It’s our final week on the Inner Lizard series, which means we get to look at my very favorite lizard-soothing strategy, best used when you start to feel like your inner lizard is the one running your life. One of my favorite moments in coach training was inspired by a discussion of this topic, when my fellow trainee said, “I’m living in Jurassic Park.” Over a year later, I still laugh at that line, and think of it anytime my inner lizard is in a particularly intense, vocal mood.
You all remember the kitchen scene from Jurassic Park, right? The one where the dreaded Velociraptors were hunting the poor kids, stalking them, opening doors with their giant claws, terrifying them (and us) nearly to death? Yes, that one! You’ve been listening to Dr. Grant talk about the raptors for the entire movie, with quotes like,
“…you keep still because you think that maybe his visual acuity is based on movement like T-Rex – he’ll lose you if you don’t move. But no, not Velociraptor. You stare at him, and he just stares right back. And that’s when the attack comes. Not from the front, but from the side, from the other two raptors you didn’t even know were there. Because Velociraptor’s a pack hunter, you see, he uses coordinated attack patterns and he is out in force today. And he slashes at you with this – a six-inch retractable claw, like a razor, on the middle toe. He doesn’t bother to bite your jugular like a lion, oh no … he slashes at you here [makes slashing motions below the child’s chest] or here … [above the groin] or maybe across the belly, spilling your intestines. The point is … you are alive when they start to eat you. So you know … try to show a little respect” – Dr. Alan Grant (Jurassic Park. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Universal Pictures. 1993)
Image Courtesy of Science Kids (http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/pictures/dinosaurs/velociraptor.html)
If you’ve experienced a full-on inner lizard freak out, this sounds just about right. Naming your lizard, staring at a cute lizard picture – none of these things help when you’re in full-on dinosaur mode. When this happens, we have to go for something way stronger – the truth. Start asking questions about your lizard beliefs. Do some research. See if there is any evidence at all to support your claim from your own life.
One of my clients had a huge fear about not having enough money. She’s retired, living on a fixed income but doing so well within her means with no foreseeable reason to fear. We were doing some work around money, so that she could have the mental security to enjoy the comfort that she has, and I asked her what would be the very worst case scenario.
“I’d go to the poorhouse.”
The what? Turns out when she was little, there was such a place, and her parents sometimes used it as a threat when she asked for something she wanted. Think “money doesn’t grow on trees,” with a little more menace.
(“Whatever” my own inner lizard chimed in, “at least she wouldn’t have to be homeless.”)
She did some research and discovered that there is no such thing as a poorhouse any longer. She went on to then do a realistic worst case scenario – what if she was unable to support herself? Well, she has children who love her and would support her. She has friends who would take her in. She has a sharp mind and the ability to work.
So when you’re surrounded by dinosaurs, try asking yourself questions like this…
- Realistically, what is the worst case scenario? (I envision myself trying to fight off other homeless people for the best spot near the library, still under threat even when I’ve lost all my material possessions. Really?)
- Is there anything at all you can do to prevent this worst case scenario?
- Have you ever let a scenario get anywhere near the dire level that your inner lizard predicts?
- Do you have any abilities, resources, friends, loved ones that might make this horrific scenario unlikely?
- Have you ever actually known anyone who had this worst case scenario happen to…and did they survive it? Did it work out somehow? (My own lizard, Louie, popped up to say I shouldn’t include this question…what if you DO know someone and they died and it was all horrible?? Shh, Louie, it’s okay….)
Finally… did you know that the terrifying Velociraptor was, in fact, the size of a turkey? Seriously! I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine hiding behind a steel cabinet, waiting in terror while three turkey-sized raptors came to get me.
Image (Cropped) Courtesy of Science Kids (http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/pictures/dinosaurs/raptorscale.html)
Leave a comment and let us know what truth you found out about your greatest lizard fear!
Sign up to receive newsletters delivered to your inbox on the first, third, (and occasional fifth) Sundays, lifetime access to my free tools library, first notice of new programs, classes, and sales.
Loved it! I happen to be the “poor house ” person. Was so glad to put that scenario to rest. As a result, I bought a delightful lizard windchime which is very close to my writing area. When I hear the chimes without the wind, I know it’s time to sooth the lizard!
Yes! Thank you for sharing and letting me tell your poor house story. This was my favorite lizard example ever 😀
Great Liz! I have one more question to add to your valuable ones. (Well, two really….)
What if the worst case scenario did happen? Could you cope? (Please note this is different to like. We may not like it, but we cope)
By facing the fear and realising that we do in fact cope with much more than we think, usually makes the fear much less powerful.
That is a great point, Andrea! Thank you for the comment – looking at the reality and seeing if we’re able to cope even in the worst case is a great way to dispel fear.