The Line

Above & Below the Line – from Top 20 Teens pp. 41-47

The line is the separation between positive and negative views of life. Look at the model below. The vertical line is THE RULER. It measures the quality of our thinking: our states of mind, attitudes, moods, or beliefs.

The horizontal line is simply THE LINE. It separates The Ruler into top and bottom thinking, or Above the Line (ATL) or Below the Line (BTL). Our attitudes, beliefs, and moods ATL are significantly different than BTL.

+

 ABOVE THE LINE

A positive view on life and how I see the world

My thinking is in my best interest.

Energetic moods and emotions

*Positive attitudes *True beliefs *Hopefulness

*Optimism *Power to control my life (90/10)

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 BELOW THE LINE

A negative view on life and how I see the world

My thinking is not in my best interest

Depressing moods and emotions

* Feelings of sadness and anger

* Negative attitudes * False beliefs *Hopelessness

*Pessimism * Powerless victim of life (10/90)

When we are BTL, we are having a bad day. Our thought life is serving us poorly and we are at the mercy of negative feelings.

When we are ATL, our thinking power is serving us well. We are really cooking and it brings out the best in us.

All people fluctuate between these two states. It’s normal to have highs and lows. Your mental and emotional experience of life is greatly influences by your state of mind.

What You Feel Is What You Get

Are you Below the Line because you have problems or do you have problems because you are Below the Line? Bottom 80s claim that they are below the line because they have problems. Top 20s believe just the opposite. The are aware that some the pain or misery they are experiencing is the result of their current perception of life. They still have power to improve their condition with improved attitudes. They stop blaming others and take more responsibility for their lives, they visit Below the Line less often, don’t stay there very long, and bounce back quicker.

Viewing Problems Differently

Top 20s live Above the Line, but still visit Below the Line on occasion. Bottom 80s tend to live Below the Line and visit Above the Line infrequently. It is neither good nor bad to be Above or Below the Line. It’s just life. However, there is a big difference between living and visiting. Where you think most of the time is where you live. Top 20s learn to live above the line even when external conditions aren’t favorable.

Furthermore, when Top 20s visit Below the Line they:

  • are aware that they are BTL
  • take responsibility for being BTL
  • develop skills to change their state of mind
  • don’t take their BTL thinking at face value.
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    Consequently, they avoid making important decisions when they are Below the Line. Instead, they try to hand their BTL experience with grace and dignity.

    Indicators, Triggers, and Trampolines

    Indicators – are BTL feelings and reactions like anger, sadness, inadequacy, jealousy, depression, withdrawal, yelling, judging, fighting, and arguing.

    Triggers – are those conditions that make it likely for us to go BTL. Examples include someone calling you stupid, not finding a place to sit with your favorite crowd, doing poorly on a test, your parents telling you to do something or that you can’t do something. Even being sick or in pain can send you into a BTL tailspin.

    Remember that one choice you always have is to wait until you are better able to decide. You can create your own trampolines that can bounce you out of BTL and back Above the Line. These include:

  • spending some quiet time alone
  • talking to a trusted friend or adult
  • listening to music
  • exercising
  • performing an act of service
  • praying or meditating
  • focusing on the present
  • waiting until tomorrow.
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    Alert and Protect Others

    Top 20’s communicate that they are BTL to other people so others understand that they are not the source of the problem. Sometimes just telling someone that you’re BTL helps you to move upward.

    1. What triggers influence you to move Below the Line?

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    2. What indicators (reactions or feelings) help you to be aware that you are Below the Line?

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    3. What can you do to move Above the Line when you are Below the Line? Consider:

  • using Above the Line trampolines.
  • Taking responsibility and changing your thoughts.
  • Staying focused on the present, on whatever is in front of you.
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    What is your plan?

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