The Elephant and the Rider

Psychologists have long told us that there are two independent “always-on” sides of our brain. One is the emotional side, the other the rational side. NYU psychologist Jonathan Haidt uses a lovely analogy to explain both: the emotional side is the elephant, the rational side is the rider. The rider of the elephant looks like he or she is in charge, but when there’s a disagreement between the elephant and the rider, the elephant usually wins.

[bharathu]

Ok I understanding everything that has just been said.. but my elephant has been nervous wreck all these years and it's been hiding behind a wall and I've been unknowingly scaring it with bad stories about what might happen now it just won't budge.

[iriswaterford]

So my fear of being out front alone, or being attacked is the elephant 🐘 my desire to be able to walk about is the rider & when I managed the letterbox, (done this several times in 2 weeks) then walked several steps along the path is the rider🧘 panic a bit 🐘, my counsellor's mental steps to calm down, walk again 🧘‍♀️ then panic, mental steps, walk not run back home. Freak out because I can't get the remote roller door down before Olivia cat escapes. Who won?