Family Quote by David D. Burns
““Your sense of paralysis will be intensified if your family and friends are in the habit of pushing and cajoling you. Their nagging should statements reinforce the insulting thoughts already echoing through your head. Why is their pushy approach doomed to failure? It's a basic law of physics that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. Any time you feel shoved, whether by someone's hand actually on your chest or by someone trying to boss you around, you will naturally tighten up and resist so as to maintain your equilibrium and balance. You will attempt to exert your self-control and preserve your dignity by refusing to do the thing that you are being pushed to do. The paradox is that you often end up hurting yourself.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, 1980
External pressure triggers resistance, leading to self‑defeating behavior; equilibrium forces cause a counter‑reaction that harms the individual.
In simple terms: Pushy people cause you to push back, hurting yourself.
Key Takeaway
Set boundaries and manage external pressure.
Themes
psychology
self‑control
resistance
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
educational
advice
When to use this quote
- workplace
- family dynamics
- personal goals
Key Concepts
cognitive behavior
stress response
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you respond without self‑sabotage?
- What strategies protect your equilibrium?
A Different Perspective
Resistance may reinforce negative self‑talk.
