Does drama surround you? Does it seem to follow you around?

Do you crave peace? Understanding? Respect? A little love, maybe?

Do you REALLY want to lower the drama in your life?

If so, continue to the next step.

If not, we invite you to return when someone has finished standing on your last nerve.

You have two choices.

Yes: You are ready to do what it takes to find some peace.
No: That last nerve's not done yet.

Describe your most recent argument. What started it and how did it end?

What was your part in it? Did you own your part, or did you cover up your mistakes?

Here's the thing about drama. It kicks into high gear when we aren't honest with ourselves or with other people. Chaos also gets a free pass when other people aren't honest with us. Trouble can't help but bust out. Feelings are hurt. Friendships are damaged.

If you think about it, though, communication at its most basic level starts with being honest. This is especially true during conflict. A little chill doesn't hurt either. This is how you respect yourself and others.

But there's another piece to consider. Who can be truthful when they don't know what's tripping them up? The short answer is no one.

Do you agree?

Honesty begins with an understanding of what forms our beliefs about ourselves. That relates to the way we perceive what others are saying.

Our mindset is our set of beliefs. Beliefs are determined by:
* how we view ourselves
* the type of people we include in our inner circles
* the attitudes and behaviors we express that make us feel secure and accepted

We tend to encourage or offend people based upon how we see ourselves and how we've come to trust or mistrust others. Like it or not, honesty and trust are linked.

Some of those friends and family we listen to most are the ones we begin to act like - or act out like.

How much value to you place on being honest with yourself and others?

Go to the 'demo' tab and watch the clip from the movie "I Am David."

Tell us what you thought of the video when you've finished.

Imagine you're looking into a mirror.

Giving this as much honesty as you can, how do you see yourself? Describe yourself in the space provided.

It's important to assess who we see in the mirror.

We tend to view others the way we see ourselves and often treat them accordingly.

Unfortunately, very few of us see ourselves the way we really are. Most of us can easily point out the bad stuff, but what about the good?

How optimistic are you that you can see the good in yourself?

For many, if not most of us, negative thoughts keep playing in our heads, and they can't help but distort what we hear.

These messages form filters and we register everything said to us through those filters.

Do you understand so far? If not, keep going. We think you'll be able to get at pretty soon. It takes a little time for most of us. Give yourself that time.

Picture a horse with blinders. It's a lot like that. We get a partial view that distorts reality.

We all have filters that can distort what we think we see or hear. These filters could be age, gender, education, race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty, family background, social status or negative experiences.

You see, sometimes our eyes and ears tell our brains something that is false or only partially true. That misinformation can stir up unnecessary trouble.

Describe your own filters.

How certain are you that you'd be able to see past differences enough to trust that someone you just met, who is your total opposite on the surface, could be pretty cool if given a chance?

That's enough for now.

'Escape Drama' runs for 21 days without breaks for weekends or holidays.

If you post to Publisher, check 'my journal' for responses. If you'll do the isoBlogs each day, you won't likely need to post to us for additional help. The system is designed to do that on its own.

You are encouraged, however, to join a Next Step community of youth and young adults from your area or program.

Post your email address to us in the last open space on the page. Let us know what city you live in or if you want to be placed in the same group as someone you know. You'll receive an invite from isodoit.com. Click on the link. You're in.

To read posts, go to your Day Plan or view them in 'my journal'.

If you're reading this isoBlog from another site, then you'll have to sign in and create an account to be able to post comments and save your responses.

Will you commit to show up each day, do your isoBlog, and be honest with your answers?