help and get it. You can simply tell someone when you are feeling down by saying, “Talk to me.” Or, “I may be a little grouchy today; I need cheering up.”

The heart must appear in the book, too, as well as the learning. For though it is full of things I do not understand, every now and then there is something I do understand: that seems as if that heart spoke out to the World. Good nature gives pleasure without any allay; ease, confidence, and happy carelessness, without the pain of obligation, with the exertion of gratitude.