Bunchems Buddies: That's Disgusting!

My guilty pleasure lately has been survival shows. As mentioned previously, my outdoorsy skills are limited, to say the least. I have a phobic reaction to snakes and the closest I have come to “roughing it” was my senior trip at the KOA. But my inexperience and ineptitude can’t and won’t stop me from shouting directives at the TV. “Try slathering up with mud!” “Try spreading ashes around your shelter to prevent an ant infestation!” And most frequently, “Why did you chose a bow drill when you know good and well that the fire starter was the more viable option? Who do you think you are? What are you trying to prove?!?!”

For kicks, I wove a survival bonnet using palmetto fronds. Just one of the many skills I would bring to the table in a survival scenario.

Obviously, I’m pretty passionate when it comes to armchair survival strategies. But nothing gets my goat more than survivalists making poor decisions about food and water. It’s a pretty common occurrence on these shows. The inaccessibility to grocery stores paired with insatiable thirst can make for some desperate situations. I recently watched an episode in which a woman encountered a rotting parrot head and thought this would make a good lunch. A PARROT HEAD! She ignored the pleas and visceral gagging sounds coming from my side of the television. She ate the parrot head. She was hospitalized. Her primitive survival rating decreases. My survival by proxy skills increase.

Of course, it’s easy for me to bark orders at survivalists from the comfort of my own couch while munching on Cheetos and gulping a crisp ginger ale. All of my basic needs are met! I am blessed to be in a safe place where food and running water are plenty. Without the stress that comes with living off the land, I am still able to hear the voice inside my head screaming, “That’s disgusting!”

Disgust is an interesting emotion. Too much of it and we are plagued by fears of the unknown. Perhaps we become anxious, obsessing over a fear that we have been contaminated in some way. (A real and agonizing concern for those who struggle with OCD.) Or maybe we reject opportunities for new relationships with people who are different than us.

Too little of it and we expose ourselves to unhealthy situations. Have you ever been in a toxic relationship? Have you ever noticed a small voice whispering that the way you are treated violates human decency? That is disgust, my friend!

My Bunchem Buddy, Disgust. Just trying to do his job.

Befriending our emotions is crucial for learning to living in harmony with them. And the first step in befriending disgust is making the proper introductions. Let’s name that flavor of disgust! Are you feeling revolted? Offended? Or my favorite, icked-out?

Next, evaluate where you fall on the disgust scale. Is your sense of disgust protecting you from real and legitimate danger? Or just perceived harm?

Now cue the inner dialogue. “Thanks for being here for me, Disgust. What's happening now is NOT ok and I need to speak out.” Or, “Thanks for looking out for me, but I’m going to need you to chillax a little while I think through this problem.”

Admittedly, disgust is not one of our most pleasant emotions. But, as with all our emotions, it would be terribly unwise to send this guy packing! Acknowledge it, thank it and invite it to stick around…we’re going to need him next time we pour a glass of spoiled milk!